Goldenseal Estimating Software Topics-- Digitizers

Digitizers

Can I use a digitizer with Goldenseal?

Yes, Goldenseal estimating software works with many digitizers (a digitizer lets you follow lines on a blueprint and turn them into a length or area measurement).

The digitizer needs to have a way to enter a scale-- some digitizers do this with mechanical controls, and some have a computer interface for setting the scale (for example, 1:50 or 1/4" per foot).

Generally what you'll do is click in a dimension field in Goldenseal, then follow lines on the drawing, then hit a button so the measurement goes into Goldenseal.

Simple pen and roller digitizers will give you length measurements. Some will also give you simple rectangular areas, though they aren't capable of calculating areas for complex shapes.

Tablet digitizers are usually not that good for taking measurements-- they are better adapted for drawings.

The best digitizers for blueprint takeoffs use a mechanical arm, a sound source, or other devices to locate the position of the tracing pen, so they can trace complex shapes and get the length or area.

There is also some software that lets you scan a blueprint and get measurements from it.

HINT-- Goldenseal's "smart dimensions" don't require you to make very many measurements, so you can make a blueprint takeoff very quickly even without a digitizer. You probably need mechanical assistance only if you do hundreds or thousands of estimates a year!

Click here to return to estimating topics.