How does a drawing become a real measurement?
Start with a schematic rectangle, circle or polygon. Grid units have no physical size until you enter a known length per grid square or calibrate a reference line. The measured area equals drawing area multiplied by scale squared. For example, a 10 × 6 grid rectangle at 0.5 meters per square covers 15 m².
How are overlapping areas and cutouts counted?
The drawing workspace joins additive footprints before subtracting the union of cutouts. Overlaps count once, and overlapping cutouts subtract once. A cutout outside the footprint has no effect. A simple standalone circle uses the same exact circle formula as the calculator; curved boundaries in joined shapes use a disclosed 128-segment approximation.
Can I use the drawing without dragging?
Open Properties, choose Add a shape numerically, and enter dimensions or polygon coordinates. Triangle and trapezoid presets are editable polygons. Every selected shape can be renamed, moved numerically, changed into a cutout or deleted. Undo and redo preserve completed drawing edits.
From measured area to gravel quantity
Once a scale is confirmed, area × depth feeds the shared gravel calculation engine. The preview includes 5% extra and shows volume separately from area. Transfer the net area into the calculator for material layers, density, supplier quotes and a printable order worksheet. Existing project areas and quotes are preserved.
For an existing image, calibrate a top-down plan. For geographic context, use the optional street map. A drawing or map cannot measure subsurface depth or certify terrain. Read the calculation methodology and limits.