Best Practices

Tips and recommendations from experienced Plan Count users.

Before You Start

PDF Quality

• Vector PDFs work best - Text is extractable for pattern matching
• Scanned PDFs have limitations - OCR is not supported; use manual stamping
• Check PDF scale - Ensure drawings have accurate scale information

Project Setup

1. Set scale first - Configure before drawing linear paths or area zones
2. Select pages wisely - Only include pages you need to count
3. Name your project - Use descriptive names for easy identification

Symbol Detection

Rule Strategy

1. Start with auto-discovery - Let Plan Count suggest rules from your PDF
2. Review before enabling - Check that patterns match intended symbols
3. Be specific - Longer patterns reduce false matches
4. Test incrementally - Enable one rule at a time to verify accuracy

Pattern Tips

Approach	Example	When to Use
Exact match	2A	Consistent, unique labels
Prefix match	GPO	Matches GPO, GPO1, GPO2
Regex	[0-9]A	Variable patterns (1A, 2A, 3A)

Manual Stamping

• Use for graphical symbols without text
• Use for symbols the patterns miss
• Keep manual stamps organized by rule

Zone Strategy

Inclusion Zones

• One zone per countable area - Apartments, rooms, sections
• Name descriptively - "Unit 101", "Ground Floor East"
• Draw outside symbol bounds - Ensure symbols fall clearly inside

Exclusion Zones

• Use sparingly - only for areas truly out of scope
• Plant rooms, existing work, contractor boundaries
• Exclusions override inclusions

Area Zones

• Set scale before drawing
• Use for flooring, paint, ceiling calculations
• Name with the measurement purpose ("Kitchen Floor Area")

Linear Measurements

Accuracy

• Draw at centerline - Trace the center of cable routes
• Use curves for bends - More accurate than many short segments
• Verify scale - Check a known dimension matches reality

Organization

• One rule per material type - LED strips, cable tray, conduit
• Set correct unit lengths - Match your supplier's roll/section sizes
• Name paths clearly - "Main Run", "Branch to Unit 5"

Workflow Recommendations

Efficient Counting

1. Upload and set scale
2. Run auto-discovery
3. Enable and verify rules one by one
4. Draw zones for area breakdown
5. Manual stamp any missed symbols
6. Review and clean up with eraser
7. Export

Quality Checks

• Spot check counts - Manually verify a sample area
• Check edge cases - Symbols near zone boundaries
• Review before export - Hide test zones, verify legend

Team Collaboration

• Share view-only links - For client review
• Export PDFs - For permanent records
• Export CSVs - For estimating team

Performance Tips

Large PDFs

• Select only needed pages during upload
• Work on one page at a time for complex drawings
• Use page thumbnails for navigation

Complex Projects

• Break into multiple projects if needed
• Use zones to organize large floor plates
• Save frequently

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake	Solution
Forgetting to set scale	Always set scale before linear/area work
Too broad patterns	Use specific patterns to reduce false matches
Zone boundaries too tight	Draw zones with margin around symbols
Not verifying auto-rules	Review each discovered rule before enabling
Skipping manual cleanup	Use eraser to remove false positives

Export Checklist

Before exporting, verify:

• [ ] Scale is set correctly
• [ ] All intended rules are enabled
• [ ] False detections have been erased
• [ ] Zones are named appropriately
• [ ] Legend is positioned well
• [ ] Excluded pages are marked

Getting Help

• Troubleshooting - Common issues and solutions
• Keyboard Shortcuts - Speed up your workflow
• Contact support for complex issues