Congratulations on choosing On-Screen Takeoff. Let's get started!
We assume you have installed the application and activated your license, if not, please review the most current Installation Instructions and How to License articles.
In our current beta, due late June 2025, we changed the name of some of the Program Tabs to more accurately reflect their function:
- Bids Tab is now named Projects Tab
- Image Tab is now named Takeoff Tab
- Takeoff Tab is now named Summary Tab
- Worksheet Tab is now named Estimate Tab
Also, the MyOnCenter Tab has been retired. We added two new Tabs at the far right named Resources (which loads this help site) and Trending (product news, events, etc.).
Here are a few important links for you:
 The User Guide |  Training Videos |  Frequently Asked Questions |  Release Notes |  Contact Us |
Below, you'll find a few videos and links to key articles to help you get up-and-running quickly. The links open in a new tab or window so this article stays open, the videos are embedded in this article and should play, just click the play button 
. Please make sure "Pop-ups" are allowed so you can view the videos.
This "Getting Started" article is not intended to be all-encompassing training nor should you consider the User Guide and Training Videos as a replacement for true product training. If you want to get the most out of your software investment, it pays to invest a little time in training yourself and your team so you don't waste time trying to figure out everything on your own. Contact your account manager and schedule training today.
Rather, our goal for this article is give you a very brief introduction to On-Screen Takeoff if you have never used it.
Overview of On-Screen Takeoff
On-Screen Takeoff may seem a bit intimidating at first but invest a few minutes to watch the videos in this article, and you'll be much more confident using the program.
On-Screen Takeoff uses "Tabs" to provide access to different program functionality. When you first open the program, only the Bids Tab is active. When you select a bid on the Bids Tab, the other Tabs become active (this is called "opening a bid").
Along the top of the program are the Program Menus and Toolbars. The menus are always visible, so is the "Main Toolbar". Different Tabs include different Toolbars - don't worry, all this is covered in detail in the User Guide, for now, we're just going to give you a quick walk-through.
The Project (Bids)
Tab
The two Tabs where you'll spend the most time are the Projects (Bids) Tab and the Takeoff (Image) Tab.
Let's look at the Projects Tab first - that's the main screen of the program and what you see when you launch it. It shows you all the Bids (or Projects or Jobs, whatever you call them) in your current database.
The Takeoff (Image) Tab
The Takeoff Tab is arguably the most important part of the application, it's where you view plans, define what you want to measure, draw measurements, and mark up your plans.
What Are Conditions?
Conditions are just our term for things you want to measure on your building plans. Some folks call them "assemblies", others "takeoff objects", some call them "items" - whatever the term, they are just different things on your plants you must account for.
Linear Conditions
Area Conditions
Count Conditions
Attachment Conditions
Linear Attachments
Area Attachments
Examples of Conditions might be a specific wall type or flooring you need to measure or the number of fixtures you are going to install. Depending on what your are measuring/accounting for, you'll use a different "Style" of Condition: linear, area, count, or attachment.
What is Takeoff? How do I Draw Takeoff?
Now we've come to the nitty-gritty of On-Screen Takeoff. Tracing building objects to measure or takeoff your plans to quantify how much of each building object there is.
In the videos below, we show you how to draw takeoff using Linear, Area, and Count Conditions.
Before you do anything, it's crucial that you set and verify Page Scale.
Linear Takeoff
Linear takeoff describes using a Condition to measure things that are typically measured or priced by a lineal measurement (foot, m, inch, etc.). This doesn't mean the program cannot calculate area or volume (or even counts) off these measurements, of course, it's just that when you're looking a plan from "bird's eye view", you'd be measuring it as with a line.
Examples: walls, plumbing or electrical runs, molding, landscape edging, etc.
Area Takeoff
Area takeoff describes using a Condition to measure things that are typically measured or priced by the "square" (SF, m2, etc.). This doesn't mean the program cannot calculate volume or perimeter off these measurements, of course, it's just that when you're looking a plan from "bird's eye view", you'd be measuring it as a square.
Examples: Floors, Ceilings, Concrete slab foundations, roofs, asphalt paving, etc.
Counts and Attachment Takeoff
Count takeoff and Attachment takeoff describes using a Condition to measure things that are typically measured or priced by the "each" - the difference is that Attachments "connect" or "attach" to a parent object (such as a lightbox and an ACT Ceiling). This doesn't mean the program cannot calculate other Results. There are a wide variety of Results available including perimeter, volume, total height, etc. Check out “Auto Count” to make your takeoff tasks simpler and more accurate than ever.
Examples: ACT Ceiling lights or vents, windows and doors, columns, etc.
Before You Start Bidding
There is some general "housekeeping" and product setup you need to do before you start working in On-Screen Takeoff.
 Program Options and Settings |  Learn How to Enter Values |  Printing Plans and Takeoff |
Remember, this Getting Started overview only scratches the surface of On-Screen Takeoff and is not intended to be a replacement for formal product training. Please contact your Account Manager to schedule formal training at your earliest convenience.
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