Drawings with version control and annotations
The out-of-date drawing circulating on WhatsApp is one of the most expensive causes of rework. In Drawings, each discipline (architectural, structural, MEP…) is a set with its own revision history and one CURRENT version. When a change comes in, you upload the new revision with a note on what changed — and everyone, including the contractor's link, sees the current one instantly. Inside the viewer you can pin annotations to the exact spot on the sheet and overlay two revisions with a slider to see what changed.
- One set per discipline; each set with revisions Rev A, B, C… and ONE current.
- The shared link (/plano/…) ALWAYS shows the current one: your contractor never builds off an old sheet.
- Pins are anchored to coordinates on the sheet: on the site engineer's phone they land on the same spot.
- Comparing versions = overlaying two revisions with a transparency slider.
- It takes PDF or images (JPG/PNG) up to 25 MB; PDFs render in the viewer with zoom.
- Before measuring, set the sheet scale (the Set scale tool on the viewer toolbar): without a scale every measurement would come out as 0.
- Only measurements on the CURRENT revision reach the budget; on a past revision the viewer says so and will not let you link work items.
- 1
Create the set and upload the first revision
In Drawings tap “New drawing set” — there are one-click discipline suggestions (Architectural, Structural…). Then “New revision” (in the set's ··· menu, or with the Revision button inside the viewer): drag in the PDF or the image. The label is assigned for you (Rev A, B, C…, always the letter after the last one used) or you set your own, and you write down what changed. If the current revision has open notes, you can bring them to the new one with their conversation.
- 2
Share the link to the current version
The Share button copies a public link to the set. Send it to your contractor once: when you upload Rev B, that same link already shows it. The footer of the link states the update date and the revision.
- 3
Pin your annotations
Open the sheet with “View drawing”, pick the “Annotate” tool (or press C) and tap the exact spot. Write the note (“the sleeve is missing here”, “check this gridline”). Each pin is numbered and appears in the side panel, where you resolve it or reopen it.
- 4
Set the scale and measure on the sheet
On the viewer toolbar, "Set scale": trace over a dimension you already know (a span between gridlines, a wall) and type how long it really is. That puts the whole sheet in metres, and the green dot on the tool means it is already set — every sheet in the set carries its own scale. Once set, measure area, perimeter, length, volume (it asks for the thickness) or count items, name the measurement and send it to the budget line it belongs to. Counting items works without a scale; everything else does not.
- 5
Compare revisions
With two or more revisions, use “Compare with…” and move the transparency slider: the overlaid revision fades in and out over the current one, and the changes jump right out.
- 6
Stay on top of the history
In the list, “Revision history” shows every version: open any of them, mark one as current (if you need to go back) or delete the extras. Before deleting you are told how many measurements and notes go with it; if you delete the current one, the most recent remaining revision becomes current.
Frequently asked questions
I measured on the drawing — why does the budget line not get the quantity?
Because only measurements on the CURRENT revision count. If you are looking at a past revision (the viewer flags it at the top and the work-item picker appears disabled), go back with "Go to the current one" and measure there. Same when you upload a new revision: whatever was linked on the previous one stops counting — you are warned before uploading — and it has to be measured again on the new sheet.
Can I work the drawing from a phone?
Yes. On a narrow screen the sheet starts fitted to the height and pans sideways; the toolbar has Zoom in, Zoom out and "Fit to screen", and measurement labels collapse to the number when the sheet renders small. The public link your contractor receives has the same controls.
What formats does it take?
PDF and images (JPG/PNG), up to 25 MB per file. A multi-page PDF shows every page: the viewer has a sheet navigator, and each sheet keeps its own scale and its own measurements.
Does the public link expose my whole job?
No. The link shows that set only: name, current revision, the change note and the file. No costs, no progress, no other documents.
What happens to the pins when I upload a new revision?
When you upload Rev B you can bring the OPEN notes from the current revision: they move with their conversation to the same point on the drawing. Resolved ones stay on Rev A and you can still see them by switching revisions in the viewer. Each sheet's scale is also carried over if the sheet is the same size (check it against a known dimension before measuring).
Can I go back to an earlier revision?
Yes. In the history, any revision has “Mark as current” — handy when a change gets called off. The public link switches to showing that revision.