eTakeoff

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• eTakeoff Plan Viewer
  • Product Description
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• eTakeoff Plan Import

Usage Questions

Q: I get the error "ActiveX Not Loaded" when downloading plans. How do I get around it?
A: Internet Explorer blocks ActiveX controls by default. When you receive the "ActiveX Not Loaded" error window you should click "OK". You will then see a light tan/yellow "Information Bar" across the top of the web page:

Click on the Information Bar and it will provide a menu allowing you to manually load the ActiveX control

Q: I accidentally deleted a plan page from my project. How do I get it back?
A: Select the "Scan for Documents" menu to add the file back to your project. (See Below)

Q: Why is the count symbol for Miscellaneous Count missing?
A: Your computer display monitor is set for 16 Bit color. Change it to 32 Bit color

Q: Why aren't there any yellow circles on my screen when I click on the measurement points? Your help files show them.
A: Your computer display monitor is set for 16 Bit color. Change it to 32 Bit color

Q: I can only measure lengths. Is it possible to measure areas in eTakeoff?
A: Yes. Once you select "New Measurement", you can select the "Standard Trace" menu to select an area measurement trace. (See Below)

Q: Can I configure eTakeoff to store drawings on a shared server?
A: Yes. Simply do the following:

1. When you install eTakeoff, use the default Database Folder on the LOCAL computer.
2. Create a main folder on the server for eTakeoff projects. Each project will use a subfolder (or a sub-subfolder) underneath this folder. We recommend you use the name "eTakeoffProjects".
3. In eTakeoff, select "Admin/User Preferences..." from the main menu and select the "General" tab.
4. Press the "Browse..." button for the "New Project Folder" and select the folder created in step 1.
5. When you create an eTakeoff project, simply create or select a folder with this new project folder.

Q: How can I send an eTakeoff project to another eTakeoff user?
A: eTakeoff's Project Export/Import capabilities make this easy. If the user already has access to the drawing files (perhaps on a shared server as described above), you only need to export the project information:

1. With the project opened in eTakeoff, select "File/Project Export to Archive..." from the main menu. Select a filename and all the project information will be stored in that file.
2. Transfer the file to the other user. Note: If the drawing files are in a project folder on a shared server, the export file will be placed there by default. No transfer is necessary (assuming the other user has access to the shared folder).
3. Have the other user use "File/Project Import from Archive..." from the eTakeoff main menu. They then select the transferred file and the folder containing the drawing files. The import process will re-create the project for that user.

If the other user DOESN'T have access to the drawings, you will need to transfer both the project information and the drawing files:

1. With the project opened in eTakeoff, select "File/Project Export to Archive and Zip..." from the main menu and select a filename.
2. Then go through the steps to select which drawing files are to be included.
3. The project information and the selected drawing will be zipped up into a single (potentially very large) file.
4. Transfer the file to the other user. Note: If the file is very large, you may not be able to email it. There are services such as Send This File or Files Anywhere that transfer large files easily.
5. Have the other user select "File/Project Import from Archive..." from the eTakeoff main menu. They then select the transferred file and select a destination folder. The import process will create the project and unzip the drawing files into the folder.

Q: How can I send move an eTakeoff project to different folder?
A: Do the following:

1. With the project opened in eTakeoff, select "File/Project Export to Archive..." from the main menu. Enter a filename (or use the default name) but be sure to use the default folder (the project folder).
2. Still in eTakeoff, delete the project but DON'T delete the files and folders for the project.
3. Move all the files and subfolders in the project folder to the desired folder.
4. In eTakeoff, select "File/Project Import from Archive..." and select the export file created in step 1 (now in a different folder). The import process will re-create the project.

Q: Why doesn't eTakeoff open when I double-click on a plan file?
A: You must open eTakeoff first then use File/Open to open the plan itself.
Many file types used for drawings (such as PDF files) are also used for other types of information. If we associated these file types with eTakeoff, double-clicking on any file of that type would invoke eTakeoff. That would cause more inconvenience than it would save.

Q: Why can't I print out more than one page at a time?
A: eTakeoff does not currently support printing more than one page at a time.

Q: How do I delete a project?
A: Do the following:

1. Open the project you wish to delete. Then click the "Project Properties" button.
2. Press the "Delete Project" button in the properties window.
3. Press the "Delete" button again in the "Delete Project" confirmation window. Warning: DON'T check the "Delete all files and folders for this project" check box unless you're sure of what you're doing. Checking it will permanently delete all the drawing files.

Q: Can I "test drive" the advanced features of eTakeoff?
A: A 30 day trial (Demonstration License) is built into the program. The trial includes all Pro, Pro-Plus and Premier functions. Once you're familiar with the Basic functionality, you can start your trial by selecting "Admin/Install Demonstration License..." from the main menu. Fill in the form and press the "Get License..." button. Then you can use all the features for 30 days. We recommend you schedule a one-on-one session with our sales staff to go over the advanced features.

Q: Does eTakeoff offer any training?
A: Yes, we offer a variety of options to accommodate your needs. Click on the Web Seminars button at the top right-hand corner of our website or Click here for Training options.

Q: How do I view drawings that are emailed to me or on a CD?
A: The drawing files must be copied into a folder on your computer or network before creating a project or opening the plans to view in eTakeoff:

1. Create a folder on your computer for the plan files. Click the desktop shortcut "eTakeoff Project folder" to display the eTakeoff project folder then add a new folder for the project within that folder.
2. Copy or extract the drawing files into the folder you created.
3. Open eTakeoff and select "File/Create New Project" from the main menu. The folder selection dialog will be displayed. Select the folder you created in step 1.
4. The project properties window will appear for the new project. Make sure "Scan for drawings" is checked and press "OK"
5. A tree of the drawings files will be displayed. Make sure all the drawing files you want are checked. Then press "Add".
6. eTakeoff will create the project and open the first drawing file automatically.