Sometimes the two plans you are comparing using Overlay do not match up exactly. Whether their orientation, size, or alignment must be adjusted, you can use the options on the Overlays Toolbar to align, resize, and otherwise adjust the Overlay.
Matching Base to Overlay
The goal is not to align the two Plans perfectly (pixel for pixel) but rather to make it possible to identify changes between the two Plans. Do not focus too much on perfection when using Overlays - it is meant as a tool to identify differences between Plans at a reasonable zoom level. If you zoom in very closely pixel-level differences will be showcased and you will lose sight of what really changed from one plan to another.
Overlay Toolbar
The overlay toolbar shows on the left side of the Takeoff Window next to the normal Takeoff and Annotations toolbars and is visible only when you have turned-on Overlays (
) in the Revision and Set Navigation Toolbar.
| Button | Description | What it does/How it is used... |
|---|---|---|
 | Resize | Allows you to select points on the base plan and the Overlay that match up and then drag the Overlay plan to stretch/shrink it to match the base plan. |
 | Align | Allows you to make adjustments to the alignment (horizontal/vertical) to account for plans that are not positioned the same. |
 | Deskew | Allows you to straighten out a crooked plan - this happens most when paper plans are scanned in versus being saved to electronic format by the Architect. |
 | Rotate | Rotates the Overlay 90 degrees to the right with each click. |
 | Flip Vertically | Flips the Overlay on its Horizontal axis (the top becomes the bottom...) |
 | Flip Horizontally | Flips the Overlay on its Vertical axis (right to left...) |
 | Reset | Restores the Overlay to its original size and orientation. |
In the next few articles we give you detailed instructions for using each option. We explain these functions in order that they would be used logically not in their order on the toolbar.
If you get to a point where you are have difficulty adjusting your Overlay or just want to start over, click the Reset Overlay button () and try again.
 Using Overlay to Identify "Collisions" Between Trades | Overlay Tools - Deskewing (Straightening) a Crooked Overlay Plan  |
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