What is the Pencil tool?

It is a freehand drawing tool. Draw straight onto a PDF plan to circle issues, sketch changes or add your initials by hand.

Can I change the color and line thickness?

Yes. Pick the color and line thickness before you draw, so different kinds of marks are easy to tell apart.

Can I sign or initial a plan with Pencil?

You can add your initials or signature by hand, like you would with a pen. It is a hand-drawn mark on the plan, not a certified electronic signature.

Is Pencil on the free plan?

Yes. Pencil is on every plan, including Free.

How is Pencil different from Line and Text?

Line draws straight lines and Text adds typed notes. Pencil is freehand, for the circles, sketches and quick marks that do not fit either.

Does drawing with Pencil change my measurements?

No. Pencil marks sit on top of the plan as mark-ups. Your lengths, areas and counts stay as they are.

Feature

Pencil

Freehand mark-ups, straight on the plan

Pencil lets you draw freehand on a PDF plan: circle an issue, sketch a change, or add your initials by hand. Pick the color and line thickness, and it prints and exports with the plan.

Start free View pricing

Draw freehand anywhere on the plan
Choose the color and line thickness
Prints and exports with the plan

Pencil Tool

Interactive demo

Click the plan, then scroll to zoom

Drag on the plan to draw freehand

0 strokes · Page 6100% · 1:100

Interactive example on a sample plan. The real MetreMate app does a lot more.

From problem to outcome

From a scribbled printout to a clean digital mark-up

Pencil is for the marks that do not fit a straight line or a text box: circling a clash, sketching a change on the spot, or putting your initials on a sheet you have checked.

Step 1

Pick Pencil

Choose the color and line thickness that suit the mark you want to make.

Step 2

Draw on the plan

Circle, sketch or initial by hand, right on top of the drawing and your measurements.

Step 3

Print or export it

Your freehand marks go out with the plan, so everyone sees what you drew.

Key capabilities

What you can do with Pencil

Freehand drawing

Draw any shape you need, not just straight lines, directly on the plan.

Best for Quick sketches and call-outs

Circle what matters

Ring a clash, a missing dimension or a detail you want someone to look at.

Best for Flagging issues

Color and thickness

Pick a color and line weight so different marks are easy to tell apart.

Best for Busy mark-ups

Initials by hand

Add your initials or signature by hand to show a sheet has been checked.

Best for Checked drawings

Goes out with the plan

Freehand marks print and export with the plan unless you hide them.

Best for Sharing with the team

Explore every feature Read the how-to guides

Measuring a printed construction plan by hand with a pencil

A printed floor plan measured with a tape measure and pencil

Boxes crammed with rolled-up paper plans

The old way

Pen on paper does not travel

Circling problems on a printout works until you need to send it to someone. Then it is a phone photo of a crumpled sheet, and nobody is sure which copy has the latest marks.

Printed plans just to scribble on them
Phone photos of marked-up sheets
Marks lost between paper copies

Why it’s better with MetreMate

Mark up by hand, share it cleanly

Pencil gives you the freedom of a pen with the tidiness of a digital plan, so your sketches and call-outs travel with the drawing instead of living on one printout.

Sketch and circle freely on the plan
Set the color and line thickness
Add initials or a signature by hand
Print and export with your marks in place
No printing just to draw on a plan

Testimonial / proof

“MetreMate's a real game-changer for me. Knocked off hours of fiddling around with plans and got straight into the real work. It's like having an extra pair of hands on site.”

Mark B. · Bathroom Renovator · Sydney, NSW, Australia

Built for who

Built for the people doing the work

See how Pencil fits the way your trade already works.

Built for

General contractors

The problem

Need to point out changes and problems on the plan without printing it.

What you get

Clear markups the whole crew can read.

How you'd use it: Use Pencil to circle issues and sketch changes right on the drawing.

“Been using MetreMate for a few months now, and I'm wondering how I ever managed without it. The accuracy is spot-on, and helps me and my tradies. I'm able to quote quicker and more accurately. Absolute lifesaver for every builder.”

Mina E., Builder, Melbourne, VIC, Australia

Workflows for general contractors

Across the trades