Q: I accidentally deleted a plan page from my project. How do I get it back?
A: Select the “Scan for Documents” menu to add the file back to your project. (See Below)

Project Toolbar, Scan for Documents

Q: Can I configure eTakeoff to store drawings on a shared server?
A: Yes. Simply do the following:

  1. When you install eTakeoff, use the default Database Folder on the LOCAL computer.
  2. Create a main folder on the server for eTakeoff projects. Each project will use a subfolder (or a sub-subfolder) underneath this folder. We recommend you use the name “eTakeoffProjects”.
  3. In eTakeoff, select “Admin/User Preferences…” from the main menu and select the “General” tab.
  4. Press the “Browse…” button for the “New Project Folder” and select the folder created in step 1.
  5. When you create an eTakeoff project, simply create or select a folder with this new project folder.

Q: How can I send an eTakeoff project to another eTakeoff user?
A: eTakeoff’s Project Backup/Restore capabilities make this easy. If the user already has access to the drawing files (perhaps on a shared server as described above), you only need to export the project information:

  1. With the project opened in eTakeoff, select “File/Project Backup…” from the main menu. Select a filename and all the project information will be stored in that file.
  2. Transfer the file to the other user. Note: If the drawing files are in a project folder on a shared server, the export file will be placed there by default. No transfer is necessary (assuming the other user has access to the shared folder).
  3. Have the other user use “File/Project Restore…” from the eTakeoff main menu. They then select the transferred file and the folder containing the drawing files. The restore process will re-create the project for that user.

If the other user DOESN’T have access to the drawings, you will need to transfer both the project information and the drawing files:

  1. With the project opened in eTakeoff, select “File/Project Backup and Zip…” from the main menu and select a filename.
  2. Then go through the steps to select which drawing files are to be included.
  3. The project information and the selected drawing will be zipped up into a single (potentially very large) file.
  4. Transfer the file to the other user. Note: If the file is very large, you may not be able to email it. There are services such as Send This File or Box.net that transfer large files easily.
  5. Have the other user select “File/Project Restore…” from the eTakeoff main menu. They then select the transferred file and select a destination folder. The restore process will create the project and unzip the drawing files into the folder.

Q: How can I move an eTakeoff project to different folder?
A: Do the following:

  1. With the project opened in eTakeoff, select “File/Project Backup…” from the main menu. Enter a filename (or use the default name) but be sure to use the default folder (the project folder).
  2. Still in eTakeoff, delete the project but DON’T delete the files and folders for the project.
  3. Move all the files and subfolders in the project folder to the desired folder.
  4. In eTakeoff, select “File/Project Restore…” and select the file created in step 1 (now in a different folder). The restore process will re-create the project.

Q: How do I save a project, delete it and retrieve it at a later date?
A: Note: This capability is not available in the Basic Viewer.

  1. With the project opened in eTakeoff, save or archive it by clicking on File, Backup or Backup and Zip. (See FAQ: What is the difference between Project Backup and Project Backup and Zip? for more information.)
  2. Delete the project by clicking on the Project Properties button, then clicking on the Delete Project button. Next, click the Delete button again in the “Delete Project” confirmation window. WARNING: Make sure youDO NOT check the “Delete all files and folders for this project” because you will not be able to Import the project back at a later date. (See FAQ: How do I Delete a Project? for more information.)
  3. To Retrieve the project at a later date, click on File, Project Restore…, browse to the Project’s original folder and select the archived file you created in step 1.

For more detailed information on the Backup / Restore processes, Look for “Archive” in the eTakeoff doucmentation index.

Q: What is the difference between Project Backup and Project Backup and Zip?
A:

  • Project Backup creates a single file with project information (takeoff), but it does NOT save the drawing files.
  • Project Backup and Zip creates a single file with both the project information and the drawings.

Q:How do I delete a project?
A: Before you delete a project, think about whether or not you’ll want to restore it later. If you do, backup the project before you delete it. (In eTakeoff, select “File/ProjectBackup…” from the main menu.) Then do the following:

  1. Open the project you wish to delete. Then click the “Project Properties” button.
  2. Press the “Delete Project” button in the properties window.
  3. Press the “Delete” button again in the “Delete Project” confirmation window. Warning: DON’T check the “Delete all files and folders for this project” check box unless you’re sure of what you’re doing. Checking it will permanently delete all the drawing files.

Q: How do I view drawings that are emailed to me or on a CD?
A: The drawing files must be copied into a folder on your computer or network before creating a project or opening the plans to view in eTakeoff:

  1. Create a folder on your computer for the plan files. Click the desktop shortcut “eTakeoff Project folder” to display the eTakeoff project folder then add a new folder for the project within that folder.
  2. Copy or extract the drawing files into the folder you created.
  3. Open eTakeoff and select “File/Create New Project” from the main menu. The folder selection dialog will be displayed. Select the folder you created in step 1.
  4. The project properties window will appear for the new project. Make sure “Scan for drawings” is checked and press “OK”
  5. A tree of the drawings files will be displayed. Make sure all the drawing files you want are checked. Then press “Add”.
  6. eTakeoff will create the project and open the first drawing file automatically.

Q: How do I transfer a project from one computer to another?
A: Note: This capability is not available in the Basic Viewer. To transfer existing projects, you will need to:

  1. Project Backup or Project Backup and Zip.
  2. Copy the entire project Folder (if Project Export was selected) or copy the Folder/Zipped file into the eTakeoff Project folder of the other computer.
  3. Restore the Project on the other computer (File/Project Restore…).

For more detailed information on the Backup / Restore processes, click on Help, eTakeoff Help, Index and search for Backup. Review topics on “Project Backup”, “Project Backup and Zip”, and “Project Restore”.