Web Sketch: How To Draw Shapes On Shapes
A practical Web Sketch guide for appraisers based on the How To Draw Shapes On Shapes tutorial.
Use this article when you are working in Web Sketch and need a practical reference while building or reviewing a sketch for a report. The video walkthrough is linked below, and the article restates the workflow in appraiser-friendly terms.
Watch the tutorial
Before you begin
Open the correct report and confirm you are sketching the intended subject, dwelling, unit, or related structure. If the sketch will support GLA, exhibits, or report commentary, keep your field notes, measurements, photos, and assignment requirements available while you work.
What this tutorial covers
- The article explains the main Web Sketch workflow for this feature and how to review the result before using it in a report.
When to use this
Use this article when one sketched area needs to sit on, overlap, or be placed inside another area, such as porches, patios, cutouts, or interior features.
Video walkthrough in article form
Start in the correct sketch context
This section explains how to extend upon a shape and draw an exterior shape on top of an existing one.
Say I take this area here and I don't want it anymore.
Check each shape before moving on
Move that. For example, you can create a room on top of this existing shape.
The basic workflow is you might think. You just go into the drawing tool here. You find any point that you want.
For example, you can grab this point here on this edge. You can click down. Because we are already extended upon this shape, our pop point system is aware of all the points that exist within the shape as well.
You can select Shift and to the left and go there. You can just continue to press left again. For example, you can just define this area now.
You can simply press Enter there. You can shift down to close the area, and you can press Enter, and there it is.
For example, I don't want to define this area just yet.
You can select X. There the workspace includes a new shape that's been created from an existing shape
Practical workflow
Start with the main shape, then add the secondary shape in the correct relationship to it. Use snapping and visual alignment to keep the geometry clean.
Assign area definitions and labels after the relationship between shapes is correct. This helps separate calculated areas from visual-only elements.
Review the calculation panel to confirm the added shape affects totals the way you expect. If the feature should not change GLA, verify that its definition supports that outcome.
Field review tips
Overlapping or nested shapes need extra review because they can affect both the visual exhibit and area calculations.
Appraiser review checklist
- Confirm the sketch is attached to the correct report and property structure.
- Confirm labels, areas, and totals match your field notes and intended report use.
- Confirm any generated exhibit is readable before relying on it in the report.
- Recheck the report section where the exhibit or calculated area appears.
Related Web Sketch tutorials
This article is part 6 of 14 in the Web Sketch tutorial series. Use the Help Center search for web sketch to find the other drawing, labeling, calculation, and exhibit guides.