[David Cutler]

One thought for your order issue @Nic_Bitting would be to add a custom column with “sort order” values.

Assuming they stay consistent between estimates you could have the sort order value pre-populated in your custom tools. If I was to do this I’d probably use a 4 digit number and then increment them by the “10” value so that you can add other items into the order later if needed.

This would definitely give you an ability to sort in the markups list, but I’m not positive about the legend. I don’t use legends very often and lately I’ve found them to be very finicky…

[David Cutler]

(Adding a new comment to bring this to the top of the page.)

If you haven’t already registered for today’s free live event there is still time to do so!

The event goes live at 2 PM eastern time (US).

@lizlarsen is sure to have a few tricks up her sleeve that you can use to improve your workflows.

[David Cutler]

My preference is to work in a multiple page PDF for a couple of reasons:

1. I can quickly jump between plan views and detail pages.

2. I have my complete markups list available at all times.

3. I can split the screen and look at multiple pages at the same time without having to open another file. I sometimes undock and drag one of these pages onto a separate screen.

4. Having everything in one file saves me time at the end of my workflow when I export my markup list to wash in Excel and upload to B2W.

5. Tradition/Old Habits – I started in the business with full sets of 1/2 size drawings in 11×17 binders. A multipage PDF is similar…

One drawback of this is my computer can get bogged down a bit at times. My IT guy says that it’s time for an upgrade…

My boss on the other hand works with single sheets for his takeoff – but he exports his quantities onto a yellow pad using the “#2 pencil” app. 😎

[David Cutler]

Welcome to the Brainery @bittingn !

Please ask away – we all learn from each other as the answers are posted.

[David Cutler]

I have my current tools setup using custom names in the “Subject” and “Label” columns @bittingn as @Doug McLean suggested.

(I honestly don’t remember why I started putting them in both, but it works.)

[David Cutler]

The 4 digit number that each description includes matches our standard items in our estimating software. This allows me to export the takeoff markups into a .CSV file, wash the data in Excel and then upload the takeoff into our B2W system.

[David Cutler]

Having my item description in the “Subject” slot works well for me as I use that to keep my tools in order, in the appropriate custom “Toolbox”.

I also added custom columns for my Item Number, Description, Quantity, Unit and Phase which I need for my import file. This works pretty well, but I have to add information to 4 fields with every tool. This was before I was introduced to the world of Power Query (#revunitroskit) in Excel by @Doug McLean and @vinc . If I was to start over again I would probably keep all of the Item and Description information in the Subject slot and then use PQ to split the information into the pieces that I need for my import. 😎

[David Cutler]

I remembered the thought process as to why I duplicated the “Subject” and “Label” values. It has to do with how the values are displayed in the Toolbox and on the PDF.

Having full data in the Subject field helps me to find the tool in my toolbox even when the toolbox pane is “narrow” to maximize space on the screen for my drawing.

Having the full data repeated in the Label field allows me to display the data on the marked up sheet.

As a bonus, when you have the information in both fields if you turn off the “Show Caption” option you can still see the information in the “Label” field when you hover over the markup.

[David Cutler]

Welcome to the Brainery @backpacker87 (Not sure why it displays that way Joseph) 🙂

There have been a number of discussions about exporting data, modifying it and importing it back in, but I don’t know that I’ve seen this one yet! Unfortunately I don’t know the answer, but I expect a few folks will be along shortly that have more experience with this process.

🍿

[David Cutler]

For this one @Nic_Bitting I’d suggest making custom tools for each role modifying the “subject” field for each role. I tried this out by making a “PM CLOUD+” tool. When I did this the markup list shows the Cloud+ symbol followed by “PM CLOUD+”.

You could have a toolbox for each role with those standard tools ready to go for the reviewer to use. With this method you could establish a color code – Estimator with orange, PM with green, etc.

[David Cutler]

You had my hopes up for a minute there @Vince !

I’m hoping that that improved functionality for “Cloud” comes along soon. I really like what I’ve seen demonstrated regarding geolocation of photos. One of these days I’ll get a chance to explore that functionality.

Unfortunately @lizlarsen I don’t get out from behind my desk very often and we have a hard enough time getting our field folks to take/send in photos from their phones so I don’t see a big digital program involving our field crews any time soon…

[David Cutler]

That’s a great suggestion @Nic_Bitting – and thank you for bringing this post up to the front. Somehow I missed the original post…

If you find later that you need to change all of the markups you should be able to sort the markups list by the subject and then delete the entire group of markups even if they are on sperate pages. Or, if something only changes on the 10th floor you could go to that sheet and remove the individual markup.

One option, building off of your technique, would be to establish a “Space” in Revu representing each floor on separate pages. This would allow @johnseidenberggmail-com to create his list takeoff list by floor.

I also like @troy-degroot ‘s suggestion to use a floor multiplier with custom columns.

Using either method I’m sure @Doug McLean could whip up a quick power query to produce a report that would work. I’d actually be surprised if he didn’t already have a great way of handling these types of situations given the nature of his work.

[David Cutler]

Throwing an idea out to see what other thoughts it generates. How about collecting your data directly in Revu, rather than trying to import it in?

You could create a markup that you apply to your drawing in the field and then capture your meter reading in a custom column directly in Revu.

Once you have a number of results captured your could sort your markups by the meter reading column. You could select all of the markups in the desired range and change the color of the markup. This way your “dots” would be color coded and located on the drawing sheet.

As an added benefit when you hover over your markup in the PDF, depending upon how you have the data entered, you will see some of the information displayed on the screen at your curser (this is how it works on a PC at least). Complete data would be shown in the markup list.

If you need the data in Excel for reporting you could export the data from Revu and then process the information in Excel – perhaps with a Power Query.

[David Cutler]

Fascinating workflow @backpacker87

How have you performed this in the past?

[David Cutler]

This might be a good one to engage Shirin Arnold on @troy-degroot

I know SharePoint isn’t her area of expertise, but I would imagine Dropbox has similar limiting factors.