Use the Groundplan count tool to add symbols to plans or draw over an aerial or a Google map image to estimate material and labour costs before a visit to the construction site. Those added appear in the bill of materials on the quantities tab.
Related articles: Count labelling | Count assist | Measurement parts and labour
Add a new count measurement
Within a stage click +count
Complete the required details
Click symbol and make a selection
Click create
If additional parts and labour are required, click create & add more parts
Using the count tool to begin counting
On the plan, click to place a count
📝Navigation hints
Click, hold and drag to pan around the plan
To rotate: Hold ALT / Option and press R or E
To delete a symbol, hold CTRL / Command ⌘, then click the symbol to remove
How to edit existing counts
📝Note: The settings modal remains open during editing and requires a click to close once editing is complete.
Press ESC, zoom in and click the count
Click label settings to add labels
Click settings to:
Edit the style changing all symbols associated with this measurement
Edit the symbol type, edit the plan symbol scale % (increase all symbols in all stages with the same %)
Add or edit parts & settings or labour
Click actions to:
5. Click measurement actions to:
Hide this measurement from the plan
Select all of the measurement
Rename
Adjust the measurement value
Add or edit parts & settings and labour
Erase all, removing all counts from the plan
Delete the measurement from the whole project permanently
Adjusting count totals
⚠️Warning: Adjusting totals will lock the value.
Adding or removing counts after adjusting the plan or project totals will not be reflected in the totals.
To adjust measurement totals, click the plan total ( * ) or project total (^)
Enter a new value in number form (e.g.
3) or formula form (e.g.2*10)Click save
To remove an adjusted total, click the adjusted total and clear the value
Please note: Entering 0 will give an adjusted total of 0
📝Note:
The asterisk (*) on the count value means that the total is adjusted.
The hat (^) on the measurement total means that it contains a count(s) that has been adjusted.
Unit of measure and supported references
There is only one unit of measure and supported reference for counts, that is count.
Groundplan uses simple Excel-type formula to calculate parts and labour. The formula follows the PMDAS rule: Parentheses (brackets) first followed by multiplication, division, addition, then subtraction. Calculations are prioritised within the brackets. More detailed information about formulas with examples are provided in our article using formulas in Groundplan.
Each formula must contain a supported reference/s to be accepted and relate directly to elements on the plan.
The below image displays how a count corresponds to a plan:
The below example is multiplying the count by a set number count*8 which adds an additional eight items each time a count is placed. In this case, an extra 8 metres for every symbol placed on the plan.
What else can the count tool be used for?
Adding drawing symbols like doors and windows to create a new floor/construction plan.
Creating as built / ascon / as laid plans.
Add texture to an area to create a pattern using repetitive symbols including the select tool, used often used to add to a landscaping design (Figure A) and using the eraser tool to assist.
Adding fixtures like D1, D2 using the count labelling tool (Figure B).
Updating item placement and notes during client walk-throughs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I use the same item across the project instead of creating a new one each time?
How can I use the same item across the project instead of creating a new one each time?
Selecting Link from Worksheet allows an existing Stage to be selected and used to create one Project Total for the Measurement.
To combine marked-up Stages, please use the Transfer Tool. This moves Measurement Totals from one Stage or one Measurement to another.
Can Groundplan automatically count symbols on plans?
Can Groundplan automatically count symbols on plans?
Yes.
Count Assist Tool is Groundplan's very own assistant to help search and locate Symbols on Plans.
Head to my account > billing to switch on your free trial right now.
Why you can’t double-click to place counts in the same place?
Why you can’t double-click to place counts in the same place?
Counts cannot be added in the exact location to stop accidental double counts.
Some solutions are:
Slightly move the mouse then click to add another count
Or
Go to the worksheet
Click the measurement
Add formula e.g.
count*2This formula means that each click would add a quantity of 2 items to the quantities tabClick save