We're looking to invest in some estimating software and was just wondering whether Bluebeam is capable of doing what Planswift does
I use Bluebeam because I can easily manipulate drawings, customise markups to clearly detail what has been measured, add custom columns so my markups can be allocated to sections of work, etc.. I looked at several other packages but none of them offered me the flexibility that I needed to create different workflows for different trades.
@Peter Jury, I had a similar question on comparisons because PlanSwift is much more intuitive but the things required by Bluebeam to do takeoffs are hidden in tabs and tables where in PlanSwift I could make folders to store all my QTO takeoffs and the legends were much easier to customize.
What did you end up learning?
I don't use it for estimates but if that's a focus of your workflow, I would think you could make a custom profile where the tools you need are set to be easier to find. From custom Tool Sets to custom toolbars.
I have different profiles for measuring different trades - I even have several profiles just for measuring groundworks including foundations, external works, retaining walls, drainage, etc..
This is because not only do I only need certain tools for each workflow but I also have custom columns which collect specific information which I need in order to complete my tenders.
My tools are easily accessible but also many of them automatically generate the information for custom columns e.g. a sewer run from an internal SVP (foul drainage) will self populate with the fact that it starts with an SVP, it will be 100mm diameter pipe and in UPVC and the trench will have as dug back fill. For this item all I will need to do is enter the details of where it ends such as a manhole or joining onto another drainage run.
That sounds impressive @vfrench maybe you should make a how-to video.
Hi @Luke Shiras
This is a link to a video where I demonstrate the drainage workflow. You'll see as I am marking up much of the information required in the custom columns is prepopulated leaving the absolute minimum of manual input where there are 'variables'.
There are also a few 'bonus' bits in here such as exporting to Excel, copying markups from one scale to another, using the lasoo tool, etc..
Very nice, @vfrench!
Most of that went over my head but I could see how useful it was, @vfrench. Thanks for sharing.
New to the community, so hopefully I am asking this in the right place. I use Revu for creating pdfs with specific custom icons for different cameras placed on my drawings. In many cases, I have a project that will run multiple phases, with the desire to have each phase on a separate page. I would like to have a legend on…
Hello Eveyone, I am new to this bluebeam tool. I would like to know on how to make a 3D PDF extracted from the microstation. thank you for your response in advance,
how do I link my excel spreadsheet to bluebeam for takeoffs
What is the difference with spaces and places?
Is there a way to reorganize form fields in Bluebeam Revu so they follow the correct tab order when filling out a form? Right now, whenever I add a new field, it gets added to the bottom of the list in the Forms panel. For example, if I originally create fields "Text 1" and "Text 3", then go back and add "Text 2" between…
This morning, I read the latest tip and trick post with custom statuses. I edited a status, and then I created a filter which dimed out the markup once it was set. My question is, Is there a way to save a predefined view of the markups list for when I am going through revise and resubmit drawings?
When I type a number and try to move it it rotates and I can't line it up the direction I want it to be. Why / how do I keep it from auto rotating?
I have one user, in one PDF, when he click on the screen, the page advances. He's unable to do markups because the page keeps advancing. I've never seen the behavior and we can't replicate it. It doesn't happen to other PDFs in the same sessions and reoccurs if Bluebeam is closed and reopened.
Do Bluebeam Release installs come standalone? or Do you have to be in Bluebeam to install the latest update?
Hi all. Relative noob here. I have a single sheet that I printed from a 100 page planset that I need to edit. I printed the 1 sheet to a pdf in order to keep the file size small. I have added a couple of layers for my edits and want them printed red. However, all the planimetrics, utilities, topo I would like to print in…
