Auto-Count — Show/Hide and Cross-Drawing Matching

Using show/hide to track progress

As you work through a drawing counting different symbol types, it can become difficult to see what remains. The Show/Hide tool provides a quick way to clear the view and assess your progress.

1. 1

   Click the Show/Hide button (the eye icon) in the toolbar.

2. 2

   The software instantly hides all symbols you have already counted and opens the Layers panel. Each counted item type appears as its own layer.

3. 3

   Review the drawing to see what is left to take off. Any uncounted symbols will be clearly visible against the remaining drawing content.

4. 4

   To bring counted items back on screen, tick their layer in the Layers panel or press the eye icon again to restore everything at once.

Combining show/hide with background removal

For the clearest view when checking progress, use show/hide alongside background removal. With the background removed and all counted items hidden, the only things visible on the drawing are uncounted services symbols. This makes it straightforward to identify any items you have overlooked.

If you have not already removed the background, you can do so at any point — it does not affect existing takeoff work.

Cross-drawing matching

If you have multiple drawings with the same symbol types — for example, lighting plans for different floors of the same building — you do not need to repeat the full auto-count setup on each drawing. Ensign X can automatically match the symbols you counted on the first drawing and find them on subsequent drawings.

1. 1

   Complete your auto-count on the first drawing (select the symbol, run the count, review the results).

2. 2

   Switch to the next drawing using the drawing dropdown at the top of the screen.

3. 3

   Set your exclusion or inclusion areas on the new drawing. Each drawing needs its own zones — the zones from the previous drawing do not carry over.

4. 4

   Click the Match Previous Symbols button. This button is greyed out on the first drawing and becomes active once you have completed at least one auto-count on a previous drawing.

5. 5

   The software searches the new drawing for all the same symbols you counted on the previous drawing and highlights them automatically. A total count is displayed for the new drawing.

6. 6

   Review the results using the same review process as before — click Review Search, verify the matches, deselect any false positives, and press Count to apply corrections.

What carries across

When you use Match Previous Symbols, the software reuses:

• The symbol definitions (shapes, text, groups) from your previous counts.
• The colour assignments you chose for each symbol type.
• The tolerance and deviation settings.

You do not need to re-select the symbol or re-edit it. The software applies the same criteria it used on the first drawing.

Tips for best results

The following practices will help you get the most accurate and efficient results from auto-count:

• Remove the background first. Use the auto background removal tool before running auto-count. This removes clutter and makes it easier to both select symbols and review results.
• Exclude the legend on every drawing. Set an exclusion zone around the legend on each drawing before counting. Legends contain the same symbols you are trying to count and will inflate your totals if included.
• Split complex symbols into groups. If a symbol has multiple parts (a shape with text inside, for example), use Edit Symbol to ensure they are in separate groups. This improves recognition when parts shift slightly between instances.
• Use deviation boost sparingly. It helps when symbols have positional variation, but setting it too high can introduce false matches. Review your results carefully when using it.
• Count the most distinctive symbols first. Symbols with unique shapes are easier for the software to match accurately. Save simpler or more generic shapes for later.
• Use show/hide as you go. Hide completed counts regularly so you can clearly see what still needs to be taken off.
• Review every count. Even when the software gets the total right at first glance, a quick scroll through the review screen confirms nothing has been miscounted.
• Use assemblies with auto-count. Linking your count to an assembly means every matched symbol automatically captures the full group of materials — fitting, back box, cable allowance, and so on — rather than just an unnamed quantity.
• Check for missed items after hiding. After using show/hide, scroll around the entire drawing. Any symbols still visible that belong to a type you have already counted were missed and need to be added manually.