From Markup to Consent in One Workflow

Why Residential Design Often Feels Disconnected

Residential structural design usually begins with a PDF or a set of architectural drawings. From there, the work quickly spreads across multiple tools. Markups are done in one place, calculations in another, schedules in a third, and reports assembled at the end. Each step relies on manual coordination to keep everything aligned.

This fragmented approach creates risk. Small changes made early in the design often require several rounds of updates across drawings, calculations, and documentation. When even one update is missed, inconsistencies appear and confidence in the submission is reduced.

Markup Is Where Design Decisions Begin

Markup is not just a visual exercise. It is where engineers define spans, load paths, structural systems, and design intent. When markup is disconnected from calculations, these decisions have to be reinterpreted later, often by the same engineer who made them in the first place.

This duplication of effort increases the chance of errors and slows down the overall process. It also makes it harder for others reviewing the work to understand how the design evolved.

What a Connected Workflow Looks Like

In a connected workflow, markup, analysis, and reporting are part of the same system. Structural elements drawn on a plan are directly linked to their calculations and outputs. When a beam is marked up, its loads, checks, and sizing are already defined within the same environment.

Changes flow through automatically. If a span increases or a layout shifts, the affected calculations and reports update at the same time. This removes the need to manually reconcile different versions of the design.

How Nodey Connects Markup and Consent

Nodey was designed around this idea of continuity. You begin by marking up structural elements directly on the drawing. Nodey interprets each element, detects load paths, and applies the relevant design checks.

As the design progresses, Nodey builds the calculation summaries, schedules, and reports alongside the markup. There is no separate reporting phase at the end. By the time the design is complete, the consent documentation is already prepared.

This approach helps ensure that:

• Drawings and calculations always match

• Assumptions are recorded and visible

• Reports reflect the current design state

• Producer Statements align with the actual scope of work

Reducing Rework and Improving Confidence

When markup, calculations, and reports are disconnected, engineers spend time checking and rechecking their own work. A unified workflow reduces this burden by maintaining a single source of truth throughout the project.

For councils, this means clearer submissions that are easier to review. For engineers, it means less rework and more confidence that what is submitted accurately represents the design.

Moving from markup to consent in one workflow is not about speeding through the process. It is about removing unnecessary friction and allowing engineers to focus on sound design and clear communication.