Speed Up Your Takeoffs with These PlanSwift Shortcuts.

Speed Up Your Takeoffs with These PlanSwift Shortcuts: Boost Your Efficiency

In the world of construction estimating, time is money. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, one of the best ways to improve your workflow is by using shortcuts. PlanSwift, a popular takeoff software, offers a range of tools designed to streamline the estimation process. Mastering PlanSwift shortcuts can significantly speed up your takeoff work, allowing you to focus more on accuracy and less on repetitive tasks. In this blog, we’ll share the most effective PlanSwift shortcuts to help you enhance your productivity and accelerate your takeoff process.

Why Use Shortcuts in PlanSwift?

Takeoff software like PlanSwift allows users to measure, calculate, and estimate construction projects with precision. However, manually navigating through menus and buttons can slow you down. By using keyboard shortcuts, you can minimize the time spent on navigation and increase your efficiency. Here’s why using PlanSwift shortcuts is essential:

• Increased Efficiency: With fewer clicks and less mouse movement, you’ll be able to complete tasks faster.
• Better Focus: Shortcuts allow you to stay focused on your work without having to constantly look for tools in menus.
• Error Reduction: Speeding up your workflow while using PlanSwift’s built-in features can help reduce mistakes that arise from rushing or distractions.
• Streamlined Process: You can navigate through PlanSwift’s features quickly, making the entire estimation process more streamlined.

Essential PlanSwift Shortcuts for Faster Takeoffs

Below are some of the most effective PlanSwift shortcuts you can use to speed up your takeoff process:

1. Zoom In and Zoom Out

Zooming in and out is a crucial part of any takeoff process, especially when working with detailed blueprints. Instead of relying on the mouse scroll wheel or manually adjusting the zoom level, you can use these shortcuts:

• Zoom In: Ctrl + Up Arrow
• Zoom Out: Ctrl + Down Arrow

By using these shortcuts, you can quickly adjust your view to focus on specific areas of the blueprint.

2. Select Measurement Tool

Selecting the right measurement tool is a critical part of the takeoff process. PlanSwift allows you to select tools using the keyboard, saving you time:

• Select Line Tool: L
• Select Area Tool: A
• Select Count Tool: C

These shortcuts make it easier to quickly switch between different measurement types without the need to click through menus.

3. Activate the Undo and Redo Functions

Mistakes happen, but PlanSwift makes it easy to correct them. Instead of going through multiple steps to undo a mistake, you can use these shortcuts:

• Undo: Ctrl + Z
• Redo: Ctrl + Y

These quick actions will save you time by allowing you to quickly reverse or reapply changes.

4. Copy, Paste, and Duplicate Items

When you’re working on a large project, copying and pasting or duplicating items can speed up your work. Instead of manually recreating measurements, use these shortcuts:

• Copy: Ctrl + C
• Paste: Ctrl + V
• Duplicate: Ctrl + D

These shortcuts are perfect for when you need to repeat measurements across similar areas of the blueprint.

5. Toggle Between Plans

In many construction projects, you will work with multiple plans or drawings. Switching between them can take time if you are manually clicking through tabs or menus. Use these shortcuts to switch between your open plans quickly:

• Switch to Next Plan: Ctrl + Tab
• Switch to Previous Plan: Ctrl + Shift + Tab

This will help you stay on top of multiple plans and avoid losing track of your workflow.

6. Quickly Delete Items

Sometimes, you’ll need to delete a measurement or object from your takeoff. Instead of right-clicking and selecting the delete option, you can use:

• Delete Item: Delete

This shortcut allows you to quickly remove any unwanted items from your workspace.

7. Switch Between Tabs and Views

In PlanSwift, you might need to toggle between different tabs and views of your project. To do this quickly, use:

• Next Tab: Ctrl + F6
• Previous Tab: Ctrl + Shift + F6

These shortcuts allow you to seamlessly move between different aspects of your project without losing focus.

8. Open a New Takeoff Project

If you need to start a new project or open an existing one, use the following shortcuts to avoid navigating through the file menu:

• New Project: Ctrl + N
• Open Project: Ctrl + O

These shortcuts will help you save time when starting new takeoffs or managing multiple projects.

9. Activate the “Zoom to Fit” Function

When you want to zoom in and view the entire plan within the workspace, use the Zoom to Fit function:

• Zoom to Fit: Ctrl + Shift + F

This shortcut fits the entire plan to the screen, allowing you to see the entire area you’re working with without manually adjusting zoom levels.

Customizing Your Shortcuts for Maximum Efficiency

PlanSwift allows users to customize shortcuts to match their specific workflow needs. By going into the Settings menu, you can assign your most frequently used tools and actions to keys that make the most sense for your work style. Customizing your shortcuts further helps you save even more time, ensuring you don’t have to rely on default settings.