The Basics
Everything a first takeoff needs: upload to export, in order.
By the end you can take a plan PDF from upload to a priced-ready export: scale set and verified, fixtures counted, runs measured, mistakes fixed, and the numbers delivered.
1
How to do a takeoff from a PDF
Step-by-step: upload a plan PDF, set the scale, count fixtures, measure runs, and export a report, all in your browser with CountTooling.
2
Preparing a plan set
Get a bid set ready to count: upload PDFs, trim to just your sheets, rotate and rename pages, and add addendum sheets without losing work.
3
Setting the scale on a plan
Calibrate a PDF so measurements are accurate: set scale from two points, use architectural/engineering presets, or enter a custom scale.
4
Is your scale lying to you?
Compressed PDFs silently break preset scales. How CountTooling detects rescaled sheets, corrects presets, and lets you verify a scale before you trust a bid to it.
5
Counting fixtures with counters
Place point counts on a plan with custom icons and colors, keep a live tally, and organize them into groups: the heart of any takeoff.
6
Measuring runs with lines and polylines
Trace pipe, conduit, and other linear runs to get real lengths off the plan: straight lines, multi-segment polylines, arcs, drops, and the Measure tool.
7
Fixing mistakes and editing marks
Undo 50 steps, clear a whole region with Delete Area, edit any mark from its right-click menu, and rename or recolor an entire type at once.
8
Reports, exports, and sending a takeoff onward
Turn your marked-up plan into numbers and deliverables: the on-canvas legend, Show Report, Export PDFs, Copy to /Tooling, and email summaries.