Module 04 of 5

Tabs & Workspaces

The eight workspace tabs that drive the SiteWorx/OS workflow — what each one does, when it's available, and what controls live on it.

95 topics to read·12 quiz questions·pass = 75%

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95 topics in this module

Skim or read in order. Each topic links back here when you finish.

01
Project TabItems that should be completed prior to takeoff include: Project Name and other User Defined fields . Whether or not project has Boring Logs See also: Why can't I click on any other tabs? Opening File
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Drawings TabThe Drawings Tab provides functions for creating and maintaining the list of drawings used in the takeoff. It consists of A set of toolbars at the top a list of layers , if a CAD or Vector PDF drawing
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Takeoff TabThe Takeoff Tab is where the grading plan is digitized into the computer. The tab is divided into several parts: Takeoff Toolbars Layer List (Only visible if using a CAD or Vector PDF drawing) Takeoff
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Calculations TabThe Calculations Tab contains settings that control the calculation of cut and fills. It also displays a summary of the calculation. The main areas on the tab are: Grid Size and Resolution Controls To
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3D View TabAfter calculating the project at the Calculations Tab, clicking on the 3D View Tab displays the site in three dimensions. Proposed elevations, existing elevations, cut/fill and rock cut can be display
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Cross Section TabThis tab displays site cross sections (existing and proposed elevation lines) along the grid lines, user defined cross section lines, and trenches. The Selection Toolbar controls the choice of the cro
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Grid Data TabGrid Data contains the results of the site calculations in a tabular view. Two different displays are available at the Grid Data Tab: Cut/Fill and Stake . The tabular display is controlled using the t
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Soil Analysis TabThis tab displays site cross sections through the boring logs or along user defined cross section lines or trenches. The Selection Toolbar controls the choice of the cross section(s) displayed. Boring
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Why doesn't the increase or decrease elevation command work?In order for the Increase or Decrease Elevations commands to work, an Elevation Step must be defined.
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Why can't I see certain items which should be displayed?Make sure the following are checked (i.e. turned on) under the View Menu : Show Takeoff Properties Show Takeoff Grid Show Takeoff Elevations
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I incorrectly deleted an itemTo prevent unwanted deletions, turn on the Confirm Deletions command under the Options|Setup menu.
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Invalid AreasThe Invalid Area command under the Checking menu is available when the Takeoff is set to Area Elevations. Invalid areas have fewer than three digitized points. If an invalid area is found, delete it b
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Above MaximumClick on this command to display all takeoff items greater than the Max Elevation entered using the Checking menu . Please note that Display must be set to Takeoff rather than Both at the top of the T
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ExamineFor each type of takeoff , each object taken off is given a unique identifier. The Checking|Examine command displays the identifier as one of the Takeoff Object Properties . Use the Navigation bar to
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Takeoff Object PropertiesVarious attributes pertaining to the selected object are shown on the right hand side of the Takeoff Tab . The properties displayed change according to the type of Takeoff Object : Project Boundary To
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ScalePressing the Scale button displays one of two scale dialogs: Scale dialog for raster and pdf drawings Scale dialog for CAD drawings IMPORTANT: It is not necessary to change scale when using multiple d
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Why can't I click on any other tabs?To activate the other tabs, the following items must be completed at the Drawings Tab : Open a drawing Scale Number of Drawings If multiple drawings, Align Drawing
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How do I change the display of the 3D drawing?Change from Existing, Proposed or Cut/Fill by clicking on the options at the top of the screen. The image can be zoomed, panned and rotated by selecting the command from the Manipulate drop down list
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User Defined FieldsSiteWorx/OS can display up to eight user defined fields on the Project tab . These are primarily used to customize report headers and footers. These fields can be defined by clicking on the User Defin
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Takeoff and Display OptionsThe display option allows selection of the objects displayed in the takeoff area . For Regions the choices are Included or Excluded. For other takeoff objects with elevations (contour lines, points, a
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What do I do when the Proposed is on a different sheet or scale than the Existing?If the proposed grades are on a different sheet and/or scale than the existing grades align the new drawing by clicking the Align Drawing button at the Drawings Tab . The alignment points must be the
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How do I change the elevations for surface area?To change all the corner elevations of a surface area to new value, enter the value in the elevation field on the takeoff window. Select the area to be changed using the select object button. Right cl
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Invalid RegionsThe Invalid Area command under the Checking menu is available when the Takeoff is set to a region . Invalid regions have fewer than three digitized points. If an invalid region is found, delete it by
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Points in AreaThis command is used to find all points located within a Surface Area Elevation. If a proposed surface area does not appear flat like a plane, then point elevations may have been digitized within the
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Minimum and Maximum ElevationThese menu items display the minimum and maximum elevations used to check the takeoff. Clicking on either number displays the Min/Max Elevation dialog. Review the plan and enter in the minimum and max
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The calculated results appear incorrectCalculated results are based on the information entered. Go to the 3D View Tab to see if the site appears proper. Look at the site in Plan View , both Proposed and Existing. Try displaying Out of Boun
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How do I change the soil swell factor used on new projects?To change the soil swell factors for new projects click on Options|Setup|Soil Factors|Save as Default. The soil factors currently shown at the Calculations Tab will be the soil factors used on any new
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3D/PlanChanges image from 3D view to Plan view. 3D view showing Proposed elevations. Plan view showing Rock Cut.
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Existing-Proposed-Cut Fill-Rock CutChanges the data presented in the 3D view. Rock Cut is only available if Boring Logs are used.
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Display OBWhen pressed the 3D view displays data outside the project boundary. When not pressed, only data withing the project boundary is shown.
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Show Mesh/Show GridShow Mesh and Show Grid are radio buttons. The choices are Show Mesh, Show Grid or neither. The mesh is a grid of black lines between the cells in the 3D view. With high numbers of cells, the entire 3
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ManipulateThese commands change the display of the 3D plot. After selecting a command, drag the mouse across the image to change it. None - No changes are made, elevations and cut/fill are displayed. Rotate - L
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Z%The Z% alters the Z axis (elevation or depth) magnification. At a 100% setting, the Z axis is scaled to match the X and Y axis. Choose a larger number to accentuate the Z axis differences.
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ResetThis button resets the 3D image to default settings. Zoom - 80% Z % - 100 Z Axis Rotation - 50 degrees X Axis Rotation - 45 degrees.
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Stake ViewThe Stake view on the Grid Data Tab shows the following information by grid: Row - row of grid square (1 to n) Col - column of grid square (1..m) X - Distance along X axis from grid origin to NW corne
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Cut/Fill ViewThe Cut/Fill view on the Grid Data Tab shows the following information by grid: Location - Grid label Cut Volume Fill Volume Topsoil Strip Topsoil Re spread Subsoil Cut Subsoil Fill Height - height of
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ExportInformation from with the Cut/Fill or Stake Data may be exported by pressing the Export button. After pressing the Export button the following dialog is shown: Please note the following when exporting
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Show OBWhen depressed, data for all grid squares is shown. When not depressed, only data for grid squares that are inside the project boundaries is shown. In the Stake view , only those grid squares with the
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Before/After StripWhen depressed, the stake heights are before, or include, topsoil strip. If not depressed, topsoil strip is not included in the stake height calculations.
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Cut/Fill - StakeSelects either the Cut/Fill view or the Stake view of the calculated data.
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Col/Row Row/ColWhen Row/Col is selected, the squares in the Takeoff Grid are displayed by row. That is A1, B1, C1... When Col/Row is selected they are displayed by column, or A1, A2, A3...
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Opening FilesSiteWorx/OS can be opened by double clicking on a project file - a file with the extension .ves. If a project file is dropped on SiteWorx/OS, the current project will be closed and the dropped project
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Cancel ChangesThis button is enabled when changes are made to a takeoff object's properties. Pressing the button will discard the changes.
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Accept ChangesThis button is enabled when changes are made to a takeoff object's properties. Pressing the button will save the changes.
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Change All StylesPressing this button will change the visual styles for all objects of the current takeoff selection to match the currently selected object. For example, if a proposed contour line is selected when the
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Navigation BarsMany of the tables of data in SIteWorx/OS have associated navigation bars. A bar consists of a set of buttons: Move to first record* Move to previous page of records Move to previous record Move to ne
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Alignment IndicatorWhen the drawing is aligned, the indicator will say "Aligned" in green. When the drawing is not aligned, it will say "Not Aligned" in red. Note: Aligning drawings is required when Opening multiple pag
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Scale DialogFirst, select the units for the drawing - English or Metric. If English, next select architectural or engineering. There are three methods to set the scale: Select a scale from the drop down list box
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CAD Scale DialogTo scale a CAD drawing, it is necessary to determine the size of a drawing unit. Typically, a drawing unit is feet or meters. First, select the units for the drawing - English or Metric. If English, n
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Invalid Soil TypesThe Invalid Soil Types command under the Checking menu is available when the Takeoff is set to boring logs. A boring log will be shown if the log has soil types that are not in the soil type list or m
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Invalid Strata DepthsThe Invalid Strata Depths command under the Checking menu is available when the Takeoff is set to boring logs. A boring log will be shown if the log has inconsistent top elevation, bottom elevation an
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Include/ExcludeThese commands toggle between Include and Exclude. Either Include or Exclude will be checked and turned on when any region type takeoff object is selected (i.e. checked). When taking off a region, the
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Export SurfacePressing this button displays the Export GPS dialog. SiteWorx/OS can export either existing or proposed elevations in a CSV format or as a DWG file. Additionally, the elevations can be before or after
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Invalid TrenchesThe Invalid Trenches command under the Checking menu is available when the Takeoff is set to Trench. Invalid trenches have fewer than two digitized points. If an invalid trench is found, delete it by
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Complex AreasA complex polygon has boundaries that cross. A simple polygon does not. complex polygon simple polygon SiteWorx/OS expects all areas and regions to be simple. Use this check to find any complex areas
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Project ToolbarThere is one toolbar on the Project Tab: Menu Toolbar Reports Options Help See also: Toolbars
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Scale InformationThis area of displays the currently selected units, scale and factor.
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Takeoff CheckTakeoff Check performs the following tests on the takeoff: Contour lines below minimum elevation Contour lines above maximum elevation Point elevations below minimum elevation Point elevations above m
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Number of DrawingsIf the project information is all on a single drawing, select Single. If the information is on multiple drawings, select Multiple. If Multiple is selected, the drawings will have to be aligned . If Si
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Drawings Tab ToolbarsThe Toolbars at the top of the Drawings Tab change with the type of drawing shown. From left to right, the toolbars are: Drawing Toolbar Page Toolbar (Shown only for multipage drawings) Layout Toolbar
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Drawing Display AreaThis area of the Drawings Tab is used to review, scale and align drawings. While in this area: Right Mouse Click displays the Drawing Popup Menu . Shift - Left Mouse Click zooms in on the drawing. Shi
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DistanceWhen autoscaling , enter the distance between the two points taken off.
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Export DWGPressing this button displays the Export DWG dialog. SiteWorx/OS can export the existing and/or proposed takeoff to a DWG file. Additionally, the elevations and other information can be added. Informa
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Use Drawing CoordinatesSelect this if using a cad file with GPS X and Y coordinates. Selecting this overrides the requirement for defining Reference Points and /or the North-South axis when exporting or importing. This opti
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Existing/Proposed/Cut/FillWhen the Manipulate ComboBox is set to None, as the cursor is moved over the 3D View, the Existing and Proposed elevations are displayed. Also displayed is the Cut or Fill Depth. If Rock Cut is select
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TrackingAt lower resolutions, the plot image can be updated as the mouse is dragged. In this case tracking is enabled and the indicator is green. At higher resolutions, updating the image can not keep up with
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CAD Layer ListCAD and Vector PDF drawings can have multiple layers. The Layer List is the preferred alternative to the Layers Dialog . It displays a list of the layers on the drawing and is used to control which la
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Cross Section Line PropertiesThe following properties are available for cross section lines: Color Line Width Line Style Name Notes
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Equate OBThis determines when in the calculation process the Proposed Out of Bounds elevations are set to the Existing elevations. The default value is After Calculating Proposed. When a project boundary is de
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LayoutsThe items in the Layouts combo allow selection of the displayed layout. Layouts are treated similar to pages . To select multiple layouts from the same drawing use the Copy Page item on the Drawing Po
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Setup User Defined FieldsThere are eight user defined fields on the Project Tab . These are primarily used to customize reports. The first field may also appear in the Window Title . The first three fields can be used in repo
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Copy to Clipboard ButtonPress the button to copy the Calculation results to the Windows Clipboard.
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Grid Size and ResolutionGrid Size The Grid Size determines how the information is presented at the Grid Data Tab. The grid is displayed at the Takeoff Tab, when Takeoff Grid is turned on under the View menu . Grid Size shoul
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Calculation ResolutionThis shows the current square size used when calculating. The Grid Size and Resolution interact to determine this setting. Increasing Resolution decreases the size of each square calculated. The calcu
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Topsoil FactorsTopsoil factors at the top of the window include the Waste %, Site Swell Factor, Import Swell Factor and Import Compression %. The Waste % is the percentage amount of topsoil stripped that lost or is
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Subsoil FactorsSubsoil factors at the top of the window include the Site Swell Factor, Import Swell Factor and Import Compression %. The Site Swell factor is the expansion factor for Subsoil that is stripped. A Site
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Slope BoundariesExisting and proposed elevations must match at the project boundary. To merge the proposed elevations into the existing elevations with a constant slope, Press the Slope Boundaries button. After press
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Calculation ResultsThe calculated results are displayed on the right side of the screen. The calculated results are not saved with the project file. Each time a project is opened in SiteWorx/OS, it will have to be recal
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Open DrawingPress this button to open a drawing file for takeoff use. It will display the Open Drawing Dialog . Drawing files may also be opened by dropping them on SiteWorx/OS. The first drawing opened establish
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Takeoff ToolbarsThe Toolbars at the top of the Takeoff Tab change with the type of takeoff object . The commands on the toolbars can also be accessed via the takeoff menu , the takeoff popup menu and keyboard shortcu
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Takeoff AreaThis area of the Takeoff Tab is used to input elevations into the project file. It displays the project drawing with the selected takeoff objects overlaid. While in this area: Right Mouse Click displa
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Takeoff/BothIf set to Takeoff, only the objects being taken off will be displayed. That is either existing or proposed elevations, or either included or excluded regions. If set to Both, both existing and propose
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Align GridPressing the Align Grid button displays the Align Grid Dialog. The grid may be aligned to the project boundaries, a selected point, or reset. When using multiple drawings, the button is only enabled w
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Increase/Decrease ElevationThese buttons increase and decrease the elevation for the takeoff. For Trenches, they increase or decrease the Inverse Elevation . The Elevation Step must be defined for these to function.
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Calculate Invert ElevationSiteWorx/OS can calculate invert elevations for trench points, if the invert elevation is defined for at least two points. Check the Calculate box for the points to be calculated. Do not check the box
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Boundary Object PropertiesThe following properties are available for project boundaries: Include/Exclude Region Type Color Fill Style Line Width Line Style Name Notes
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Topsoil Strip and Respread Object PropertiesThe following properties are available for project boundaries: Include/Exclude Region Type Color Depth Fill Style Line Width Line Style Name Notes
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Region TypeThis property applies to regions . There are 4 region types: Project Boundary Topsoil Strip Topsoil Re spread Other Only the first three have any effect on calculations.
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DepthThis property applies to topsoil strip and re spread regions. It defines the amount of topsoil to be stripped or re spread. See also: Topsoil Factors
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Corners TabCorner information is shown for Area Elevations, Design Lines, Lengths and Trenches, allowing elevations to be modified. The Type field is used to define points associated with the Arc , Circle and Re
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The 3D View looks wrongReview item properties at the Takeoff Tab and use the Checking menu option to find elevations outside the minimum and maximum elevations defined in the Checking Menu .
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How do I edit an item that was digitized incorrectly?To edit any item's properties, click on the Takeoff Tab and select the Takeoff object from the Takeoff list box. Set Display to Takeoff, select Existing/Proposed or Include/Exclude and make sure no zo
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Below MinimumClick on this command to display all takeoff items below the Min Elevation entered using the Checking menu . Please note that Display must be set to Takeoff rather than Both at the top of the Takeoff
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Checking MenuThe Checking menu contains commands to check the takeoff data. This menu is only visible when at the Takeoff Tab . To use the Checking menu, the Display Option must be set to Takeoff rather than Both.
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Why don't I see existing and proposed contours on the screen at the same time?Click the Both button on the Display option at the top of the Takeoff window.