07.05 Using Area Takeoff Tools

Drawing Area Takeoff

Area takeoff objects measure construction objects you typically valuate by "square" - such as square yards/feet/inches, or square meters/millimeters. Many times, you also use Area takeoff to calculate volume - such as concrete slabs/walls, insulation, soil, or asphalt. See Related Articles for details on setting up an Area Takeoff Item.

When you select an Area Takeoff Item from the Takeoff Items Pane, the Area Takeoff Tools toolbar displays.

There are six Area-specific Takeoff Tools available to draw takeoff and backouts (subtractions from an Area takeoff object). The cursor changes shape to match the selected Takeoff tool.

Button	Description	What it does/How it is used...
	Select	Always visible - allows you to select or grab objects in the Takeoff Window to edit or adjust them.
	Normal Mode	Allows you to draw a polygon - you click at each vertex (corner) of the object and double-click on the last point to 'close' the object.
	Rectangle	Allow you to draw a rectangular area by clicking two, diagonal points.
	Elliptical	Allows you to draw an elliptical object based on two clicks - can be circle or oval.
	Polygon Backout	Allows you to draw a polygon subtraction on an existing Area takeoff object. Great for removing some of an area such as a cutout or inset.
	Rectangle Backout	Allows you to draw a rectangular subtraction on an existing Area takeoff object. Great for removing some of an area such as a cutout or inset.
	Elliptical Backout	Allows you to draw an elliptical subtraction on an existing Area takeoff object. Great for removing some of an area such as a cutout or inset.

To begin drawing Area takeoff, you need to choose the appropriate tool - we cover how to use each tool in the articles that follow.

Automatically Filling a Linear Polygon with Area Takeoff

Drawing Polygon Area Takeoff (Complex Shapes)