Parameters and measurements

Each thing you measure is a takeoff — a named row that adds up its measurements as you draw. Pick the measurement type that matches what you're counting.

Choose a measurement type

Pick Takeoffs in the dropdown next to the filename — that also opens the takeoff list on the right — then pick a tool in the toolbar at the top of the editor:

Area — trace a polygon to measure square footage (slabs, walls, roofing).
Linear — trace a line for linear footage (trim, curb, fence).
Count — click each item to tally a count (fixtures, posts, outlets).
The scale chip — Foreman usually fills this in itself from the dimension strings printed on the sheet (an AI badge on the chip marks a scale it found); open the chip to set one from the preset grid, re-run the reader with Detect scale, or draw a known distance with Calibrate manually… (see Upload and scale plans). A chip reading Mixed scales means the sheet has two on it and Foreman refused to guess — calibrate that one by hand. Takeoff tools only appear on a file typed Plan set.

The tool buttons are icon-only — hover one to see its name.

Draw a measurement

Pick a tool, then click on the plan to drop points.
For an area or linear takeoff, keep clicking to add points and double-click (or press Finish in the floating bar at the top of the canvas) to close the shape.
The running total appears live in the Takeoffs panel on the right as you draw. If you've collapsed the panel, click the Annotations tab on the right edge of the canvas to bring it back.

Note

On an area takeoff, use the Add / Cut toggle in the toolbar to subtract openings — doors, windows, or a cutout — from the same measurement.

Change the unit

In the Takeoffs panel, click the unit next to a takeoff's value to switch it — for example ft² to yd² on an area, or LF to yd on a linear takeoff. The value converts automatically. Counts are always ea, so they have no unit to pick.

Note

Once a takeoff derives a value (see below) the derived result takes the place of the unit chip. Switch the underlying unit from Options → Change unit instead.

Derive volumes and sloped areas

Add a dimension to turn a flat measurement into something else without re-measuring.

In the Takeoffs panel, click Options on a takeoff row.
Add a derived input:
- Area takeoffs can take a Depth (area × depth → volume) or a Pitch (rise and run, which flattens to a sloped area).
- Linear takeoffs can take a Width (length × width → area), a Height (length × height → wall surface, for drywall, paint, or insulation), a Width + Depth (trench volume), or a Radius (pipe/cylinder volume).
Enter the value and unit. The derived result replaces the raw value in the row.

The dimension controls sit beneath their takeoff name as part of the same item. Press Enter or leave a value field to apply it; the unit button changes that input's unit, and its Remove button removes the input.

Note

Radius and the cross-section dimensions are mutually exclusive — once a linear takeoff has a Width, Height, or Depth on it, Radius drops out of the menu, and vice versa.

Note

Volumes derive to cubic yards and sloped/road areas to square feet — the units contractors actually order and bill in.

Organize takeoffs

Click New folder at the bottom of the Takeoffs panel to add a group, then drag takeoffs into it.
Rename a takeoff from its Options menu (clicking the name selects the row), or click the color swatch to recolor it.
Use the eye toggle to hide a takeoff on the drawing without deleting it.

Note

Pending AI results appear in the separate AI Takeoffs tab beneath Annotations, not as another tool mode. That tab follows pending work across the entire open plan set, so changing pages or collapsing the sidebar does not lose your way back to review. Accepted work appears in the regular takeoff list.

To start a new scan, scroll to the sheet you want and click AI Takeoffs in the header. The scan tools use that visible sheet. Finish any drawing or other active operation first; scrolling does not move unfinished work onto another sheet.