We do all our drafting on commission in AutoCAD. We make 3D presentations in SketchUp. On site, our experts measure with professional Leica laser measuring instruments on a tripod, using point-to-point measuring. Below, you can read which software and equipment we use, which files you receive (DWG, DXF and PDF) and what we deliberately do not use.
Drafting on commission in AutoCAD
All our drafting is done in AutoCAD software from Autodesk. That goes for drafting you outsource from a sketch, PDF, photos or existing plans, and for plans that follow from a site survey. We draw to scale, for example 1:50 or 1:100, with dimensions in millimetres and a clear layer structure. Using your own layers, pen settings or template? We draw in those.
In AutoCAD, our work includes:
- Drafting on commission: floor plans, elevations, sections and detail drawings, including permit application plans to the architect’s requirements.
- As-built drawings: drafting for construction, showing the existing or as-built situation.
- Shop drawings: for interiors and bespoke furniture, with DXF for CAM, CNC and nesting.
- Plan digitising: paper plans, old tracings or PDFs redrawn to scale.
- Electrical drawings: single-line diagram and electrical layout based on the electrician’s data.
You can outsource drafting from anywhere. You send and receive everything digitally, by email or download link.
SketchUp for 3D presentations
For 3D presentations and massing studies, we work in SketchUp. You see how an interior, extension or volume fits into the space before anything is made or built. On request, we deliver a 3D model as a SketchUp file or as a 3D DWG.
Which files do you receive?
As standard, we deliver DWG, DXF and PDF. Each format has its own purpose:
| Format | What it is for |
|---|---|
| DWG | AutoCAD’s native format. Editable, for anyone who continues in AutoCAD or AutoCAD LT. |
| DXF | Exchange with other CAD programs and with CAM, CNC and nesting software. |
| Reading, forwarding and printing, to scale. | |
| SketchUp or 3D DWG | On request: 3D presentations and massing studies. |
No AutoCAD? View a DWG with the free viewers from Autodesk: DWG TrueView or Autodesk Viewer. With AutoCAD LT, you can open and edit our 2D plans yourself.
Measuring by experts
If there are no usable plans or dimensions, we measure on site. Our experts set up the laser measuring instrument on a tripod and, from there, record points, angles, heights and openings. We also take photos for documentation. We then work everything up into a plan in AutoCAD and deliver it with a survey report. What we measure per job is covered under on-site measuring, kitchen measuring, staircase measuring and facade measuring.
What is point-to-point measuring?
With point-to-point measuring, the instrument records points in the room from one fixed set-up: the corner of a wall, the edge of a stairwell opening, the ridge. It then calculates the distance between any two of those points, even when nobody can reach them. So ceilings, stairwell openings and facades also appear correctly in the plan.
For you, that means three things:
- Points out of reach. Ceiling height, ridge, stairwell opening or an opening high up in a facade: we measure them from the tripod.
- Checking with diagonals. We also measure the diagonals of a room or opening. The plan therefore shows whether a corner is square and where a wall runs at an angle. That helps avoid surprises during installation.
- No retyping of dimensions. The measured points go to the computer digitally, as DXF. They form the basis of the drawing in AutoCAD. That reduces the risk of typing errors.
What we do not use
We do not work with a 3D laser scanner. A scanner captures everything it sees, in millions of points. A point-to-point measurement captures only the points the plan needs, one by one. For interiors, kitchens, stairs and facades, that is usually enough.
A scan is a better fit if you need a complete 3D model of a complex building, for example one with many levels or irregular shapes. Then a specialist scanning firm is the better choice. With each request, we ask about the purpose and level of detail, so it is clear which method fits. Plot boundaries, boundary marking and plans for a notarial deed are outside our work. For those, you need a licensed land surveyor (landmeter-expert).
About the brand names
We name the brands because you should know what we work with. iMesure is not a dealer or partner of Leica, Autodesk or any other brand on this page: we use their instruments and software, we do not sell them. Leica, Autodesk, AutoCAD and SketchUp are trademarks of their respective owners.
How a job runs, from your files or request to delivery, is explained under how we work. Questions about software or file formats? Use the contact page or email info@imesure.com.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need AutoCAD myself to outsource drafting?
No. You send us a sketch, a PDF, photos or existing plans, and we draw everything up in AutoCAD. You receive DWG, DXF and PDF. The PDF opens in any PDF reader. You can view a DWG with the free DWG TrueView or Autodesk Viewer. If you work in AutoCAD LT, you can open and edit our 2D plans yourself.
Can iMesure draw in my own layers or template?
Yes. As standard, we draw to scale, with dimensions in millimetres and a clear layer structure. If you work with your own drawing template, layers or pen settings, send them along with your request. We then draw in those, so the plan fits straight into your own files and you can carry on working in it without converting anything.
Which file does my CNC or nesting software need?
Usually DXF. It is the exchange format that CAD, CAM and nesting programs generally read. DWG is AutoCAD's native format and is useful if you carry on drawing in AutoCAD yourself. iMesure delivers DWG, DXF and PDF as standard, so the drawing office, production planning and the CNC programmer can all work from the same dimensions.
Which instruments does iMesure use to measure on site?
iMesure measures with professional Leica laser measuring instruments on a tripod. From one set-up, we record points in the room and calculate the distance between two points, even when nobody can reach them. We check angles and squareness with diagonals. The measured points go to the computer digitally as DXF, where we draw up the plan in AutoCAD.
Does iMesure use a 3D laser scanner?
No. iMesure works with targeted point-to-point measurements: we measure the points the plan needs, not a scan of millions of points. For interiors, kitchens, stairs and facades, that is usually enough. If you need a complete 3D model of a complex building, a specialist scanning firm is a better fit. With each request, we ask about the purpose and level of detail, so it is clear which method fits.