http://forum.etakeoff.com/ eTakeoff community forums en-US Mon, 06 Feb 2012 09:59:36 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q http://forum.etakeoff.com/search.php http://forum.etakeoff.com/topic/multiple-select-selecting-a-subset-of-points-instead-of-all-points#post-364 Thu, 02 Feb 2012 15:11:11 +0000 Xiao Geng 364@http://forum.etakeoff.com/ <p>Hi,</p> <p>I have been playing around with the software, and would like to know if there is a way to select a subset of counts. For example, device A was counted 20 times. When I choose the "Select measurement or annotation", it highlights and selects all 20 markers assigned to device A. I can individually remove a marker by right clicking and deleting it. I was wondering if there is a way to click and drag a portion, (i.e. 12 markers) from the drawing and deleting all the selected markers only. This would save me the trouble of selecting 12 markers individually.</p> <p>I tried using multiple select, it also did not allow me to do this.</p> <p>Another benefit I can see is how I can select 12 device A, and add this count to Item A in the quantity worksheet window, select another 5 Device A, add it to Item B, and so on. This would give me a lot of room to break counts down much faster than if I had to create a new trace for each device A. </p> <p>Thanks! </p> http://forum.etakeoff.com/topic/copy-to-clipboard-shortcut-button-key#post-363 Thu, 02 Feb 2012 14:57:49 +0000 Xiao Geng 363@http://forum.etakeoff.com/ <p>I second the motion to allow copying a cell, or copy all cells in the quantity worksheet window via a right click short cut. The only way I can do it now is to shift select the cells, press ctrl c, then paste it into excel. </p> http://forum.etakeoff.com/topic/can-not-install-version-26-16#post-362 Wed, 01 Feb 2012 09:47:36 +0000 Mary Spero 362@http://forum.etakeoff.com/ <p>Yes, our latest version is 3.0-18. To upgrade, simply go our website: <a href="http://etakeoff.com" rel="nofollow">http://etakeoff.com</a> , click on the "DOWNLOAD NOW" button, fill out the form &amp; click on "DOWNLOAD - UPGRADE". </p> http://forum.etakeoff.com/topic/can-not-install-version-26-16#post-361 Tue, 31 Jan 2012 22:30:22 +0000 Valtru Construction 361@http://forum.etakeoff.com/ <p>Are there any upgrades for the software? I have Version 2.06-17, Please advise, if there are upgrades, how do I update it? </p> http://forum.etakeoff.com/topic/excel-integration-separate-by-bid-code-per-sheet#post-360 Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:47:04 +0000 Xiao Geng 360@http://forum.etakeoff.com/ <p>Currently there are three ways to transfer from eTakeOff to excel:<br /> 1) Click and Drag<br /> 2) eTakeOff internal code<br /> 3) Bid Code</p> <p>I would like to suggest a 4th, and is Bid Code per area. It would output exactly like 2, except that the output formula could be along the lines of '=eTkoMeasQty("Bid Code-Area01", "Count")', '=eTkoMeasQty("Bid Code-Area02", "Count")' etc.</p> <p>Where each individual count is separated by it's bid code and area. This way, we can use a script to find all non-zero Bid Codes, and manipulate their area suffix. </p> <p>Thank you. </p> http://forum.etakeoff.com/topic/advanced-live-excel-link-with-multiple-sheets#post-359 Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:37:59 +0000 Xiao Geng 359@http://forum.etakeoff.com/ <p>Hi John, thank you for the fast reply. </p> <p>Allow me to give a little background to what we do, perhaps you can help us with another solution.</p> <p>We are an electrical testing firm, and we test hundreds of categories of equipment. However, on any given sheet we receive to perform a bid, only a small handful (10 - 15) categories are actually required. Therefore, the vast majority of our category quantities will show 0.</p> <p>Normally, we would just copy the data from eTakeOff and paste it into a spreadsheet, but since we have a different cost for each individual category, we need to be able to separate each one regardless. (So we will still do a =SUMIF function for all the fields regardless.)</p> <p>Our customers do generally ask us to separate the categories by sheet, so we are trying to find a way to do it in an efficient manner. (Copying from eTakeOff, Pasting into our spreadsheet, and running a macro is much more time consuming than pressing F9, especially if we need to revise our sheets constantly.)</p> <p>So my question becomes if there is a way to understand the internal identifier from eTakeOff? If there is a formula/pattern/min and max values/increment for this code so we can write a script to browse through all available non-zero identifiers using a macro, and saving the correct data in the correct spreadsheet cell.</p> <p>I will also post it in the suggestion forum for a feature to be able to separate the bid code by sheet.</p> <p>Thank you! </p> http://forum.etakeoff.com/topic/advanced-live-excel-link-with-multiple-sheets#post-358 Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:14:26 +0000 John at eTakeoff 358@http://forum.etakeoff.com/ <p>Unfortunately there isn't a way to get a total by sheet. The other function '=eTkoMeasQty("1.6", "Count")' (if that's what you meant) is used to return the value of a single measurement. "1.6" is our internal identifier for a measurement.</p> <p>You could copy the entire measurement list to an area in Excel then use the Excel SUMIF() function to get subsets. But That would require some serious Excel programming and I'm not sure how practical it would be.</p> <p>Given that the drawings vary from project to project, is this really practical to do anyway? </p> http://forum.etakeoff.com/topic/advanced-live-excel-link-with-multiple-sheets#post-357 Thu, 19 Jan 2012 13:44:44 +0000 Xiao Geng 357@http://forum.etakeoff.com/ <p>Hi, I am trying to make a spreadsheet that links with the measurement list window on a real time basis. Our spreadsheet will contain all of our traces. For example, in column A, row 1 will have Trace01, row 2 will have Trace02, and so on and so on. We use the formula =eTakeOff("BID CODE", "COUNT")</p> <p>Whenever the measurement list is updated, we can just press F9 in the excel spreadsheet, and the counts will automatically be updated. This works great, unless we have multiple drawings.</p> <p>Is there a way to separate the counts from the same bid code, but different drawing? For example, if the bid code is AA, and AA on sheet 1 is 4, and AA on sheet 2 is 7, we would like there to be a way to separate the two so that the output is something like:</p> <p>AA-Sheet1 = 4<br /> AA-Sheet2 = 7</p> <p>At the moment, all we get is 11. On the measurement window, we notice that the counts are separate, and not a sum.</p> <p>We also tried the other code, =eTakeOff("1.6", "Count"), but we simply do not know if there is a pattern to the internal "1.6" code used by eTakeOff.</p> <p>Thank you </p> http://forum.etakeoff.com/topic/setting-global-variables-within-a-drawing-sheet-or-detail-drawing-area#post-356 Fri, 23 Dec 2011 09:30:37 +0000 Caddy Shack Productions 356@http://forum.etakeoff.com/ <p>The idea of including occurrences (qty input by user) in an extension is interesting. An enhancement request possibility is to take off one "room" or "suite" or "apartment", inside of the structural for that area, including all the pertinent items, be they flooring, finishes, cabinets, paint, doors or whatever, using the normal takeoff procedures including extensions, defining the area by a trace and then telling eTakeoff software: "This occurs 26 times, multiply all takeoffs you find in this area by 26". All takeoffs in that defined area would then be multiplied by 26 and the output placed in the QW. </p> http://forum.etakeoff.com/topic/setting-global-variables-within-a-drawing-sheet-or-detail-drawing-area#post-355 Wed, 21 Dec 2011 11:48:53 +0000 SILVIA888 355@http://forum.etakeoff.com/ <p>I often have to measure Condos and Hotels and have to constantly change the number of floors for each type of unit. Since i call so many different extensions within one page, it would be nice to be able to set a global variable that will set the number of floors to a predetermined value by drawing and will automatically change the number of floors for all extensions called within that drawing.</p> <p>ie. It will change the number of floors for Floors, base, walls, ceilings, borders, etc. without me having to retype number of floors in each extension. </p> http://forum.etakeoff.com/topic/extensions#post-354 Wed, 07 Dec 2011 12:49:46 +0000 Caddy Shack Productions 354@http://forum.etakeoff.com/ <p>JD, I forgot to say that extensions absolutely can contain man hours per task within the extension as well as in the Quantity Worksheet. </p> http://forum.etakeoff.com/topic/trace-description-display-for-active-trace#post-353 Tue, 06 Dec 2011 16:25:36 +0000 John at eTakeoff 353@http://forum.etakeoff.com/ <p>We'd have to think about that. We can see that it would be handy to display it somewhere but it's only indirectly related to the quantity list.</p> <p>Meanwhile, the Measurement Description (which by default is the trace description) is displayed when you hover over a selected measurement. You can also change the trace properties to ALWAYS display the measurement setting and even change where it's displayed. </p> http://forum.etakeoff.com/topic/trace-description-display-for-active-trace#post-352 Tue, 06 Dec 2011 12:27:26 +0000 Hillcrest Contracting 352@http://forum.etakeoff.com/ <p>Currently the trace description displays while hovering the pointer over the desired trace. Would it be possible to display an active or selected trace description in the control panel along with the quantity information? </p> http://forum.etakeoff.com/topic/drawing-link-link-back#post-351 Tue, 06 Dec 2011 11:53:01 +0000 Hillcrest Contracting 351@http://forum.etakeoff.com/ <p>Maybe another button between the "Cancel" and "Set Destination"? </p> http://forum.etakeoff.com/topic/drawing-link-link-back#post-350 Tue, 06 Dec 2011 10:42:50 +0000 John at eTakeoff 350@http://forum.etakeoff.com/ <p>Great idea. We could add a checkbox to the hint dialog "Create back-link". Where would we put the back-link? Center of view? Upper-left corner?</p> <p>Maybe instead of a checkbox we have a combo-box with a drop-down list containing "No back link", "Centered link", "Upper-left link", etc. </p> http://forum.etakeoff.com/topic/drawing-link-link-back#post-349 Tue, 06 Dec 2011 10:35:30 +0000 Hillcrest Contracting 349@http://forum.etakeoff.com/ <p>Often when I am adding a drawing link from a plan view to a detail or linking sheets on a match line location, I add a link from location 1 to location 2 and then another linking back. Would it be possible to add a feature to the drawing link that automatically links back? </p> http://forum.etakeoff.com/topic/extensions#post-348 Sun, 04 Dec 2011 13:05:01 +0000 Caddy Shack Productions 348@http://forum.etakeoff.com/ <p>JD, I would be happy to show you the extensions using GoToMeeting. All the concrete/rebar extensions allow for user defined rebar laps based on diameters. In doing the stepped footing extension I discovered a volume usually missed by estimators that is now included automatically in the extension and adds the appropriate amount of rebar to tie the two levels together based on a common engineering detail. </p> http://forum.etakeoff.com/topic/extensions#post-347 Fri, 02 Dec 2011 21:17:26 +0000 J.D. 347@http://forum.etakeoff.com/ <p>O.K., wasn't trying to go negative, I just was having a tough time understanding how there could be 100 extentions. I estimate in just 3 dimensions so I kind of like the idea of extensions to add the third dimension. </p> <p>I was thinking you must be doing MEP estimating to come up with so many. I definitely will take a look at the videos. I struggled for a while on rebar but have worked thru most of it. I need to polish it up to put it out for the company to use. Probably a good place for a complex extension, what with lap in the corners, corner bars, steps, rebar lap, etc.</p> <p>I will look for applicable extensions to purchase. If there was one for man hours per task, I would jump on it. </p> http://forum.etakeoff.com/topic/extensions#post-343 Wed, 30 Nov 2011 13:33:28 +0000 Caddy Shack Productions 343@http://forum.etakeoff.com/ <p>JD, you are exactly right. They are useful in figuring concrete and excavation yardage. Extensions are a separately purchasable item for pro and come as part of Premier. There are many Premier owners of eTakeoff not familiar with the power of extensions. My purpose here is to provide a forum where users can get familiar with extensions &amp; quantity worksheets. At eTakeoff we are in the process making additional videos regarding this subject.<br /> To answer your question regarding the trades I estimate. I estimate lumber, concrete, rebar, post tension. Additionally, I have written an estimating system for a Plastering contractor here in Southern California. I have published 8 videos (4 for lumber and 4 for concrete/rebar) on YouTube that you can view (<a href="http://www.CaddyShackProductions.com" rel="nofollow">http://www.CaddyShackProductions.com</a>) through the website.<br /> I originally purchased eTakeoff 2 plus years ago and I find it an amazing product! My intention is to assist contractors in finding out as much as they can about it. </p> http://forum.etakeoff.com/topic/sharing-a-takeoff#post-342 Wed, 30 Nov 2011 10:20:27 +0000 John at eTakeoff 342@http://forum.etakeoff.com/ <p>If you have only the Basic license, you can't save measurements and therefore can't share them.</p> <p>With any other license (Pro, Pro-Plus or Premier), you can save measurements. Then you can backup the project and send the backup file to another user. (Use Backup and Zip to include the drawing files.) They can restore the project and see all your measurements. Users with the Basic (free) license can view your work.</p> <p>We've looked at doing an iPad app but Apple makes it difficult. It has to be written in a language unique to Apple. Then you have to do all the development and submit the product to Apple for approval. Their approval process has been unpredictable so it's a very risky venture.</p> <p>Another way to share your work is to print it to a PDF file and share that. Cute PDF Writer is a free product that lets you print anything to a PDF file. Unfortunately it doesn't handle the advanced graphics we generate as well as we'd like.</p> <p>You can have multiple estimators working on the same project but it requires setting up the eTakeoff database (and drawing files) on a common server. Layers can be used to keep different estimators' work separate.</p> <p>Another alternative is to keep the drawing files on a common server but have each estimator work from their own database. Projects can be passed around using the backup/restore method described above but only one estimator at a time can work on the project. </p> http://forum.etakeoff.com/topic/sharing-a-takeoff#post-341 Tue, 29 Nov 2011 21:59:10 +0000 J.D. 341@http://forum.etakeoff.com/ <p>Want know how. I swear there was a way to share, looked again and couldn't find it. As I remember, you were to e-mail a link, but I never quite got it up and running. Several tries proved fruitless.</p> <p>Looking at this from a couple different angles. First, I do this beautiful color coded take-off and I want to put it in the estimating file so when/if it becomes our job. Project Management can access it, see what I have taken off and understand what I have in each line item of my proposal.</p> <p>While I know the idea is to sell more licenses for the product, I think it would be a valuable tool for a company to be able to see what estimating saw. A superintendent or even a project manager doesn't need much more than the viewer and its simple measuring tools when looking at a takeoff. Seeing what is and might not be in a scope of work would be very helpful. Printing it in color for the field guys would be even better. But the way things are going right now, it won't be long before guys in the field can access plans from their phone or pad. (Hint: Where the App for that?)</p> <p>It would also be a real asset to be able to share a takeoff with a sub or GC depending on your point of view. As a sub, I sometimes get a scope of work from the GC. Often it is vague and contains extranious stuff that sends me on a wild goose chase. If I could send them the marked up sheets where I found my scope pre bid, they maybe able to more quckly see if I am correct, forgot something or found something they didn't see. A GC who may not use e-Takeoff could still view my e-Takeoff.</p> <p>Finally, on a big bid, having extra eyes review your takeoff would be great. We have a new guy who struggles a bit. If his takeoff was available in the bid folder for me to access, I could probably fill in the blanks. Also, it might help to be able to divide up the work. Estimator 1 is responsible for x, y &amp; z, estimator 2 for a, b &amp; c. Togther they produce the comlete take off and hopefullly catch missed items by the other. Takeoff items could be tagged by the person doing the take-off. Would be a great teaching tool for less experienced estimators.</p> <p>O.K., so I turned this question into a wish list, but still interested in how can I share my work with others? </p> http://forum.etakeoff.com/topic/extensions#post-340 Tue, 29 Nov 2011 20:27:02 +0000 J.D. 340@http://forum.etakeoff.com/ <p>I have dabbled in extensions if you are referring to the volume, slope rise to run. I am in concrete and do excavation so I have thought they might be useful in figuring the cubic yardage dug.</p> <p>That said, I have been too busy to play with it. I have the basic plan of e-takeoff so I am not sure how much I could even do beyond the 4 built in ones. I tend to be annoyed with the little box reminding me I have something else I haven't done yet.</p> <p>I guess my question would be, "What the hell are you talking about?" Not trying to offend, I just am a bit lost with the 100 extensions. Would love to know what trade(s) you estimate. Would like some examples of what they do for you. Wondering if it is one of those things where I need to learn a computer language to do it. Tried it with Excel and VBA and I didn't / don't have the time.</p> <p>I am very interested in digging in deeper to power of the program. I stumble into most of what I know about it now. Been with it for what has to be 2 years now. I think I am at least adequate but you are talking about a level way past me right now. I might even look at spring a couple more buck a month if I thought it would be of benefit. </p> http://forum.etakeoff.com/topic/extensions#post-339 Tue, 29 Nov 2011 18:35:01 +0000 Caddy Shack Productions 339@http://forum.etakeoff.com/ <p>Recently, I described eTakeoff extensions as painting with a brush where you define not only the brush width/size/shape but you are able to define each bristle for size, color, texture, capability. This enables the user to “paint” a takeoff with one stroke. I have written close to 100 extensions in eTakeoff that range from very simple to very comprehensive and complicated. For me they are more than assemblies because they are capable of being dynamic through the use of drop down boxes within the extension. This allows changes to a takeoff on the fly, and afterwards, to change the output based on plan updates, editing requirements by the estimator and many other reasons. I have found extensions to be the most powerful feature of eTakeoff. Does anyone have questions regarding extensions? </p> http://forum.etakeoff.com/topic/standard-bid-codes#post-338 Mon, 21 Nov 2011 13:05:26 +0000 wayneL 338@http://forum.etakeoff.com/ <p>I had that issue before. My workaround is to add a project # in front of the bid code for all the projects. When I have to use a standard bid code, I have a set of bid code with the prefix STD in front of them. The downside is that after 2 months, I have several pages long of bid codes comprises of 7 to 8 projects. And to scroll through to the end of the list when editing each of the traces takes a long time. </p> http://forum.etakeoff.com/topic/can-not-install-version-26-16#post-335 Wed, 16 Nov 2011 10:40:37 +0000 John at eTakeoff 335@http://forum.etakeoff.com/ <p>There are a number of ways to do this.</p> <p>You could put all the other traces in another tree branch ("Unused") and never open it. If you moved your Tile traces to the root of the tree, then would always be displayed at the top of the list/tree.</p> <p>If you're NEVER going to use the other traces, you can delete them. You might want to export them first so you can get them back if you change your mind. </p> http://forum.etakeoff.com/topic/can-not-install-version-26-16#post-334 Tue, 15 Nov 2011 23:44:33 +0000 Valtru Construction 334@http://forum.etakeoff.com/ <p>Trace List/Tree. How do I hide the other traces that I dont need to use. I created a folder for Tile with new traces and would like to see only that list of traces on the control panel instead of all of them. </p> http://forum.etakeoff.com/topic/time-delay#post-331 Wed, 09 Nov 2011 16:43:42 +0000 John at eTakeoff 331@http://forum.etakeoff.com/ <p>Release 2.6-18 fixes this problem. <a href="http://etakeoff.com/product/download">Click Here</a> to go to the download page. </p> http://forum.etakeoff.com/topic/converting-slow-pdfs-to-tiffs#post-330 Thu, 03 Nov 2011 16:02:09 +0000 John at eTakeoff 330@http://forum.etakeoff.com/ <p>Since there's seems to be some interest, I'll describe it here. Let me first announce that we have a fix for the worst slow PDF problem. We'll have a new release out early next week. With that fix we should match or beat the speed of Adobe.</p> <p>Now, about converting a set of drawings.</p> <p>In version 2.6 we added a Drawing Import function. This allows you to quickly go through a series of drawings very quickly, naming each one and generating a TIFF file. It's too involved to explain here. Look for "Drawing Import" in the Contents page of the eTakeoff Help.</p> <p>Drawing Import is included in Premier and available as an add-on for Pro and Pro-Plus. You can install a 30 day trial and see what you think. Contact <a href="mailto:kevina@etakeoff.com">kevina@etakeoff.com</a> if you want a demo. </p> http://forum.etakeoff.com/topic/spliting-take-offs#post-329 Thu, 03 Nov 2011 15:47:21 +0000 John at eTakeoff 329@http://forum.etakeoff.com/ <p>The next release will include the ability to split out groups of points into separate measurements. But it sounds like you need something more like "work area reporting".</p> <p>You define a rectangular or polygon reporting area (digitized just like a rectangular annotation or a line annotation that closes automatically). In the measurement list you pick one of these work areas. Measurements outside the work area are excluded from the list. All other measurments are "clipped" at the edge of the work area so that the length, area, count, etc. only include the space inside the work area.</p> <p>Is this what you're looking for? If so, think about what would happen when complex shapes get clipped (areas with disconected points for example). We're not sure the clip calculation will produce what you want. Imagine a concrete column that gets clipped. </p> http://forum.etakeoff.com/topic/converting-slow-pdfs-to-tiffs#post-328 Thu, 03 Nov 2011 15:45:45 +0000 Hillcrest Contracting 328@http://forum.etakeoff.com/ <p>Hey John, give me a call about this too please. Thanks. </p> http://forum.etakeoff.com/topic/spliting-take-offs#post-327 Thu, 03 Nov 2011 11:34:01 +0000 Hillcrest Contracting 327@http://forum.etakeoff.com/ <p>Could you consider adding a similar feature where you could draw a window around an area and output the measurements of all traces within that window? Sometimes this can be helpful when you want to takeoff an entire project and then be able to isolate certain areas for the corresponding measurements. </p> http://forum.etakeoff.com/topic/time-delay#post-326 Thu, 03 Nov 2011 08:07:48 +0000 mike 326@http://forum.etakeoff.com/ <p>Thanks John I look forward to hearing from you.</p> <p>Michael </p> http://forum.etakeoff.com/topic/converting-slow-pdfs-to-tiffs#post-325 Wed, 02 Nov 2011 13:29:39 +0000 John at eTakeoff 325@http://forum.etakeoff.com/ <p>We'll be in touch to walk you through this. </p> http://forum.etakeoff.com/topic/time-delay#post-324 Wed, 02 Nov 2011 13:28:56 +0000 John at eTakeoff 324@http://forum.etakeoff.com/ <p>We will contact you outside this forum to get more information. But we're fairly sure this problem is related to a bug in the software we use to read and display PDF files. We have contacted the library provider (over six months ago). They have verified the problem and assured us it will be fixed in the next release. But their next release is a major rewrite and they're having trouble getting it out. We remind them of the problem on a regular basis and will do it again now.</p> <p>The problem is with multi-page PDF files where each page is a large scanned image. This type of file is uncommon overall but obviously some of your plan sources are generating them regularly.</p> <p>One work-around would be to use the Drawing Import feature in release 2.6 to quickly convert the drawings to TIFF files. We'll be in touch to assist you with that. </p> http://forum.etakeoff.com/topic/converting-slow-pdfs-to-tiffs#post-323 Wed, 02 Nov 2011 13:19:06 +0000 mike 323@http://forum.etakeoff.com/ <p>how do you do this?<br /> can you download a set of drawings and convert the whole set?<br /> please give detailed description.</p> <p>thanks,<br /> mike </p>