[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]

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]

Stumbled upon another workaround this morning @Vince that I thought might be worth mentioning.

As I’m sure you are aware when you use a tool it automatically populates into a “Recent Tools” toolbox. What you might not realize is that if you change something in that tool during use – the layer assignment for example, the tool that appears in your “Recent Tools” includes that change. So, if your layer assignment disappears, you can set it the first time you use the tool in that session, and then re-use the modified tool from the “Recent Tools” toolbox, rather than your standard location.

While this falls firmly in @Doug McLean ‘s “I shouldn’t have to” category, it does work.

[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.

[David Cutler]

That might allow me to do what I’m looking to do @lizlarsen

Where did you find the file?

[David Cutler]

Let’s see if this helps explain my question better @lizlarsen

Over time I’ve created going on 200 custom markup tools that correspond to our “Item Database” in B2W (the estimating software that we use). My custom tools have 4 custom columns (Item Number/Description/Quantity/Unit) and updated Subject and Description in the standard fields.

In the database we have specific items for various specific types of work. A few example items would be:

1010 6” PVC Sewer

1020 8” PVC Sewer

1030 10” PVC Sewer

I create custom tools as I need them so when I come across a job with 12” PVC Sewer I create a markup using the existing tool for 10”, update the markup to indicate 12” PVC with the correct item number and then add it to my Sanitary Sewer Toolbox.

This works, but takes time. @troy-degroot has taught me some organizational techniques for my tools that work great (thank you Troy!), but I haven’t found a way to “bulk create” tools. Seeing your method for modifying @Vince ’s custom line types got me wondering if there is a way to modify custom markup tools “outside” of Revu in bulk and then bring them back in…

Any ideas?

[David Cutler]

That’s disappointing that that didn’t work @tabz-nixonkingspan-com 🙁

Do you have IT support available to discuss the roadblocks that you are seeing? Perhaps there are browser settings that can be adjusted that none of us are able to see?

[David Cutler]

Is there a similar way to modify custom markup tools @lizlarsen ?