2.06.00 getting started
Before diving into using On-Screen Takeoff, it is important to get familiar with the Tools, Tabs, and Options in the program. Investing a few minutes to learn about the application increases efficiency and ensures understanding of how to use the program to Bid the most projects in the least amount of time!
Sections 4, 5 and 6 explain the user interface and the master data tables used to setup projects.
Sections 7 and 8 explain how to configure your database including options for backing up data, installing upgrades, and other default settings.
OST Overview video
Using Tool Tips - If you are unsure what a button does, hover the mouse pointer over the button and a Tool Tip appears. A tool tip is a brief description of the button or function.
Using the Status Bar - If the program seems like it is processing information try looking at the Status Bar. The Status Bar is located at the very bottom of the Program Window and displays information about what On-Screen Takeoff is doing internally. It also contains the current date, and, if the database is set to require a login and password, the current user's name.
Using Context Menus - Right-click on most objects and within most windows to view a Context (or Pop-Up) Menu (for example, right-click on the Bids Tab to see a list of common functions such as Creating New Bids, Duplicating, and Deleting Bids).
Using
Expand/Collapse - Expand any
folder, Condition Type or other heading by clicking on the [
] plus sign next to it; Collapse heading by clicking
the [ 
]
minus sign next to it. (The Cover Sheet uses slightly different
"Expand/Collapse all Folders" buttons 
.
When entering a quantity in any Imperial measurement box, the last two digits typed are always interpreted as inches and will always convert to feet. For example: 824 is interpreted as 8 feet, 24 inches and displays 10' 0", 10 will be 10" and 1010 will be 10' 10".
When entering a quantity in any Metric measurement box, the value is ALWAYS entered as millimeters. See the FAQ, Metric Quantities over 999 not Displaying Correctly if you are having problems getting On-Screen Takeoff to display quantities of 1,000 or more in a metric database/Bid.
Imperial and Metric Bids CAN exist in the same database although it is best practice to keep them in separate databases. If you are using the programs interactively with your estimating software, they MUST be kept in unique databases to maintain the 1:1 database connection requirement.
There are many confirmation dialogs that On-Screen Takeoff uses to verify an action (such as deleting something from the Master lists or resizing Overlays). If you have turned off a confirmation (or all confirmations), these dialogs are suppressed.
To turn confirmations back on, click Tools > Options and on the General tab, place a checkmark in 'Turn on All Confirmations.
Getting Up and Running Using the Quick Start Wizards