Civil 3D Quantity Takeoff

Quantity takeoff is an activity performed by General Contractors, Subcontractors, Cost Consultants, and Quantity Surveyors as part of the construction process. It involves counting the number of items associated with a particular construction project, determining the associated materials and labor costs, and formulating a bid as part of the bidding process. Quantity takeoff is also applied to the pricing process.

Civil 3D included new quantity takeoff capabilities. Quantity takeoffs within civil 3D allow the designer to easily create quantity takeoffs based on the design model. Design changes to the model are reflected when the quantity takeoff report is run at any point in the design. This provides the capability of conducting accurate quantity takeoffs throughout the design.

BIM solution for civil engineering helps project teams create, predict, and deliver transportation, land development, and environmental projects more efficiently. AutoCAD Civil 3D helps civil engineers explore more what-if scenarios and optimize project performance with visualization and analysis tools such as geospatial and storm water analysis, quantity-takeoff, and interactive 3D simulations.

The Civil 3D quantity takeoff capabilities make it possible to easily perform quantity takeoffs of the design without taking the design into another quantity takeoff program. By performing quantity takeoffs on the model errors may be reduced. By creating a custom application within Success Estimator it is possible to import data from an external source. This ability could reduce errors caused by manual entry of information.

Features of Project Estimating:

- Automatic and Manual Takeoff Methods

- Document Types Supported include DWG Sheet, 2D DWF, 3D DWF, Image Files and pdf

- Count, Area, Volume and Linear measuring options

- Data Validation

- Reporting

- Export, Print and Publish QTO data

Posted by Manoj Kumar Singh
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Global Associates
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Material Take Off with Revit

One of the larger features that was included with the Revit 9 release was material take off's. This feature allows us to easily schedule the type, quantity, etc. of materials that are used in our Revit designs. Needless to say, this is a huge part of green building. With this information we can also begin cost analysis & estimating directly from Revit.

Material takeoff schedules list the sub-components or materials of any Revit Architecture family. Material takeoffs are detailed reports of the materials you will need to purchase for each project, as well as the total quantities of those materials. Material takeoff schedules have all the functionality and characteristics of other schedule views, but they allow you to show more detail about the assembly of a component.

To more specific number for scheduling for Material takeoff:

• Since “Volume” is calculated, first create a project parameter for materials called "Thickness".  Set type to “Length”.
• Next add a “Calculated Value” column in the schedule to divide the “Material: Volume” parameter by the “Material: Thickness” parameter [which would be entered manually for each material in the project] once you add that parameter to the schedule.  Calculated value column should be set to “Area”.
• The “Calculated Value” column will display a more specific number for scheduling.

Integrated materials takeoffs can increase your productivity, and save you valuable time and money.

- Soft Costs

- Site Costs - landscaping)

- Foundation Materials

- Windows and Doors

- Electric, HVAC & Plumbing

- Interior Finish Materials - dry wall, trim, floor and labor

- Cabinets - kitchen, vanities & counter tops)

Posted by Manoj Kumar Singh

Web Developer
Global Associates
A pioneer company in construction estimating
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Cost Estimating Software for home construction

Estimation software developed for estimating some of the biggest projects in the world. Creating an accurate and reliable construction cost estimate has always been difficult and time-consuming; and yet, it is an absolute necessity for the success of the project. In order to streamline the process and give a distinct competitive edge to the estimator, we chose to base our popular cost estimators on the world-renowned productivity tool, Microsoft Excel.

A truly effective cost estimating solution requires three things:

1. Based on a full understanding and methodology of the general construction industry

2. Easy to implement while saving time and providing accuracy you can trust

3. Provide essential localized pricing along with flexibility and customization

The main features of cost estimating software for home construction:-

Choose the right site: This is one of the majority critical steps at what time construction a made to order residence. One of the most important issues to think is whether the place determination complement the type of house with the intention of you will build.

Sort resources early on enough: To be 100% sure to you contain the equipment in a apt mode you should arrange them weeks or still months sooner than structure starts on your custom-built home.

Cautiously decide a structure contractor: Finding a building outworker or companionship is one obsession. Judgment the true one is fairly one more obsession. The construction contractors be supposed to have a reasonable sum of knowledge. They ought to be completely approved bonded, and insured.

Stick to limited officially permitted protocol: First, you will need to secure confined structure consent. This process classically involves submitting an application, structure strategy and a fee. Following securing the construction allows you willpower in addition call for to stick on to the structure codes in your district.

Review the home subsequent to it has been completed: After the house's structure has been complete you are supposed to assessment it cautiously manifold time. Appraisal it by the builders straight away subsequent to the construction is complete.

Cost estimating software program, is designed as an intricate and detailed spreadsheet. This program is specifically designed for custom homebuilders. It comes with a pre-formatted task list allowing you to select desired items for the home. The software can then generate a custom report of future plans. Builders Software is unique when compared to most estimating programs on the market.

Posted by Manoj Kumar Singh

Web Developer
Global Associates
A pioneer company in construction estimating
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Construction Takeoff and Estimating Software

If you are in the construction industry then you should consider using construction estimating and takeoff software to help you come up with a more accurate estimate for the cost of a project. When you are working in construction, building, and making estimates as to the cost of any building project then you will really benefit from software with on screen takeoff, and digital takeoff capabilities.

Construction estimating software can help you gain a competitive advantage by facilitating your preparation of detailed, profitable bids while managing job costs and subcontractor bids. Construction Takeoff Software for estimating has not been around forever and there are still a lot of construction companies doing estimates, and takeoffs the old fashioned way, by hand or with maybe an excel spread sheet. 

Features of the Estimating software include:

- Excel integration

- Excellent customer support & training

- Takeoff prints with a color coded legend

- Easy to set-up parts & assemblies for materials and labor

- Easy plan navigation for zooming and panning, including sort cut keys

- Powerful reports

- Fully customizable

A quality construction estimating program can prepare and monitor outgoing bids as well as many other tasks that constitute the daily business functions of a busy contractor.

Download for Construction Takeoff and Estimating Software:

http://www.planswift.com/takeoff-estimating-software/request-trial.html?sr=1&button=text_link

For more information about the Plan Swift, please visit http://www.planswift.ie/

Posted by Manoj Kumar Singh

Web Developer
Global Associates
A pioneer company in construction estimating
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Exterior Siding Cost Estimating Takeoffs

Takeoff cost estimating software helps cost estimators collect and synchronize Multiformat design data and high-quality images, providing comprehensive support and enabling a smoother design-to-cost workflow. Use cost estimating Takeoff to leverage property data to automatically or manually measure, count, and price various building objects.

Cost Estimating provides a comprehensive set of takeoff tools for use with 3D DWF models, 2D DWF sheets, DWG sheets, PDF files, and image files (TIFs, GIFs, and JPGs). The type of document you select on the Documents palette determines the automatic and manual takeoff tools that are available.

Jason Pratt explains how you can do Exterior Siding takeoffs-

Cost Estimating Takeoff Tools with 3D DWF models and 2D DWF sheets. These tools use the design data embedded in the DWF files by publishing applications to create takeoff data. These tools are:-

Model Takeoff: This tool, which can be used only with 3D DWF files, extracts the object tree from the model and adds it to the Takeoff palette. The items that are created by the Model Takeoff tool are placed in a takeoff group whose name is based on the model name. 

Search Takeoff: This tool, which can be used with 3D models and 2D sheets, creates takeoff data for multiple items based on search criteria you define. Using the tool, you select a piece of geometry on a sheet and specify search criteria based on the object’s design data. 

Single-Click Auto Takeoff: This tool, which can be used with 3D models and 2D sheets, lets you create a takeoff measurement with a single click on a piece of geometry.



Posted by Manoj Kumar Singh
Web Developer
Global Associates
A pioneer company in construction estimating
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Autodesk Quantity Takeoff 2012

Autodesk Quantity Takeoff 2012 has been released:-

• New installation wizard to streamline the Autodesk Quantity Takeoff installation process and to compliment the Ultimate tier of the Autodesk Building Design Suite
• User Assistance (Documentation) transition to Web Help. Includes improved search capabilities and streamlined Help reference content
• Content value combinations such as Quantity 1, Quantity, 2, WBS, or No Label are now available for in-canvas takeoff objects from the Contextual Tools toolbar. Default settings are modified from the Project Settings dialog
• Legend Improvements: You can now select "Neither" as a quantity value. Units are now left-aligned and integers are right-aligned as expected. Decimals are also right-aligned and maintain alignment with decimal points
• Default units and currency can now be specified for all projects from the Project Setup Wizard.
• Square and cubic units will now be shown in exponential form such as m² and m³
• Perimeter is a General Model Takeoff property that will populate as a Quantity 2. Visible in areas such as Takeoff Item Properties, and as a column in the Workbook
• Assignment relationships are exported with catalogs, making them available for use in other projects
• You can now specifically duplicate groups without objects
• Descriptions for groups and their subgroups can be relabeled with the same label, label and number strings, or with just number strings
• Advanced print options are available from the Print dialog. These options include the ability to send data as bitmaps to the printer
• Negative dimension values are possible
• Different versions of QTO can now run concurrently (2012, 2011, and 2010 for example)
• Memory and performance enhancements

System Requirements (32-bit & 64-bit)

A single deployment cannot target both Microsoft Windows 32 and Microsoft Windows 64 operating system architectures. To target both architectures, two separate deployments must be created. This selection can be made in the Deployment Creation dialog.

Operating System
Microsoft® Windows XP Professional
Microsoft® Windows Vista®
Microsoft® Windows 7

Web Browser
Microsoft® Internet Explorer® 7.0 or higher

Processor
Intel® Pentium® IV processor, 800 MHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor (or faster)
Multiple processors supported
Dual core supported

Memory (RAM)
2 GB (minimum)
4 GB (recommended)

Hard Disk
550MB free space

Display Resolution
1024 x 768 True Color (minimum)

Display Card
128 MB Video Adaptor Card (minimum)
256 MB or greater, Direct 3D compatible 3D Video Adaptor Card (recommended)

Posted by Manoj Kumar Singh
Web Developer
Global Associates
A pioneer company in construction estimating
Join our estimating forum

Latest & upcoming IT trends for construction industries for completing a project successfully

Tablets, apps, the cloud, and the Internet of Things are going to be playing a major role for construction industries.

In construction, tablets are the most important devices for many contractors and builders. The tablets facilitate users to evaluate project plans remotely, verify schedules, and reference contracts. As the tablets and apps walk off side by side, many construction software providers start to use or convert it for use in another format or product. The tablets have positively turned the jobsite more associated.

Cloud services are also widespreading extensively in construction industries. The cloud technology can be applied for the applications and business processes. By utilizing cloud service the construction professionals can accumulate and access vital documents from anywhere. Cloud-based solutions empower the construction professionals to work from any Web browser or mobile apparatus. It can also enhance the communication level between different team members.
Cloud technology is applied to execute site layout, grading, drainage, earthworks balancing and computations. A contractor is able to ensure the value engineering of a design or to verify if the site can be evaluated more competently. The cloud technology also assist to work together with the in-house 3D modeling staff or estimating professionals and encompass remote access to the data they generate—all from the jobsite, all via the Internet.

Now-a-days M2M (machine-to-machine).is being popular in construction industries. This technology comes in different forms that range from condition-based service monitoring technology in the field, RFID (radio frequency identification) to facilitate tracking equipment, materials, and even workers.

Useful links
CONSTRUCTION WITH CLOUD TECHNOLOGY

Posted by Rajib Dey
Business Development
Global Associates
A pioneer company in construction estimating
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