What files does CrossBeam accept and how do I upload plans?
Quick answer: Your full construction-document set, dragged into the dropzone inside New Project. Any file type, up to 2 GB per file — but PDF is what you'll want for plan sets. Folders and ZIPs work too.
What we accept
- Format: any file type in the dropzone (PDF, folders, ZIPs). PDFs produce the best AI review; images won't be treated as a plan set.
- Size: up to 2 GB per file.
- Count: drop a single combined PDF, a folder, or a ZIP. If your plans are split across files, combine or bundle them.
- Contents: the full CD set — site plan, architectural, structural, MEP. Title blocks, sheet numbers, and callouts should be legible at 100% zoom.
Good plan sets
- Vector PDFs (exported from AutoCAD, Revit, BIM apps) — the AI reads text and measurements directly.
- Scanned PDFs are OK but noticeably worse. If scanned, make sure the scan is at least 300 DPI and not rotated.
- Include the cover sheet with project address, scope, and applicant info — it anchors the review.
What to skip
- Don't upload only a single sheet — the pre-check looks at cross-sheet consistency and can't do its job with partial sets.
- Don't upload the structural calculations or a title report — those are reference docs. Park them in Drive instead.
- Don't upload the corrections letter here — that goes through the Analyze Corrections flow. See Analyze a corrections letter.
How to upload
Inside New Project:
- After you pick city + permit type + address, a dropzone appears.
- Drag the PDF in, or click the dropzone to pick it from your file browser.
- A progress bar shows the upload. Don't close the tab until it finishes — but see the recovery note below.
If the tab closes during upload
Your upload state is persisted in your browser. When you come back to the pre-check page, CrossBeam checks if the file actually landed on the server. If it did, the review starts. If not, you'll see a message to go back and try again.
See Upload failed if you hit trouble.