Digitize a Pad Line

Digitize a polyline representing a building pad at a constant elevation by streaming points (adding points as you hold down the button and move the cursor, and releasing the button at the end point). You can also pick each segment's start and end points to create a simpler polyline.

The streaming method is optimized for digitizer input; you can enter an elevation for each pad polyline from the digitizer puck without returning to the on-screen command pane. After you set up your digitizer, this enables you to quickly and simply digitize multiple polylines using the Workflow for digitizing multiple pad lines at the end of this topic.

To digitize a pad:

Select Digitize Pad in Takeoff > Digitize.
The Digitize Pad command pane displays.
In the Name box, type an identifier for the polyline as you want it to appear in the Selection Explorer and graphic views. You can also use the name to select the polyline in the Advanced Select command.
Select the layer on which you want the polyline to reside in the Layer list, or select <<New Layer>> to create a new layer for the polyline.
If you need to vertically offset the pad line above or below the specified elevation (to accommodate a finished floor height, for instance), type the offset height in the Vertical offset box.
Specify the elevation to be applied to the entire polyline in the Elevation box.
Select a Filter type below the Next points box:
- Circle - In the Radius box, specify the minimum radial distance from the last point that the next point can be added.
- Tube - In the Length and Width boxes, specify the minimum rectangular distance from the last point that the next point can be added. Polylines are drawn in 2D, so this is not a 3D filter.
  Tip: Start with a filter radius/length of 3 feet/1 meter. Then adjust the tolerance up or down depending on your needs.
  Note: If you start a new polyline, the same filter settings are used until you change them.
Click in the Next points box.
Pick the first point of the pad on your paper plans with the digitizer puck, hold down the button, and move along the path. At the end of the polyline, release the button. Points are created at a regular interval, based on the tolerance set in Filter Settings. For simpler pads, you can simply pick individual points.
Note: If you digitize a point near the edge (1/20th of the view's height or width) of the Plan View, the view will automatically pan (auto-pan) to the middle when you release the mouse button. You can control the auto-pan settings in Options > Digitzer.
Note: The polyline is closed by default, so add points in an order that will not create overlapping lines.
Note: While in the Next points box, you can press [Backspace] to undo the last segment that was created.
Press [Enter] or click New to start a new polyline. The name of the new polyline is automatically incremented and the focus returns to the Next Points box.
Note: To change the elevation for the new polyline, type it in the Elevation box, or in streaming mode, enter it directly on the puck's keypad while in the Next points box.
Click Close when you are done.

Workflow for digitizing multiple pad lines:

Specify the common name and layer properties for the pads.
Specify the first polyline's elevation.
Choose the filter type and tolerances to use.
Stream or pick points using the digitizer puck and press [Enter].
While still in the Next points box, type an elevation for the next pad polyline using the puck, add points for that polyline, and press [Enter].
Repeat step 5 to digitize additional polylines.