Overview

If you see the error message “Layout too large, width and height exceed 2 miles” in the Dusty iPad App or the Dusty Portal, it means that one or more layouts, backgrounds, or point files extend beyond the platform’s supported size limits.

This can occur even when drawing units appear correct. The most common cause is misaligned geometry, mismatched coordinate systems, or stray objects located far from the intended layout area.

Why This Happens

The Dusty Portal and iPad App enforce a maximum supported layout area of approximately 2 miles by 2 miles.

If any uploaded data layer exceeds this boundary, the system cannot safely render or align the layout and will surface this error to prevent incorrect stationing or layout behavior.

Common Triggers

• Oversized source drawings created at an exaggerated scale rather than true 1:1
• Misaligned CSV point files using a different origin or coordinate system than the layout
• AutoCAD or DWG exports using mixed UCS and WCS settings
• Stray or hidden geometry located far from the main drawing extents
• Trade files prepared independently without a shared base point

How to Troubleshoot the Error

Step 1: Verify drawing units and scale in the source file

Open the source file in AutoCAD or Revit and confirm:

• Units are set correctly (feet, inches, meters, or millimeters as intended)
• The drawing is modeled at true scale (1:1)
• The layout is not scaled up artificially (for example, using 12" = 1'-0" geometry instead of real-world size)

Incorrect scale can dramatically inflate the overall drawing extents.

Step 2: Inspect geometry in AutoCAD

In AutoCAD:

• Run Zoom Extents and observe how far the view zooms out
• Look for objects far away from the main layout, even if they are not visible during normal zoom
• Delete or relocate stray geometry that is not part of the intended layout

If multiple trades are contributing files:

• Confirm all trades are using the same base point and coordinate system
• Apply the same checks to any associated CSV files for control or trade points

Step 3: Review files in the Dusty Portal

In the Dusty Portal:

• Go to the Layout tab
• Toggle each layout and CSV file on and off to verify alignment
• For CSV files, confirm units are assigned correctly (inches, feet, or meters)

If a file appears far away from the main layout:

• Remove or edit the file
• Correct alignment in the source software
• Re-upload the corrected file

Tips to Prevent Future Errors

• Maintain a shared alignment reference file containing gridlines or reference geometry that all trades use
• Use this reference file as an XREF overlay during file preparation to confirm alignment
• Ensure all exports originate from the same coordinate system before uploading to the Portal

Note: The Dusty AutoCAD Plugin does not support exporting XREFs directly into the Dusty Portal. All reference geometry must be included in the exported file itself.

When exporting CSV files:

• Match the coordinate system used by the base layout
• Verify units before upload to avoid scale mismatches