[Vince]

I have created a number of folders under tools and leave everything available at all times. I’ve also created several different profiles including drainage, externals, foundations, etc..

Each profile will have certain folders open whilst others are collapsed.

This works for me as on larger jobs I will work on on section of a take-off at a time – this is because there are different sets of drawings issued for each element of the works.

However, on smaller jobs there might be just one engineering layout with all of the details on. As all of the tools are there I can just choose any profile and expand or collapse the details as necessary.

Always open to ideas how I can improve this though!!!😀

[Vince]

I mainly use layers in order so I can measure everything on one drawing / set of drawings but then when I need to see specific details I then turn on & off layers. For example, when measuring foundations layouts I will have layers for Foundation Trenches, Top Of Concrete Levels, Bottom of Concrete, Oversite Areas, Substructure Masonry and Oversite Masonry. If all of the layers are turned on then you cannot pick out relevant details.

All of my measures are exported so I can use them in Excel to complete actual calculations for tender purposes, etc..

[Vince]

I’ve run into the problem of the dot being too big as well e.g. areas like shingle margins around a house.

With the boundary, a lot of the time I find it difficult to get the thick line neatly / accurately lined up with irregular shapes – whether this is curved areas or maybe even trying to stop the fill half way through a door opening in a wall. It may not make too much difference to the overall area measurement but it bugs the hell out of me because it just doesn’t look right! 😆

[Vince]

Thanks David! I’ll give this a go on a smaller project first I think.

[Vince]

Unfortunately, although I try to measure in a structured way, I still jump between measuring different things a lot of the time so unfortunately I don’t think I would ever have all of the other mark-ups ready to flatten them. In which case I will carry on as I am. Thanks for the ideas though!

[Vince]

I’m just using the “Combine” tool in Bluebeam at present. I will have a look at your suggestions about copying & pasting though. Thanks.

[Vince]

Well there is your very quick fix to get rid of layers. Even with a single drawing you can just combine it with another one then simply delete the one you don’t need.

Unfortunately I’m still none the wiser on how to keep the actual layers though?🤔

[Vince]

I’m combining several drawings with layers that have been generated in CAD software – generally areas of an overall site layout. The original drawings will include layers of things like finishes, kerbs, drainage, etc.. If you look at the drawings on Bluebeam individually then you can turn the layers on and off. Once combined though then all of the layers are basically flattened in the new document.

[Vince]

Thank you Troy – I upgraded to Extreme a couple of months ago so I will have a look at how to do that.