Mini Takeoff Calc - Beta

This is a simple on-screen takeoff tool for construction and design professionals. Users can upload a PDF plan, calibrate the drawing to real-world scale, and then use built-in tools to measure distances, calculate areas, and count objects directly on the plan. The interface also allows naming and color-coding each takeoff item to keep track of different measurements and counts efficiently. The tool streamlines digital plan review for quick quantity takeoffs and estimations

Open Mini Takeoff Calc

User Guide: Mini Takeoff Calc

 

Table of Contents

 

  1. Introduction

    • Overview of the Interface

  2. Getting Started: Your First Project

    • Creating a New Project

    • Uploading a PDF Plan

  3. Setting the Scale: The Most Important Step

    • Method 1: Using the Calibrate Tool (Recommended)

    • Method 2: Manual Scale Input

  4. Using the Takeoff Tools

    • Pan Tool (P)

    • Line Tool (L)

    • Area Tool (A)

    • Count Tool (C)

    • Continuing an Existing Measurement

  5. Managing Your Takeoff

    • The Pages & Takeoff Summary Panel

    • Navigating and Managing Pages

    • Editing and Deleting Takeoff Items

  6. Project Management

    • Saving Your Project

    • Loading a Project

  7. Exporting Your Results

    • Export as CSV

    • Export Marked-up PDF

    • Export as Image

  8. Tips & Best Practices

  9. Troubleshooting

 

1. Introduction

 

Welcome to the Mini Takeoff Calc! This tool is designed to help you perform on-screen takeoffs by uploading PDF plans, measuring distances, calculating areas, and counting items directly on the drawing.

 

Overview of the Interface

 

  • Left Panel: Contains all your project controls, tools, and the summary of your takeoff measurements. It’s split into two tabs:

    • Project Tab: For creating, saving, loading, and exporting your project.

    • Takeoff Tab: For accessing measurement tools, setting the scale, and viewing the takeoff summary.

  • Right Panel (Canvas): This is your main workspace where the PDF plan is displayed and where you will draw your measurements.

 

2. Getting Started: Your First Project

 

 

Creating a New Project

 

Before uploading a plan, it’s best to create a project.

  1. In the Project tab, click the New button.

  2. A dialog box will appear asking for a project name. Enter a name and click Save.

  3. Your project is now active, and its name will appear at the top of the panel.

 

Uploading a PDF Plan

 

  1. In the Project tab, locate the Upload PDF Plan section.

  2. Click the Choose File button and select the desired PDF file from your computer.

  3. The first page of your PDF will appear on the canvas, ready for you to begin.

 

3. Setting the Scale: The Most Important Step

 

For your measurements to be accurate, you must set the scale for each page. The application provides two ways to do this.

 

Method 1: Using the Calibrate Tool (Recommended)

 

This is the most accurate method. Use it when your drawing has a known, dimensioned line (e.g., a wall labeled as 10 ft, a dimension line, or a graphic scale bar).

  1. Navigate to the Takeoff tab.

  2. Click the Calibrate Scale button. Your cursor will change to a crosshair.

  3. Find a line on your PDF with a known length. Zoom in for better accuracy.

  4. Click on the start of the line, then click on the end of the line.

  5. A dialog box will appear. Enter the real-world length of the line you just drew (e.g., 10).

  6. Select the correct unit (e.g., ft, m, mm).

  7. Click Apply.

The scale for the current page is now calibrated. All measurements you make on this page will be accurate. Note: You must repeat this process for any other page that has a different scale.

 

Method 2: Manual Scale Input

 

Use this method if you know the drawing’s architectural scale (e.g., 1:100, 1/4″ = 1′-0″).

  1. Navigate to the Takeoff tab.

  2. Find the Horizontal Scale and Vertical Scale input fields.

  3. Enter the scale in the format 1:100. If the horizontal and vertical scales are the same, you only need to fill in the first box.

 

4. Using the Takeoff Tools

 

All tools are located in the Takeoff tab. After completing a measurement, you will be prompted to give it a name and color. This is essential for keeping your takeoff organized.

 

Pan Tool (P)

 

  • Select the Pan tool to move around the document without accidentally measuring.

  • How to use: Click and drag on the canvas to move the PDF.

  • Shortcut: Press the P key.

 

Line Tool (L)

 

  • Use this to measure distances, lengths, and perimeters.

  • How to use:

    1. Select the Line tool.

    2. Click to place the starting point.

    3. Continue clicking to create segments.

    4. Double-click on the final point to finish the measurement.

  • Shortcut: Press the L key.

 

Area Tool (A)

 

  • Use this to measure square footage or area.

  • How to use:

    1. Select the Area tool.

    2. Click to place the first corner of your shape.

    3. Continue clicking to draw the boundary of the area.

    4. Double-click on the final point to close the shape and finish the measurement.

  • Shortcut: Press the A key.

 

Count Tool (C)

 

  • Use this to count items like light fixtures, outlets, or columns.

  • How to use:

    1. Select the Count tool.

    2. Click on the canvas where an item exists. You will be prompted to name the count group (e.g., “Type A Light Fixture”).

    3. Continue clicking on all items belonging to that same group.

  • Shortcut: Press the C key.

 

Continuing an Existing Measurement

 

If you need to add more lines, areas, or counts to a group you’ve already created:

  1. In the Takeoff Summary panel, find the item you want to continue.

  2. Click on the item’s name. This will automatically select the correct tool and group.

  3. Begin measuring on the canvas. The new measurements will be added to the selected group.

  4. To stop adding to a group, press the Escape key.

 

5. Managing Your Takeoff

 

 

The Pages & Takeoff Summary Panel

 

This panel in the Takeoff tab is the central hub for your measurements. It lists all pages and the measurement groups on each page, along with their totals.

 

Navigating and Managing Pages

 

  • Switch Pages: Click any page header in the summary panel to jump directly to that page. You can also use the Previous and Next page buttons below the canvas.

  • Rename a Page: Hover over a page header and click the pencil icon to give it a more descriptive name (e.g., “First Floor Plan”).

  • Delete All Data on a Page: Hover over a page header and click the trash can icon. This will remove all takeoff data from that page only.

 

Editing and Deleting Takeoff Items

 

Hover over any measurement item in the summary list to reveal action icons:

  • Continue (+ icon): Click this to continue adding to that measurement group.

  • Edit (pencil icon): Click this to change the name or color of the group.

  • Delete (trash can icon): Click this to delete the entire measurement group from the current page.

 

6. Project Management

 

 

Saving Your Project

 

It is crucial to save your work regularly.

  1. Go to the Project tab and click Save.

  2. A single .json file will be downloaded. This file contains both your takeoff data and a copy of the original PDF.

 

Loading a Project

 

  1. Go to the Project tab and click Load Project from File.

  2. Select the .json project file you previously saved.

  3. The application will load the PDF and all your saved measurements exactly as you left them.

 

7. Exporting Your Results

 

 

Export as CSV

 

This option exports all your takeoff data into a spreadsheet-friendly format. The CSV file will include the item name, type (Line, Area, Count), page, and total measurement.

 

Export Marked-up PDF

 

This creates a new PDF file that is a copy of your original plan but with all your colored lines, areas, and count markers drawn permanently onto it. This is useful for sharing your work with others.

 

Export as Image

 

This captures the current view of your canvas and saves it as a PNG image file.

 

8. Tips & Best Practices

 

  • Escape Key: The Esc key is your best friend. Use it to cancel a current drawing or to stop adding to a measurement group.

  • Zoom is Key: Always zoom in as close as possible when clicking points for calibration, lines, or areas. This dramatically increases accuracy.

  • Naming is Everything: Give every measurement a clear, descriptive name (e.g., “Lobby Walls,” “Office Carpet,” “Data Outlets”). This makes your summary easy to read.

  • One Scale Per Page: Remember that scale is set on a per-page basis. If your PDF has multiple pages with different scales, you must calibrate each one.

 

9. Troubleshooting

 

  • My PDF won’t upload.

    • Ensure the file has a .pdf extension and is not corrupted. Try opening it in a standard PDF viewer first.

  • My measurements seem wrong.

    • The most common cause is an incorrect scale. Go back to the Calibrate Scale tool and carefully re-calibrate using a long, clearly-marked dimension on the plan.

  • I can’t finish drawing a line or area.

    • Remember to double-click on your final point to complete the shape. A single click only adds another point.

  • The application feels slow on a large PDF.

    • Large, high-resolution architectural plans can be demanding. Please be patient, especially when loading the file or switching pages.