User Guide. Version 6. If you have any questions, comments or suggestions please contact us:

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1 User Guide Versin 6 If yu have any questins, cmments r suggestins please cntact us: Vertigraph, Inc Jupiter Rad, Suite 252 Dallas, TX supprt@vertigraph.cm 1

2 Table f Cntents Overview... 3 Installing BidScreen XL and adding it t Excel... 4 Items Added t the BidScreen XL Prgram Grup... 6 Quick Start - BidScreen XL in Eight Steps... 8 Zming In and Out and Mving Arund (Panning) the Drawing... 8 What is the BidScreen XL Ribbn and hw des it wrk?... 9 BidScreen XL Tlbar... 9 Menu n the Ribbn Drawing Tls n the Ribbn Takeff Tls n the Ribbn The BidScreen XL Takeff Windw Hw t Delete all BidScreen XL infrmatin frm a Wrkbk The Imprtance f Adbe Acrbat with BidScreen XL Hw t Create a Quick Access Tlbar in Excel Infrmatin abut Vectr, CAD files We Thank Yu

3 Overview First, the definitins f takeff and estimating: Quantity Takeff is dne by measuring items and then applying calculatins t these basic measurements. Estimating is assigning csts t these quantities. When BidScreen XL is added t Excel, BidScreen XL measures items frm cnstructin plans and autmatically recrds the measurement and clr cded drawing int any Excel cell. Additinal calculatins t these BidScreen XL measurements are perfrmed thrugh Micrsft Excel frmulas and functins t arrive at the takeff quantity. Assigning the estimated cst t the quantities (i.e. estimating) is then dne in an Excel wrkbk r thrugh a relatinal database estimating prgram. An accurate estimate must start with the prper measurements and takeff quantities. When creating an estimate, the quantity takeff is ften the mst time cnsuming activity and ne that culd result in errrs and missins. By using BidScreen XL with Excel, yur prductivity, accuracy, cnfidence and knwledge shuld increase substantially. We, like mst cntractrs, believe that rganizing yur takeff quantities in Micrsft Excel, regardless f the sftware used fr estimating, is ften the easiest, mst lgical and best way t dcument the takeff quantities. With this in mind, BidScreen XL is sftware that is added t Micrsft Excel that measures items directly frm digital files such as PDF, TIFF, and AutCAD DWG. A clear, cncise audit trail f the measurement is recrded autmatically int Excel. Due t the widespread use and pwer f Excel, we prmte Excel based takeff and estimating and have included a cllectin f wrkbk files fr yur use and review. Many f ur custmers have created their wn Excel estimating template and use BidScreen XL with their wn spreadsheets. Others use the included Excel wrkbks and custmize these takeff and estimating templates t fit their needs. After installing the sftware, the Excel takeff and estimating wrkbks prvided with BidScreen XL can be pened frm the BidScreen XL prgrams list (Start All Prgrams BidScreenXL Example Wrkbks). Please nte that certain divisins f wrk, such as site excavatin and sme f the mechanical trades may be better served by perfrming the quantity takeff in trade specific, nn-spreadsheet applicatins. Fr site excavatin, Vertigraph s SiteWrx/OS sftware is ideal fr creating 3D mdels f the site and calculating cut and fill vlumes. Cntact Vertigraph tday fr a free evaluatin cpy f this easy t use, affrdable SiteWrx/OS sftware r g t and dwnlad a wrking cpy. 3

4 Installing BidScreen XL and adding it t Excel BidScreen XL is an Excel add-in applicatin that must be added t Micrsft Excel. BidScreen XL cannt be run by itself. Yu run BidScreen XL by pening Micrsft Excel. Which versin f BidScreen XL t install is determined by the flavr f Excel, 32 bit r 64 bit? If the Excel versin is befre Excel 2010, yu re assured that yu re using the 32 bit versin. T find ut which editin f Excel 2010 yu re using, click File Help in Excel and lk n the right under Abut Micrsft Excel. The versin f the activated prduct is listed with the number f bits. In rder t install the BidScreen XL 64 bit versin, yu ll need t be running the 64 bit Excel versin, which will be Excel 2010 r later. If the Excel versin is 32 bit, yu ll install the 32 bit versin f BidScreen XL. After dwnlading and installing the apprpriate BidScreen XL versin, BidScreen XL must be "added" t Excel. This new and imprved BidScreen XL versin 6 sftware adds a BidScreen XL ribbn tab t Excel. Previus versins f BidScreen XL added a tlbar t Excel. Fr users still running pre 2007 Excel versins, the BidScreen XL tlbar, rather than the BidScreen XL ribbn, will be added t Excel

5 After dwnlading and installing BidScreen XL, yu must first add the BidScreen XL ribbn r tlbar t Excel. The BidScreen XL ribbn file is named BidScreenXL_7.xlam. The BidScreen XL tlbar file is named BidScreenXL.xla. Only Excel 2003 versins and lder shuld add the tlbar (i.e. BidScreenXL.xla). Excel 2007 and later shuld add the preferred BidScreen XL ribbn (i.e. BidScreenXL_7.xlam) bit and 32 bit Excel versin 2010 and later must use the BidScreen XL Ribbn Open Excel and left click n File Optins. Select the Add-Ins ptin n the left side f the windw. At the Add-ins windws, click the G buttn at the bttm f the page. This will display a list f Add-ins. Click the Brwse... buttn t lcate BidScreenXL_7.xlam. The BidScreenXL_7.xlam file will be fund in the C:\Prgram Files\Vertigraph\BidScreen XL flder if the files were installed t the default directry. When running Excel 32 bit under 64 bit Windws, this BidScreenXL_7.xlam file will be fund in the C:\Prgram Files(X86)\Vertigraph\BidScreen XL flder. Highlight the file and press OK. Press OK n the Add-Ins list t cmplete the prcess. A registratin dialg shuld appear. Press N. A BidScreen XL tab shuld appear in the rw f tabs at the tp f the Excel windw. If the BidScreen XL tab des nt appear, please clse and restart Excel. 2. Excel versin 2007 installatin shuld als use the BidScreen XL Ribbn Open Excel and right click n the Office buttn in the tp left crner f the menu bar and select Custmize Quick Access Tlbar. Select the Add-Ins ptin n the left side. At the Add-ins windws, click the G buttn at the bttm f the page. This will display a list f Add-Ins. Click the Brwse... buttn t lcate BidScreenXL_7.xlam. The BidScreenXL_7.xlam ribbn file will nrmally be fund in the C:\Prgram Files\Vertigraph\BidScreen XL flder if perating a 32 bit versin f Windws. If perating a 64 bit versin f Windws, the BidScreenXL_7.xlam file will be fund at C:\Prgram Files (x86)\vertigraph\bidscreen XL. Highlight the file and press OK. Press OK n the Add-Ins list t cmplete the prcess. A registratin dialg shuld appear. Press N. A BidScreen XL Tab shuld appear in the rw f tabs at the tp f the Excel windw. If the BidScreen XL tab des nt appear, please clse and restart Excel. 3. Installatin f Excel versins befre 2007 must use the BidScreen XL tlbar Open Excel and click n the Tls Add-Ins menu. Press the Brwse buttn t select the BidScreenXL.xla tlbar add-in file. The BidScreenXL.xla file will be fund in the C:\Prgram Files\Vertigraph\BidScreen XL flder if the files were installed t a 32 bit Windws perating system. If the Windws Operating System is 64 bit, this BidScreenXL.xla file is fund at C:\Prgram Files (x86)\vertigraph\bidscreen XL. 5

6 Highlight the file and press OK. Press OK n the Add-Ins list t cmplete the prcess. A registratin dialg shuld appear. Press N. After adding BidScreen XL t yur Excel applicatin a BidScreen menu is added t the Excel menu bar and a BidScreen tlbar is added t Excel. If the BidScreen tlbar and menu are nt active, please clse and restart Excel. Fr yur infrmatin, the BidScreen XL prgram files get installed t the fllwing flders: a) 32 bit BidScreen XL n 32 bit windws - C:\Prgram Files\Vertigraph\BidScreen XL b) 32 bit BidScreen XL n 64 bit windws - C:\Prgram Files (X86)\Vertigraph\BidScreen XL c) 64 bit BidScreen XL n 64 bit windws - C:\Prgram Files\Vertigraph\BidScreen XL Items Added t the BidScreen XL Prgram Grup After installatin, A BidScreen XL prgram grup is added t the All Prgrams listing that is displayed after clicking the Windws start buttn. As nted previusly yu must pen Excel t use the BidScreen XL sftware. It des nt run by itself. Under this BidScreen XL prgram grup the fllwing ten items are installed: 1. BidScreen Reference viewer The BidScreen XL Reference viewer is fr viewing any file. It is ideal when seeking detail infrmatin n a plan sheet that has nt been laded t Excel. If Adbe Acrbat Versin 7 r newer is installed n yur cmputer, this Reference Viewer will pen Adbe Acrbat when pening a PDF file. 2. BidScreen XL Help Opens the BidScreen XL Help file 3. BidScreen XL User Guide The BidScreen XL User Guide is this PDF file which yu are currently reading. 4. BidScreen XL n the Web Opens 5. CPC File Cnverter The Vertigraph CPC Cnversin Utility cnverts Cartesian Prducts CPC and CPI files int TIF files. It is a "batch" cnverter and will cnvert all the files f the selected type in the selected 6

7 flder. CPC and CPI files are cmpressin files which must be decmpressed befre using. This file cnverter utility decmpresses CPC and CPI files. 6. Example Wrkbks The Excel wrkbks item cntains a list f Excel wrkbks fr autmating the takeff and estimating prcess. Feel free t use and custmize these Excel wrkbks as yu see fit. 7. Supprt Meeting Vertigraph s custmer service team can assist yu nline during a phne call. The supprt meeting cmmand lets Vertigraph see what is happening n yur cmputer while yu re perating BidScreen XL. Yu can als view ur cmputer screen fr training and supprt with this cmmand. 8. Tiff Resizer Occasinally certain tiff files may be t large t prperly display n the screen based n the pixel cunt. This cmmand reduces the size and reslutin f these files. 9. Uninstall BidScreen XL This cmmand remves the BidScreen XL sftware frm the hard drive. Befre uninstalling, please remve the Excel add-in frm Excel 2010 by clicking n File Optins Add-in under Excel 2010 and then press the G buttn t uncheck the add-in. 10. Windws Versin This cmmand is useful fr technical supprt and supplies infrmatin regarding the Windws Operating system, BidScreen XL and, if installed, Adbe Acrbat. 7

8 Quick Start BidScreen XL in Eight Steps After adding BidScreen XL t Excel measuring with BidScreen XL is easy. Simply fllw the basic steps: 1. Click n the BidScreen XL menu in Excel t display the BidScreen XL ribbn 2. Lad the drawing(s) and click the green checkmark t accept. 3. Autscale r set the scale fr each laded file. Fr vectr, Cad files such as DWG files, a drawing unit is defined rather than a scale. 4. Click n the Prject/Drawing Manager tab t lad files, rename laded files, remve laded drawings and recrd anntatins and highlights t any f the drawings. 5. At the BidScreen XL ribbn, click n the cell where yu want the quantity measurement placed and then select the desired drawing file frm the list bx. 6. Select the takeff measurement cmmand frm the tlbar r menu (i.e. Cunt, Sectin Length, Cntinuus Length r Area). 7. Begin measuring by clicking with the muse. While measuring, activate the right muse buttn, menu, tlbar and shrtcut keybard keys t apply the available cmmands t the measurement. 8. T recrd the measurement and clr cded drawing int an Excel cell, click the green checkmark r right click the muse buttn t stp the takeff measurement. After digitizing the measurement, a red cell cmment is placed in the tp right hand crner f the cell. This Excel cell cmment infrms the user where measurements have been recrded with BidScreen XL. The cell cmment als cntains infrmatin abut the clr cded digitized drawing. After clicking n a cell with a red cell cmment, the type f measurement will be displayed n the tp right hand crner f the ribbn after TO Type. There are fur takeff types: Cunt, Sectin Length, Cntinuus Length and Area. T view the digitized drawing, select the Takeff cmmand that crrespnds t its takeff type. T delete a cell cmment and measurement, click n the desired cells (hld dwn the Alt key n the keybard t click n nnadjacent cells) and click the delete Takeff cmmand n the ribbn. Alternatively, measurements defined by red cell cmments may be deleted by clicking n the cells with cell cmments, right click the muse and select Delete Cmment and Clear Cntents. Zming In and Out and Mving Arund (Panning) the Drawing When viewing and measuring a drawing, mving arund and zming efficiently is critical. Zm in and ut by using the scrll wheel n the muse. Alternatively, hlding dwn the Shift key n the keybard while clicking the muse als activates zm. Shift + Left muse click zms in. Shift + Right muse click zms ut. Once zmed in, mve arund the drawing (i.e. pan) by hlding dwn the CTRL key n the keybard as yu drag and drp with the muse. 8

9 Other methds fr zming and/r panning include using the tlbar, right muse ppup menu, menu and scrll bars. What is the BidScreen XL Ribbn and hw des it wrk? After adding the BidScreenXL_7.xlam file t Excel versin 2007, 2010 and later, a BidScreen XL ribbn is added t Excel. Fr Excel versins befre 2007 adding the BidScreenXL.xla file adds a tlbar rather than the ribbn t Excel. The tlbar, if installed, cntains similar cmmands as the BidScreen XL ribbn. The BidScreen XL ribbn fr Excel versin 2007 and later is displayed belw. The BidScreen XL ribbn cntains all f the BidScreen XL cmmands. The BidScreen XL ribbn cntains three sectinss which are labeled at the bttm f the ribbn: 1. Menu 2. Drawing 3. Takeff Please click the Takeff Help tl fr mre detailed infrmatin abut this ribbn and BidScreen XL perating instructins. BidScreen XL Tlbar Fr users wrking with versins f Excel befre Excel 2007, the tlbar rather than the ribbn is added t Excel. When adding the tlbar t Excel 2003 and lder versins, a BidScreen menu and tlbar are added t Excel. The tlbar has similar cmmands t the ribbn and is shwn belw. 9

10 We highly recmmend upgrading yur versin f Excel (i.e. t versin 2007 r later) t wrk with the BidScreen XL ribbn rather than the tlbar. Fr infrmatinn n cmmands available frm the tlbar please refer t the similar cmmand n the BidScreen XL ribbn in this user guide. Menu n the Ribbn Many f the menu cmmands listed abve are als fund as icns r buttns n the BidScreen XL ribbn. Certain cmmands are nly fund n the menu. Infrmatin n these menu cmmands are nted in the Takeff Help. Click the Takeff Help tl fr further infrmatin. 10

11 Several menu cmmands are nt fund n the Ribbn and are wrth mentining here fr the prper peratin f BidScreen XL. As a result, the fllwing three menu cmmands are discussed belw. 1. Setup Setup defines hw BidScreen XL perates. T change any f the default setup cmmands, click n the Menu Setup cmmand t setup and cnfigure BidScreen XL. Nrmally, there is n need t change these setup settings nce BidScreen XL has been prperly cnfigured r setup. If changes were made t setup and yu want t return t the default settings, click the Default buttn n the right side t set the ptins t the recmmended settings. Details regarding the setup ptins are fund by clicking n Takeff Help. Tw items cnfigured under the default setup shuld be changed fr sme custmers hwever. First, the default scale unit setting is set t English Architectural (i.e. 1/4, 1/8, 1/16 etc.). If the majrity f the drawings are Metric r English Engineering scale, change the default scale units at the Menu Setup Drawings tab. Secndly, when lading multiple files and pages, sme users wuld like t review the drawing befre instructing BidScreen XL t lad the file r page. At the Menu Setup Optins tab if Accept Multiple Drawings is enabled, each page f a multiple page pen, r each file f a multiple file pen will be displayed. The page r file can then be accepted r rejected. If this ptin is disabled, then all pages r files are autmatically accepted and added t the drawing list. The default setting fr this ptin is disabled and is always disabled, regardless f the setting, when lading files at the Drawing Manager. 2. Create Template This cmmand eliminates all measurement and drawing infrmatin frm the wrkbk. All BidScreen XL infrmatin fund n the wrkbk will be erased with this cmmand. Once the infrmatin is erased frm the wrkbk it will nt cme back. As a result, prceed with cautin when using this cmmand. 3. Change Scale Change Scale is used t change the calculated result fr a measurement that was digitized using the wrng scale. This cmmand is used nly t crrect mistakes resulting frm an incrrect scale f previus measurements. Click n a cell r cells with a red BidScreen XL cell cmment in the tp right hand crner f the cell and then select this cmmand t change the scale. The scale and measurement values in the cells will change as a result. 11

12 Drawing Tls n the Ribbn The Drawing grup has 4 items: Manage/Prject/Drawings The Manage/Prject Drawings has tw tabs: Prject and Drawings. The Prject Tab verrides the default values fr the current prject nly and allws dual scales n drawings laded t the current wrkbk. Changing these values des nt change the values defined in the setup dialg at Menu Setup. The furth thru sixth items n the Reprts sectin f the Prject tab will change the values that print n the reprt. If infrmatin is entered here, the Shw Reprt Title Dialg may be unchecked when printing the reprt. The Use Dual Scales checkbx must be turned n (i.e. checked) if any drawing files laded t the current wrkbk cntain different hrizntal and vertical scales. Certain crss sectins and utility drawings may cntain mre than ne scale. After lading the drawing(s), yu may specify a drawing as a Dual Scale drawing at the Drawings tab when Use Default Scales is checked at the Prject tab. 12

13 The Drawings tab cntains a listing f all f the files laded t the current prject (i.e. Excel wrkbk). When clicked n a file name, the drawing displays t the right. At the Drawings tab f the Prject/Drawing Manager the fllwing features are available: Zm by using the scrll wheel n the muse r Shift key n the keybard + Left muse click t zm in and Shift + Right Muse click t zm ut. Once zmed in, Pan r mve arund by hlding dwn the keybard Ctrl key as yu drag and drp the muse. An anntatin and highlight tlbar is available fr placing items nt the drawing. A chief estimatr may lad the drawings and make varius cmments and highlights t the drawings befre that takeff is cmpleted by a different takeff specialist. The drawing path f the file is displayed. A user defined descriptin may be recrded in the descriptin bx that will mre clearly define the file name. Selected files may be hidden s that they will nt appear and be available frm the Drawing List. A file r grup f files may be laded at the Prject/Drawing Manager by clicking the Lad buttn. Befre measuring frm a drawing, the drawings may be rtated and de-skewed here by clicking n the Rtate buttn and then click n the Drawings menu t rtate and de-skew the drawing. The default scale may be set here fr any drawing. Yu cannt change the scale here hwever. T change the scale after it has been set, select the drawing and click n and Excel cell and then scale buttn n the BidScreen XL ribbn t change the default scale. Certain default values fr scale units, dual scales, runding and CAD file attributes are initially set at Menu Setup are then recrded t the Prject tab. The values frm the Prject tab are recrded t the Drawings tab when each drawing is laded. These values may be changed at the Prject tab and/r Drawings tab as needed. Ideally, changes t these values will be dne infrequently. Lad Drawing The Lad Drawing tl is hw yu lad drawing files. In rder t measure frm a file, the file must first be laded t the Excel wrkbk. 13

14 Please nte: After clicking n a file, wait until the drawing displays n the right side f the Open Drawing File windw. OPEN - After the drawing displays, click the Open buttn t lad the selected file. FILES - The Files buttn lads many files with a single click by lading all files in the flder f the selected type. PAGES - The Pages buttn lads the pages f a multiple page file. If the Accept Multiple Drawings is enabled under the Optins tab f the Menu Setup, each page f a multiple page pen, r each file f a multiple file pen will be displayed. The page r file can then be accepted r rejected. If this ptin is disabled under Menu Setup, then all pages r files are accepted and added t the drawing list autmatically. If yu pen a file that is t large, BidScreen XL will resize the drawing and yu will be asked t save the file. Saving a resized file as a.cmp file will pen the drawing faster. 14

15 Brwse Drawing Brwse Drawing pens Internet Explrer t brwse the Web and t lcate and save drawing files. Drawing List The drawing list cntains the list f files laded t this wrkbk. The descriptin will be the file name and page r the user defined descriptin recrded at the Manage Prject/Drawings windw. The file displayed at the tp, is the active file. Whenever a takeff cmmand (i.e. Cunt, Sectin Length, Cntinuus Length and Area) is selected, the active file displays. Takeff Tls n the Ribbn The takeff cmmands are used fr measuring, printing and deleting. There are three types f measurements- cunt, length and area. Please nte: The active drawing appears after selecting the cunt, sectin length, cntinuus length r area cmmand. While measuring, zm with the scrll wheel and mve arund by hlding dwn the Ctrl keybard key. Click n the muse buttn t digitize a line, area r cunt pint. When digitizing areas and cntinuus lengths, it is easiest t click the change in directin pint rather than tracing. T end an area r cntinuus length press the keybard Enter key befre starting a new ne. T recrd the value and drawing int the Excel cell, click the green checkmark. A red Excel cell cmment is placed n the cell where the measurement is recrded and indicates a clr cded drawing is assciated with the value in the cell. The cells with drawings may be cpied and mved within the Excel wrkbk. The Backspace keybard key deletes the last pint. 15

16 Instead f deleting with the backspace keybard key, select any previusly digitized bject by right clicking the muse, click Select Object and mve the square selectin bx ver a pint and left click. After the pint is selected, click the right muse buttn t delete the bject. The pint, line and area symbls are defined in the styles library and may be changed at any time thrugh the menu, tlbar r palette if enabled under Menu Setup. While digitizing with the left muse buttn, additinal cmmands are available thrugh the tlbar, menus, right muse buttn ppup menu and keybard shrtcut keys. Many users find the keybard shrtcuts t be quickest way t activate the cmmands. If the scale is Metric, the unit f measure is meters. If English, the unit f measure is feet. At View Takeff select All r Current t display either the current cell s clr cded drawing r all f the clr cded digitized drawings frm the file. While measuring, display the magnifying r panning windw by clicking n the desired ptin under the view menu. Press the minus sign n the keybard, r press the right muse ppup menu t subtract areas r lengths while measuring. When negative is turned n, the area r length value captin at the tp f the windw will display in red. Turn ff the negative by using the menu, ppup menu r the apprpriate shrtcut keybard key (i.e. + sign n the keypad). When measuring negative areas the perimeter length value will be added, rather than subtracted, frm the ttal length value. Lengths and areas f circles are measured by clicking n three pints arund the circumference after activating the Circle cmmand frm the Edit menu, right muse buttn ppup menu r by the shrtcut keybard keys. A rectangle may be measured by clicking n three crners clckwise r cunter clckwise after selecting the Rectangle cmmand frm the Edit menu, right muse buttn ppup menu r by the shrtcut keybard keys. When measuring area and cntinuus lengths, click ne pint and then select the Arc cmmand frm the Edit menu, right muse buttn ppup menu r by the shrtcut keybard keys t draw curved lines r arcs. After select the Arc cmmand, click the high and lw pint f the arc t draw the line. Fr circles, rectangles and arcs, the line is nt drawn n-screen until the last pint is clicked. Lengths, but nt areas, may be runded up r dwn by setting a degree f precisin at the Optins menu at the Takeff windw. 16

17 Scale If the active drawing des nt have a scale, set the scale befre measuring. Cunt Setting the prper scale is extremely imprtant and drives the measurement numbers. If the scale is incrrect, the measurement values will als be incrrect. We recmmend that the scale be calibrated by clicking n the Autscale buttn. After setting the scale, the scale factr is displayed. Fr English scales, the scale factr is the reciprcal f the scale times 12. A quarter inch scale will have a factr f 48. A 1 t 50 scale will have a factr f 600. Scales that have been calibrated using the Autscale buttn will usually have a factr with decimal values. English scales always measure areas in square feet and lengths in linear feet. If yu seek a different unit f measure, square yards instead f square feet fr example, yu ll use Excel frmulas t calculate the square yards in a different, adjacent cell. The factr n Metric scales is the reciprcal f the scale. Metric scales measure areas in square meters and lengths in linear meters. If a file is a vectr drawing file, such as AutCAD DWG, the unit f measure fr the file is used rather than a scale. The cunt cmmand simply cunts items. Sectin Length The Sectin Length cmmand measures discnnected straight line lengths. Length measurements are in feet fr English scales and meters fr Metric scales. Use Cntinuus Length and nt Sectin Length n curved lines. 17

18 Every sectin line has nly tw pints beginning pint and end line pint. When the sectin length cunt is an dd number, it indicates that yu have clicked n the beginning pint f a line and yu ll need t click the end pint t cmplete. When the sectin length cunt is an even number, yu can either stp the takeff r start a new line. When ding sectin lengths, it is beneficial t think in terms f beginning f line pint and end f line pint. When digitizing arund a crner with sectin lines, click the crner twice, nce t end the line and again t start the next line frm the crner. If yu incrrectly think yu are clicking n an end f line pint, when yu are actually clicking n a beginning f line pint, yur values will be misstated. As a result, many prfessinals use cntinuus length t measure all lengths. Cntinuus Length Cntinuus Length measures lengths by clicking alng the line. T stp ne line and start anther, press the Enter keybard key. T recrd the length int an Excel cell, click the green checkmark. After digitizing at least ne pint n a curved line, select the Arc cmmand, using the keybard shrtcut r right muse pp up menu, and click n the peak and end f the curved line. Area T measure an area, click arund the perimeter either clckwise r cunter clckwise. When yu arrive back t the riginal pint, press the Enter key n the keybard t clse the area. Areas are calculated in square feet fr English scales and square meters fr Metric scales. Three numbers are generated while measuring areas: cunt, length and area. T recrd the perimeter length f an area, end the area measurement in ne cell and then mve t a new, blank cell and select the Cntinuus Length cmmand. After the drawing displays, accept the measurement by clicking the green checkmark t recrd the perimeter length f the last area viewed and accepted int that cell. Again, when measuring negative areas, the perimeter lengths n negative areas are added, nt subtracted, t the perimeter length. Print After recrding the measurement int an Excel cell, a red cell cmment (i.e. a red dt in the tp right hand crner f the cell) will be placed nt the cell. The red cell cmment indicates a clr cded drawing is attached t the measurement value in the cell. 1. When printing the drawing, first select the drawing cell(s) that have a red cmment indicatr that will be included n the printut. Yu may select ne cell r any cmbinatin f cells t include n the printut. T select nn adjacent cells, hld dwn the Ctrl keybard key while clicking n cells that have red cell cmments. The cells selected must be frm the same drawing file hwever. 18

19 2. After selecting the desired cells frm the same drawing, click the Print cmmand t display the Title blck dialg windw. 3. After filling ut the title blck dialg, click OK t display the BidScreen XL Print Preview. The print preview windw has a tlbar with varius print cmmands. Please nte: Pinting at the tl with the muse displays a ppup descriptin f the tl. The Shw Measurements tl n the right side displays each length and area measurements. Fr example, the value in the cell may include ne number that is the ttal square ftage f tw area measurements. When Shw Measurements is pressed dwn and activated, the area measurement fr each individual area will be displayed n the print preview. 19

20 The Shw Style Legend tl n the right side displays the style legend n the printut. If yu have a lt f styles, yu may want t print this style legend slely n a blank page. T print the style legend n a blank page, check the Print Style Legend n a 2 nd page checkbx n the Print Optins tl which is next t the Print setup tl. T print in landscape and/r prtrait mde, click n the Tggle Prtrait/Landscape tl at the tp f the BidScreen XL print preview windw. Pinting at the tls with the muse pinter displays a descriptin f the tl. On the far right side f the tlbar, is the print scale. Yu may print a scaled drawing f the takeff. T change the scale use the scrll wheel n the muse r change the scale by clicking n the dwn arrw t the right f the print scale tl. Delete Takeffs This cmmand deletes the value in the cell alng with the clr cded digitized drawing attached t the cell. The cell cmment will be erased. T select multiple nn-adjacent cells, hld dwn the Ctrl key n the keybard as yu click n the cells that have digitized drawing cell cmments. After the cells are selected, click the Delete Takeffs tl t delete all f the selected cells. Be careful when using this cmmand, nce the value is deleted it cannt be reversed. Takeff Help Opens the BidScreen XL Help file. Infrmatin Displayed n the Right Side f the Takeff Tls TO Type When clicked n a digitized cell that cntains a red cell cmment, the type f measurement is displayed after TO Type. Click the takeff cmmand pertaining t the TO Type t view the digitized drawing. Fr example, if TO Type shws Area, click the Area cmmand t see the clr cded drawing. At the BidScreen XL Takeff Windw, select View Takeff Current t see slely the drawing that pertains t the measurement value in the cell. Scale The scale is determined by the factr. A scale will be displayed here if the factr calculates t within 5% f a listed scale. Factr The factr is what BidScreen XL uses t calculate areas and lengths. If the scale is selected at the Scale dialg, the factr will be the reciprcal f the scale time 12 fr English scales. Fr example, a 1/8 scale will have a factr f 96 (8x12). Fr metric scales the factr is the same as the scale. When Autscale is used, the factr will ften have decimal places. 20

21 The BidScreen XL Takeff Windw After selecting the Cunt, Sectin Length, Cntinuus Length r Area cmmand the BidScreen XL Takeff Windw appears. Please nte: Cmmands are available frm the menu bar, tlbar, keybard shrtcut keys and by right clicking the muse t activate the ppup menu. All users shuld becme familiar with the menu, right muse pp up menu, and keybard shrtcut cmmands that are available frm the Takeff windw. T learn abut the varius menus, tls and ptins when at the Takeff windw, click the questin mark Help tl. When Takeff Windw help is displayed, click the menu, ribbn r whatever n the displayed Takeff Windw t btain an explanatin. The Takeff windw is brken dwn int six parts frm tp t bttm 1. Title Bar is the name f the windw 2. Menu Bar cntains the varius menus and submenus 3. Takeff Ribbn cntains BidScreen XL tls. 21

22 4. Infrmatin Bar is a single line cntaining infrmatin right under the tlbars and abve the drawing. 5. Drawing is the plan file. 6. Status Bar is a single line f instructin and status fund n the bttm line f the windw. Hw t Delete all BidScreen XL infrmatin frm a Wrkbk T eliminate and erase all BidScreen XL infrmatin frm an Excel wrkbk select Menu Create Template. An Excel file will be created with all BidScreen XL remved. Once the infrmatin is erased frm the wrkbk, it will nt cme back. As a result, be careful when using this cmmand. The Imprtance f Adbe Acrbat with BidScreen XL BidScreen XL will use Adbe Acrbat t pen PDF files when Adbe Acrbat Versin 7 r higher is installed. Adbe Acrbat is different frm Adbe Reader. Vertigraph highly recmmends having Adbe Acrbat installed since it insures 100% cmpliance when reading PDF files. Adbe Acrbat ffers ther features that are beneficial t BidScreen XL users. These beneficial features include drawing rtatin, extracting pages frm a multiple page PDF files, editing PDF files and saving files under a different file frmat. With the Adbe Acrbat Pr versin cmpare tl yu can review the differences between tw PDF files. Befre adding files t an Excel wrkbk, it is recmmended that yu shuld first review the files with Adbe Acrbat. If yu have a multiple page file, please extract thse pages that yu ll lad t Excel as separate files int a separate flder. After extracting the pages, use Adbe Acrbat t rtate and then save these rtated files if necessary. Once the pages are extracted as separate files and rtated if necessary, lad all the files int Excel with a single click by clicking the Files cmmand at the Open Drawing File windw. Vertigraph bundles Adbe Acrbat with its BidScreen XL sftware at special discunted pricing. Cntact us tday fr the bundled pricing. Hw t Create a Quick Access Tlbar in Excel 2010 The cmmands added t the BidScreen XL tab in Excel 2010 may als be added t the Excel 2010 title bar. A quick access tlbar saves time and des nt require clicking n the BidScreen XL tab t activate the cmmands. Adding a Quick Access Tlbar t the title bar will save a muse click fr thse seeking maximum efficiency. 22

23 T add the quick access tlbar t the title bar, fllw these steps: 1. In Excel 2010, click n File Optins. 2. At the Excel ptins windw click n Quick Access Tlbar n the left side. 3. When Custmize the Quick Access Tlbar windw appears, chse cmmands frm the BidScreen XL Tab by clicking n the dwn arrw at the tp f the windw. The BidScreen XL cmmands will appear n the left side f the windw. T add a cmmand t the Quick Access Tlbar Simple, highlight the cmmand with an icn and press the Add buttn. 23

24 Infrmatin abut Vectr, CAD files Architectural drawings are either vectr r raster files. A raster image, such as a TIFF, PDF, BMP, and JPEG file, is a data file representing a grid f pixels (dts) n a cmputer mnitr. A vectr file n the ther hand represents an image in cmputer graphics created thrugh the use and assembly f gemetrical, mathematical shapes such as pints, lines, curves and plygns. AutCAD DWG and DXF files are examples f vectr files. BidScreen XL perates differently depending n the type f file (i.e. vectr r raster) laded. Please nte the fllwing: The big advantage f CAD, vectr file is the ability t snap t the design bject while measuring with yur muse. At the BidScreen XL Takeff windw select Optins Snap t Object t activate this feature when wrking with vectr CAD files. When Snap t Object is turned n, the muse pinter will be a square selectin bx. If Snap t Object is n, yu ll btain the exact measurements frm the design bject. A cmputer aided design file (i.e. vectr file) is a cllectin f design layers. With a vectr file (e.g. AutCAD DWG file) design layers may be turned n and ff. If a design layer is nt relevant t the current takeff, it may be eliminated frm view. Select CAD Layers t select which design layers t display frm a vectr file. We Thank Yu We thank yu fr yur evaluatin and business. If yu have questins, prblems r suggestins please cntact us at any time. Vertigraph, Inc Jupiter Rad, Suite 252 Dallas, TX supprt@vertigraph.cm 24