Overview
Shop drawings give install crews and customers technical build detail: elevations, component details, dimensions, and specifications. They are not the bird's-eye site layout from the fence design tool.
Create them in the library and designer, finish the printable sheet in the workspace, and attach PDFs to estimates on Proposal Documents.
Prerequisites
- Growth plan or above (or active trial) with Shop Drawings enabled
- Optional: fence site layout from the fence design tool when building the estimate
- Optional: a My Fences template if you want specs to auto-load via Link Template
Reference: Shop Drawings overview · Shop Drawings integration
Step 1: Lay out the fence (estimate)
When the job needs a site plan, draw runs, corners, and gates in the fence design tool while building the estimate. This step is separate from shop drawings.
Step 2: Create or import a shop drawing
Where in the app: Sidebar → Fence → Shop Drawings
Open: Shop Drawings
| Path | Action |
|---|---|
| Create New | Opens the Shop Drawing Designer for details and elevations |
| Import from System Library | Preview a system template, then copy into My Library |
| From an estimate | Proposal Documents → Add shop drawings |
Step 3: Configure page setup
- Set default paper size under Drawing Preferences (gear on the library page)
- In the workspace, confirm Edit Drawing Info (title block) and business info
Step 4: Draw details and finish specs
- Use Edit Drawing in the workspace to add elevations, section views, and component detail in the designer
- Link a fence template or edit specification rows manually
- Add crew notes in callouts or spec tables
Reference: Create and export shop drawings
Step 5: Export and share
- Use Print / PDF in the workspace
- Attach to the estimate on Proposal Documents, or share the PDF directly with the crew
Where shop drawings fit in the job lifecycle
Shop drawings usually happen after the estimate is approved and before or during install:
Estimate (layout in fence design tool) → Approved → Shop drawing exported → Crew installs → Invoice
See the full Fence job lifecycle.
Troubleshooting
| Issue | What to check |
|---|---|
| Shop Drawings missing from sidebar | Plan access under Business Settings → Integrations → Shop Drawings |
| Need site layout, not detail drawing | Use the fence design tool on the estimate |
| Empty detail graphic | Create or import a drawing; open Edit Drawing in the workspace |
| Specs out of date | Re-link template or edit specs in the workspace |
Reference: PDF and print issues