CATEGORY: Data Management

Introduction to Bluebeam Revu

Bluebeam Revu is an extremely powerful tool for the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) community that allows users to markup, takeoff, organize, and collaborate PDF files easier than before. Annotating and measuring is now faster than before and the new studio features allow you to collaborate in real-time. 

Tools are only as good as our ability to use them. That’s why we want to help you power up your knowledge of Bluebeam Revu. This article is a Revu Tool Kit — a collection of useful tips, tricks, and keyboard shortcuts to supercharge your Bluebeam Revu workflows.

Top 20 Tips and Tricks for Bluebeam Revu

Here are some tips & tricks that will help you extract even more out of Revu.

1. Call out multiple areas on a drawing from a single comment

Place the Callout tool on the PDF, then right-click the arrow and select “Add Leader” to draw additional leader lines. Repeat the steps to point to multiple locations on your drawing.

2. Apply markups to all pages

Right-click your markup and select “Apply to All Pages” to place that markup at the same location on every page in your document.

3. Automatically auto-size text boxes

If you always want your text boxes to be perfectly sized for the text they contain, go to Revu> Preferences> Tools > Markup and select the checkbox “Autosize Text Box and Callout Markups”. Or use keyboard shortcut Alt + Z to auto-size a single markup.

4. View frequently used tabs and panels on a second monitor

Optimize your dual monitor workspace! If you frequently access tabs and panels like the Tool Chest and Markups List, you can click and drag them over to your second monitor so that they are always in view. Then you can also make them as large as you’d like.

5. Hyperlink your markups

To add a hyperlink to any markup, right-click the markup and select “Edit Action” from the context menu, then choose the hyperlink option. You can also use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + E.

6. Open Hyperlinked content in a new document tab

Clicking a hyperlink in Revu will take you from your current document into the linked content. However, if you’d like to stay where you are and open the link in a new document tab, simply hold down the Ctrl key while clicking the link.

7. Check if your PDF is a scanned document or an original vector file

For a simple way to tell if a new file is a vector or scanned, zoom into the drawing-think 800%+. If it begins to pixelate, it’s scanned. If it stays crisp, it’s a vector.

You can also try highlighting the text in a document. Vector documents will allow for text to be selected, whereas scanned documents will only recognize text if OCR has been run. Vector files allow you to snap to content to quickly get the most accurate measurements, so we recommend asking for vector files instead of scans whenever possible.

Note: Some vector content may not be selectable, such as SHX font.

8. Export PDFs to Word or Excel format

You can bring your PDF back to Microsoft® Word Or Excel®  by going to File > Export and then pick your preferred export file type. This is especially useful if you need to make any changes to a text-based document but only have the PDF version.

9. Collaborate  with your project partner using Studio Project or Studio Sessions

To get started, click on the Bluebeam Studio icon on the Panel Access and create a new account. Once logged in, you can use Studio Projects or Studio Sessions. Studio Projects is a single centralized location to store documents in the cloud. Studio Sessions let project teams review, mark up, and update the same files at the same time, allowing partners worldwide to connect on the same set of documents.

10. Apply scales to your toolsets

Go to the Tool Chest panel, choose the toolset you’d like to create a scale for, and select Properties > Set Scale. This allows your tools to automatically scale in relation to any calibrated drawing or viewport they are placed in. For example, a symbol in a toolset configured with a baseline scale of 1″ = 1′ becomes proportionately smaller when placed on a document set to  1″ = 10′ scale.

11. Translate markup text

To translate markups, go to Document > Translate Markups. Choose the original language and the language you’d like to translate to, then click OK.

If you need to translate text that is in the original PDF, you can either select the text and copy and paste it into a text box, then follow the translation process above. Or, follow Tip # 9 followed by the translation process, and the translated text will appear in your Markups List summary report.

12. Draw perfect lines, squares, and circles

A longtime favorite: Hold down the Shift key to draw a perfect line. square or circle when using the relative markup tool.

13. Quickly make copies of your markups

To quickly create a copy of any selected markup, hold down the Ctrl key, then click and drag the markup to the side. If you’d also like to paste it in the same place on another PDF, copy the markup and use Ctrl + Shift + V when you paste on the new page.

14. Hide the Panel Access

To minimize the Panel Access and have access to more screen real estate, click on the blue bar. Simply click on the blue bar again to bring it back.

15. Share Studio Project file links

Share a file from a Studio Project with anyone by using Share Link, which will provide a link that you can send to your collaborators. Simply right-click the file in your Studio Project and select Share Link.

The file can be password-protected and set to expire either at the end of the project or after 24 hours. As long as the link is valid, it will always contain the latest version of the document that has been updated within the Studio Project.

16. Adjust color on your PDF

This is a great option for CAD drawings! Go to Document > Color Processing to change the colors of PDF content. Color processing can also convert colorful PDFs to monochrome or grayscale.

17. Access the internet within Revu

Did you know that you can open a web page within Revu? Simply right-click next to your current document tab and select WebTab from the context menu.

18. Color-code your markups according to the status

Did you know that you can give markup statuses, such as approved or rejected? Then you can easily visualize the status of markups by color-coding them so that the colors change automatically as you change the status of the markup. This works really well with Punchkeys.

To color-code, a markup, go to the Status column in the Markups List, click on Manage Status, select a state (such as approved, rejected, etc.), and then select Modify to choose a color for that state.

19. Copy Spaces across multiple pages

Spaces, the feature in Revu for defining regions of a drawing, can be copied across other pages and files in Revu. This is a great way to save time from individually recreating each space if you are working on files with duplicate floors, such as health care or hospitality projects.

Go to the Spaces panel, right-click your selected Space name in the list and select “Copy”. You can also select multiple Paces in the list by holding down the Shift key while making your selections, and then choose Copy. Paste it into your selected document.

20. Quickly calculate area measurements within Spaces

You can get area measurements directly from Spaces. Just right-click on the Space and select “Create Area from Space.”

CUSTOMIZE KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS

Revu keyboard shortcuts can now be customized! So you can remap existing Revu shortcuts to match similar functions in other programs you already use or add new shortcuts to create your own personal list of frequently used commands. New customizable shortcuts include batch tools, sketch tools, cut content, erase content, and lots more.

How to create custom keyboard shortcuts

Select Revu on the Menu bar and click Keyboard Shortcuts. In the Keyboard Shortcuts window, select the tool or command you want to shortcut, enter the keystroke in the Shortcut field, and click Add. To use a shortcut already assigned to another tool, click Reassign.

All shortcuts listed in the Revu menu system will be automatically updated once a new shortcut has been assigned, making them easier to find and remember.

MOUSE NAVIGATION

KEYBOARD SHORTCUTS

Ready to try Revu?
Click here to get your free 30-day Bluebeam Revu trial today.

Want to purchase your Bluebeam Revu licenses?
Go visit our Online Store.

If you have any questions about Bluebeam, please contact bluebeam@microsolresources.com.

Bluebeam Revu 20 is here! Keeping your team on the same page has never been more important. That’s why the latest version of Bluebeam Revu makes it easier than ever for your team to instantly collaborate—anytime, anywhere.

Bluebeam Revu 20 is the newest and greatest version of Bluebeam. Setting you up with the smart tools that you need to keep your team in sync. Here are a few things that you can expect to see from this latest version:

Get More Done Together

Studio allows you to invite team members from anywhere to finish projects faster and collaborate in real-time. You are now able to keep track of who said what and markup at the same time together. The newly enhanced process for setting permissions allows the right people to have access to information from the beginning of any project.

Finish Projects on Time, Every Time

Bluebeam gives you a centralized place to generate, annotate, and share documents. This makes it easier to manage projects. No more wasting time wonder who completed what task. The improved markups list filters allow you to easily see the latest updates and edits.

Simplify Tasks From Start to Finish

Stop juggling multiple platforms! Bluebeam offers a number of measurement tools to improve takeoff speed and accuracy. Keep RFI’s and punch list items organized with smart markup, hyperlinking, and automation tools. Finish your tasks faster with the newly improved PDF markup and measurement tools.

For more information about Bluebeam Revu 20, make sure to visit our product page here. You can also download your free 30-day trial license.

Do you want to upgrade or get the latest version of Bluebeam Revu 20?
Contact us at bluebeam@microsolresources.com or (888) 768-7568, and we would be happy to help!

Building Information Modeling (BIM) is blurring the lines between digital processing and physical systems, causing the design and build phases of projects to move closer together. Seamless integration of these processes saves time and money. Tools used to connect design and construction include streamlined fabrication technology, prefabrication of materials offsite, modular construction, and 3D printing.

As modeling has matured, an increasing number of contractors and fabricators have embraced BIM for its exceptional value in downstream activities, such as detailing, fabrication, installation, and handover; integrating the complete design and construction workflow as an efficient, collaborative digital effort. The integrated workflow is transforming the design and construction process.

We hosted a five-part webinar series on Connecting Design and Construction as we explore how designers and builders stay connected and working from the same project data  for better collaboration.

Missed it? You can still watch the video recordings of these webinars:  

Connecting Design & Construction

You will hear from industry analyst, Steve Jones of Dodge Data & Analytics as he presents their report called, Using BIM to Connect Design and Construction which focuses on the architectural, structural, and MEP (mechanical, electrical, and plumbing) aspects of the integrated workflow for building projects.

• Hear the data on how BIM is used to connect design professionals with fabricators and contractors, as well as the current and future value they find in BIM.
• Explore the frequency of current implementation and the current and future impacts of a fully connected integrated workflow for building projects.

If you are interested in the Dodge Data SmartMarket brief, click here to download.

Manage Construction Documents  with Autodesk BIM 360 Docs

Nick Marchek of Microsol Resources discussed how BIM 360 connects data and processes from design through construction and operations. It empowers field staff to anticipate and act, and back-office staff to manage all aspects of construction performance.

Tailored for the needs of the AEC industry, BIM 360 Docs delivers tools for publishing, managing, reviewing, and approving all project plans, models and documents from the earliest phase of a project through owner occupancy. A cloud-based service, accessible at the desktop or mobile devices, BIM 360 Docs delivers anywhere, anytime collaborative access to the entire project team.

In this webcast, we will see how BIM 360 Docs:

• Supports data continuity in a common data platform, allowing easy transfer of information and integration of project workflow from design to construction
• Connects seamlessly to industry-leading authoring tools such as AutoCAD, Revit and Civil 3Dand supports more than 50 design file formats
• Is built on the Autodesk Forge development platform that supports integrations with more than 70 third-party applications to connect project information and workflow and extend the value of data

This allows teams to reduce risk and eliminate errors in projects that occur from missing or inaccurate information and provides an ability to increase collaboration with the entire project team via a single source of truth for all project information.

Seamless Design Collaboration with Autodesk BIM 360 Design

John Semel of Microsol Resources discusses why a successful project outcome depends on consistent communication with the team throughout every project phase. Connect teams and information in a central project location in the cloud to improve productivity, reduce rework, and accelerate project delivery.

BIM 360 Design connects design teams to improve project outcomes. Integrated access to Revit, Civil 3D, and AutoCAD Plant 3D files, and design collaboration on a single cloud-based platform will help teams boost productivity, improve efficiency, and accelerate project delivery.

In this webcast, we will see how BIM 360 Design:

• Boost productivity. Teams can work on the same project, which helps them avoid time wasted on uploading, syncing, transferring, or waiting on large files.

• Improve project efficiency. See how new design information could impact ongoing work to help reduce rework and downstream construction delays.

• Accelerate project delivery. Project information in a single cloud-based repository helps streamline approvals. Expedite review cycles with trackable coordination activity recorded for all teams.

Accelerate Constructability Review with Autodesk BIM 360 Coordinate

Joseph Freund of Microsol Resources discussed how BIM 360 connects data and processes from design through construction and operations. It empowers field staff to anticipate and act, and back-office staff to manage all aspects of construction performance.

BIM 360 Coordinate gives users access to a connected cloud platform that improves VDC & BIM collaboration throughout preconstruction. It offers the ability for preconstruction teams a collaborate across a single platform on all constructability reviews and simplify trade coordination.

In this webcast, we will see how BIM 360 Coordinate:

• Automate clash resolutions to avoid costly issues onsite.
• Encourage multi-disciplinary teams to collaborate and quickly identify issues.
• Access 3D models anytime, anywhere, without downloading robust software.

Integration of Assemble Systems & Autodesk BIM 360

How do you extract BIM data, add intelligence, and collaborate in real-time? Nathaniel Coombs of Autodesk shares how the integration between Assemble Systems and Autodesk BIM 360 is enabling more communication and collaboration between project teams. He will walk through the latest issue tracking workflow that helps our clients identify and resolve issues in a faster, more traceable way.

With this integration, project teams can make more informed decisions with access to specifications and documents from BIM 360 directly in the Assemble model. The integration provides a holistic view of the project to increase collaboration, transparency, and accountability at every step of the project from design to construction.

Assemble is the web-based 3D solution that lets you extract metadata, add coding, collaborate, and connect. This allows project personnel to make better decisions and deliver projects on time and in the budget.

Learn how to unlock the power of BIM to create intelligent building information for use across the entire project lifecycle. You will also learn how to:

• Create a complete data inventory of your models in minutes. Assemble extracts model information from authoring tools and sends it to the cloud so your team can access and use BIM data in a web browser. Publish models in minutes, using the Assemble Add-in for AutoCAD or Revit, to quickly visualize the model, it’s quantities, and other mission-critical information without being a BIM expert.

• Easily access, condition, and sync your data to leverage your BIM software investment. Assemble provides advanced data management capabilities to streamline BIM activities with greater efficiency and accuracy. Access, organize, edit, and manage design and construction data sets throughout the project lifecycle. Using Assemble, your entire project team will be able to access the model data, add intelligence, and condition BIM data into actionable information.

• Share your BIM data with the entire project team. Assemble is a cloud-based solution giving all project stakeholders access to the BIM data they need, when they need it, from wherever they are working. Versioning ensures that your project team is working from the same information. Define and share specific data sets in common file formats.