> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.betterbuilding.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.betterbuilding.io/sign-up-and-plans/news-and-updates/2026/try-our-new-cad-tools.md). # Try Our New CAD Tools Preview After chasing Better Building 2D drawing feedback for the better part of a year, we've finally pushed a first release of our new CAD tools. Our goal is to make life easier, offer more flexibility, and nudge you toward using the platform for more than just ticking a compliance box. The feature set starts with finally letting go of the PNG-only upload limitation, so PDF's are now in play. On top of that, you get snapping straight to the PDF and a few different ways to draw accurately instead of being stuck with just the one. From there it moves into proper editing and transformation of zones, plus quicker ways to distribute glazing across zones. To try it out, head to any 2D model and hit the 'New CAD (Preview)' toggle in the top left corner. And if something misbehaves or you simple don't need the full tool set, you can always toggle back. We really want to hear from you on this one. The more we hear, the more we listen, and the more we actually action. Tell us what works, what doesn't, and what you wish it did. ## The Intro I 5 Mins So what has changed? Let's get into it with a 5 min intro that covers the main features. From revised drawing methods, PDF uploads, detailed snapping, and more, this is very much a slice of things to come. {% embed url="" %} ## Importing & Calibration I 5 Mins The main uplift here is the acceptance and cleaning up of PDF's. No more converting PDF's to PNG's, if that works for you. You can also snap to imported PDF's! {% embed url="" %} ## Drawing I 13 Mins Here, we have focused on how we can enable overlapping of zones, moving away from the restrictions of needing to snap to an opposing node to complete a zone. We have also added some really handy grid guidelines that can be pulled into position to enable better snapping and zone detection. {% embed url="" %} ## Editing For Editing, we have focused on slitting, merging and splitting zones and some tools to quickly fillet or chamfer corners junctions. ## Transform Transforming a zone means copying, mirroring, flipping and rotating. ## Glazing I 6 Mins Focused on more early stage design, our Glazing tools focus on how you can quickly distribute broad glazing distribution to zones or even the whole building. {% embed url="" %} ## Measure This one is pretty obvious, with the main intro simply adding to other tools to create a functional measuring tool. --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.betterbuilding.io/sign-up-and-plans/news-and-updates/2026/try-our-new-cad-tools.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.