10.06.00 converting plan images to tiff

Sometimes, Architects provide plans in a format that is very complex or compressed causing On-Screen Takeoff to run slower. On-Screen Takeoff includes a built-in converter that can create a TIFF copy of almost any file which improves performance significantly.

Converting on the Cover Sheet (CPC, PDF and some tiff files)

• CPC files are automatically converted to TIFF upon use and the Cover Sheet updates to link to the TIFF file

• When PDFs are first added to a Bid's Cover Sheet, you are prompted to convert them (you can always convert them from the Image Tab later if you choose)

• When Non-Group 4 TIFFs are first added to a Bid's Cover Sheet, you are prompated to convert them to G4 TIFF format. This is the only time non-G4 TIFFs can be converted to Group 4 TIFF format - they cannot be converted from the Image Tab.

• All other files are converted on the Image Tab (see below)

• The original file is not changed, a COPY of the original file is stored as a TIFF in a "Converted" folder.

Converting on the Image Tab (All File Types except TIFF)

From the Image Tab, all image files other than non-group 4 TIFF can be converted to TIFF.  Depending on the type of file, the program may display a prompt to convert all other files of this type in the project (CAD images can only be converted singly).

Converting a Single File to TIFF

• Load the file(s) as usual in On-Screen Takeoff
• Open the Image Tab
• Click Image > Convert Current Image to TIFF
• On-Screen Takeoff creates a Converted folder in the same location where the image is stored
• A new TIFF file is saved to the Converted folder named the same as the original file but with a tiff extension
• The Cover Sheet is adjusted to point the corresponding page to the new TIFF file

• CAD Image Files (DWF, DWG, PLT, etc) can only be converted a single page at a time.

Converting PDFs to TIFF

PDFs may be displayed/converted in greyscale or color depending on the way On-Screen Takeoff is configured.  Under Tools > Options, set to Enable Color DWF, DWG and PDFs - by default, this option is not enabled to improve performance.  Converting to TIFF stores the converted file as it is currently displayed - color or black and white.

• Load the file(s) as usual in On-Screen Takeoff
• Open the Image Tab
• Click Image > Convert Current Image to TIFF
• On-Screen Takeoff recognizes this as a multi-page document or that there are multiple PDFs in the project and prompts you to Convert All
• Choose Yes and On-Screen Takeoff converts the multi-page file to separate TIFF files - one per page named for the original file with the Index number in parentheses (image.pdf, for example, would become image(1).tiff, image(2).tiff and so on)
• Choose No to convert only the current page to TIFF (again, named for the original image file name)

During the conversion process, a progress indicator is displayed - converting a large, multi-page file may take a few minutes - the progress bar shows you relatively how far the conversion process is...

Depending on the number of files and/or the complexity of the files, Windows may report that the converter or On-Screen Takeoff is "Not Responding", LET THE CONVERTER RUN - it will finish, Windows is just a little impatient.

Navigating and Managing Plans