Reviewed for Flex Version 3.0.3
Estimated Read Time: 7 minutes
In This Article You’ll Learn
How to open Markup
Which Markup tool to use
How to draw or highlight on the plan
How to add lines and arrows
How to add Text
How to add Blueprint Symbols
How to create Custom Dimensions
How to manage existing Markup
How to control Markup visibility
Overview
Markup lets you add visual information directly to a floor plan without changing the measured floor plan geometry.
Use Markup to:
Draw or highlight an area
Add a line or arrow
Add text
Place a Blueprint Symbol
Add a Pinned Note
Create a Custom Dimension
Communicate field conditions or project details
Markup does not move walls, change Rooms, or modify Flooring Areas.
To change the actual floor plan, use Layout or Flooring instead.
RENDR Principle
Use geometry to document what exists. Use Markup to explain what matters.
Opening Markup
Open the Space in Flex.
Switch to Markup.
Choose the Markup tool you want to use.
Add the annotation to the floor plan.
When you’re finished with one tool, select another Markup tool or return to the appropriate editing mode.
Choosing the Right Markup Tool
If you want to… | Use… |
Draw something manually | Freehand → Pen |
Highlight an area | Freehand → Marker |
Draw a clean shape | Freehand → Shapes |
Draw a straight line | Line |
Point to something | Arrow |
Add written information | Text |
Place a standard plan symbol | Blueprint Symbols |
Mark a location with notes/photos | Pinned Note |
Add a reference measurement | Custom Dimension |
Drawing with Pen
Use Pen for freehand sketches and callouts.
Open Markup.
Choose Freehand.
Select Pen.
Choose the available color and size.
Draw directly on the floor plan.
Lift your finger or Apple Pencil to finish the stroke.
Each completed stroke becomes a Markup item.
Highlighting with Marker
Use Marker when you want to emphasize an area without changing the floor plan.
Open Markup.
Choose Freehand.
Select Marker.
Choose the available color and size.
Drag across the area you want to highlight.
Release to complete the Markup.
Drawing Shapes
Use Shapes for cleaner geometric callouts.
Open Markup.
Choose Freehand.
Select Shapes.
Choose the desired shape and available appearance options.
Draw the shape on the plan.
Release to place it.
Adding a Line
Use Line to draw a straight reference line on the floor plan.
Open Markup.
Tap on Freehand
Choose Shapes
Choose the Line shape.
Press where the line should begin.
Drag to the desired endpoint.
Release to place the line.
Lines support:
Solid
Dashed
Dotted
Line drawing also supports angle snapping when the applicable Rotation snap setting is enabled.
Adding an Arrow
Use Arrow when you need to point directly to a condition, feature, or location.
Open Markup.
Tap on Freehand
Choose Shapes
Choose Arrow.
Press where the arrow should begin.
Drag toward the location you want to identify.
Release to place the arrow.
The direction in which you draw determines the direction of the arrow.
Arrows support:
Solid
Dashed
Dotted
Placed lines and arrows can also be re-angled after they’re created in Flex 3.0.3.
Controlling Line and Arrow Snapping
Lines and arrows can snap to common angles while being drawn.
To change this behavior:
Open Settings.
Open Snap Settings.
Find Rotation.
Turn Rotation snapping on or off as needed.
The Rotation setting also governs supported rotation behavior for other Markup and plan elements.
Adding Text
Use Text to place written information directly on the floor plan.
Open Markup.
Choose Text.
Tap where the text should appear.
Enter your text.
Choose the available text color if desired.
Finish editing to place the text.
Text can be:
Edited
Moved
Resized
Rotated
Colored
Empty Text annotations are discarded.
Important Export Limitation
Text rotation is saved in Flex, but rotated text currently renders horizontally in server-generated PDF and DXF exports.
Text color is also not currently available to Web/backend renderers.
These limitations affect the rendered output—not the Markup you see while editing in the supported Flex experience.
Adding a Blueprint Symbol
Use Blueprint Symbols for repeatable plan notation.
Available symbols include:
Centerline
Outlet
Sink
Switch
Vent
To place one:
Open Markup.
Choose Symbols.
Select the desired symbol.
Tap the plan to place it.
Drag it to reposition it if necessary.
Use the available handles to resize or rotate it.
Symbols can snap to nearby plan geometry.
If a symbol keeps snapping somewhere you don’t want it:
Settings → Snap Settings → Symbols
Turn Symbol snapping off and reposition the symbol.
Adding a Custom Dimension
Use Custom Dimensions to add a reference measurement to the plan.
Open Markup.
Choose Custom Dimension.
Create the dimension by either:
Selecting the two endpoints, or
Pressing, dragging, and releasing.
Adjust the endpoints if necessary.
Reposition the dimension label as needed.
Custom Dimension endpoints can snap to nearby plan geometry.
For complete instructions, see Article 24 — Adding and Editing Custom Dimensions.
Moving or Editing Existing Markup
To modify an existing annotation:
Open Markup.
Select the annotation.
Use the available controls for that annotation type.
Move, resize, rotate, re-angle, or edit it where supported.
Save your changes.
Different Markup types provide different editing controls.
For detailed editing instructions, see Article 23 — Creating & Editing Markup.
Deleting Markup
To remove an individual Markup item:
Select the annotation.
Choose the available Delete/Trash control.
When using a supported hardware keyboard, Delete or Backspace can also remove a selected annotation.
If you make a mistake, use Undo.
Using the Eraser
The Eraser can be used in two ways: either tap and hold, dragging over a Freehand item to remove parts of the drawing, or you can remove complete Freehand items by tapping once rather than erasing only part of an individual stroke.
Use it when you want to remove an existing Freehand item and redraw it.
Showing or Hiding Markup
Use Layers when you want to hide Markup without deleting it.
Markup layers include:
Freehand
Symbols
Pinned Notes
Custom Dimensions
Text
Turn the applicable layer off to temporarily remove those annotations from view.
Turn it back on to display them again.
Undo and Redo
Use the Undo and Redo controls to reverse or restore Markup changes.
On iOS with a hardware keyboard:
Command + Z — Undo
Command + Shift + Z — Redo
Undo and Redo are unavailable in View Mode.
Returning to Floor Plan Editing
Markup is for annotation—not geometry correction.
If you need to:
I need to… | Switch to… |
Move or edit walls | Layout |
Add a wall or Room Divider | Layout |
Edit doors, windows, openings or objects | Layout |
Change Flooring Areas | Flooring |
Add notes, drawings or dimensions | Markup |
Inspect without editing | View |
Troubleshooting Markup
I Can’t Find My Markup
Open Layers.
Confirm the applicable Markup layer is visible.
Return to Markup.
Locate or select the annotation.
My Symbol Keeps Snapping to a Wall
Open:
Settings → Snap Settings → Symbols
Turn Symbol snapping off and reposition the symbol.
My Line or Arrow Keeps Snapping to an Angle
Open:
Settings → Snap Settings → Rotation
Turn Rotation snapping off and redraw or adjust the annotation.
My Rotated Text Isn’t Rotated in My PDF
This is a current export limitation.
Text can be rotated in Flex, but server-generated PDF and DXF exports currently render rotated Text horizontally.
My Text Color Doesn’t Appear Everywhere
Text color is supported in the current iOS Markup experience, but it is not yet included in the published Flex data consumed by Web/backend renderers.
I Drew When I Meant to Move Around the Plan
Finish or cancel the active Markup action, then use the normal plan navigation gestures.
Quick Reference
Task | Tool |
Sketch something | Pen |
Highlight something | Marker |
Add a geometric callout | Shape |
Draw a straight reference | Line |
Point to a condition | Arrow |
Add a written label | Text |
Add standard plan notation | Symbol |
Attach information to a location | Pinned Note |
Add a reference measurement | Custom Dimension |
Hide annotations temporarily | Layers |
Control symbol snapping | Snap Settings → Symbols |
Control line/arrow angle snapping | Snap Settings → Rotation |
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Markup change my measured floor plan?
No. Markup is annotation data and does not change walls, Rooms, Flooring Areas, or measured geometry.
How do I draw an arrow?
Open Markup, choose Arrow, press at the starting point, drag toward the location you want to identify, and release.
Can I make a line dashed or dotted?
Yes. Lines and arrows support Solid, Dashed, and Dotted styles.
Can I rotate Text?
Yes. Text supports rotation in Flex. Be aware that server-generated PDF and DXF exports currently render rotated Text horizontally.
Can I change Text color?
Yes in the current iOS Markup experience. Current Web/backend rendering does not yet read the Text color property.
Can I rotate a line or arrow after placing it?
Yes. Flex 3.0.3 supports re-angling placed lines and arrows.
How do I stop Markup from snapping?
Open Snap Settings and disable the applicable snapping behavior. Use Symbols for symbol snapping and Rotation for supported rotation/angle snapping.
Can I hide Markup without deleting it?
Yes. Use Layers to hide the applicable Markup type.
Related Articles
Article 17 — Understanding Selection & Editing Modes
Article 23 — Creating & Editing Markup
Article 24 — Adding and Editing Custom Dimensions
Article 25 — Working with Photos
Article 28 — Saving Your Work
Article 32 — Understanding Snap Settings