Going Digital:
Bluebeam Revu 10 helps turn digital projects into reality
Patrick Keller,
Posted
06/04/2012
In recent years, technology has transformed the way
architects and their project team members share and communicate
design data. Design reviews, bids, submittals, RFIs, punchlists and
back checks-processes that used to be paper-intensive and time
consuming, are now being digitized by firms leveraging the latest
solutions for digital project management, communication and
collaboration.
One of the leading technologies being used by architecture firms
today is Pasadena, Calif.-based Bluebeam Software Inc.'s Revu 10, a
complete digital documentation and workflow management solution
suitable for use on any project from start to finish. With features
and functionality designed to not only streamline the creation and
sharing of original project documents, but also provide efficient
communication tools, Revu 10 provides a complete project management
solution to keep the entire team on the same page. Revu is used
project wide, from the building architect to the sub-contractors on
the job site responsible for correcting the final punch list items
before turning the building over.
Getting Started
All project documents, including PDFs and any other Windows
file, can be uploaded to an online Bluebeam Studio project, where
files stored in the cloud can be shared with project partners by
invitation only and with permissions-based access for need-to-know
control. Multiple team members can simultaneously review documents
on the fly by adding PDFs to Studio sessions, and even non-Revu
users-including owners, consultants, engineers, general contractors
and subs-can markup PDFs in real-time collaboration sessions with
Bluebeam's new free PDF viewer, Bluebeam Vu.
The useful links feature enables users to embed
hyperlinks to virtually any project data, including design or
product specs, materials lists and other pertinent information. For
example, sheet metal product data sheets or specifications can be
hyperlinked from the relevant area of the drawing, for one-click
access by estimators and purchasing staff. As changes are made or
pages in drawing sets are deleted or replaced, links are
automatically updated throughout the project documents.
Sharing Project Data and Feedback
Throughout the project, architects can redline PDFs with their
comments using industry-standard markups and measurements, which
can be saved in the Tool Chest for easy reuse. Superseded pages can
be slipsheeted with Revu's page editing tools, without losing
existing markups or hyperlinks.
Complex BIM data can also be shared and collaborated on
downstream by leveraging the PDF format and Revu's powerful
redlining tools. Revu's CAD and eXtreme editions enable architects
to create 3-D PDFs from Revit and Navisworks Manage to share
complex BIM data, and all editions of Revu allow users to add
markups to 3-D PDF views. Combined, these features give architects,
contractors and all other project partners complete digital
visibility of the entire scope and scale of the project without the
need to purchase expensive design software.
Punchlists and Closeout
To prepare for the punch walks, architects can use the Spaces
feature to define specific rooms and areas on the drawing to track
the punch items and notes. In the field, architects can use a
tablet PC to markup PDFs in Revu; markups made during the
walk-through are automatically tracked, designated to the specific
area in which they exist and can be assigned to the appropriate
contractor or personnel through the Markups list. From there,
punchlists can be quickly generated by summarizing the Markups list
to a PDF, CSV or XML file, which can then be provided to the
responsible party for resolution. Using Revu's Markups list, items
on the punchlist can be marked resolved or pending with additional
detail as needed, keeping everyone informed about the status.
With integrated cloud storage, real-time collaboration, mobile
technology integration and advanced 3-D PDF-based document tools,
Revu 10 delivers on the promise of paperless projects with a
comprehensive, efficient solution to start, manage and complete
virtually any project. Driven by an intuitive interface and
superior ease-of-use, Revu 10 proves there are no limits to how
architects and their project teams can work digitally.
Patrick Keller is a product manager at Bluebeam
Software Inc., Pasadena, Calif. To learn more, visit www.bluebeam.com.