Upload drawings, measure quantities, and use auto-count symbol recognition in Ensign X.
32 articles
Introduction to PDF Takeoff
An overview of Ensign X, the PDF takeoff software for measuring quantities directly from your drawings.
Updated 26 March 2026
Uploading PDF Drawings to the Cloud
How to upload PDF drawings to your cloud storage so they are available in Ensign X for takeoff.
Creating a Project
How to create a new project in Ensign X, including the mandatory project code and optional fields.
Adding Drawings to a Project
How to add PDF drawings to your Ensign X project, switch between drawings, and use the Manage Drawings panel to organise them.
Setting and Verifying the Drawing Scale
How to set, verify, and custom-calibrate the drawing scale in Ensign X before starting your PDF takeoff.
Drawing Layers
How to use the drawing layers panel in Ensign X to toggle built-in PDF layers and takeoff layers on and off for a clearer view of your drawings.
Background Removal
How to use the automatic and manual background removal tools in Ensign X to strip away structural detail and focus on the elements you need for takeoff.
Auto-Count Setup and Symbol Selection
What auto-count symbol recognition is, how to prepare your drawing, the three ways to access auto-count, how to enable it, and how to select and edit a symbol for counting.
Navigating the Workspace
How to rotate, zoom, pan, and measure within the Ensign X takeoff workspace, including mouse controls and preference settings.
Auto-Count — Running and Reviewing Results
How to configure tolerance, deviation, and rotation settings, run the auto-count scan, and review the results to correct false matches in Ensign X.
Auto-Count — Show/Hide and Cross-Drawing Matching
How to use the show/hide tool to track auto-count progress, match symbols across multiple drawings, and tips for getting the best results from auto-count in Ensign X.
Saving Your Work
How to save your takeoff work in Ensign X, including manual saving, the quit prompt, and configuring auto-save for automatic protection.
System and Project Preferences
How to configure system preferences and project preferences in Ensign X, including scroll controls, frequently used count, auto-save, and the refresh data button.
Exporting Takeoff to the Estimating Software
How to export your PDF takeoff quantities from Ensign X into the Estimating software using the SQL file method or the direct export method, including how to create new sections during import.
Exporting Takeoff to CSV
How to export your PDF takeoff data from Ensign X to CSV files, including the three output files — merged, services, and parts — and how to access them.
Bulk Editing Takeoff Lines
Learn how to edit multiple takeoff lines at once using the Change By Range feature in Ensign X.
Services — Organising Your Takeoff
How to create and manage services in Ensign X to group your takeoff lines by trade or system, and how services map to estimating sections and CSV exports.
Re-uploading Your Takeoff
How to re-import takeoff quantities that have already been exported in Ensign X.
Unit Takeoff Tool
How to use the unit takeoff tool in Ensign X to count individual items on a drawing, including setup, placing markers, removing incorrect counts, and finalising.
Linear Takeoff Tool
How to use the linear takeoff tool in Ensign X to measure runs of cable, trunking, conduit, or pipework, including corner-to-corner tracing, the riser option, and line thickness.
Area, Perimeter, and Volume Tools
How to use the perimeter, area, and volume takeoff tools in Ensign X to measure regions on your drawing, plus how to use the cutout tool to subtract portions from a measurement.
Adjusting and Managing Measurements
How to adjust placed measurements, choose colours and pixel sizes, fill in product fields, delete measurements, and a quick reference for click methods across all takeoff tools in Ensign X.
Comment Lines
How to use comment lines in Ensign X to add text notes during takeoff that carry over into the estimating software, and how they differ from text labels.
Copying Takeoff Lines Between Jobs
How to copy takeoff lines from one job to another using the Copy Take-off Lines function in Ensign estimating software.
Free Type Items
How to use free type items in Ensign X to take off materials not in the database, with the ability to assign them to a category for correct grouping in the estimating module.
Subcontract, Specials, and Labour-Only Items
How to use subcontract and specials items for quoted or subcontracted work, and labour-only items for hour allowances in Ensign X.
Browsing and Searching the Database
How to browse the Ensign electrical database by category, manufacturer, and range, search by description or product code, and take off unit and linear database items in Ensign X.
Browsing and Using Assemblies in PDF Takeoff
How to browse the assembly catalogue in Ensign X, inspect assemblies with the More Info breakdown, and take off assemblies as unit or linear items.
Assembly Display and Contractor's Choice
How assemblies display in the estimating module (split vs single-line), how to use contractor's choice items, creating custom assemblies, and why assemblies are recommended for takeoff.
Associated Components and Bend Detection
How Ensign X automatically detects changes of direction when measuring containment routes and places the correct fittings (bends and tees), with a worked trunking example and the critical T-junction rule.
Frequently Used Items
How to use the frequently used items panel in Ensign X for quick access to your most-used database items and assemblies, and how to configure the number of favourites shown.
Refresh Data Button
When and how to use the Refresh Data button in Ensign X to reload the database, assemblies, and contractor's choice items after making changes in the estimating module.
