How to Overlay Drawings in Procore

Understanding Drawing Overlays in Procore

Overlaying drawings in Procore refers to the process of comparing different revisions of a drawing by stacking one version over another. This powerful visualization technique makes it easy to identify what has changed between versions with color-coded highlights. New additions typically appear in blue while deletions or removed elements from the previous version show up in red, creating an intuitive visual representation of all modifications.

This functionality becomes particularly valuable during various project phases when tracking incremental changes throughout the lifecycle of a construction project. Project teams frequently use overlays when comparing issued for construction (IFC) drawings with original design sets to ensure accuracy. The overlay feature also helps identify potential discrepancies between different disciplines, such as electrical versus mechanical plans, before they become costly problems in the field.

Construction professionals rely on drawing overlays to communicate changes effectively among team members who may not have time to manually scrutinize full drawings. This visual approach to change management ensures everyone remains on the same page, reducing confusion and preventing errors that could impact project timelines and budgets. The ability to quickly visualize modifications between drawing versions creates a common visual language that transcends technical expertise levels.

By implementing drawing overlays as a standard practice, teams can maintain design integrity while significantly reducing the risk of miscommunication that often leads to rework. This simple yet powerful tool transforms how construction teams collaborate and make decisions throughout the project lifecycle.

Why Drawing Overlays Matter in Construction

Drawing overlays serve as more than just a visual comparison tool—they represent a critical component for maintaining construction precision and project coordination. The ability to instantly visualize changes between drawing versions dramatically improves quality control processes across the entire project team.

Error prevention stands as perhaps the most significant benefit of utilizing drawing overlays in Procore. Visual comparisons help teams quickly detect missing elements or discrepancies between drawing revisions, allowing for early intervention before issues manifest on the construction site. This proactive approach to error detection can prevent costly mistakes that might otherwise require extensive rework or schedule adjustments.

Drawing overlays also enhance collaboration by creating a shared visual reference point for all stakeholders. When architects, engineers, contractors, and project managers can all view changes side by side, communication becomes more effective and less prone to misinterpretation. This improved collaboration leads to faster decision-making and fewer delays caused by miscommunication or confusion about current design specifications.

The time savings achieved through digital drawing overlays cannot be overstated. Rather than manually comparing multiple printed sets—a tedious and error-prone process—teams can instantly generate visual comparisons that highlight exactly what has changed. This efficiency translates directly into reduced review times, faster approvals, and more time focused on actual construction activities rather than administrative tasks.

Prerequisites for Using Overlay Features

Before diving into the overlay process, ensure you have everything needed to make the most of this powerful feature. Understanding the basic requirements will help you avoid frustration and maximize the effectiveness of your drawing comparisons.

To access and use Procore's overlay features effectively, you'll need specific permissions and conditions in place. Every user must have at least 'Read Only' permissions on the project's Drawings tool to view and compare drawings. Without these basic access rights, you won't be able to utilize the overlay functionality regardless of your role in the project.

The overlay process requires multiple drawing revisions to function properly. You must have uploaded at least two versions of the same drawing to make comparisons, as the overlay tool specifically highlights differences between revisions. This makes the feature particularly valuable as projects progress through multiple design iterations and changes.

Drawing size consistency plays a crucial role in successful overlays. Procore's comparison tool works most effectively when comparing drawings of identical dimensions. When drawing sizes differ significantly between versions, the overlay may not align properly, potentially leading to misinterpretation of changes. Always verify that your drawing revisions maintain consistent dimensions to ensure accurate comparisons.

Mobile accessibility represents another important consideration for teams who need to review changes on-site. Procore offers overlay and drawing comparison features on both web and mobile applications (iOS and Android), providing flexibility for field personnel. This cross-platform functionality ensures that everyone can access critical design information regardless of their location or the device they're using.

Step-by-Step Guide to Overlaying Drawings

Procore offers intuitive tools for comparing drawing revisions, whether you're working with individual sheets or entire drawing sets. The process is straightforward once you understand the basic workflow and options available.

Single Drawing Comparison Process

The most common overlay scenario involves comparing two versions of the same drawing to identify specific changes. This detailed process allows for careful examination of modifications between revisions.

Accessing the right drawing is your first step in the comparison process. Log into your Procore account and navigate to your project's Drawings tool from the main dashboard. Browse through the available drawings and select the specific one you wish to compare. If multiple revisions exist, click on the "Info" tab next to the drawing to view all available versions.

Once you've located your drawing, find the Versions section to see all revisions. Click on the vertical ellipsis (three dots) next to the version you want to use for comparison. For most cases, you'll want to compare the most recent revision with its immediate predecessor to track the latest changes. Select "Compare to this version" from the menu to initiate the overlay process.

Procore will open a new comparison view where both drawing versions are overlaid with automatic color highlighting. Blue elements indicate additions in the newer version, while red highlights show items that were removed or altered from the previous version. This visual distinction makes it immediately clear what has changed between revisions without requiring manual inspection.

The comparison view includes built-in markup tools for adding comments or notes about specific changes. These annotation capabilities facilitate collaboration by allowing team members to document observations, questions, or concerns directly on the overlay. You can also download the comparison as a PNG file if you need a hard copy for offline review or distribution to team members without Procore access.

Bulk Overlay for Drawing Sets

For larger projects with numerous drawings, comparing individual sheets one by one becomes impractical. Procore's bulk overlay feature streamlines this process by generating comparisons for entire drawing sets simultaneously.

To begin a bulk comparison, navigate to the Drawing Sets section within your project's Drawings tool. If your project utilizes drawing areas for organization, first select the appropriate area to narrow your focus. Then click on the specific drawing set containing the revisions you need to compare. The interface will display all drawings within that set, along with their revision history.

Initiating the bulk comparison requires just a single click on the "Compare Set" button. This action prompts Procore to evaluate all drawings in the set that have previous revisions available for comparison. The system automatically identifies eligible drawings and prepares them for overlay processing. Drawings without previous revisions will be excluded from the comparison as there's nothing to compare them against.

Procore generates a comprehensive PDF file containing each drawing overlay compared to its immediate predecessor. This document compiles all the individual comparisons into a single reference file, making it easier to review multiple changes across the project. The system automatically emails this generated PDF directly to you once the bulk comparison process completes, providing a permanent record of all identified changes.

Bulk overlays prove especially valuable during major project milestones or after releasing new design revision sets. The comprehensive comparison document ensures every team member can quickly understand all changes across the project without needing to review each drawing individually. This efficiency dramatically reduces the time required for design reviews while improving the accuracy of change detection.

Mobile Overlay Capabilities

Construction professionals rarely spend their entire day at a desk, making mobile functionality essential for effective project management. Procore recognizes this reality by offering robust drawing overlay capabilities on mobile devices.

Procore's mobile applications for both iOS and Android provide full drawing overlay functionality, allowing users to compare revisions directly from their smartphones or tablets. This mobility enables on-site decision making without returning to the office or waiting for printed comparisons. Field personnel can immediately verify design changes while standing at the actual construction location, improving accuracy and reducing delays.

The mobile overlay process mirrors the desktop experience with a streamlined interface optimized for touchscreens. To compare drawings on a mobile device, open the Procore app, navigate to the Drawings tool, and select your drawing. Tap the "Compare Drawing" button (typically showing two overlapping boxes) to select the version for comparison. The app will generate the overlay with the same color-coding system used on desktop: blue for additions and red for removals.

While the core functionality remains consistent across platforms, some users report that the mobile interface occasionally offers more flexibility for certain comparison tasks. For instance, some have found that manually overlaying drawings from different sources (such as comparing electrical with mechanical drawings) works more smoothly on mobile devices. Always keep your app updated to the latest version, as Procore continuously enhances functionality based on user feedback and technological advancements.

Practical Applications in Construction Projects

Drawing overlays solve real-world challenges across various construction scenarios. Understanding these practical applications helps teams maximize the value of this powerful feature.

Design Review Optimization

Architectural revisions happen frequently throughout project development, making efficient review processes essential. When architects release updated designs, project teams must quickly understand what changed and how those modifications impact the overall project.

Overlaying new drawings with previous versions allows everyone to immediately visualize adjustments without tedious manual comparisons. This visual approach helps verify that all requested changes have been properly implemented while also identifying any unintended modifications that might have occurred. The color-coded highlighting makes even subtle changes immediately apparent, ensuring nothing gets overlooked during reviews.

Teams can use these visual comparisons to determine if additional modifications might be necessary before construction begins. For example, a change to wall locations might require corresponding adjustments to electrical or plumbing plans. By identifying these dependencies early through drawing overlays, teams can address potential issues proactively rather than discovering conflicts during construction when changes become exponentially more expensive and disruptive.

Cross-Discipline Conflict Resolution

Modern construction projects involve multiple specialized disciplines working in shared spaces, creating numerous opportunities for conflicts. Mechanical, electrical, plumbing, structural, and architectural elements must all coexist without interference, making coordination essential.

Drawing overlays provide an invaluable tool for identifying potential conflicts between different systems before installation begins. By overlaying drawings from different disciplines, teams can visually pinpoint where conflicts might occur—such as ductwork passing through structural beams or plumbing lines interfering with electrical conduits. These visual comparisons make spatial relationships immediately apparent, even to team members who might not specialize in all disciplines involved.

Early conflict detection through drawing overlays prevents costly rework and schedule delays. When teams identify potential clashes during the design phase, they can collaborate on solutions before materials are ordered or work begins. This proactive approach maintains project momentum while reducing the frustration and finger-pointing that often accompanies on-site conflict discovery.

Quality Control Enhancement

Quality assurance teams rely heavily on accurate documentation and consistent implementation of design intent. Drawing overlays significantly improve quality control processes by providing clear visual evidence of design evolution.

The overlay process creates a permanent record of all changes between drawing versions, establishing clear accountability and traceability. When questions arise about why certain design decisions were made, teams can reference the overlay history to understand the progression of changes. This historical documentation proves invaluable during inspections, audits, or when addressing questions from owners or regulatory authorities.

Quality control personnel use overlays to verify that field conditions match the most current drawings. By comparing as-built documentation with design drawings through overlays, teams can quickly identify any deviations that require attention. This verification process ensures that the final construction accurately reflects the approved design intent, reducing liability and ensuring compliance with project requirements.

Best Practices for Effective Overlays

Maximize the value of Procore's overlay features by implementing these proven best practices. These strategies help ensure accurate comparisons and effective communication throughout your project.

File Management Strategies

Consistent drawing management forms the foundation for successful overlays. Establishing clear standards for file naming, formatting, and organization makes the comparison process more reliable and efficient.

Always upload revised drawings in identical formats and dimensions to ensure proper alignment during overlays. Even minor size discrepancies can cause misalignment issues that make comparisons less accurate. Standardize your drawing templates and export settings across all design disciplines to maintain consistency throughout the project lifecycle.

Create a comprehensive revision tracking system that documents each change and its purpose. This documentation should include revision numbers, dates, descriptions of changes, and the individuals responsible for each modification. When combined with visual overlays, this detailed tracking system provides complete transparency into the design evolution process.

Implement a structured file naming convention that clearly identifies drawing type, discipline, and revision number. Consistent naming makes it easier to locate specific drawings and ensures that comparisons occur between the correct versions. This organization becomes increasingly important as projects grow in size and complexity, potentially involving hundreds or thousands of individual drawings.

Effective Overlay Review Techniques

The following techniques will help you extract maximum value from drawing comparisons:

• Systematic scanning - Review overlays methodically from top to bottom and left to right to ensure no changes are missed
• Focus on critical areas - Pay special attention to complex or high-risk portions of drawings where changes could have significant impacts
• Cross-reference with RFIs - Connect overlay changes to related Requests for Information to understand the reasoning behind modifications
• Document observations - Record key findings directly on the overlay using annotation tools for future reference

When reviewing overlays, adjust the transparency settings to better visualize specific changes. Procore allows you to control how prominently each drawing version appears in the overlay, which can help isolate particular elements for closer examination. Remember to reset these settings after your review to maintain consistency for other team members who might access the same comparison.

Use the annotation tools available in overlay view to mark important observations or questions. These digital notes create a collaborative environment where team members can discuss specific changes without lengthy email chains or confusion about which element is being referenced. Clear annotations reduce misunderstandings and create accountability for addressing identified issues.

After completing your review, communicate key findings to relevant team members with specific references to the overlay comparisons. This communication ensures that everyone understands not just what changed, but also the implications of those changes for their specific responsibilities. Proactive communication prevents surprises and helps maintain alignment across the entire project team.

Troubleshooting Common Overlay Challenges

Even with proper preparation, you may occasionally encounter issues with drawing overlays. Understanding common challenges and their solutions helps maintain productivity when problems arise.

Alignment and Scaling Issues

Misalignment represents the most frequent challenge when overlaying drawings in Procore. This typically occurs when drawing versions have different dimensions, scales, or reference points, causing elements to appear offset in the comparison view.

To resolve alignment problems, first verify that both drawing versions use identical page sizes and scales. Even slight differences can cause significant misalignment in the overlay. If possible, regenerate the PDF exports from your design software using standardized settings to ensure consistency between versions.

For drawings that continue to show alignment issues despite identical dimensions, check for shifted reference points or coordinate systems between versions. Sometimes design software can inadvertently modify these reference points during the export process. In such cases, you may need to manually adjust the drawings in their native format before re-uploading to Procore.

Consider using Procore's manual adjustment tools when automatic alignment fails. While viewing the overlay comparison, look for options to manually shift one drawing relative to the other. This adjustment can compensate for minor alignment discrepancies and improve the accuracy of your comparison. Remember that manual adjustments should be used sparingly and documented to maintain transparency in the review process.

Processing and Performance Optimization

Large drawing sets or complex files can sometimes cause processing delays or performance issues when generating overlays. These challenges typically manifest as slow loading times, incomplete comparisons, or system timeouts.

When working with particularly large drawing sets, consider breaking them into smaller batches for overlay processing. Instead of comparing an entire set at once, divide it into logical subsets based on discipline, building area, or other relevant criteria. This approach reduces the processing load and allows for more manageable reviews.

Optimize your drawing files before uploading them to Procore to improve performance. Reduce unnecessary layers, simplify complex elements when possible, and ensure proper PDF compression without sacrificing quality. Smaller, more efficient files process more quickly and reliably during overlay generation.

If you consistently experience performance issues with specific drawings, consult with Procore support for guidance. They can provide recommendations based on your specific situation and may offer solutions not immediately apparent. Sometimes, these issues relate to account settings or system configurations that support specialists can help optimize for your particular needs.

Integrating Overlays with Project Workflows

Drawing overlays deliver maximum value when integrated into your broader project management processes. Strategic integration enhances communication, documentation, and decision-making throughout the project lifecycle.

Connecting Overlays to Project Documentation

Effective construction management requires connecting drawing changes to related documentation. This integration creates a comprehensive record of project evolution and decision-making processes.

Link overlay findings directly to Requests for Information (RFIs) and submittals to maintain clear traceability. When reviewing an overlay reveals questions about design changes, create RFIs that reference the specific comparison, including screenshots if helpful. This connection helps design teams understand exactly what prompted the question and provides context for their responses.

Similarly, when overlays show changes resulting from previous RFIs or submittals, document this relationship in both systems. This cross-referencing creates a clear audit trail showing how design questions led to specific drawing modifications. This documentation proves invaluable for resolving disputes or understanding historical decisions later in the project.

Incorporate overlay reviews into your regular project meeting schedule to ensure consistent attention to design changes. Dedicate time during coordination meetings to review recent drawing overlays and discuss their implications for various trades and disciplines. This structured approach prevents changes from being overlooked and helps maintain alignment across the entire project team.

Training Team Members on Overlay Processes

Successful implementation requires ensuring all team members understand how to access and interpret drawing overlays. A systematic training approach ensures consistent utilization across your organization.

Develop standardized training materials that demonstrate the overlay process step by step. Include screenshots, video tutorials, and written instructions that address both basic and advanced features. These resources should be easily accessible to all team members, including new hires who join mid-project.

Conduct hands-on training sessions where team members can practice creating and reviewing overlays with actual project drawings. These practical exercises help reinforce theoretical knowledge and build confidence in using the feature independently. Consider designating "overlay champions" within each discipline who receive advanced training and can support their colleagues.

Establish clear expectations for how and when overlays should be used within your project workflows. Document these expectations in your project execution plan or standard operating procedures to ensure consistency. Regular reinforcement of these standards helps maintain discipline in the review process and prevents important changes from being missed.

Leveraging Overlays for Project Success

Drawing overlays contribute directly to project success through improved accuracy, reduced rework, and enhanced collaboration. Understanding these benefits helps teams justify the time invested in implementing and using this powerful feature.

The most immediate benefit of drawing overlays comes from error reduction and prevention. By visually highlighting changes between versions, overlays help teams catch potential issues before they impact construction. This early detection prevents costly rework, schedule delays, and quality problems that might otherwise occur.

The financial impact of preventing even a single significant error through overlay reviews can be substantial. Consider the costs associated with discovering a conflict during construction: work stoppage, redesign, material waste, schedule delays, and potential contractual penalties. By identifying and resolving such issues during design review, teams avoid these expenses entirely.

Beyond error prevention, overlays enhance overall project communication and understanding. When everyone can visually see exactly what changed between drawing versions, discussions become more productive and focused. This improved communication reduces misunderstandings, accelerates decision-making, and builds trust between project stakeholders.

Drawing overlays also create valuable historical documentation of the project's evolution. This record proves invaluable for resolving disputes, training new team members, and informing future projects. The ability to trace design changes throughout the project lifecycle provides transparency and accountability that benefits all parties involved.

Transform Your Construction Documentation Today

Mastering Procore's drawing overlay features can revolutionize how your team manages design changes and project documentation. The ability to visually compare drawing revisions with color-coded highlights transforms a traditionally tedious process into a streamlined, efficient workflow that catches errors before they impact construction.

Drawing overlays serve as a powerful communication tool that bridges gaps between different disciplines and expertise levels. When everyone can instantly visualize what changed between versions, conversations become more productive and focused on solutions rather than clarifications. This improved communication directly translates to fewer misunderstandings, reduced rework, and more efficient project execution.

The time investment required to implement proper overlay processes pays significant dividends throughout the project lifecycle. Teams spend less time manually comparing drawings, experience fewer construction conflicts, and maintain better documentation of design evolution. These benefits compound with each drawing revision, creating substantial efficiency gains over the course of a project.

Start implementing these overlay techniques on your current projects to experience the benefits firsthand. Begin with simple, one-to-one comparisons to build familiarity with the process, then gradually incorporate more advanced features like bulk overlays and mobile reviews. As your team becomes more comfortable with these tools, you'll discover additional applications and efficiencies unique to your specific workflows and challenges. The result will be more accurate construction, improved collaboration, and ultimately more successful projects delivered on time and within budget.