Overview

The Sheet Overlay tool in AECInspire allows you to layer multiple sheets on top of one another within a single view — ideal for coordinating across different trades or disciplines. You can overlay up to four sheets at once, with each layer independently adjustable for colour, scale, opacity, and position. The system automatically aligns sheets on load, with manual nudge controls available for fine-tuning. Overlays can be hidden or closed at any time without affecting your work on the active sheet.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1 — Open the Overlay Tool From within any open sheet, locate the Overlay and Compare tool on the centre-right side of your screen and click to open it.

Step 2 — Select "Sheet Overlay" From the tool options, choose Sheet Overlay. This opens a file browser showing all folders and sheets within the project.

Step 3 — Navigate to and Select the Sheet to Overlay Browse the project folders to find the sheet you want to overlay on top of the currently open sheet. Click to select it.

Step 4 — Click "Select and Overlay Sheet" Click the Select and Overlay Sheet button. The system will automatically align the selected sheet on top of the active sheet.

Step 5 — Adjust the Overlay Colour Once the overlay loads, use the colour control to assign a colour to that overlay layer. Choose a colour that makes it visually distinct and easy to identify for that particular trade or sheet.

Step 6 — Fine-Tune Alignment if Needed Use the nudge controls to adjust the position of the overlay if it needs minor alignment correction. You can also adjust scale, opacity, and X/Y position to get precise alignment as you zoom in.

Step 7 — Add Additional Overlay Sheets (Optional) Repeat Steps 2–6 to add more overlay sheets. You can have up to 4 sheets overlaid on a project at one time, each with its own colour and adjustment settings.

Step 8 — Hide or Close an Overlay At any point, you can manage your overlays by hitting Hide to temporarily remove an overlay from view, or Close Sheet Overlay to remove it entirely. The active sheet remains fully workable throughout.

Notes & Tips

The system automatically aligns sheets when they are first loaded — in most cases only minor nudging is required.
You can overlay up to 4 sheets simultaneously. Assign a distinct colour to each layer to keep trades visually separated.
Adjusting scale, opacity, and X/Y position independently on each layer gives you precise control for coordination work.
Hiding an overlay removes it from view without closing it — useful when you need to temporarily declutter the screen.
The Sheet Overlay tool is designed to stay active while you work, so you can reference multiple trade layers throughout your design process.