Lay Out Points from Coordinates (Manual, CSV, or CAD Import)
The Layout measurement type enables you to lay out points on site based on entered coordinates or a saved measurement diagram. It is suited to applications such as landscaping, planning, and general surveying tasks.
Layout is only available with Moasure 2 PRO devices. If a Moasure 2 PRO is not registered to your account and selected, the Layout feature will be greyed out. Learn more about Moasure 2 PRO. Note that CAD Import is available from Moasure app version 3.2 and above. Please ensure your app is up to date.
What You Are Importing
Moasure does not import a drawing or plan. It imports coordinate points (X and Y positions).
Each point represents a location that you will set out in the real world. You are positioning points based on their coordinates, rather than tracing a visual layout.
Before You Start Layout
Layout works using relative positioning rather than GPS.
Your results are guided by:
Where your coordinate system starts (origin)
Where you begin in the real world
How well these align
Origin and Starting Position
Your CAD file contains an origin point (0,0), and all coordinates are measured from this.
When you begin Layout:
Your first placement sets your real-world position
Moasure aligns this with your coordinate data
All remaining points are calculated relative to this position
The reference direction is determined from your first movements. If your starting direction is incorrect, the layout may appear rotated or misaligned.
Why Keeping Coordinates Close to (0,0) Helps
Moasure uses your first measured position as the starting reference for Layout.
Keeping your coordinates close to (0,0):
Keeps distances smaller and easier to follow
Helps maintain clear and consistent guidance during layout
What This Means in Practice
To help Layout align with your site:
Start from a known physical point (such as a building corner)
Ensure this point matches the same location in your coordinate data
Keep your CAD coordinates local to the area you are working in
This helps ensure the layout follows your site as expected.
Setup Step
Before importing your CAD file:
Position your layout near (0,0)
Choose a clear, identifiable starting point
Keep coordinate values relevant to the site
This makes the layout easier to follow during use.
Example: Setting Out Points from a Building Corner
This example shows a simple way to begin Layout using a clear reference point.
Step 1: Identify the Starting Point Locate a fixed point on site that matches your coordinate data (for example, a building corner).
Step 2: Begin Layout Place Moasure at this point to establish alignment between the site and your coordinates.
Step 3: Move to the First Point Follow the guidance to the next coordinate position and confirm the point.
Step 4: Continue Point by Point Repeat this process for each point, maintaining steady movement and consistent placement.
If Layout Does Not Look as Expected
If something does not look right, it is usually related to alignment.
Check:
Are your coordinates positioned close to (0,0)?
Did you begin from the correct physical reference point?
Does your starting direction match the intended layout in your coordinate data?
Once these are aligned, the layout will follow your site more naturally.
Check Your Technique
Accurate Layout also depends on how the device is moved and placed.
Move at a steady pace and avoid sudden changes in direction
Place the device flat and keep it still while confirming a point
Avoid pivoting or shifting the device during placement
Consistent movement and stable placement help ensure each point is recorded accurately.
Once your starting point and coordinates are aligned, you are ready to begin Layout.
1. Select the ‘Layout’ Measurement Type
Open the Moasure app.
Tap the + icon at the bottom of the screen.
Choose Layout.
2. Inputting Coordinates
Tap the + icon on the Add Coordinates screen to choose your input method.
You can enter coordinates in three ways:
Import CSV – upload a CSV file containing coordinates.
Import CAD – import points directly from a CAD file.
Enter Manually – type coordinates directly into the app.
Note that the Optimise Route feature arranges X, Y coordinates in the shortest, most logical order to reduce layout time and errors.
If you have previously added coordinates and used them in a measurement, they will be auto saved and retrievable in the list of files denoted with a CSV icon on the Add Coordinates Screen.
2.1 Import CSV
Tap Import CSV
Use your file picker to select a CSV file.
File format must include exactly two columns (no headers):
Column 1: X-coordinate
Column 2: Y-coordinate
Example File
You can view and download an example CSV file below:
The (radius) tolerance has a default setting. You only need to change it if required.
2.2 Import CAD
Tap Import CAD.
Select a DXF or DWG file.
Configure units, tolerance, and duplicate point handling.
Note that you can select either Feet or Metres for your coordinates.
Example File
You can view and download an example CAD file below:
When importing CAD files, only the first layer is included. Very large or complex files may slow down performance.
2.3 Enter Manually
Tap Enter Manually, then tap + to add a coordinate.
Choose:
Relative to Origin (from point A), or
Relative to Last Point.
Enter X, Y, and optional tolerance radius:
2 cm – high precision (select this for high precision. Ideal when you need to pinpoint an exact location and minimal deviation is crucial).
5 cm – balanced (this is a moderate precision option. It balances accuracy with a wider search area, suitable for general purposes).
10 cm – broadest tolerance (choose this for the lowest precision. This setting covers the broadest area, useful when exact coordinates are less critical and you are looking for general proximity).
Note that you can select either Feet or Metres for your coordinates.
After adding coordinates, you can review, edit, and organise them before starting Layout Mode.
Recommended: Use Optimise Route in the Preview stage to automatically arrange your coordinates in the shortest, most logical order. This saves time and reduces the chance of errors when laying out points on site.
Other ways to organise your coordinates
If you prefer, you can still reorder coordinates manually:
Drag and drop rows into the desired order.
Or:
Tap the Edit icon.
Select a new position number from the dropdown.
Tap Update.
Once you are satisfied with your input, tap Preview. The app will sketch a drawing to help you confirm your data is valid before beginning layout.
Reference Edge:
The reference edge is crucial for accurately placing your coordinates. It is defined by the first two captured points:
Point A = the origin.
Point B = establishes the X-axis together with point A.
All entered coordinates are positioned relative to this edge, starting from point A.
The app will prompt you to capture the reference edge before guiding you to your entered coordinates.
Once complete, tap Continue to proceed.
Layout uses a reference edge (based on your first two captured points) to establish direction and scale.
Elevation values (Z axis) are not used for positioning.
Please note: Moasure does not use GPS. All layout points are positioned relative to your captured reference points using motion-based measurement.
Moasure uses your smartphone’s compass to guide you towards your entered coordinates. To ensure accuracy, align your phone with the reference edge - the line between your first two captured points (A and B).
This step establishes the X and Y axes for your layout. Once aligned, tap Done to continue.
The app displays an arrow on your screen to guide you towards each target coordinate. The screen auto-rotates to keep orientation correct. If your phone’s sensors behave unpredictably, you can disable auto-rotation by tapping the lock icon in the bottom corner.
Follow these steps to lay out your points on site:
Mark the origin (A): Place a marker at your origin point. This should be memorable, as you’ll return to it at the end.
Capture the reference edge (A → B): (This step determines the direction of your layout) Move from A to B at a steady pace, keeping within the green zone of the timer bar. This step sets the reference edge, shown in the bottom-left of your screen.
Proceed to target points:
You’ll be guided to target 1 (the first coordinate from your CSV, CAD, or manual entry).
The app uses arrows and a crosshair to show direction.
Place the device down within the green zone; avoid abrupt movements.
Check placement:
If you’re outside the target radius, the app shows a dotted line and distance to the correct position.
If you’re inside the radius, the crosshair turns green with a tick. Place a marker at this point.
Repeat for all targets: Continue moving from point to point until all coordinates are marked.
Return to origin (A): Finish by returning to your starting point.
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