Help & getting started
Opening PDFs, setting scales, saving files, and keyboard shortcuts.
Your first drawing
- Open a PDF from your computer, or drop it into the workspace.
- Choose AEC for construction tools, or Simplified for everyday reading. You can change this in Settings.
- For measurements, set the page scale first. Use a known dimension when the printed scale is uncertain.
- Choose a tool, place your markup, and use Properties to change its appearance.
Browser & desktop
The browser editor uses local PDF processing. A current desktop browser works best; large drawing sets depend on the device’s available memory.
| Task | Browser | Desktop |
|---|---|---|
| Read, mark up, measure | Local processing | Local processing |
| Save | Download a copy | Save to a chosen file |
| Download a print-ready PDF | Native print controls | |
| Separate document windows | Open another browser tab | Detach a document tab |
| Installed fonts | Bundled/supported PDF fonts | System font access |
| Set as default PDF app | Unavailable | Available |
Clipboard and downloads depend on browser permissions. Some shortcuts are reserved by your browser or device. On phones and tablets, an external keyboard and a larger screen make editing easier; large files may exceed device memory.
Saving your work
In a browser, Save downloads a copy. Confirm that it appears in your Downloads folder before closing. Local drafts are recovery aids, not cloud backups; clearing browser data can remove them.
PDF annotation appearances are designed to travel with the file. Advanced measurements, formulas, and custom tool behavior can differ between PDF applications.
Keyboard shortcuts
- Find a ribbon command
- Ctrl + Space
- Find a favorite tool
- Ctrl + Shift + Space
- Use the previous tool
- B
- Pan while drawing
- Hold Space
These are the default shortcuts. Customize them in Settings. If your browser reserves a shortcut, use its ribbon or menu equivalent.