Use the drawing to check the question in front of you

A stair run is a good example of a field-review question: you want a fast reference for the width or span shown on the current plan. The goal is not to certify a dimension from a phone. It is to inspect the drawing deliberately, capture clear review context, and know when to verify against the issued drawing and the physical conditions.

A practical workflow

Measure the stair run in four steps

  1. 01Open the current supported DWG from Files. Start with the drawing your project workflow identifies as current.
  2. 02Navigate to the stair and inspect the visible context. Use the surrounding walls, doors, and stair geometry to make sure you are measuring the intended run.
  3. 03Place the measurement on the two relevant points. In the capture above, the endpoints are placed across the stair run rather than across unrelated geometry.
  4. 04Record the review observation separately. If the dimension needs follow-up, add source-safe markup or share the review through the approved project workflow.

Where to start

Choose Distance, then confirm the unit.

Choose Distance before placing the two endpoints across the intended stair span. The unit selector offers Feet, Feet & inches, Inches, US survey feet, Meters, and Millimeters—confirm the working unit before you touch the drawing.

Caddis on iPhone with the Feet unit selector open while a 7.7-foot stair run is measured
The Feet selector is open; the two yellow endpoints mark the stair run under review.

What this measurement can—and cannot—tell you

It can help you orient yourself, discuss a possible issue, and decide what needs closer verification. It cannot replace an issued dimension, site measurement, engineering judgment, or the project’s approved process. Drawing scale, version, geometry support, field changes, and the selected endpoints all matter.

Keep the drawing review separate from the source

Good field feedback is specific: identify the location, describe the observation, and keep review markup distinct from the original drawing. That makes it easier for someone off-site to understand what you checked without accidentally changing the issued file.

For the broader workflow, see how to mark up CAD drawings in the field. For plan access and layer review, see the DWG viewer for contractors.

Ready for a focused review

Open the drawing. Check the question. Keep the source intact.

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Frequently asked questions

Can a DWG measurement replace field verification?

No. Use a drawing measurement as a review aid, then verify any critical dimension against the authoritative drawing and field conditions.

Does measuring in Caddis alter the DWG?

No. Caddis keeps measurements and review markup separate from the original source drawing.

Do I need an account to review a drawing?

No. Local review of supported files does not require an account or a mandatory upload.