[David Cutler]

Sorry to hear about that @rakel1969

I have had problems at times when I have multiple PDFs open with split screen views where my monitors start displaying similar behavior as in your screen shot.

Typically, if I shut everything down and restart my computer the issue clears up with no long term impact to my markups.

Have you tried restarting?

• This reply was modified 1 week, 2 days ago by  David Cutler. Reason: Re-read original post and revised response

[David Cutler]

At this point we work in one master PDF file. Any sheet that we have applied takeoff markups is in that “single point of truth” file. We use a coversheet with “standard” items that establishes our custom columns and we then use our custom tools to ensure that the collected data populates the correct columns.

Once we have our takeoff complete we export our markups to a .CSV file and then use Power Query (thank you @Doug McLean !) to wash the data an prepare an .XLS file for upload into our estimating software.

[David Cutler]

Great topic @troy-degroot !

A few of our Superintendents and Foreman use our marked up takeoff sets for reference, but I don’t think they are using them for progress tracking.

Our Project Manager definitely uses the takeoff sheets to understand the project/see how we developed the quantities, but again, I’m not sure how he is using them for tracking – if at all.

The slickest system I’ve seen is @Vince ‘s “50 Shades of Black” method. Perhaps he can recap that for us here – I’m curious to see if he has refined/developed it further…

@jwafflecanyoncontracting-net had asked about this topic back in January of 2025. I wonder what he has come up with?

[David Cutler]

@Vince hit the nail on the head with this on @troy-degroot – it’s not that the tool is special, it is the data that you collect with the tool that make’s it “niche”.

When I started here we had a tool for “8” DIP Cl52″ and it measured the length. The current tool is “6070 Water Main – 8″ D.I.P. CL52”. While it still provides the length it also provides an item number, an item description, a “Phase” value, and, if needed, an “Alternate” value. Revu allows me to export all of this data into Excel. Using some data washing techniques using Power Query (thank you @doug) I develop a file that I’m then able to upload into our estimating software without having to look up items numbers, select items, type in quantities and assign Phases manually. That is the power of the custom tools!

Hope that this helps.😎

[David Cutler]

Good question @troy-degroot !

We set the scale on each page individually and then place a measurement on the visual scale bar to confirm the setting and indicated scale are correct.

[David Cutler]

At this point 2 of the 3 of us on our estimating team are using the custom tools that I have built. This is working well for the 2 of us that are using them. Still trying to get our head estimator to use them… 😎

[David Cutler]

Makes perfect sense @Doug McLean

So, do you folks have piles of window cutout scrap all over the place? As a Dad I can never get rid of a cutoff as I’m sure I will find a use for it some day! 😎

If you have trim around said window I’d assume that you take that off independently.

[David Cutler]

Sounds as if the only thing that is consistent is the inconsistency @Vince ! 😎

[David Cutler]

Looking forward to seeing what you put together @Vince ! 🍿

[David Cutler]

Yes @troy-degroot – I have custom columns to match the import values required in B2W. Each custom tool includes values in these required columns.

The “cleaning” in PowerQuery is mainly subtotaling process. Once I change the source location and select “close and load” PowerQuery runs through a series of steps to subtotal my markup quantities and remove unnecessary columns from my upload file. So it “cleans” my rough markup export file so that it is ready for upload.

Before I learned the basics of PowerQuery from @Doug McLean I would manually sort and subtotal the data and then copy the subtotal information to a new sheet for upload. What once would take hours to do manually Power Query completes in less than a minute! 😎

[David Cutler]

The process works pretty well @troy-degroot !

We use an estimating software by the name of “B2W” – formerly known as “Bid 2 Win”.

[David Cutler]

I’ve been pretty impressed, but I have found a few things that I need to watch out for with the “Offset As” feature. Specifically I have custom tools that are set to provide results in Square Yards (SY). What I found is that if I use my custom tool that measures in Square Yards to offset a poly line the custom tool reverts to Square Feet (SF). I haven’t fully investigated this with the various “Magic Wand” tools, but it is definitely something to watch out for! 😎

[David Cutler]

I’m using a bit of both @Vince

Not getting into the Claude – or other – AI interfaces at this point.

But putting the new “Offset” and “Duplicate As” through their paces! 😎

[David Cutler]

Great idea to set the monthly reminder @Vince 😎

[David Cutler]

I’ll keep you posted @troy-degroot !

I’ve attached a quick preview of what we have created in Sketchup. Goal is to take this into a 3D PDF to share with our extended team and our customer.

Foundation-Screenshot.png 73 KB Image File - Click to view

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