Using a Leica DISTO™ Device with Chief Architect Software

The information in this article applies to:

QUESTION

Is there a way to use my Leica DISTO™ laser measuring device with my Chief Architect software so I can take measurements of an existing job site?  

ANSWER

Leica Geosystems manufactures several types of laser measurement devices among which are the DISTO™ distance measuring devices.

Depending on the model, many of these devices support Bluetooth which allow you to interface with a computer that also has Bluetooth. Both the Leica DISTO™ X3 and the Leica DISTO™ X4 (Discontinued) can be used with Chief Architect software seamlessly on both the Windows and macOS platforms.

To use a supported DISTO™ device with Chief Architect software

1. Pair the supported DISTO™ measuring device to your computer via Bluetooth.
   
   
   Note: If you have trouble pairing your DISTO™ measuring device to your computer, please refer to your device's documentation. 
   
   
   
2. Select a wall or other object in your Chief Architect/Home Designer program and click on the wall's controlling dimension line.
   
   
   
   
   
3. With the input field active, use your DISTO™ measuring device and take a measurement.
   
   
   
4. The DISTO™ measuring device will transmit the data to the open dimension field and will automatically press Enter/Return to move the object to the new distance.
   
   If the dimension field does not close, press Enter/Return on your keyboard.
   
   
   Note: If you notice that the unit of measurement (", ') is not following the measurement value, enter this in using your keyboard and then select the Enter/Return key.  
   
   
5. Repeat the process until you are done measuring the rest of the structure.
   

MORE INFORMATION

If you'd like to use a different Leica DISTO™ device model that supports Bluetooth, install and configure DISTO™ Transfer for PC, a program designed to accept input from your DISTO™ device for use on your Windows-based computer. DISTO™ Transfer is not compatible for the macOS platform at this time.

For additional information on how to use DISTO™ Transfer or your DISTO™ device, please refer to your device's documentation or Leica's Support.