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Creating and converting negative areas in a measurement

Use negative areas to generate a list.

Updated over a week ago

Negative Areas is a feature of the Area Tool used to generate a list of Negative Areas in a Measurement, commonly used for windows or island bench removals.

Related Articles: Area Tool | Area Cut-Out Tool

Creating a Negative Area

  1. Within a Stage click the Area Measurement

  2. Select a Drawing Mode Freeform, Square or Curved Modes

  3. Click Settings then click Negative

  4. Create the Negative Area

  5. Click Done

    Negative Area Total will show the Measurement list

Convert an existing Area Measurement to a Negative Area

Turn an already created Area into a Negative, subtracting from the Area Measurement Total.

  1. Press ESC, zoom in on the Area to select

  2. Select an Area on the Plan

  3. Click Settings then click Negative

  4. Click Save, the Area will update to a Negative

Negative Area vs Area Cut-out

The Negative Area method will not remove the section of Area being subtracted from the Plan. It places another Area onto the Plan with a Negative Area Total. The Negative Area Tool is the optimal choice to generate a list of Negative Areas in a Measurement.

If the requirement is to remove the Area drawn from the Plan and also from the Area Total, please refer to the Area Cut-out Tool Article.

Using an iPad or Tablet?

Click for alternate terminology.

Things to note when following the above steps:

  • Tap instead of click

  • Unless there is a keyboard attached to the device, there are no shortcut keys on an iPad or Tablet

  • Tap Done instead of pressing ESC

Navigation hints:

  • Pinch zoom

  • Tap hold and drag to pan around a Plan

📝Images within this article are taken from a desktop computer. Interface appearance on an iPad / Tablet devices may vary based on screen size, potentially hiding or shortening buttons to icons. For accuracy, consider using a stylus, Apple pencil or mouse.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I create a Curve?

Yes.

To create Curves and straight lines in the same Area:

  1. In Freeform Mode, click at the beginning of the Curve

  2. Press Q

  3. Click once along the Curve Close to the apex / highest point for best results

  4. Continue on or click the last point to complete

Is there a way to Edit a Curve?

Yes.

Click onto the Area with the curve to Edit. Slide the blue circles to adjust the Curve.

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