|
(back)
OVERVIEW
RED LINE YOUR BLUEPRINTS Forget using Scale Rulers, Roller and Highlighting Pens! Digitize on screen with your mouse, Use CAD drawings or Digital Cameras for Paper Blueprints. Redline Assemblies once (like walls) and take off multiple trades. Powerful Graphic Tools Make It Easy
BID Trade report shows where everything gets installed. Generate Summary, Compiled Bills of Material, and Detailed Reports Using the Cost Database (based on your zip code), or your own historical data and Price Files. Create Visual Reports that include redlined blueprint images. Cover page generator makes your bid stand out
TAKE IT WITH YOU Carry your job in your wallet. Its very handy on a moments notice to drop the pocket job CD into any computer anywhere
Digitize On Screen With Your Mouse With CAD ESTIMATOR you click on any assembly, attach a picture to it and simply draw with your mouse. It automatically updates all the quantities in the assembly. Anytime you click back on that assembly, its picture and graphics appear. You can modify the graphics and update the values in the assembly at any time.
Takeoff Screen
Drawing It
CAD ESTIMATOR is not designed to be a drawing program. But there are times you would like to make a quick sketch of a job just so you have something that you can draw on.
It's easy to do. You make a “Blank” picture in the Plan Room Draw on it with the graphic tools (you can see the measurements as you draw). Right-Click on the image when its ready and select “Graphics To Blueprint” and you have a new blueprint to work with.
Assemblies
Assemblies save you time because you can estimate more than one thing at a time. CAD ESTIMATOR not only allows you to have any number of items in an assembly, it also allows you to have each of those items sorted to the correct takeoff when you compile a report of the job
Importing Blueprints
The ability to import blueprints is central to the concept of CAD ESTIMATOR. Even if it's just a sketch, everything in construction relies on a blueprint. Importing the blueprint into the takeoff system and allowing the estimator to draw on it to take-off material is a fantastic time saver. Because the blueprint is imported, you don't need to re-draw it. (Like some CAD programs that estimate material also)
Once the blueprint is imported, you don't need to have the paper blueprint around taking up desk space. It is possible to use CAD ESTIMATOR without any drawings at all. But why would you want to?
Import PDF Files
PDF files work great for construction estimating documents. PDFs will soon be the architects document of choice for a number of advantages.
1. The source documents are secure
2. They tranport well over the internet
3. Everyone has the free viewer
4. Changes still have to be made by the architect
5. They are immune to version changes in the source software for example autocad coming out with a new file format in dwg and the client having to upgrade or have the architect save it in an older version.
Another reason PDFs will work well with cadest is the fact that the whole blueprint page can be imported. This means that when changes are made and another PDF is sent, you can switch to the new picture and keep your graphics and assemblies
intact.
Using CAD Drawings
CAD drawings are the easiest way to get blueprints into CAD ESTIMATOR.
A major advantage they have over taking pictures of blueprints with a digital cameras and scanners is that they always produce great images of blueprints. You don’t have to worry about exposure, lighting, a place to tack the blueprint up or if you’re holding the camera straight. They are just perfect the first time you import them.
Not all CAD drawings are created equal. It depends on how they where created in the first place. Some CAD files have all the floor plans and elevations on the same image. Its no big deal to make each of these into a individual picture that works with CAD ESTIMATOR.
Some CAD drawings have all the plan view information on different layers. Before you can use these properly with CAD ESTIMATOR you’ll have to select the layers or layouts you want to use before you import the picture.
Volo View Express is a product from AutoDesk, the makers of AutoCAD.
It is included with CAD ESTIMATOR to give it industry standard CAD support. CAD ESTIMATOR will load AutoCad compatible DWG, DXF and DWF file formats
IMPORTANT: VOLO VIEW EXPRESS MUST BE INSTALLED ON YOUR MACHINE IN ORDER FOR CAD ESTIMATOR TO BE ABLE TO READ DWG/DWF/DXF FILES
3D DWG File Support While all your takeoffs are done from floor plans and elevations etc. don’t forget the value of the 3d models you can extract from Volo View. Its much easier to visualize with a 3d model. They take a bit of time to render but with a little practice you can include views of a rotating model in the project that you can scroll thru with a click of a mouse. Use the Orbit command to shade the 3d models Use the low resolution capture option to save space
Digital Cameras
|
ADVANTAGES:
Fast Capture
In House
No Media Cost
Lots of other uses
Easy to transport
|
DISADVANTAGE:
Almost none. They are getting cheaper
every day and the 8 megapixel cameras
take fantastic pictures of blueprints.
You can read everything crystal clear.
|
|
ADVANCED FEATURES MAKE QUICK WORK OF ESTIMATING JOBS.
Instant Assemblies Built in
- One click access to assemblies like Floors, Walls, Doors, etc. that you can customize to suit your jobs.
Global Variables
- Quickly change material types, for example change all floor joist from 2x10 to 2x12 (automatically changes band and solid blocking to). Change roof pitch for all assemblies with one click.
Cloning Jobs
- Any Job can be used as a template for another. All the estimates are duplicated with their quantities set to zero, but the formulas remain intact. Just add new images, start drawing and the material take-off is done. Labor also, complete with prices!
Visual Material Lists
- Print out visual material lists that actually show placement of material for the trades. Clear easy to read printouts saves time and money for everyone.
Price Files
- Maintain any number of different suppliers price files. Be able to check total cost of an estimate using the actual price of each item. (Great for competitive bidding)
Multi Unit Import Wizard
- Combine multiple quantities of any estimates into larger estimates which can in turn be combined into still larger estimates. (Great for Apartment house complexes).
Detailed Job Reports
- CAD Estimator combines the output of any number of individual takeoffs into a summary, detailed and compiled printout of costs. One click saves reports as spreadsheets to import into other programs. Any item in a takeoff can be sorted into a different takeoff, for example, wall assemblies in framing can automatically update the sheetrock, insulation and trim takeoffs.
CAD file support
- Read AutoCad compatible files. Turn layers on/off, zoom to any view etc.
Standard and SKU Price Support
- Import spreadsheet or ASCII price files exported from your database. Search by SKU or material description, automatically update material descriptions from SKU number. Database sizes up to 16,000 items, Fast price updates. Adjust markup of prices.
HTML OUTPUT
- Output any estimate as a HTML document, give your clients the ability to browse your estimate just like they browse the internet.
Links
You can Import the following information -
Timberline Interface Data
RS Means CostWorks Data
HomeTech Database
You can Export to -
QuickBooks Estimate
EZConstructionManager
The Bid
Trade report shows where everything gets installed
Generate Summary (CAD ESTIMATOR’s summary report shows the cost, tax, profit and total amount for each takeoff as well as a bottom line cost for the entire job. You can double click on any line in the summary to open up the takeoff that contributed to it.),
Compiled bill of materials (The Compiled Bill of Materials show exactly what's needed to be ordered from each supplier. This is the same list that is used to create Purchase Orders.), and
Detailed Reports (Detailed reports like the one shown here have all the material in the takeoff sorted and itemized. This makes it easy to find what similar materials are being used for.)
Use the Cost Database, or your own historical data and Price Files. CAD ESTIMATOR has an optional cost database which is tailored to your city and state. It is matched to a custom job template roughly based on the 16 CSI divisions. It saves you a lot of time and typing. The first year of updates are free and then it only costs $50.00 per quarter to keep all your prices current. You must have an internet connection to use this option.
Create Visual Reports that include redlined blueprint images.
Cover page generator makes your bid stand out. CAD ESTIMATOR has a custom Cover Page generator that can incorporate any of the graphic elements in your estimate.For just a few minutes work It’s the perfect way to make your proposal stand out. It lets your clients know “I’m willing to go the extra mile”.
Want to try the Working Demo before you buy? Actually it's the complete product with sample jobs you can work with. Just click HERE and get the 22MB demo.
(back)
Ordering:
|
Product
|
Price
|
Order
|
|
CAD Estimator
Cost Database by Region - Free (Let us know the Zip Code you want)
Quarterly updates of database (after 1st Year) - $50.00
|
$1,295.00
|
|
|
Shipping prepaid 1st Class Mail to US addresses.
|
|
Here’s what you get when you order CAD ESTIMATOR
Free Tech support
30 Day Money Back Guarantee
Free upgrades on the Internet
Multiple Installs
Complete set of Video Tutorials
Extensive Help Files
|
