Measuring Lateral Areas for Complex Shapes

Calculating Lateral Surface Areas for Octagons in CAD Reader for Formwork and External Coating

On construction sites, personnel frequently encounter non-standard structural elements and foundations such as hexagonal or octagonal shapes, requiring rapid material takeoffs. Calculating quantities manually section by section using a calculator for items like formwork, waterproofing, and exterior coatings is time-consuming and prone to human error.

To overcome this, CAD Reader (Mobile Version) offers a streamlined, on-the-go solution for direct lateral area measurement from your mobile device.

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Ensure your CAD Reader app is updated to version 3.9.0 or later.
2. Once the drawing units are set, open the measurement toolbar and select the Area tool.
3. Tap all 8 corner points of an octagonal shape and tap Close Up to complete the loop.
4. The software will instantly calculate and display the base area and perimeter.
5. Tap Calculate Lateral Area to begin measuring the side surface area.
6. Enter the designated height of the structure.
7. Tap Calculate to output the combined lateral and base areas.
8. To record your figures, tap the Copy icon next to the value, then use the text annotation tool to stamp it directly onto the drawing or paste it into external documentation.
9. If certain surface do not require formwork or finishing, simply tap to deselect specific lines within the calculation menu, and the system will automatically adjust the lateral area accordingly.
10. If your drawing is currently in millimeters and you wish to convert it to meters, follow the CAD Reader Unit Conversion Guide.
11. Alternatively, navigate to Settings > Display & Precision to adjust your display units directly.