[David Cutler]

@troy-degroot my custom columns are what I need in my .csv export file to import into B2W, our estimating software:

– Item

– Description

– Quantity

– Unit

– Phase

The “Quantity” column has a simple formula that reports the “measurement” value. The other 4 are prepopulated for each custom tool.

[Doug McLean]

I use a lot of Choice and Formula columns
I’m with @David Cutler, my custom columns are based on what I need for my Estimating Software.

Always get them to answer this question – “What problem are you trying to solve?”

[Vince French]

I have quite a few different set-ups now so here are a few: –

1. Text – in my drainage set-up I use text for the details for the Start and End of a sewer run eg a manhole reference SW1 or if it the run joins onto another run then the end detail might be SW1>SW2.

2. Choice – for roofing the type of cuts to the top and bottom of a rafter are entered via a choice. For foundations the type of mesh reinforcement, clayboard, etc.

3. Dates – for drainage I actually use the Creation Date to help stop me having to enter repetitive details. When I export to Excel, I re-sort the whole mark-up list into the order in which I did the mark-ups. This means that if I have 5 sewer runs connecting into the same manhole, I just need to enter the manhole details against the first mark-up then in Excel those details can automatically be pasted down to the other 4 runs. This doesn’t sound like much initially but when you are measuring 1000’s of runs on a big scheme it can really save a lot of time.

4. Numbers – used for pipe diameters in drainage, timber sizes in roofing, etc.. With the use of non-standard products, it is basically impossible to create a Choice list which will include all the possibilities.

I am planning on using Check Marks for valuation purposes but haven’t got around to setting anything up with those yet.

As for formulas – sorry I don’t use these in Bluebeam 😆.

[Don Walke]

I do wish that the formula functions included a simple “if” function. Because it doesn’t, I have been forced to use several “choice” custom columns with a yes or no choice and a 1 assigned to the yes and a 0 assigned to the no. I use this as a “switch” in a formula column to include the result or not.

[David Cutler]

That is a good way to work through the issue @dhwalkellc

Thank you for sharing the idea.

[Don Walke]

Another workflow process that I think helps is to lock your tools, then only unlock a line or group of lines on your markup list to make changes. I have corrupted many a tool in my toolbox by making a change to a markup while the tool was still open, thereby changing the tool.