[David Cutler]

Thank you for the quick replies Matt and Troy!

[David Cutler]

I have a “Cutler Takeoff Notes” workbook in Excel that I use for every project. I typically start with a copy from a previous estimate. This has my checklist for what sub/suppliers that I need to contact and multiple calculation sheets that I use for various details, stone summaries, earthwork calculations, etc. I don’t use every tab in every estimate, but it saves me from starting from scratch each time.

On the Revu side I have started to use an “Estimate Cover Sheet” that includes my standard estimate items (and ones that I historically have forgotten to add in). This brings my Mobilization, Supervision, Layout, Testing, Portable Toilets, etc into every estimate with a simple page insert. The cover sheet is a work in progress. I’m anticipating adding standard layers and other standard items to it in the future.

[David Cutler]

I haven’t registered yet Doug. Talking about the sessions afterwards is a great idea. I look forward to being a part of the discussions – especially in person next year.

[David Cutler]

Soooo many possibilities with this one @troydegroot that I’m not sure where to start…

I need to go re-read the post, but a couple of questions to start with after my first read:

1. If a quantity link is established by a user with an Extreme license, can the markup be performed by someone with a Standard license?

2. Is it possible to have multiple people working in the same PDF file adding markups concurrently?

3. Does quantity link work with drawing sets?

4. Can the same linked Excel file draw from multiple PDF files?

Looking forward to exploring this one further.

[David Cutler]

It would also be helpful if there was a setting that allowed markups to serve as boundaries for dynamic fill.

[David Cutler]

I found another useful aspect of the Revu Snapshot tool – it allows you to “freeform” the boundaries of your capture. The Snip & Sketch tool is limited to a rectangular shape. The ability to freeform is handy as it allows you to minimize the collateral linework that can be captured if you are bound to a 4 sided rectangular caption.

[David Cutler]

Using the freeform function is easy, rather than clicking and holding the mouse button down while dragging to capture a rectangle simply select the tool and then click as many points as necessary to make your capture complete. The freeform capture works the same as a Polygon markup where once you have 3 points established you can tap Enter and Revu will close the shape back to your first selected point.

[David Cutler]

One that I’ve been meaning to look into is setting the space bar to match the escape key – or some other method of canceling the current tool. When I had done work in Trimble Sketchup previously this was a keyboard shortcut that I used a lot. While the escape key certainly works, the space bar is more conveniently placed and a larger target.

[David Cutler]

I think I’d take it a step further Troy and say that you need to start with how you need to present the information to the client at the end of the process as this drives how you enter the data into the estimating software. Having an item for 10,000 lf of quarter round doesn’t do you any good if your client wants to know how much quarter round is in on each floor.

Spaces are an interesting topic. I’ve experimented with them some, but haven’t had the right project to fully develop my knowledge of how to use them yet. I wonder if we will ever see a routine in Revu that would auto establish spaces…

[David Cutler]

You really should have your IT staff putting those things together for you Troy so you can focus on more important task. 🙂

[David Cutler]

At times I get frustrated with the dynamic fill results when the limits of the markup aren’t “smooth” for lack of a better term. I find that I end up going back in and deleting “extra” points to make the markup “look right” as you say Vince. Many times this appears to be an issue with the quality of the original linework. While I like the concept of dynamic fill sometimes I find it quicker to just click my way around a shape rather than going back to clean up the “extra” control points.

[David Cutler]

That’s an interesting idea Vince having the multiple profiles with the specific folders open. Saving a couple of clicks every time adds up! I might have to try this.

[David Cutler]

How about this as another idea @vince ? When you get to a point where it would be useful to fill against a markup print the file to a new PDF as @troydegroot suggested and save it as another name. This would allow you to maintain your “live” un-flattened file. Perform the dynamic fill that you are looking to capture, copy the markup and then use “paste-in-place” to bring that markup back into your live file.

This certainly isn’t a perfect approach – it’s kinda clunky – but if you are working with a significant number of irregular shapes it may be faster than re-tracing the boundaries of the area that you are trying to capture.

[David Cutler]

I tried this earlier today with no luck. Revu didn’t recognize the flattened markup as a boundary. Do you think the type of markup would make a difference @troydegroot ?

[David Cutler]

Would it work for you @vince to flatten the markups, complete your dynamic fill using the flattened markup as boundaries, and then unflatten the markups so that they are available for editing?