Add a map or PDF underlay and set its scale

An underlay helps you trace a building and record measurements. Use an image or a selected PDF page. Set the correct scale before drawing. An enlarged or rotated image without a checked dimension can give incorrect quantities for your estimate.

Choose the right place

Site and map applies to the whole project. It shows a map or your own site image, including the ground around the building in 3D. Floor plan underlay applies to one floor and is used in 2D. Find both in Drawing. On a smaller screen, check the panel menu.

You need a project, the correct floor, permission to make changes and permission to add files. Check available document storage too. Prepare a readable image or PDF and a reliable dimension, preferably a long line shown in the documents.

An underlay creates no walls or rooms and changes no quantities. Draw those elements separately. Loading a PDF does not mean that a building model is ready.

Add a floor underlay

1. In Drawing, choose the building and floor, then open Floor plan underlay.
2. Drop an image or PDF on the file field. JPG, PNG and WebP are suitable image choices.
3. For a PDF, wait for the page image to be prepared. Select the correct plan under PDF page.
4. Adjust position, rotation and opacity so you can see the lines clearly while drawing.
5. Choose Fit measurement. Click the ends of a known line and enter its real length in metres. For 366 cm, enter 3.66.
6. Choose Save alignment. Save again after changing the position or scale.

Check a second known dimension. If it does not match, check the selected line ends and unit. Changing pages in the same PDF keeps the alignment, but pages may have different scales. Calibrate again when needed. Choose the correct page for each floor.

Add a site map

Open Site and map. If the location is missing, choose Set project address and save the place. Turn on Show map and choose an aerial photo, parcels and buildings, or parcels and utilities. Under Align map, adjust position, rotation and width in metres. Save the alignment and underlay.

Geoportal covers locations in Poland. Boundaries and utility information depend on the data for that area. A missing utility line does not prove that no utility exists on site. The map does not replace a design map or a surveyor establishing boundaries.

Visibility, north and common problems

Hiding an underlay keeps its file. Detaching it from the plan also keeps the document. Deleting the document can prevent the underlay from opening again. Do not delete the file while trying to correct its scale.

• PDF still being prepared: wait before saving its alignment.
• File refused: read the reason and check its size and page. For an overly complex PDF, you can prepare a PNG of the required floor plan.
• Saved underlay missing: check project documents and your access to the file.
• Map does not load: check the connection and try later without adding duplicate copies.

Set north separately. Rotating the image does not rotate the building or set its north direction.

Exercise: verify the scale

Add a plan with a labelled dimension, align it and save. Measure a second line as a check. Hide the underlay, then show it again.

The result is correct when you chose the right floor and page, both dimensions match, and the alignment remains after reopening the plan.

Continue learning

Continue with drawing the plan or saving measurements. For file problems, read documents.