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Calibrating the Drawing Scale in Takeoff

To calibrate the scale for a drawing in Buildend:

  1. Navigate to Takeoff

    • Open the project where you want to calibrate the drawing scale.

    • In the project tabs, click PreconstructionTakeoff.

  2. Select the Drawing

    • From the Drawings dropdown, select the drawing you want to calibrate.

    • If the scale has not yet been set, you will see a red button labeled Scale Not Set.

  3. Open the Calibration Tool

    • Click the Scale Not Set button to open calibration options.

    • You will have two methods to set the scale:

    • Option 1: Manually Set Scale

      • Enter the scale ratio manually (e.g., 1 inch = 10 feet ).

    • Option 2: Scale by Measurement

      • Click once to start drawing a line between two known points.

      • Click again to finish the line.

      • Enter the actual real-world distance between the two points.

  4. Choose Units & Precision

    • Select whether to calibrate in feet or meters.

    • Choose the desired precision (number of decimal places).

  5. Save Calibration

    • Click Submit to save the calibration.

    • All measurements on this drawing will now use the calibrated scale.


Tips for Choosing a Calibration Method

  • Manual Scale – Use this option if the drawing already includes a clear, printed scale (e.g., “1" = 10'”) and you trust that the drawing has not been resized or distorted.

  • Scale by Measurement – Recommended if you are unsure whether the printed scale is accurate or if the drawing may have been rescaled during scanning. Choose two points with a known distance (e.g., a door width, grid line spacing, or dimensioned wall) for the most accurate calibration.

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