Manual Tools
Scale Calibration
Calibrate the drawing scale so that all measurements (linear and area) reflect real-world dimensions. You can select a common architectural scale preset or calibrate manually by measuring a known distance on the drawing.
Steps
- The scale selector is the leftmost control in the viewer toolbar. It reads "Set Scale" until a scale is chosen.
- Select a preset scale if you know the drawing scale. Eleven presets are available, from 1/16" = 1'-0" up to 3" = 1'-0".
- Or choose "Custom..." to type the scale directly (inches and feet fields appear next to the dropdown).
- To calibrate manually, choose "Calibrate..." from the dropdown.
- In the "Calibrate Scale" dialog, enter the known measurement in the ft. and in. fields, then press Enter or click Apply.
- The dialog closes and prompts you to click the two points of the known distance on the drawing (e.g., endpoints of a dimension line).
- The scale is calculated automatically and displayed in the selector (e.g. 0.125" = 1').
Notes
- •Measurement tools and Auto Takeoff are blocked until a scale is confirmed. The toolbar buttons open a pop-out on the Scale selector that says "Set the scale before starting any takeoff", and the keyboard shortcuts show "Confirm the drawing scale first".
- •The scale applies to the entire sheet, and different sheets can have different scales. Every quantity uses the scale of the sheet it is on. New sheets inherit the scale of the sheet you came from.
- •Recalibrating recomputes existing lengths and areas on the sheet from their geometry. Counts are unaffected.
- •If the drawing includes a graphic scale bar, you can use it for calibration.