iPad App Overhaul Desperately Needed

Andrew Taylor · 2024-07-30T05:10:25+00:00

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We really need an overhauled Bluebeam App for iPad. The current application isn't optimized for newer iPads and it seems as if total development of the app has just stopped (albeit for a few minor updates here and there). It's been years, MULTIPLE years since there's been a major version update (at least 5+ years ago now).

The resolution of the App hasn't changed (buttons and features) with the larger iPads that have been out for multiple generations now. The interface is lacking any major updates and refreshes. New features that iPads allow such as pencil support, etc. aren't supported.

It's gotten to the point where using this app feels archaic and useless compared to a competitor such as PDF Expert or Drawboard.

Please give the community an update on the progress for the next evolution of the iPad app. If nothing else for the ability to decide if we need to move on or not.

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Comments

Shawn Dawson

Andrew,

Thank you for your feedback. We acknowledge that the current Revu iPad app isn't optimized for newer iPads and hasn't received a major update in several years. The resolution and interface have not kept pace with advancements in iPad technology, and new features like Apple Pencil support are lacking. Due to technical limitations and greater performance and reliability concerns, we've shifted our focus to developing Bluebeam Cloud, available for web, iOS, and Android.

Bluebeam Cloud offers a much simpler user interface and is designed to meet the needs of users accessing drawings on the job site or remotely. The app supports 11 types of markups and includes Apple Pencil support. At the end of June, we added the ability to collaborate in Studio Sessions from any mobile device, including iPhones and iPads.

Over the next 12 months, our roadmap includes key features like access to Studio Project files, measurements, tool sets, and a personal workspace for opening files directly from your device. Our goal is to match the essential capabilities of Revu iPad while providing improved performance and reliability.

We appreciate your patience and are committed to making Bluebeam Cloud a robust replacement. Your continued feedback is invaluable as we work to enhance your iPad workflows. Please let us know which capabilities are most important to you.

Best Regards,

Shawn Dawson

Sr. Product Manager

John Cassel

I have the same concern.
Bluebeam Cloud doesn't work for me and my team.

Bluebeam iPad needs to be updated so we can continue to use it.

Enclosure

Thanks for the info Shawn.

I am not yet a Bluebeam customer, but would pull the trigger if there were a less hated solution for IPad use. As the owner of a small design build firm and also owner of a reprographics shop with a few hundred AEC customers, using Bluebeam to manage our client's drawings, as well as our own design build drawings would be useful.

BUT, we need a solution that will work on iOS while in the field, traveling (airplane or locales with spotty wifi) or remote locations off the grid. I just purchased a new iPad Pro for this use, then realized Bluebeam is apparently miserable to use on an iPad. I'm not interested in an MS Surface or similar, as their move away from Intel chips has hobbled productivity, and I also need to use a few other iOS specific applications for design and presentation sketching.

Considering the above, sell me on Bluebeam….word is out that Bluebeam is a no-go in my scenario. I'm sure any money spent on a decent iPad app update would pay back many times over with new business.

Isaac.Harned

Would love to see Bluebeam Cloud have the ability to use JavaScript enabled forms. iPad can handle most of the JavaScript in our forms, but there are certain pieces of functionality that are missing, certain custom calculations that don't work. I don't understand why a form I create on the desktop would not be fully compatible across all platforms you have.

Mark Gerving

I would love to see Revu for the iPad stay. I've tried BB Cloud many times and it is just plain clunky. It may be the future, but it needs A LOT of work before it can compete with the others on the market. Right now our company uses BB for the office and all field are using ACC.

The first thing that needs fixed in BB cloud is to be able to import custom toolchest to use for counting, all the toolchest that i have imported show a "?", there aren't any markup count devices, if you have Spaces on your BB Studio project, they don't work in Cloud, counts taken off in studio don't show in the markup list, can't turn layers on and off…..I could go on and on.

mcfaddenr

Seriously, a cloud only app does not make sense for IPad users. Most likely the reason we are using an iPad is because we are in the field at a construction site, customer site, traveling, etc. So to assume we are tied to our desk with a speedy internet connection is simply out of touch with your customers.

Please upgrade the app.

Shawn Dawson

Thank you, @John Cassel, @Enclosure, @Isaac.Harned, @Mark Gerving, and @mcfaddenr, for your thoughtful feedback and sharing your perspectives on this important topic.

I understand how it might seem confusing that an app named "Bluebeam Cloud" is being positioned to eventually replace Revu for iPad, especially given our cloud-only approach thus far. I’d like to address this and share some context about our intentions and progress.

Our goal with Bluebeam Cloud has always been to connect users across all devices, ensuring they can work with the same information seamlessly. To achieve this, we initially focused on a cloud-only approach, enabling collaboration and accessibility for distributed teams. In 2024, we took a significant step by breaking down barriers between Revu (PC) users and Cloud web/mobile users through Studio capabilities. Now, users can access and collaborate on their projects across devices using Studio as the connection point.

Looking ahead to 2025, we’re excited to expand on this progress by introducing more markup capabilities with an offline-ready experience. This includes allowing users to open and work on files directly from their mobile devices, offering greater flexibility beyond the current cloud-only capabilities.

We appreciate your patience as we continue to evolve our platform to meet the needs of our users. Your input helps us stay focused on delivering solutions that truly add value to your workflows. Thank you again for your feedback!

7630

The response from Bluebeam is so disheartening. Cloud based (ie web browser) solutions will hinder the capabilities of mobile markups.

The development team needs to get back on updating the app. It needs to be optimized for current resolutions (including for larger ipad 12.9 / 13 pro) and capabilities.

Shawn Dawson

Hi @7630,

Thanks for the honest feedback. Most folks passionate about Revu for iPad also share what it needs to move forward - your point about resolution is one of many reasons we began building a new native iOS and Android app, not a browser-based one. It already supports Studio Sessions, markups, and Apple Pencil, with more coming. Let us know what matters most to you.

Best,

Shawn Dawson
Product Manager

7630

Help me understand. "We began building. . . ", "It already supports . . . "

This this a completely new App? Is it available now in the app store (iOS)? or is it in development and to be released in the future?

[If for future release, when?]

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