iMesure is a drafting office for CAD drafting on commission in AutoCAD. Have a sketch, an old plan or a set of dimensions, but no time or software to draw it all up? Then outsource the CAD drafting to us. We draw to scale, with a clear layer structure. You receive DWG, DXF and PDF files that everyone on the project can use straight away.
What is CAD drafting on commission?
CAD drafting on commission means you outsource the drawing work. You supply a sketch, a construction drawing, a PDF, photos or the dimensions from a survey. iMesure draws it up in AutoCAD: to scale, dimensioned in mm and with layers. You decide what is drawn and what it is for. You then receive editable files to work with yourself.
What we draw up for you
We start from what you already have and produce:
- Preliminary designs, worked up into 2D plans to scale, from your sketch, construction drawing, PDF or survey
- Floor plans per storey, with walls, openings, stairs and dimensions
- Elevations and sections: facade views, floor-to-floor heights and build-up
- Detail drawings of junctions and components, such as a niche, a cabinet junction or the foot of a staircase
- 2D and 3D presentations to show a design clearly to a client or building owner
- Massing studies in SketchUp, to assess volumes and proportions before anything is built
- Plans for a permit application, drawn to your architect’s requirements
Some jobs call for their own approach. As-built drawings are drafting for construction: plans of the existing or as-built situation for a renovation, regularisation, permit application, sale or rental. For interiors and bespoke furniture, we produce shop drawings, including developed elevations and material lists. With plan digitising, we redraw paper plans, old tracings and PDFs in AutoCAD. And for electricians, we draw electrical plans: single-line diagrams and electrical layouts.
Who do we draft for?
- Architects and designers: preliminary designs, presentations and plans for the permit application, drawn to your requirements
- Contractors: clear plans to prepare a site and share with subcontractors
- Interior fitters: floor plans and elevations as the basis for shop drawings and production
- Homeowners: a clear plan of your renovation to discuss with your architect or contractor
More drafting than your practice can handle in a busy period? We work as extra capacity, to your template and layers. iMesure is not an architect: we draw what you or your architect design. The design, and responsibility for a permit application, remain with the architect.
How a drafting job runs
- Your documents: send what you have, such as a sketch with dimensions, a PDF, photos, an existing DWG or survey dimensions. Also tell us what the plans are for.
- Agreement and quote: we agree the scale, level of detail, layers, pen settings or template, delivery format and timing. You then receive a quote.
- Drafting in AutoCAD: we draw to scale, with dimensions and a layer structure. If a dimension is missing or looks wrong, we check it with you as we go, so a mistake does not surface on site or in the workshop.
- Checking and delivery: we check the plans and deliver DWG, DXF and PDF, and 3D on request. We discuss any changes together.
Our how we work page covers both routes: drafting and on-site measuring.
How we draft in AutoCAD
A plan is only useful if someone else can pick it up without explanation. So we draw to fixed conventions:
- Layer structure: walls, openings, dimensions, text and hatching each on a separate layer, so you display only what you need
- Dimensions in mm, so nobody has to measure off the drawing
- Scale to suit the purpose, e.g. 1:50 or 1:100 for floor plans, elevations and sections
- Your standard: send your own template, layer list, pen settings or title block and we draw with it
What you receive
- DWG: AutoCAD’s native format, fully editable
- DXF: an exchange format for other CAD programs and CAM, CNC and nesting software
- PDF: for reading, sharing and printing to scale
- 3D on request: a SketchUp model or a 3D DWG
No AutoCAD? View DWG files free of charge with DWG TrueView or Autodesk Viewer. AutoCAD LT users can simply open and edit the 2D plans.
CAD drafting on commission works anywhere
Drafting does not require a site visit. Everything is digital: you send documents by email or download link and receive the plans back the same way. It makes no difference where you or your project are. We work in Dutch, French and English.
No dimensions yet? On-site measuring by experts
Drawings are only as reliable as the dimensions behind them. Old plans often differ from what was actually built. If there are no usable dimensions, our experts first measure on site. We work with professional Leica laser measuring instruments on a tripod. With point-to-point measuring, we record points in the room from a single set-up, including places you cannot touch, such as a ceiling, a ridge or a stairwell opening. Read more under on-site measuring by experts. Our service area page shows where we come on site.
Want to outsource your CAD drafting? Request a quote or email your documents to info@imesure.com. Tell us what the plans are for, so we can reply to the point straight away.
Frequently asked questions
Does iMesure need to come on site for CAD drafting on commission?
No. CAD drafting on commission is handled entirely digitally. You send sketches, PDFs, photos or an existing DWG by email or download link, and you receive the plans back the same way in DWG, DXF and PDF. So it does not matter where you are. If there are no usable dimensions yet, our experts can first measure on site.
Can I open DWG plans without AutoCAD?
Yes. You can view DWG files free of charge with DWG TrueView, a Windows program, or with Autodesk Viewer in your browser. If you use AutoCAD LT, you can simply open and edit the 2D plans. If you only want to read or print the drawings, use the PDF that iMesure supplies together with the DWG and DXF.
Does iMesure draw up plans for a building permit application?
Yes, iMesure draws up plans for a building permit application to your architect's requirements: floor plans, elevations and sections to scale, dimensioned in mm. iMesure is not itself an architect. The design and responsibility for the application remain with the architect. If the existing situation is not on plan, we first measure it on site.
Can iMesure turn a hand sketch into a CAD drawing?
Yes. A sketch with dimensions is a good starting point for a plan in AutoCAD. Mark as many dimensions on it as you can and send photos of the room or object with it. If important dimensions are missing, we ask you for them. If that is not possible, we propose an on-site survey with professional laser measuring instruments on a tripod.
Does iMesure also supply 3D drawings?
Yes, on request. For 3D presentations and massing studies, we work in SketchUp. That way you can see volumes and proportions before anything is built or made. We can also supply a 3D model in DWG. For permit application plans and shop drawings, a 2D plan to scale usually remains the basis. We discuss exactly what you need when you send your request.
Can iMesure draw to our practice's standard?
Yes, we draw to your practice's requirements. Send your template, layer list, pen settings or title block with your request and we will take them into account. That way the plans fit in with the rest of your project file, even when you bring us in as extra capacity during busy periods. Without a standard of your own, we work with a clear layer structure and dimensions in mm.