Setting and Verifying the Drawing Scale

Why scale matters

Every measurement you take in Ensign X depends on the drawing scale being correct. If the scale is wrong, every length, area, and volume in your takeoff will be wrong too. Always set and verify the scale before you start any takeoff work.

Setting the scale from the dropdown

The scale dropdown is located in the toolbar and contains all commonly used architectural and engineering scales (1:50, 1:100, 1:200, and so on).

1. 1

   Open your drawing and scroll down to the drawing ledger (title block).

2. 2

   Note the stated scale and paper size — for example, 1:100 at A1.

3. 3

   Check that the paper size shown in the software matches the paper size on the ledger. If both agree (e.g. the ledger says A1 and the software also reports A1), there is a good chance the stated scale is correct.

4. 4

   Select the matching scale from the dropdown — for example, 1:100.

Verifying the scale with the measure length tool

After setting the scale, you must verify it before doing any takeoff. The measure length tool lets you check a known dimension on the drawing — a doorway, a scale bar, ceiling grid spacing, or any feature whose real-world size you know.

1. 1

   Open the pen tools (the pencil icon in the toolbar) and select Measure Length.

2. 2

   Left-click on the first point of the feature you want to measure (e.g. one side of a doorway).

3. 3

   Left-click on the second point (the other side of the doorway).

4. 4

   Right-click anywhere to finalise the measurement. The measured distance will appear on screen.

5. 5

   Compare the result to what you would expect. A standard single doorway, for example, should read roughly 800--900 mm. If the value looks correct, your scale is set and you can begin your takeoff.

Using the custom scale tool

If the measured value is clearly wrong, or the paper size in the software does not match the paper size on the ledger, the preset scale from the dropdown will not be accurate. This is where the custom scale tool comes in.

When to use custom scale

• The drawing ledger says one paper size (e.g. A1) but the software detects a different size (e.g. A3). This is common when A1 drawings are printed or saved as A3 PDFs.
• None of the preset scales in the dropdown produce a correct measurement.
• You suspect the scale stated on the ledger is simply incorrect.

How to use custom scale

1. 1

   Click the Custom Scale button in the toolbar (to the right of the scale dropdown).

2. 2

   You will be prompted to select your first point. Left-click on one end of a feature whose real-world length you know (e.g. a doorway or scale bar).

3. 3

   Select your endpoint by left-clicking on the other end of the same feature.

4. 4

   Enter the known distance in millimetres in the dialog that appears. For a standard doorway you might enter 850.

5. 5

   The software will calculate the scale for you (e.g. 1:85 or 1:91). Round this to the nearest standard scale if appropriate — for instance, a result of 1:91 from an 850 mm door likely means the true scale is 1:100 and the door is closer to 930 mm.

6. 6

   Press Confirm to apply the custom scale.

Common issues

A1 vs A3 paper size mismatch

This is the most frequent cause of incorrect scales. A drawing may be designed at 1:50 on A1 paper, but the PDF you receive has been printed or exported at A3 size. When this happens:

• The ledger still says 1:50 at A1, but the software detects the page as A3.
• Selecting 1:50 from the dropdown will produce incorrect measurements.
• Use the custom scale tool to calibrate from a known dimension, then round to the nearest standard scale.

Scale looks close but not exact

If the custom scale tool gives you a value like 1:91 or 1:103, it is most likely a rounding issue caused by imprecise click placement. Round to the nearest logical scale (1:100 in these examples), set it, and verify again with the measure length tool.

Multiple drawings at different scales

Each drawing in your project can have its own scale. When you switch drawings, always check and set the scale for that specific drawing before taking off quantities.

Best practice checklist

1. Check the ledger — note the stated scale and paper size.
2. Compare paper sizes — confirm the software's detected paper size matches the ledger.
3. Set the scale — use the dropdown if the paper sizes match, or custom scale if they do not.
4. Verify with a known dimension — use the measure length tool on a doorway, scale bar, or other recognisable feature.
5. Repeat on every drawing — do not assume all drawings in a project share the same scale.