Measurement & Annotation Tools
The toolbar at the top of the Measurement View contains all tools required for drawing, calculating quantities, and adding annotations to your markup pages. Each tool serves a specific measurement or documentation purpose, allowing you to perform accurate takeoffs quickly and consistently.
Complete toolbar with measurement and annotation tools for takeoffs and markup
Measurement Tools
These tools generate measurable elements on the drawing. Every measurement created using these tools appears in the Measurement Tree with calculated values based on the project scale or viewport.
1. Length Tool
Use this tool to measure linear elements such as:
- Walls
- Edges
- Perimeters
- Pathways
- Electrical runs, duct routes, etc.
Click along the path to define points; double-click to finish.
2. Length → Area Tool
This tool converts a drawn line or perimeter into an area measurement automatically.
Useful for:
- Flooring areas
- Roofing footprints
- Slabs
- Paving zones
- Ceiling areas
Draw the boundary like a polyline—it closes and calculates area once completed.
3. Length → Volume Tool
Use when a linear measurement needs to produce a volume based on thickness or depth.
Typical uses:
- Concrete beams
- Trench excavation
- Pipe bedding
- Linear backfill volumes
You can adjust depth/thickness in the element properties panel.
4. Area Tool
Draw a closed polygon to measure areas.
Common examples:
- Rooms
- Floor finishes
- Ceiling grids
- Pavement
- Landscaping areas
Supports fill color and opacity to highlight zones clearly.
5. Volume Tool
Creates a 3D volume from an area footprint plus height/depth.
Useful for:
- Concrete slabs
- Fill volumes
- Tanks
- Pits
- Retaining walls (plan-based volume)
Height values are configurable via the element properties.
6. Count Tool
Places countable symbols on the drawing.
Ideal for:
- Fixtures
- Lights
- Fittings
- Switches
- Equipment
- Furniture
- Any element requiring a quantity count
Click once per item; all counts aggregate automatically.
7. Count → Length Tool
Each placed symbol contributes to a total length instead of a simple count.
Examples:
- Measuring total pipe length based on fixture spacing
- Perimeter reinforcement calculated from rebar counts
- Spacing-based estimation workflows
The system computes length from intervals or rules defined in element properties.
8. Count → Area Tool
Use when each symbol represents a coverage area.
Useful for:
- HVAC units with coverage radius
- Irrigation heads
- Lighting coverage zones
- Sprinkler influence areas
The tool converts counts into total area quantities.
9. Count → Volume Tool
Used when countable items correspond to volume quantities.
Examples:
- Bags of concrete
- Soil/fill units
- Material containers
- Mechanical units with volumetric capacity
Each symbol contributes a predefined volume.
Annotation Tools
Annotations are non-measurable elements used to organize, explain, or mark up drawings. These do not appear in the Measurement Tree and have no quantity.
10. Text Tool
Adds plain text to the drawing.
Use for:
- Labels
- Notes
- Descriptions
- Clarifications
- Marking rooms or areas
Font size and placement are configurable.
11. Callout Tool
Places a pointer-style annotation with a text box.
Perfect for:
- Referencing details
- Highlighting instructions
- Pointing to specific drawing features
- Adding remarks during reviews
Callouts can be repositioned and edited at any time.
12. Cloud Tool
Draws a free-form cloud shape typically used to highlight revisions or important regions.
Common use cases:
- Revision clouds
- Highlighting errors or conflicts
- Pointing out areas requiring rework or review
Opacity and stroke width can be customized.
13. Legend Tool
Adds a legend block to the markup.
This is useful for documenting:
- Color coding
- Symbol meaning
- Measurement categories
- Material classifications
Helps standardize markups across teams.
Tool Categories Summary
AedisPro's measurement tools allow you to generate:
…along with hybrid tools that convert one measurement type into another. Annotation tools help improve clarity and collaboration without affecting quantity calculations.
Key Benefit: These tools work together to create a fast, accurate, and visually structured takeoff environment suitable for professional quantity surveying and construction estimation.