Using Layers?

Luke Shiras · 2024-08-06T15:15:47+00:00

There was an error rendering this rich post.

Question for the community - How do you use Layers in your workflow?

Layers has come up in several topics recently and I thought it would be a good idea to learn how and why some people use them so those of us who don't could better understand how they might benefit us in our daily life. So…

How do you use Layers in your workflow?

Find more posts tagged with

Comments

vfrench

I'm using layers on 'busy' drawings to be able to turn markups on and off.

For example, on a brickwork & scaffolding take-off there will be a lot of features measured which overlap others - a dpc tray at the FFL could be exactly where the blocking lift to the scaffold is measured so one markup can obscure the other.

Using layers enables you to put all of the markups on the same drawing but still see the details when you need to.

Jessica Dalske

I use layers in my training to show designers how they can see the differences in revisions. I prefer to use Layers to do this instead of the Compare tool which often times highlights differences that are not there.

For example, a drawing had ceiling tile change in size from revision 1 to revision 2. I add the two drawings, pick red for revision 1 (stop) and green for revision 2 (go). Where the drawings match it is black and the changes are way more obvious. I hope that helps :)

Forrest Simmons

I use them to organize information for the project, my markups, pathways and notes. Heck I use them for change comparisons in areas.

Jacob_Westerhoff

I use Layers heavily for takeoffs. I assign layers by the trade for which the takeoff would be assigned to.

For example, when I perform my Structural takeoffs, I have my layers split up between Concrete, Structural Steel, Misc Metals, Masonry, etc., and assign the takeoffs to each designated trade as my takeoffs continue. That way I can hide each layer and have a blank slate when I begin taking off my next trade.

Each layer can also be reflected as a selected column within the markups list. That way when you extract your takeoffs as a csv file, you can sort, by layer, within Excel. Saving you time when you perform your calculations and add these quantities to your estimate template. Also, you can use the 'filter list' to only show a specific layer and quickly locate your takeoff/markup within the bid documents.

Quick Links

Popular posts

Q for internal trainers! What are your preferred methods for training your staff on Bluebeam?
Hi all, my name is Aily, and I'm the Manager of Customer Education at Bluebeam - nice to meet you! I want to learn how you prefer to train, onboard, or up-skill your internal employees on everything Bluebeam, so I can make sure we're allocating the right resources to the right kinds of training (aka help me help you!). If…
Tip: Reuse Tools
If you've ever had to place a symbol on a drawing more than three times, you've probably wondered, "I wish I didn't have to keep clicking on the symbol every time I want to place it." I have great news for you 😀 The Reuse Tools option keeps that tool selected for placing as many instances of a symbol as you need! There are…
The easiest and quickest way to add a Profile to Bluebeam Revu
Did you know that double-clicking a Bluebeam Revu Profile (.bpx file) automatically opens Revu and imports the profile for you? This is the quickest and easiest way to have a User import a Profile. It is a very low impact for our non-technical friends and co-workers. 😅 It is much better than explaining how to click the…
Movable "Locked" Shapes
I would like another option for locking that allows for a shapes dimensions to be locked, but still be able to move the shape / sketch around. An example of this would be a toggle for "dimension lock" where I could trace the outline of a building and rotate / move it around a site or property without accidentally changing…
Print to Bluebeam Problem Resolved
I just installed version 21.4 this morning on a second work machine, and encountered the common problem of Print to Bluebeam being broken during install. I resolved the problem using the following steps (Windows 11, 64 bit). I have admin privileges, so make sure you can make such changes before starting. I can't guarantee…
The new Hide (selected markup) option in Revu is my new CAD Selection Cycle tool!
I know that Bluebeam makes it difficult to select a markup that is under another markup—try selecting a markup four levels deep! BUT! I ran a demo today, and a 💡 went off in my head. Can I make a Keyboard Shortcut from the R21.2 Hide selected markup feature and use it to quickly hide obscuring markups to get to the markup…
Better Multiple Tab/Screen Functionality
When moving a PDF file from the main BlueBeam application to another window (or second monitor), it creates a new Bluebeam tab. I would like to see it create a new separate application on my computer that I can pull up and down, as needed. Currently, if I click away on Bluebeam (with multiple tabs open on multiple…
Custom Hatch and line styles?
While I wait for the influx of new members from the PHX/NorCal bug webinar I thought I'd ask about your experience with making custom hatches and line styles in Bluebeam (the topic of the webinar). There were some great examples of custom hatches and lines that made a lot of sense for those users. One was a civil office…
Please add subfolders for documents within sessions
Please add folders within sessions for document organization. This will make navigating to the documents within a session cleaner and easier as documents within a session can add up and be cumbersome to have to search through to find what the user is trying to open. This feature would be greatly appreciated by all. Thank…
Tip: Benefit of Snapshot over Printscreen
When you need to take a snap of a portion of a pdf to prepare a new pdf document then it is always better to use the tool Snapshot (keyboard shortcut G) rather than taking Printscreen. By this we can avoid blurring of the snap / image.