General Preferences (Takeoff)

The General Preferences (Takeoff) window contains settings that let you control how takeoff works. Click File > Options > General Preferences to open the window.

Display

The Display section contains options to control how values appear in Takeoff.

Feet in - Switches the format of the numbers between Decimals and Feet and Inches.
Inches in - Switches the format of the numbers between Decimals and Feet and Inches.
Metrics in - Currently only can be set as Decimals.
Number of decimal places - Set the number of decimal places on the number.
Use Level Descriptions - Select the check box to seethe descriptions of Levels, instead of IDs, when viewed in the Audit trail.

Maintenance View

The Maintenance View section contains options to control how items appear in the Maintenance View.

Show Auxiliary Takeoff When Loading- Select the check box to have Auxiliary view to be turned on automatically when Takeoff is launched.
Expand Assemblies - Select the check box to have assemblies appear expanded when taken off.
Expand Auxiliary Items - Select the check box to make items with auxiliary parts appear expanded when taken off. Note that only the first two levels of items will be expanded automatically.
Retain Active User-Defined Levels - Select the check box to have the level types remain the same when you switch Sections.
Retain Active Scale - Select the check box to use the same scale when you change drawings on your digitizer, instead of having to specify the scale for each drawing. This setting is specific to you and does not affect others. If you select the check box, you cannot set the scale. If you don't select the check box, the scale changes according to the takeoff options set for that section or level.
Use Full UOM Description - Select the check box to spell UOM (Unit of Measurement) descriptions out completely, instead of the normal abbreviated version. You must restart Takeoff for this option to take effect.

Auto Save

The Auto Save section contains options for automatically saving your work in Takeoff.

Auto Save active - Select the check box to turn on the Auto Save feature to automatically save the Takeoff file according to the time increment you set. Deselect the check box to turn off auto save. Defaults to selected.
Every minutes - Enter the time interval between automatic saves. Defaults to every 2 minutes. This field is disabled if the Auto Save active check box is not selected.

Power Pad

The Power Pad section contains some options for using the Power Pad.

Enable FactorKeys - Select the check box to use the factor keys on the PowerPad.
Enable Default To Reduce SizeKey - Select the check box to use the Default to Reduce key on the PowerPad.

In-Place Editing

The In-Place Editing section contains options that control which sections of Takeoff in-place editing can be used.

Enable in the Options Bar - Select the check box to allow in-place editing in the options bar.
Enable in the Maintenance View - Select the check box to allow in-place editing in the Maintenance view.
Enable in the Specials View - Select the check box to allow in-place editing in the Specials View.
Prompt Before Allowing In-Place Edits to Specials - Select the check box to have to confirm that you would like to make in-place edits to a special before making the edits.

Miscellaneous

The Miscellaneous section contains additional options for takeoff.

Allow Zero as Value for Factors - Select the check box to allow zero to be entered as a value for factors. If the check box is not selected, any factor set to 0 will be automatically updated to 1.
Round Quantities during Takeoff - Select the check box to round the quantities of items while adding new items to the audit trail/maintenance view.
Prompt When Invalid Items are Taken Off - Select the check box to get a warning message if you take off an invalid item.
Takeoff Next Larger Size (Invalid Items) - Select the check box to automatically use the next larger size if you attempt to takeoff an invalid Item.
Suppress Reduced Size for Assemblies - Select the check box to always return to the default Size value entered via the Takeoff preferences. If the check box is not selected, the program will retain the Size value that is entered when taking off an Assembly.
Oversize Entire Hanger - Select the check box to always assume that the entire hanger is oversized for insulation, and that all items are to be taken off. If the check box is not selected, the options set for each individual assembly item will be used instead. This option is selected by default.
Colors - Click the button to open the Edit Colors window. You can select custom colors for Notes, Note Text, Attachments, and Cost Overrides. You may also reset the system defaults if you no longer want to use custom colors by clicking Set To Defaults.
1. Click in the Sample Text field for the takeoff object for which you want to assign a color.
2. Select custom or system colors using the options below.