Drawing Handbook
Reference for commands and concepts in the browser CAD drawing module.
Drawing overview
The drawing module is a browser-native CAD drafter for structural plans. Draw, modify, dimension, layer, place columns/beams/footings, arrange sheets, print to PDF, and export DXF.
Layers
Layers organize the entities in a drawing. You can create new layers, toggle visibility, lock them to prevent edits, and set line color or weight. Typical plans separate layers such as S-GRID, S-COLS, S-BEAM, and S-ANNO-DIM.
Marks
A Mark is a reusable definition for seven kinds of structural elements: column, beam, footing, slab, wall, stair, and retaining wall. Editing a Mark updates every instance that uses it, so group resizing is fast and consistent.
Sheets and paper size
A sheet is the paper space used for printing. Each sheet has its own camera, print scale, and paper size. The PDF plotter crops to the sheet boundary, so your plan is presentation-ready.
Snap, ORTHO, POLAR, and grid
Object snaps attach to key points such as endpoints, midpoints, circle centers, intersections, and perpendicular points. ORTHO locks drawing to horizontal or vertical, POLAR locks to angle increments, and grid snap snaps points to the grid.
Export PDF and DXF
PDF plot creates a file from the current sheet at the chosen scale and paper boundary. DXF export produces a file that opens directly in CAD software. Please note that DXF export is a Pro-only feature.
All commands
The command list below is pulled directly from command-help.ts. When a new command is registered, this handbook updates automatically.
Draw
- LLineDraw a chain of connected line segments.
- PLPolylineDraw a connected chain of segments as one entity.
- RECRectangleDraw a rectangle by two opposite corners.
- CICircleDraw a circle by its center and radius.
- AArcDraw a 3-point arc (start, through, end).
Modify
- MMoveMove selected entities to a new location.
- COCopyCopy selected entities to a new location.
- RORotateRotate selected entities around a base point.
- MIMirrorMirror selected entities across an axis.
- SCScaleScale selected entities around a base point.
- SStretchStretch vertices inside a window; the rest stay fixed.
- OOffsetMake a parallel offset copy of a line or arc.
- TRTrimCut an entity back to a cutting edge.
- EXExtendExtend an entity to meet a boundary edge.
- FFilletRound a corner between two lines with a tangent arc.
- CHAChamferBevel a corner between two lines with a straight cut.
- ARArrayMake a rectangular or polar array of selected entities.
- MAMatch PropertiesCopy properties (layer) from one entity to others.
- EEraseDelete the selected entities.
- XExplodeUngroup a placed symbol / block insert into independent entities.
Annotate
- DIMDimensionAdd a linear dimension between two points.
- TXTTextPlace single-line text at a point.
- TBLSchedule TableGenerate the mark schedule table at a point.
- REVCRevision CloudCloud a rectangular region to flag a revision.
- REVMRevision MarkerPlace a delta tag with a revision label.
- BBSBar TakeoffGenerate the bar-takeoff (Bill of Bars) table at a point.
Blocks
- BLDefine BlockDefine a named block from selected entities.
- IInsert BlockInsert a defined block at a point.
- BIInsert Active BlockInsert the active block (from the Blocks panel) at a point.
- NANorth ArrowPlace a north arrow symbol.
- SMSection MarkPlace a section mark with label and sheet reference.
- GBGrid BubblePlace a grid bubble with an axis label.
- RLLevel MarkerPlace a level marker (RL) with the elevation text.
Structural
- PCPlace ColumnPlace instances of the active column mark.
- PBPlace BeamPlace centerlines of the active beam mark.
- PFPlace FootingPlace instances of the active footing mark.
- PSPlace SlabPlace regions of the active slab mark.
- PWPlace WallPlace centerlines of the active wall mark.
- PSTPlace StairPlace footprints of the active stair mark.
- PRWPlace Retaining WallPlace sections of the active retaining-wall mark.
Global shortcuts
The shortcuts below speed up your workflow without typing commands into the bar.
- Ctrl/⌘ZUndoUndo the last action.
- Ctrl/⌘YRedoRedo the last undone action.
- Ctrl/⌘ASelect allSelect every visible, unlocked entity.
- DelDeleteErase the current selection.
- EscCancelCancel the active command or clear the selection.
- EnterFinishConfirm / finish the active command.
- F8ORTHOToggle horizontal/vertical drawing constraint (object snaps still win).
- F10POLARToggle polar tracking — snap the direction to angle increments (15° default; set the step in the status bar).
- Ctrl/⌘clickAdd to selectionCtrl-click an entity to add or remove it from the selection; Ctrl+band adds.
- x,y@dx,dy@d<aType coordinatesDuring a draw command, type absolute, relative, or polar coordinates (or a distance) into the command bar.
- 0-9⇥EnterDynamic inputWhile picking a point, type a number to enter dimensions at the cursor. Tab locks the value and switches to the angle field; Enter (or a click) commits; Esc closes the fields.
- EnterRepeat commandAt idle, Enter repeats the last command.
- Drag→Select (window)Drag left→right: selects only what is fully inside the blue window.
- Drag←Select (crossing)Drag right→left: selects everything the green dashed band touches.
- DragMove selectionDrag a selected entity to move it (and everything selected with it).
- Right-clickFinish / cancel (mouse)Right-click finishes the active command (or cancels if it has nothing to finish).
- SpacedragPan viewHold Space (or middle mouse) and drag to pan.
- ScrollZoomScroll the wheel to zoom toward the cursor.
- ShiftdragZoom windowShift+drag a box to zoom into it.
- Double-clickZoom fitDouble-click empty space to fit the drawing — double-click an entity to select it.
- ?Command helpOpen or close this reference.