Digital Take-Off Software

You need to let us have more information, what do you mean by "digital" take offs ??

These files are already in digital format that you mention.....

Please take your time and tell us everything.....

What would you want to do with graphic file formats and Excel?

I'm not getting it and I seem to be the only poster, so maybe others are not getting it too!!

I agree, "Need Input"

I have never heard the term "Digital Take Off" befoere

It depends on what quantities you are interested in taking off. If you are only interested in two-dimensional data, you may find a product that can work from a DXF. Since TIF and PDF files are like a xerox copy, if you don't have a suitable means of accurately scaling them, your data will be some degree of inaccurate. I doubt that you will find software that can do all that you ask and it certainly won't be available within your budget.

If you are interested in three-dimensional data, as in earthwork calculations, you will not get anything near reliable from any product under $1K. The algorithms that are used to iterate three-dimensional points in a surface data file are sophisticated if they are to be accurate. Further, if you don't have a means to edit the points to separate those with a zero elevation, e.g. horizontal control points, you will get wildly inaccurate results.

Lastly, when evaluating volumes, if you are unfamiliar with the results that are generated with mechanical means and do not have a feel for relative magnitude, you won't have any idea whether your results are anywhere near reality or not, and no way to verify them.

Unfortunately, the software that is truly useful and reliable is not cheap. Even with the sophisticated and costly products, the process is far from being as simple as it is portrayed by the vendors.

Hello Estimatorguy100,

By 'Digital take off' do you mean copying?

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