Usage
Q: I get the error “ActiveX Not Loaded” when downloading plans. How do I get around it?
A: Internet Explorer blocks ActiveX controls by default. When you receive the “ActiveX Not Loaded” error window you should click “OK”. You will then see a light tan/yellow “Information Bar” across the top of the web page:
Click on the Information Bar and it will provide a menu allowing you to manually load the ActiveX control
Q: Why is the count symbol for Miscellaneous Count missing?
A: Your computer display monitor is set for 16 Bit color. Change it to 32 Bit color
Q: Why aren’t there any yellow circles on my screen when I click on the measurement points? Your help files show them.
A: Your computer display monitor is set for 16 Bit color. Change it to 32 Bit color
Q: I can only measure lengths. Is it possible to measure areas in eTakeoff?
A: Yes. Once you select “New Measurement”, you can click on the “Standard Trace” menu button to select an area measurement trace. To display this window every time you start a new measurement, check mark “Display this list when starting new measurements”. (See Below)
Q: Why doesn’t eTakeoff open when I double-click on a plan file?
A: You must open eTakeoff first then use File/Open to open the plan itself.
Many file types used for drawings (such as PDF files) are also used for other types of information. If we associated these file types with eTakeoff, double-clicking on any file of that type would invoke eTakeoff. That would cause more inconvenience than it would save.
Q: Why can’t I print out more than one page at a time?
A: eTakeoff does not currently support printing more than one page at a time.
Q: Can I “test drive” the advanced features of eTakeoff?
A: A 30 day trial (Demonstration License) is built into the program. The trial includes all Pro, Pro-Plus and Premier functions. Once you’re familiar with the Basic functionality, you can start your trial by selecting “Admin/Install Demonstration License…” from the main menu. Fill in the form and press the “Get License…” button. Then you can use all the features for 30 days. We recommend you schedule a one-on-one session with our sales staff to go over the advanced features.
Q: Does eTakeoff offer any training?
A: Yes, we offer a variety of options to accommodate your needs: On-line Seminars , Training Videos , & Other Training Services.
Q: How can I make the Trace List/Tree return to the last trace I used?
A:The Trace Tree/List works in one of two ways:
- One trace is designated as the default trace. Each time the tree/list is opened, it will return to this trace.
- If no default trace is specified, the tree/list will return to the last trace selected.
To see if there is a default trace, start a new measurement and see what trace is selected in the tree/list. (If you’re using the tree, note what branch the trace is in.) Then select “Options/Edit Standard Traces…” and double-click on the trace. If the check box “Use this trace for new measurements” is checked, this is the default trace. Uncheck this box and the trace tree/list will return to the last trace selected.
Q: How do I transfer my standards database (traces, layers, bid codes, scales and extensions) from one computer to another?
A:To transfer your standard database, you will need to:
- Select “Options/Export Standards” from the main menu.
- Click on the folder for Standards Database to select all standards the press the “Export” button.
- Enter a file name for your exported file & note where you saved the file.
- Copy the file onto the other computer.
- On the destination computer, start eTakeoff and select “Options/Import Standards from the main menu.
- Navigate to where the exported file is, select it and press the “Open” button.
- Click on the folder for Standards Database to select all standards then press the “Import” button.
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Note: This capability is not available in the Basic Viewer.
Q: Why can’t I digitize points except on a 90 or 180 degree line?
A: The behavior you’re describing is know as “polar mode”. (The term is from CAD.). You can turn polar mode on or off by clicking the button in the measurement toolbar.
When adding points in polar mode, the point is forced to fall on a line that is a multiple of 90 degrees from the previous point. This is most commonly used to create horizontal or vertical lines. It can also work for lines of various angles. Select the desired angles by checking the appropriate box(es) on the Admin/User Preferences/Drawing tab. You can also disable polar mode when creating measurements with a Count data type on the Drawing tab of the User Preferences Window
Q: Why does my annotation disappear after I create it?
A: There are several reasons why this behavior may occur. Check the following properties of the annotation:
- Make sure the Transparency Slider is far enough to the right.
- Make sure the layer assigned to the annotation is turned ON.
- Make sure the font’s color of the annotation is visible.
- Make sure the fill’s color does not conflict with the font’s color of the annotation.
- Make sure the font size of the annotation is not too small.
Q: Measurements are not displayed on my drawing. But in the drawing list, the drawing name is shown as though it has measurements. What causes this?
A: The drawing list is shown in bold if there are and measurements or annotations. To make sure all measurements and annotations are visible, do the following:
- Zoom out so that you can see the entire drawing.
- Make sure all layers are visible (Watch Video)
- If you have Pattern Search, display the Pattern Search Toolbar and make sure the “Show/Hide Pattern Search Annotations” button is checked. (Watch Video)
All measurements and annotations should now be visible.
Q: I copied the help file to another computer to study it. But when I try to use it I get the message “Navigation to the webpage was canceled”. How can I fix this? )
A: Some versions of Windows block access to help files when they’re copied from another computer. Follow the steps below to unblock the file. You may need to do this running as Administrator.
- When you try to open the Help file, if you get the “Open File – Security Warning” window, UNCHECK the box, “Always ask before opening this file.”
- Right-click on the help file and select “Properties…”
- At the bottom of the “General” tab you should see a message that the file may be blocked.
- Press the “Unblock” button.
- Press the “Apply” button at the bottom of the window.
- Press the “OK” button at the bottom of the window.
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