Draw Exterior

Draw Exterior is used to trace the outside footprint of a building or lot. Exterior lines can automatically form a closed area (shape) when they connect end-to-end.

Choosing Exterior Mode & Color

Exterior is selected from the main drawing mode dropdown in the top toolbar. You can also choose a line color that will be used for each new segment you draw.

  1. 1. Open the draw mode menu.
    In the top toolbar, click the Draw Mode button (the icon with a small house and caret).
  2. 2. Select “Exterior”.
    In the dropdown list, choose Exterior. New lines you draw will be tagged as exterior lines.
  3. 3. Choose a color (optional).
    In the same menu, use the Color option to pick a line color:
    • By default, it uses the last color you selected.
    • Click the color swatch or color picker to change it.

Tip

Use a consistent color for all exterior walls (for example, a bold color) so they stand out from interior lines.

Drawing Exterior Lines

Exterior mode creates straight line segments for outside walls. Each segment shows its length while you draw it.

  1. 1. Start a line.
    Move your cursor to the starting point of a wall and click once to begin the line.
  2. 2. Watch the live length label.
    As you move your cursor, the length of the line is displayed in real time. This helps you hit exact measurements.
  3. 3. Finish the segment.
    Click again where the wall should end. The line is placed and its length label remains visible.
  4. 4. Continue around the exterior.
    Repeat this process to draw each exterior wall segment around the structure.

Automatic Shape Creation

When you close a loop of exterior lines, ApProsal automatically recognizes it as a shape (area).

  • Draw exterior segments so that each endpoint connects to the next.
  • When the final segment connects back to the starting point, the closed loop is treated as a shape.
  • Once recognized as a shape, area tools and shape properties (labels, fill color, area types, etc.) can be used on it.

This same automatic shape behavior also applies when you connect interior lines in a closed loop.

Extending & Adjusting Exterior Lines

If a wall segment needs to be longer, shorter, or repositioned, you can adjust it directly on the canvas.

  1. 1. Select the line.
    Use the Pointer tool and click the exterior line you want to adjust.
  2. 2. Drag an endpoint.
    Click and drag one of the line’s ends to the new location. This will extend, shorten, or reposition the wall while keeping it as a single line.
  3. 3. Check the length label.
    The line’s length label updates to reflect the new measurement after adjustment.

For precise numeric adjustments, you can also edit line coordinates and labels in the Properties panel.