From Viewing to Doing: Turning Drawings into Active Workspaces

For decades, technical drawings have been treated as static files — something you look at, share as a PDF, or attach in an email. Viewers helped display them, but they rarely went further. The result? Teams spend more time exchanging files than actually working on them.

At Viewsoft, we believe drawings deserve more. They should be living, collaborative workspaces where work gets done. This is what we mean by moving from viewing to doing.

The Limits of “Just Viewing”

A simple file viewer can load a drawing, maybe add a comment, and zoom in and out. But when projects depend on drawings, “just viewing” is not enough.

  • Annotations without context – static comments that don’t connect to workflows.

  • Basic measurement – only lines or areas, missing the tools engineers really need.

  • No collaboration – every update requires a new file version sent by email.

  • Files locked as-is – no way to prepare or adapt them to the task at hand.

This approach keeps drawings passive, when they should be driving the project forward.

Doing = Workflows

Collaboration in real time
Teams need to work together, not in silos. That means:

  • Real-time commenting and discussions directly on drawings.

  • Role-based access and user management.

  • Integrated issue tracking and sign-off processes.

Measurement that goes beyond basics
Projects demand accuracy. That’s why advanced tools matter:

  • Angles, curves, and object counting.

  • Area and room takeoffs.

  • Exportable data for estimation, QA, or BIM workflows.

Controlling the file itself
Drawings are not just references; they are assets that must adapt to the process. A true workspace lets you:

  • Insert, remove, or rotate elements.

  • Strip down files for clarity or build them out for detail.

  • Manage layers and prepare the drawing for the next step.

Why It Matters

When drawings become active workspaces:

  • Precision improves – less risk of costly errors.

  • Collaboration accelerates – no more version chaos.

  • Control increases – teams own their data and processes.

Instead of files slowing down progress, they become the single source of truth that drives the project forward.

The Foundation for Every Module

This principle — moving from viewing to doing — is the backbone of every Viewsoft module. Whether it’s Takeoff, Issue Management, or Plan Review, the core idea is the same: give teams the ability to work in drawings, not just look at them.


From viewing to doing. It’s more than a slogan — it’s our mission. By turning drawings into active workspaces, we give teams the tools to simplify workflows, tailor solutions to their needs, and truly own their process and data.
Categories
Recent Blogs

Related Blogs