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Contents
Introduction

How CADEST is Organized

Navigating in CADEST

The Estimating Process

System Requirements

Misc.


Introduction

Thanks for your interest in CadEstimator

CadEstimator Incorporates many new features requested by users of CAD based products.

CadEstimator is similar to your CAD program because you use your mouse to draw what you intend to estimate. But instead of using the awkward material estimating system built into your CAD program, CadEstimator provides a simple easy to use estimating system.

What you draw updates your material list and provide a visual record of how the job was estimated. Anything you draw can be changed at any time without affecting your original CAD drawing. This makes it very easy to revise and edit your takeoffs. If you left a line one out simply add it, or delete a line thats not supposed to be there. Your entire estimate is automatically updated.

CadEstimator combines CAD, Spreadsheet, Database, and Presentation software into a simple estimating program that's fast and easy to use.

Like a Database, any part of any previous estimate can be found and used in your next job.

Like a Spreadsheet, formulas calculate quantities, and can be updated by what you draw.

Like a CAD program, you can draw lines, boxes, perimeters, etc., on your computer screen.

Like a Presentation program you can add special effects and texture maps to your drawing to enhance your presentation to your clients.

No other estimating software currenly available offers you the power and flexibility of screen based estimating like CadEstimator.

You don't have to draw blueprints from scratch just to estimate jobs, because CadEstimator fills the gap between the blueprint and the bid.

It completely automates the process of estimating

Who can use CADEST

Anyone that has to either takeoff material or estimate jobs.

What is a Visual takeoff

Visual takeoffs show you the work you have done on a project visually. For example you can see which walls you estimated that are 9' high simply by clicking on the 9' wall assembly. The blueprint appears and the redlining is displayed on top of it. You can add or delete redlining at any time to update your estimate.

Where do I begin

Start by using these help files and the video tutorials on your CD. Look through the sample jobs and add graphics and modify formulas to suit your own needs.

Why Learn a material estimating system

Stop re-inventing the wheel each time you do takeoffs, you will be able to estimate much faster and with more accuracy than ever before. Don't throw your work away each time you finish a job, let it help you estimate your next job.

When can I expect to be fully proficent

CADEST is a very simple to learn. Two weeks should be more than enough time to learn all the fundumentals and be cranking out takeoffs. You may never need to use some of its more advanced features. But they are documented in this help file and in the video tutorials.

How do I get more Help if I need it

Help for CADEST is a phone call away. Your CD has a Tech support number printed on the label that you can call with any question concerning the software. Tech support is free.


Overview How CadEstimator is Organized
Organization

Jobs

A Job is the largest working unit in CadEstimator. Each Job contains all the takeoffs and cost information to build whatever is being estimated, whether it is a deck, a house, an apartment building or a skyscraper. CadEstimator can maintain any number of Jobs. It is limited only by your hard drive space. Each Job is listed in the JOB ROOM when you start the program. You can move from one job to any other by double clicking on its name.

Takeoffs

Takeoffs are the next largest unit in CadEstimator.
Any job is composed of one or more takeoffs. In the TAKEOFF ROOM is an index of all the takeoffs that appear in the job.

Each Takeoff contains all the assemblies necessary to complete some part of the entire job. For example a foundation takeoff would contains all the assemblies necessary to complete the foundation.

Typically there is one takeoff for each line item that will show up in the summary of the Job.

Assemblies

ASSEMBLY     QTY    DESCRIPTION   COMMENT
8' Walls     300    LF 2x4        plate
             100    2x4 8         studs
              25    1/2 CDX 4X8   sheathing

Assemblies are the next largest unit in CadEstimator. Each takeoff is composed of one or more assemblies.
Each assembly deals with some aspect of the takeoff and contains as many lines as necessary to describe all the material needed to complete that task.

Assemblies almost always have variables in them that are updated when you draw on a picture.

Assemblies begin in a takeoff when anything appears in the Assembly column. The above is an example of an Assembly for an 8 foot high wall.

Sub Assemblies

The above Assembly has 3 sub-assemblies, the plate, studs and sheathing.

Pictures

Each Assembly can have one picture attached to it that you can draw graphics on.

Graphics

Graphics can update both the quantity and material description of each of the sub-assemblies. Any graphics you draw can be edited at any time to instantly update the entire Assembly.

To see the graphics attached to an Assembly, simply click anywhere in the assembly.

Graphics can be simple lines, boxes, circles, dots etc. or you can apply a style to them. Styles let you enhance your pictures by displaying information in a more colorful way. For example you might show the elevation of a house with a brick texture instead of simply showing or highlighting the area that brick goes in. You can create your own texture maps to customize CadEstimator for your own projects.

Price Files

CadEstimator lets you maintain any number of price files. Prices in an estimate can be updated on a takeoff by takeoff basis or for the entire estimate.

Price files can be imported from a variety of sources. Excel 4 compatible Spreadsheets or tab, comma or spaced ASCII delimited files. Price files can be setup to use SKU numbers and can also mark prices up or down by a percentage.

If you are only interested in piece counts, you may not need to use price files at all.

Cover Pages

Estimate cover pages are usually created from a front elevation or some other interesting graphic associated with the job. You can even create contracts, bids, letterheads, etc. all incorporating graphic images from the job that give your estimates a clean professional look.


Misc_Using the different rooms
Using the different rooms

Why have the "Room" concept

The room concept in CADEST is simply a way to describe how you can move about in the program. Just like any house you can only get to certain rooms by going through other rooms first.

In the Job Room you can select a job and:

•	Load that job and go into the Takeoff room.

•	Go into the Tracking room for that job

•	Look in the plan room without actually loading the job

•	Look at the report room without actually loading the job

In the Takeoff Room you can:

•	Do the actual estimating and takeoff for the entire job

•	Go back to the job room to change jobs

•	Go to the Report, Cover Page, Price, Scale and Plan rooms

In Tracking/POs/Budgets/Labor logs you can:

•	Create a budget for your entire job

•	Create Purchase Orders from takeoffs

•	Create Labor logs to track against a budget

•	Track your costs up to the minute

•	Generate reports to suppliment your accounting program

In the Report Room you can:

•	View and print the summary, detailed and compiled reports which are created from the takeoffs.

•	Go back to the Takeoff room

In the Cover Page Room you can:

•	Create, save, load or  print cover page using pictures from your plan room

•	Go back to the Takeoff room

In the Price Room you can:

•	Create price files from your takeoffs

•	Import price files from other programs

•	Paste material descriptions into your takeoffs.

•	Go back to the Takeoff room

In the Scale Room you can:

•	Scale a picture for the first time so it can be used in takeoffs

•	Re-scale a picture even after all takeoffs are done.

•	Return to either the Plan room or the Takeoff room

In the Plan room you can:

•	Select a plan you want to attach to an assembly

•	Display plans by type for example; floor plans, elevations, etc.

•	Get more pictures to add to the plan room

•	Return to the takeoff room

In Get pictures you can:

•	Load a image from anywhere on your computer or network

•	Import CAD files

•	Return to the Plan room


howorganized
The Typical Estimating Process

The following describes the process of doing a new estimate when one is completely familiar with the program.
When you start a new estimate, you decide whether you are going to create it completely from scratch or clone it from an existing job that is similar. Cloning from an existing job is definitely easier. If you have no previous estimates then simply clone the basic estimate that comes with CadEstimator.

Cloning an estimate makes a copy of the original estimate, but because the new estimate will have its own pictures and quantities, all the pictures and quantities from the original estimate are left out.
New quantities will be created by what you draw on the pictures in the new job.

After cloning an estimate, you add new pictures, scale them and begin doing the takeoffs.

Estimating is a Sequencial Process

You start in the first takeoff on the first line and work toward the end of that takeoff. You place the cursor on any Assembly that applies, select a picture you want attached to that Assembly and begin drawing on it. As you draw the quantities are filled in automatically. You simply ignore assemblies that don't apply. If you want to use different assemblies, get them from other takeoffs or create new ones as you need them.

These new assemblies will automatically be available to future jobs when you clone the estimate.

You go through all the takeoffs one by one until the entire estimate is complete.

You can go back and look in any takeoff to see if you remembered to do something and freely make changes to update the entire estimate. This is where the visual aspect of CadEstimator really comes into play.

You can SEE what you estimated.

You don't have to figure out how you came up with a certain number and redo all the your math just to check yourself.

Once all the takeoffs are complete its time to generate the reports, create a cover page and printout the final estimate.

To save you a lot of time, please read this manual very carefully. It explains every aspect of the program.


Introduction
System Requirements

CPU

The minimum CPU is a 233 MHz Pentium

Video Display

You must have at least 256 colors to use CadEstimator but 16 bit or higher is strongly recommended.

Memory

CadEstimator should be run on a system with a minimum of 32 MB of memory.

Hard Drive

CadEstimator takes up approximately 20 MB of hard drive space. Because CAD drawing are converted to bitmaps, they can take up quite a bit of hard drive  space.  A typical estimate for a single family house could require 10-100 meg depending on the number and size of the bitmaps used.

Software

CadEstimator runs on all versions of Windows, 95 and higher.


Misc1
Misc

How Do I get Help

Where do I begin

When can I expect to be fully proficent

Compile by list

Imaging Hardware

Who can use CADEST

Why learn a material estimating system

Zip Drives or networking

Blueprint Image Quality

Turning Quantites On / Off

Instant Assemblies

Short-Cut Keys

Takeoff Quick Facts


Misc. How do I get Help
How do I get Help

Call Tech Support

Your Tech Support number is located in your CADEST help menu. It may not be available on the DEMO version from some dealers. If so, contact your dealer with questions about the program.


Misc_Where do I begin
Where do I begin

The Video Tutorial

Begin by using the Video Tutorial that comes with CADEST. It automatically opens when you insert your CADEST CD. Select a topic by clicking on it and then select the video you want to play.

You can also right-click on a topic and have all its videos play one after another.

Install the Videos to your Hard drive

The CADEST installation has an option to install the videos directly on your hard drive. This is the easiest way to view them. Simply press F12 while using CADEST and the tutorial will pop up. This option is highly reccommended.

If you want to save harddrive space

If you chose not to install the videos on your harddrive, but would still like to access them while using CADEST, simply place the CD in your cd-rom drive (and exit after the logo auto-runs) and CADEST will run the videos directly from the CD.


Misc_When can I expect to be fully proficent
When can I expect to be fully proficent

The Learning Curve

All software has a learning curve and CADEST is no different.Great pains have been taken to minimize this length of time by providing free tech support, video tutorials, example jobs and this help file. Classes and instruction are available but rarely needed.

You should already know how to estimate.

CADEST is a tool. In the hands of a person that already knows how to estimate, it is a really powerful one. A complete novice can learn to use the system but will have to spend alot more time learning to estimate also.

You should already know how to use formulas

CADEST is very formula driven. That's because it corrolates what you draw with how much to order. The only way to do this in a efficent and flexible manner is to use formulas. If you use Excel or any other spreadsheet, chances are you are very farmiliar with using formulas. The formulas are easier in CADEST than in Excel because CADEST does not use "cell references" as variables. The variables have simple names like LF (for linear feet) or SF (for square feet) etc. and the values of these variables are filled in by what you draw on the blueprint.

So how long should it take to learn

CADEST has users that purchased the program on a Friday and turned out takeoffs over the weekend for Monday morning. This is really rare. But these people knew excatly why they purchased it. They have had lots of experence with other programs and have waited years to find a visual estimating system.

If you understand how to estimate, know how to use formulas and know how to use a Windows based computer it should take you no more than 2 weeks to get up to speed. That does not mean you'll understand every part of the program but that you'll understand the parts you need to get your job done.

The hardest part is understanding how what you draw is linked to the assembly you wish to update. That's the most powerful aspect of the program.

What is the Answer

The answer is DON'T KNOCK YOURSELF OUT ! As soon as you don't understand any part of the program you need to get your work done, CALL TECH SUPPORT.


Misc Compiling Multiple Takeoffs
Compiling By List

What is Compiling By List ?

Compile by list is a powerful feature. It Lets you combine
any takeoff in the job with any other takeoff in the job. You
can also multiply the quanties in each takeoff as it is brought
in.

You first create a list of the takeoffs you want to compile.
This can be done by typing in the names of the takeoffs
as described in the following section or by selecting the
takeoffs you want with a wizard.

The resulting list can simply be re-compiled by selecting
the command again and not using the wizard.

Creating a Compile by List Manually

Start by adding a new Takeoff to the job. ( Right-click on the
takeoffs menu and select ADD TAKEOFF.)

Let's say you want this new Takeoff to be a combination of four
Takeoffs that already exist in the job. These Takeoffs are
FIRST FLOOR WALLS, SECOND FLOOR DECK,
SECOND FLOOR WALLS, and ROOF.

In the Assembly column starting on the first line type:
>FIRST FLOOR WALLS

In the Assembly column starting on the second line type:
>SECOND FLOOR DECK

And so on until you have the following list on the first four lines
of the Takeoff:
>FIRST FLOOR WALLS
>SECOND FLOOR DECK
>SECOND FLOOR WALLS
>ROOF

The ">" symbol preceding each entry tells CadEstimator that
these are the Takeoffs you want loaded into this multiple Takeoff.

Use the menu command: COMPILE \ COMPILE BY LIST and the
finished Takeoff appears under the "compile list".

Takeoffs loaded this way retain all their graphics and pictures and
can still be edited by changing the graphics. A better way to do
this is to edit the source list and recompile instead.

Note: Takeoffs that are compiled in this way can be loaded into other Takeoffs.

Updating a Multiple Takeoff

If any of the source Takeoffs change, you need to use the Compile by list
command again to update the Takeoff.

After compiling you could also remove the compile list from the top of
the Takeoff so that the Takeoff becomes just like any other standard
Takeoff. (Only if all the loaded Takeoffs were multiplied times 1.)

Multiplying Takeoffs by a Number

Multiplying Takeoffs by a number can be quite useful in a
number of different situations.

Multi Unit Dwellings

For example: estimating apartment buildings.
You have two buildings. The first one is building type 1 and the second is
building type 2. Each type of building has three kinds of floor plans
called a-unit, b-unit and c-unit. Each building type has a different number
of these units in it.

Building type 1
>a-unit	4
>b-unit	6
>c-unit	3

Building type 2
>a-unit	5
>b-unit	4
>c-unit	2

Then these takeoffs can be loaded into another takeoff to get
the total of all both buildings.

BOTH BUILDINGS
>building type 1	1
>building type 2	1

If you had to make a change in any of the units a b or c, edit that takeoff
and then re-compile  building type 1 and building type 2. Then recompile
BOTH BUILDINGS. CadEstimator does not automatically update a
multiple takeoff when changes are made to the source takeoffs.

Over or under ordering material

You could for example, order 5% less material by multiplying a list by .95 or
add 10% to the material by multiplying a list by 1.1.

Notes:
After compiling the Takeoff, it can be saved like any other Takeoff. You can
also compile it further with the Itemized List or Total Each Material command.


GetPicture_Image_Types
Imaging Hardware

Even though its a lot easier to use CAD files to acquire blueprint images, Some times you may have to scan blueprints with some sort of imaging device to have images to work with.

CadEstimator works well with any image, no matter what the source. It also works well with large images from blueprint scanners

CadEstimator works internally with BMP graphic files. This is because BMP files are the fastest to load and display. However it can acquire images from PCX, JPG, TIF  and AutoCad DWG/DXF/DWF (vector CAD) and convert them to BMP images for use with the program.


Misc_Who can use cadest
Who can use CADEST

CADEST can be used many different ways. You don't have to use every feature, just the ones you need. Here are some examples of its use for Builders, Remodelers, Suppliers and Trades.

•	Generate the entire budget for a single family home complete with all takeoffs

•	Create an Estimate for a project without doing any material takeoff

•	Just do a framing takeoff (or any other trade)

•	Generate Purchase Orders that print on your own forms

•	Track employee labor for different aspects of a job

•	Look in a Purchase Order and show material placement visually

•	Create bill of materials that a supplier can fill in prices

•	Track different suppliers price files

•	Create "Scope of work" documents that detail what will be done without actually showing how the total price was arrived at.

•	Import your companys' SKU files to update takeoffs with new prices

•	Give people in the field visual takeoffs that show placement of material

•	Create HTML estimates that show red-lining


Misc_Why learn a material estimating system
Why learn a material estimating system

Speed

Time is money. You can easily do takeoffs 2-3 times faster.

Accuracy

Accuracy is money also. Stop mis-ordering and throwing away material. Minimize extra ordering of material that was not originaly shipped, which is also very time consuming.

Organization

Keep all your estimating in one place. Know where everything is at all times. Your takeoffs are also a valuable project management tool.

You are going to have to do it eventully anyway

You know the computer is the best place to keep your estimating and you know that to stay competive you need the most advanced tools. You only have to learn CADEST once. It is powerful enough for the biggest job you'll ever have to do.

It's only going to get better.

Computers are only going to get faster and Digital Cameras are only going to get better. Digital Imaging is the future of estimating.


Misc_zipdrives
Zip Drives

You can run jobs directly from zip drives or any other removable media.

Advantages

•	Extremely easy to move jobs to different computers.

•	Easy organization, one job per zip disk.

•	You can take your work home.

Disadvantages

•	Zip drives are slower than your hard drive.

•	By not having all your jobs in one place, you can't easily search through them for information.

•	They can get lost.

•	CadEstimators Backup and Restore commands make it almost as easy to transport jobs back and forth between computers.

The tricky part...

Because CadEstimator is Copy Protected it will not run on any removable media.

The solution:

In order to run CadEstimator on a zip drive you must have it already completely installed on your hard drive.

Step by Step instructions for WIN 3.1

1 	Install CadEstimator to your hard drive first.

2 	Using the File Manager, copy your entire CadEstimator directory to the zip drive.

3 	Make a copy of your CadEstimator icon by holding down the CTRL key and dragging the icon to a different location. You will now have 2 identical icons.

4 	Highlight your new icon, hold down the ALT key and press ENTER. This bring up Windows Program Item Properties dialog box.

5 	Set the Working Directory to point to the CadEstimator directory on the zip drive.

6 	That's it. Now one icon runs it on your machine and one runs it off the zip drive.

Step by Step instructions for Windows 95/98

1 	Install CadEstimator to your hard drive first. Do not let 95/98 install it to the programs group in the Windows folder. Install it to its own directory on the hard drive.

2 	Do not create any shortcuts to the program to your desk top. If you already have, then delete them. Be sure to delete them all.

3 	Copy the CadEstimator folder from your hard drive to the root directory of the zip drive.

4 	Double click on My Computer and find the directory that CadEstimator is installed in on your hard drive.

5 	Find the File CadEst.exe in that directory. If you can't read the file extensions click on VIEW/OPTIONS in the folder's window, click on the VIEW tab and un-check the box that says "Hide MS DOS file extenstions".

6 	With the right mouse button drag the file CADEST.EXE on the the desktop and release. A menu of options comes up. Select CREATE SHORTCUT HERE.

7 	You now have an icon on your desk top that points to your original copy of CadEstimator.

8 	Right Click on that icon and click on PROPERTIES.

9 	Click on the tab SHORTCUT.

10 	Find the box that says START IN.

11 	Set START IN to the directory on your zip drive that you have copied CadEstimator to.

Problems

If you have trouble in Win 95/98

Windows 95/98 has a habit of doing what it thinks you want and not what it's told. If you find after doing this that it is still not pointing to your zip drive, you should try removing the program completely from the machine, delete all shortcuts and remove it from the start menu.


GetPicture Image quality
Image Quality

Even low resolution pictures convey much more information at a glance then a 1000 words of text describing a blueprint. Images may take up a lot of space on a computer, but they also impart a lot more information.

Sometimes it's not the resolution of an image that makes the difference (in terms of pixels), but the quality of the capture device. Often a picture captured at 320 x 240 exceeds the quality of an image taking up 5 times more space. The idea is to get an image good enough to draw on that does not consume too much of the computer's resources.

Lighting

Lighting a blueprint evenly is very important. If you are using a digital camera with a flash, use its zoom at its highest magnification when framing the image, this will prevent the flash from making a "hot" spot in the center of the picture.

Flatness

Blueprints should be flat when their images are captured. Wrinkled and folded prints will not produce the highest quality images. Avoid using glass to hold them flat because of reflections. It is best to have some sort of setup to take your pictures, either a copy stand or a bulletin board to pin the blueprints to.

Zoom in

Zoom in as tight as you can on an image. This gives you the maximum amount of resolution.

Resolution

Generally the higher the resolution the better, but very large graphic images can really slow down your computer system. Lower resolution pictures work just fine for accurate material estimating.
The idea is to get an image good enough to draw on that does not consume too much of the computer's resources. 256 color pictures for example use 1/3 the amount of disk space as 24 bit pictures but show blueprints just as well.


GraphicsToolbox_qty_on_off
Qty on/off

Turning Lines in a Takeoff on and off

Checking the QTY ON/OFF box allows you to double click on any line in the takeoff to turn it off or on.

Turning off a line means it will not be included in the material list. You can use this feature to have menus of items under a single assembly.

For Example:

ASSEMBLY          QTY    DESCRIPTION          COMMENT
--------------------------------------------------------
8' WALLS         300      LF 2X4              PLATE
                 100      2X4 8               STUDS
                          1/2 CDX 4X8         SHEATHING
                 25       3/8 CDX 4X8         SHEATHING
                          1/2 SHEETROCK 4X8   INT FINISH
                 25       3/8 SHEETROCK 4X8   INT FINISH

The above example has 3/8 sheathing and 3/8 sheetrock turned on but the 1/2 sheathing and ½ sheetrock turned off. After double clicking on the line with the 1/2 cdx 4x8 the takeoff would look like this:

ASSEMBLY          QTY      MATERIAL           COMMENT
-------------------------------------------------------
8' WALLS         300      LF 2X4              PLATE
                 100      2X4 8               STUDS
             --> 25       1/2 CDX 4X8         SHEATHING
                 25       3/8 CDX 4X8         SHEATHING
                          1/2 SHEETROCK 4X8   INT FINISH
                 25       3/8 SHEETROCK 4X8   INT FINISH

Then double clicking on the line with the 3/8 cdx 4x8 would leave the takeoff like this:

ASSEMBLY          QTY      MATERIAL           COMMENT
--------------------------------------------------------
8' WALLS         300      LF 2X4              PLATE
                 100      2X4 8               STUDS
                  25      1/2 CDX 4X8         SHEATHING
             -->          3/8 CDX 4X8         SHEATHING
                          1/2 SHEETROCK 4X8   INT FINISH
                  25      3/8 SHEETROCK 4X8   INT FINISH

This allows you to quickly change the parameters of a takeoff. You can change grades of wood, dimensions or type of material by leaving material in or out of the takeoff. This makes doing a takeoff more like a multiple choice test. Each line becomes an option you can turn on or off.


Takeoff Instantassemblies
Instant Assemblies

The Instant Assembly Form

Instant Assemblies are a special set of templates that exist in the Job called INSTANT DATABASE. The can be edited by moving to that job and making changes.

Click to Search

The click to search menu at the top left consists of the DOS filenames of the takeoffs available in the instant database. Select which takeoff you want to search by clicking on it.

Selected Entries

The selected entries is a list of the assemblies in the takeoff you clicked on. Click on any assembly to see what it contains.

Exit

Exit the Instant Assembly Window.

Paste Assembly

Paste the selected Assembly into your takeoff.

Paste As Assemblies

Paste the selected Assembly into your takeoff, but give each sub-assembly the same Assembly name.

This is useful for example with doors. The name of an Assembly could be INTERIOR HOLLOW CORE DOORS and have sub-assemblies that are different size doors. With this command all the different size doors could have their own assembly in your takeoff. This would allow you to draw the location of each door on the image independent of each other.

MORE ABOUT INSTANT ASSEMBLIES

You can edit the INSTANT DATABASE just as if it were any other job. Here are some things to keep in mind.

Keep the names of the takeoffs so that they are understandable, you only have 8 characters to describe each takeoff.

Don't repeat Assembly titles, its too confusing when you are searching the selected entries. Group similar items under one assembly and use the PASTE AS ASSEMBLIES command instead.


Estimates
Shortcut Keys

F1	Open help file. Help is context sensitive

F2	Edit the location at the cursor in the takeoff,  ESC to cancel editing

F3(shift)	Set what to search for.

F3	Find next occurrence of characters to search for

F4	Find previous occurrence of characters to search for

F5	Get a Picture

F6	Compile Itemized List

F7	Compile Totals List

F8 (Ctrl)	Edit price file

F8	Update Prices

F9	Invoke the Formula Wizard

F11          Copy Sort Value of current line

F11(Ctrl)  Paste Sort Value to current line

F12          Play Video Tutorial (if install to hard drive)

INSERT	Insert a blank line at the cursor

DELETE	Delete a blank line at the cursor

"	Use in Material column to duplicate contents of Assembly column.

' 	Repeat text from above


Takeoffs_Quick_Facts
Takeoffs

Quick Facts about Takeoffs

•	Only one Takeoff can be viewed at a time.

•	Each Takeoff appears in the Index menu at the top left of the screen.

•	Each Takeoffs can be any length, thousands of lines long in fact. But it is advisable to break jobs up into smaller Takeoffs so they are more manageable. Takeoffs can be combined and merged into larger Takeoffs at any time.

•	Takeoffs can be renamed at any time.

How Takeoffs Are Created

There are 2 ways a Takeoff can be created.

•	Right click on the Takeoff index and select ADD NEW

•	Right click on the Takeoff index and select SAVE AS.

What does a Takeoff contain ?

Takeoffs are a collection of individual Assemblies, each taking-off a particular aspect of the material list. Each Assembly may have a picture attached that allows it to pass values to all the sub assemblies in that Assembly.

The Following Example shows 4 Assemblies

The 4 Assemblies.

8' Ext walls
8' Int walls
Ext headers
Int headers

All entries between Assemblies can be considered sub-assemblies. Each line in an Assembly can have formulas that are updated by a common value. (Either by graphics you draw on a picture or a manual value you type in at the bottom of the screen.)

You can use the arrow keys to move around the screen and begin typing anywhere.

Shortcut Keys in Takeoffs


Source Takeoffs
All Assemblies - No sorting

Prints out the assemblies in the order
they appear in the takeoff.


Print Prices

You can suppress all price information


PIcture Report
Visual Contract

Prints out the assemblies in the order
they appear in the takeoff. All Price
information is suppressed.
This is the report to include with your own
contract documents. It shows scope of
work and red-lining together. It takes a lot
of gray area out of the contract by providing
visual documentation.


Start At Current Takeoff

Instead of starting the batch job at the first
takeoff, start from your current location.
Could be useful if printing is interrupted.


Cancel

Exit Batch Printing


Batch Print Takeoffs
Print

Batch Print takeoffs


Print By Setup of Each Takeoff

When this box is checked, batch printing uses the
setting of each individual takeoff. Use the Edit button
to change printing options for takeoffs.


Group by Takeoff
Group By Takeoffs

Print out all the options for each takeoff
before processing next takeoff.

For example they would print in this order
TAKEOFF1  SOURCE,
TAKEOFF1  COMPILED
TAKEOFF1  ALL PICTURES AND TEXT
TAKEOFF2  SOURCE,
TAKEOFF2  COMPILED
TAKEOFF2  ALL PICTURES AND TEXT


Compiled Takeoffs
Total of Material

Remove Assembly and Comment columns
sort and combine like entries


Group By Option

Print out all the takeoffs for each option
before processing next option.

For example they would print in this order
TAKEOFF1  SOURCE
TAKEOFF2  SOURCE
TAKEOFF1  COMPILED
TAKEOFF2  COMPILED
TAKEOFF1  ALL PICTURES AND TEXT
TAKEOFF2  ALL PICTURES AND TEXT


Batch 1
Itemized List

Keep Assembly and Comment information
sort and combine like entries


Pause For Clickbooks

check this box if you need pause before
printing to Clickbooks.


One Picture Per Page

Print a picture with the assembly information
one picture and assembly per page.


Only Print Current Takeoff

Instead of batch printing the entire job, just
print out the current takeoff with the batch options.


All Pictures & Text
Trade Report

Prints out the assemblies in the order
they appear in the takeoff. Any assembly
that has graphics will have a thumbnail
image with red-lining drawn on it. This is
especially useful for showing placement
of material

You can adjust the size of these pictures in:

CadEstimator Setup


Misc_Cadestimator_setup
CadEstimator Setup

Printouts

''Reports

Images

Takeoffs

Cloning

CostBooks

Templates


Batch Printing


CAD Preview Picture
Preview Picture

The image on the entire screen
is what will be imported. You
can Right Click anywhere on the
picture to bring up a menu of commands.

Tip: When scaling a picture you can't
quite get to the edge with the fine tuning.
leave a little room around the edges of the
picture if this becomes an issue.

Tip: if you load a CAD file and it is all WHITE
it may be because you are ZOOMED in to far.
Right click on the image and select ZOOM EXTENTS


Exit CAD drawing

Only use this button when you
are done with a CAD drawing.

Don't use this button if you are
going to get more images out of
the currently loaded drawing.

Because once you exit, you
have to load the drawing again
to get more pictures from it.


Save AS

Create a high resolution bitmap file
from the current view.

The resolution of the finished image is
dependant on the screen size. It's
4 times the screen width and 4 times
the screen height. For example
a screen rez of 1024 x 768 would
create a bitmap 4096 x 3072

If CAD files seem to work but when
you get back to the plan room the
pictures are all blank. Check your
screen resolution. The width must
be divisible by 32
typical settings that work:
1024 x 768
1280 x 960
1600 x 1200


SAVE AS
Volo View CAD MENU

The right click menu lists all the commands available
to you through the Volo View ActiveX control.

If you can't find the pictures you are searching for in
a CAD drawing, check under "Layouts" for other
possible views. CAD files can contain multipe pictures.


Takeoff_Graphics_Toolbox
Red-Lining  On/Off

Turn the picture on and off. This
allows you to easily see and edit
all the new information in the
takeoff index


Takeoff_Graphics_Toolbox
Magnifing Glass

Same as it was before. Just its location has be changed.
This way it is part of a similar group.
it changes the size of the picture on screen
The icon to the left turns the picture on and off
and the icon to the right changes which picture will be displayed.


Takeoff_Graphics_Toolbox
Plan Room

Plan Room Old Way

You clicked on the PLANS button when you wanted to change pictures.
and then double clicked on the new picture you wanted to use.

Plan Room New Way

You can still use it the old way, i.e. click on the plan button
but you can also do the following:
drag the button across the picture and as you move up and down each
blueprint image is displayed. When you see the one you want, simply
release the button.

one drag & drop has replaced a single click and a dlb-click plus time
to move back and forth from the planroom. A real time saver.

Being able to change pictures easily makes other new features work better.
For example; the new drag & paste graphics / drag & paste assembly / drag
& navigate. all become easier to work with because of this improvement.

Plan Room


Room_Plan


Takeoff_Graphics_Toolbox
Drag & Drop Paste Graphics

When you drag this icon across your blueprint, any graphics
that have already been drawn on that same picture (from
anywhere in the job)  highlights as you pass the mouse
over them. Simply Drop the mouse when the correct graphic
is visible and that graphic is pasted into the current assembly
(updating all math)


Takeoff_Graphics_Toolbox
Drag & Drop Paste Assembly

When you drag this icon across your blueprint, any graphics
that have already been drawn on that same picture
(from anywhere in the job)  highlights as you pass the
mouse over them.

Simply Drop the mouse when the correct graphic is
visible and the assembly associated with the graphic
is pasted into the takeoff.

You can load LIBRARIES of assemblies that can be accessed
in the takeoffs and pasted in simply by dragging a mouse over
a picture of it.

If you give a library to another cadest user, they can use the
graphics on the picture to understand what the assembly is for.

These takeoffs should be disabled (by dlb clicking on their COST
 column) and are not intended to be part of the job. They are held in the job so their
assemblies can be pasted graphically in other takeoffs that are part of the job.

They can be included in the job and used as a way to bring in takeoffs that
already have all the values filled in.
because the picture can be scaled at any time this feature might
also be used to change the size of the item being brought in. For
example: if you had a takeoff of a garage drawn on a picture scaled to 20 x 30.
You could bring it in with the picture, rescale the picture to 30 x 40 and
rescale the takeoff.

IMPORTANT
MAKE UNIQUE PICTURE NAMES THAT CAN'T INTERFERE WITH
FUTURE PICTURE NAMES YOU'LL BE USING


Takeoff_Graphics_Toolbox
Drag & Drop Navigation

When you drag this icon across your blueprint, any graphics that
have already been drawn on that same picture (from anywhere in the job)
highlights as you pass the mouse over them.

Simply Drop the mouse when the correct graphic is visible to jump
to that location in the job.

For example you can't remember which takeoff a special column was
estimated in. You can just navigate to it by pointing to it on the picture.
And the cursor is placed on that assembly.

This command automatically save any changes in the current takeoff
before moving to the other takeoff


Takeoff_Graphics_Toolbox
Move thru assemblies with graphics

Jumps directly to assemblies that have graphics.


Takeoff_Graphics_Toolbox
Scale Room Improvements

you can now scale a picture with as little as 2 points
and also able to fill in missing value from height or width
when only one is known.

You still have to drag the red lines onto the picture even if
you don't intend to use them to scale with.

The 2 Point method:
After the red lines are on the picture click on two point in the
picture that have a known distance between them. These points
can be at any angle or distance. When you click on the second
point you'll be asked to accept the new scale values for the height
and width boxes on the screen

The missing dimension method:
After the red lines are on the picture:
when you only have one horizontal or vertical measurement available
you can solve the missing value filled in by clicking on either the HEIGHT
or WIDTH labels depending on which needs to be solved for. This command
filles in the value between the red lines you drew, so it is best  to place those
lines where the resulting measurement will make sense.


Takeoff_Graphics_Toolbox
Joist Fill Tool

Fill an area with Joist

The joist fill tool fills a polygon with joist.
The joist are always drawn perpendicular
to the first line drawn. This tool is great
for hip roofs when used with the Formula
Wizard pitch settings.

What Variables do the graphic tools update?


Takeoff_Graphic_Toolbox
Graphic Toolbox Variables

What are Graphic Toolbox Variables?

When you draw graphics on a blueprint in Cadestimator it updates
the variables used in the assemblies. Some tools update only a
single variable (the dot tool) and other update many variables.

Here is a list of what variables each tool updates.

The Perimeter Tool.

This tool allows you to draw lines one after another around a perimeter.
If the perimeter is closed then an AREA is created. After selecting this
tool click and release on the starting point, then click and release on all
following points. To close an area click on the first point (a bell will sound)
and a dot will appear near the top of the area. If this dot is deleted with the
delete tool the square feet will not be added to the AREA variable.

This tool adds to the following variables:

                          LF         Linear feet.
                          QTY        Number of lines.

If HEIGHT is > 0          WallArea   Linear feet x HEIGHT
If perimeter closed       Area       Square feet
If closed and HEIGHT >0   Cubic Ft   Square feet x HEIGHT

The Box Tool.

This Tool draws boxes and rectangles on the image. Click and Release on the starting point of one corner of the box, move the cursor to the opposite diagonal and click to draw the box

This tool adds to the following variables:

                     LF             Linear feet.
                     QTY            Number of boxes drawn.
                     Area           Square feet
                     TOP            LF of top of box
                     SIDE           LF of 1 side of box

If  HEIGHT is > 0    Wall Area      Linear feet x HEIGHT
If  HEIGHT is > 0    Cubic Ft       Area x HEIGHT

The Line Tool

This tool allows you to draw lines by specifying each line's start and end point. After selecting this tool click and release on the starting point, then click and release on the end point.

This tool adds to the following variables:

                      LF          Linear feet.
                      QTY         Number of lines drawn.
If  HEIGHT > 0        Wall Area   Linear feet x HEIGHT

The Circle Tool.

This tool allows you to draw circles. After selecting this tool click and release on the center of the circle, then click and release when the circle reaches the proper diameter.

This tool adds to the following variables:

                    LF          Circumference
                    QTY         Number of circles drawn.
                    Area        Square feet
If  HEIGHT > 0      Wall Area   Linear feet x HEIGHT
If  HEIGHT > 0      Cubic Ft    Square feet x HEIGHT

The Joist Tools.

The Vertical and Horizontal joist Tools are similar to the Box tool but draw joist instead of a box.

The diagonal joist tool requires you to select three points. The first two define the "band" that could cap the ends of the joist. The third point defines the length of the joist (As measured from the 2nd point ). This Tool does not adjust the spacing of the joist to true centers if the band is not perpendicular to the joist. The number of joist is calculated by how many centers divide into the run of the band.

The spacing of the joist is set by the "OC box at the bottom of the screen when the joists are drawn. Different joist spacing can be drawn on the same picture because spacing can be set before each graphic is drawn.

This tool adds to the following variables:

                     LF          Linear feet ( of joist )
                     QTY         Number of boxes drawn
                                 ( not per joist )
                     Area        Square feet
If  HEIGHT is > 0    Wall Area   Linear feet x HEIGHT
If  HEIGHT is > 0    Cubic Ft    Area x HEIGHT

Note: There is a setting in the Formula Wizard that allows you to get a complete list of lengths for all graphics drawn. See the Formula Wizard for more information.

The Joist Fill Tool

The joist fill tool fills a polygon with joist. The joist are always drawn perpendicular to the first line drawn. This tool is great for hip roofs when used with the Formula Wizard pitch settings.

The joist tools adds to the following variables:

                LF           Linear feet (of joist)
                QTY          Number of sets drawn
                              (not per joist)
                Area         Square feet
If HEIGHT > 0   Wall Area    Linear feet x HEIGHT
If HEIGHT > 0   Cubic Ft     Area x HEIGHT

Note: There is a setting in the Formula Wizard that allows you to get a complete list of lengths for all graphics drawn

The Dot Tool.

The Dot Tool allows you to place a Dot on the image to specify the location of some point.

This tool adds to the following variable:

 	QTY	Number of Dots drawn.

The Dot Tool has a special Feature. When it is accessed, a button appears on the picture. Click the button to change how the Dot Tool draws dots.
"o" Just draws a dot.
"R" Draws RH (for right hand) at the dots location.
"L" Draws LH (for left hand) at the dots location.

The "R" and "L" settings are used in conjunction with the (RHLH) variable. If this variable is used anywhere on a line in the takeoff, it is an instruction to the report engine to separate that line into right and left hand entries. This is most useful when taking off doors, because only one line is needed in the takeoff to describe both right and left hand of the same doors sizes. This variable shows up as a * in the text.

For doors its also useful to place this variable in the Assembly column with the door size and use just a "
in the Material column. (This copies whatever is in the Assembly column into the Material column to save typing).

Note: The Dot tool can put any symbol you can create on a picture. You have to have the style set to TEXTURES and have a symbol selected.

The Erase Tool.

Use the Erase Tool to delete any graphic from the picture. Simply position the cursor over the graphic and click.  There is no UN-delete command. The graphic must be re drawn to reinstate it.

This Tool affects all the variables of any graphic object it erases.

The Neighbor Tool.

This tool displays all graphics drawn on the same picture in the Takeoff. Each set of graphics is drawn in a different color. Very useful to check if you have already estimated a particular area.
This tool does not affect the output of the graphics.

Height

The Height Box allows you to set the height of lines drawn on a picture. This has the effect of "extruding" the graphics upward. It also creates variables that you can use in formulas. For example: WA equals Wall Area. If you draw a line 100 ft long and the Height Box is set to 10' then the variable WA returns the value of 1000 ( 100 x 10 ). When Height is used, any graphics that produce area can also produce cubic ft. For Example: If a 10 foot by 10 foot box is drawn with a height of 8 ft then the variable CF (Cubic Feet) will return the value 800 ( 10x10x8). The Height Box affects all graphics Drawn on the page and updates all math based on its current setting. See the note following the next paragraph about entering metric values into the Height Box.

Inches Oc

The Inches OC option box sets the spacing of joist drawn on the picture. It also sets the value of the variable (OC) which can be used in formulas for calculating the quantity of material. It updates all math using the OC variable based on its current setting.

Note: In order to specify meters in the Height or Inches oc box, follow the number you enter with an M for meters. (You must do this even if the settings in the open estimate form are set to display metric.)

About the Height and Inch Oc commands

Both of these command act immediatly on the graphics on the screen. Height affects all graphics except the Dot tool.
Inches OC affect the spacing of joist.


cadestv5_assemblyscroll
Scrolling in the assemblies

This new version allows you to drag the scroll
button to view assemblies.


cadestv5_categorytitle
Drag & Drop Category Title

Generally Category titles are place markers

You don't usually want to put any information in them
because it will not show up any in the reports.

Its main use is to act as a totaler for a group of takeoffs.

Other uses
In the compile menu you can compile the category's
sub parts into a single takeoff (residing in the category title
marker). this takeoff can be printed.

Because contents of category titles do not show up in reports,
there is no conflict about having the information in 2 places


Takeoff_column_0
Double Clicking The Assembly Col

The Instant assemblies are from the job
"INSTANT DATABASE" (the folder name is DATABASE)

Double click with a cost book open

If you have a cost book upen, Double Clicking on
the assembly column searchs the cost book for
that assembly and displays the result.

note that when that assembly is found in the costbook
you can choose to "go there" and edit that assembly
in the SOURCE database. Once edited the new contents
of the database can be pasted in the current job.

This allows you to keep a database current without
having to do double entry (once in the takeoff and
once again in the database)

Double Clicking disabled by Qty ON/OFFcheck box


Takeoff_column_0
The Comment Column

If there is text in the comment column and
text in the description column. The "comment"
is considered to "belong" to that item of material
i.e. the comment "travels" with the description when
it is sorted someplace else (in the detailed report)

When you have comments without a description
They are considered "Specifications"

"Specifications" are printed in the Picture Report
next to the pictures and graphics

Double Clicking disabled by Qty ON/OFFcheck box.


Takeoff_column_0
The Description Column

Double Clicking in the Description column opens
the price room at the location of that item in it.

Double Clicking disabled by Qty ON/OFFcheck box


Takeoff_column_0
The Qty Column

Double Clicking on the QTY column opens the Formula Wizard.

Double Clicking disabled by Qty ON/OFFcheck box


Takeoff_column_0
The Total Column

No Changes


Takeoff_column_0
The Unit Column

No Changes


Takeoff_CompileMenu
The Compile Menu

Compile Category

Use this command to load all the takeoffs
under the current Category title INTO the
Category title.

Because Category titles do not show their contents in
any of the reports this is an easy place to store the results
it can also be printed out.

Note: Changing any of the sub categories does not automatically
update the category total. you have to use this command again
to update it.


cadestv5_costbook
Cost book

Drag an entire takeoff from a different job into the current one.
This is useful for keeping libraries of parts you need available
every once in a while.

Any Job can be a source of "Templates"

If you are dragging from the Instant Database, all graphics and
pictures of sections you have created are loaded in and ready to
be used to paste assemblies in graphically.
Be sure to disable these takeoffs and not include them in the job.
(dlb click in COST column to turn on/off)

Click on this button again to close costbook window.


cadestv5_costbook_0
Costbooks

Costbooks are a convenient way to paste individual assemblies from
other jobs into the current one.

Each "Costbook" is simply another job that you want to use
assemblies from.

When you click on the costbook Icon, the costbook panel pops up
in between your list of takeoff and the assemblies in the bottom panel.

This panel allows you to search other jobs by keyword and paste the
assemblies that match the search criteria.

Click on the costbook panel to find out what each item does.

Turn off costbooks by clicking on this Icon again.


cadestv5_costbook_0
Costbooks search string

Type the name of what you are searching for.
you can use 2 strings seperated by a space to
refine your search.

Press Enter when done typing or click on the "Search"
button.

When you double-click on the assembly column this search
string is loaded with the text in the assembly column and
a search is excuted.

Typically this results in finding the item in the database that
was used to paste the item in. Once this has been found, if
you want to make changes to that item in the database itself
click on "GO THERE" to load/display/edit the original database.

After "Going BACK" you can paste the updated information in
your job by dragging the assembly into either the picture or
assembly panel.


cadestv5_costbook_0
Results of the search

The title of assemblies that satisfy the search criteria
are displayed here.

You can drag from this box and drop the assembly into
either the Picture or the Assembly panel.

If dropped on the Picture, a dot is placed where you drop it
and the assembly has that graphc attached to it.


cadestv5_costbook_0
Show the selected assembly

Shows the select assembly in more detail than just the
assembly title. It is formated to show long comments as
well as the descriptions that are part of the assembly


cadestv5_costbook_0
Start Search

Click this button to start searching the database
for the text you typed in above.


cadestv5_costbook_0
Go There

This new feature allows you to jump into the database
you are using so you can modify it. When you are done
editing the database use the "Go Back" button to return
to the current job.

Items that were just edited in the database are now available
to paste into the current job. This makes it easy to keep an
updated master database.

If you "cloned" all your jobs there would be no need for this
command. Because all the assemblies you need would already
be in place to use.

But for certain types of job that are not really alike, this feature
lets you just bring into the job the assembies that you need.
Without having to wade through lots of assemblies you don't
plan to use.


cadestv5_costbook_0
Go Back

Return to the job you were working on before you
used the "GO THERE" button.


cadestv5_costbook_0
Adjust Size of database window

Changes the size of the database panel for easier viewing.


Takeoff_CompileMenu
Improved Dot Tool

You can now add text to a picture

Up until now there was no way to place
text on a picture.

The right/left hand dot button
that appears on the upper left of the picture
whenever the dot tool is selected,
has a new option "Text" .When you
draw dots with it, the text in the assembly's
comment column appears at the dots location.

The size of the text can be adjusted in the
using both sliders in the Style Menu


cadestv5_dragdroptakeoff
Drag & Drop a New Take-off

To add a new takeoff anywhere in the list of takeoffs
simply drag this button over the takeoffs and drop it.

The new takeoffs name is by default NEW TAKEOFF
type a new name right there where it was created.

This command can also be accomplished with the INSERT
key while the list of takeoffs is in focus.


Takeoff_HelpMenu
The Help Menu

Under "Other Shortcut Keys"

DUAL SCREEN MONITOR MODE
to use it press Ctrl+D

You can now shift graphics around on a picture
Press Ctrl+G to make the control visible on the picture.


filemenu
The Job Menu

Importing from Excel has been improved.

you can now import prices from Home Depot
using this filter. This is under construction at
the moment. but simply put, make a purchase
order in the home depot software that contains
all of the standard items you use every job
that are subject to price fluctuations lumber,
drywall, Insulation etc

update that purchase order over the interent
using the home depot software.

Export the purchase order as a *.tvs and open
it up in Excel

Using the excel import, have a filter named "HOME DEPOT"
This lets cadest know how to stich it together so useful information
can be extracted from it.

after the assemblies have been created in the takeoff
you can use the Edit menu in the Price Room to build
a pricefile.

This price file can be used to update any job with
the current prices.

This will be more streamlined in the future.


Takeoff Room Print Menu
Improvements in the Print Menu

Picture reports now output RTF files. These can be
imported into WORD and can be turned into regular
WORD documents that you can edit.

The picture report now only print COMMENTS that
do not follow a description. This creates a great looking
report. The picture & red-lining on the left and the comments
describing scope of work or specifications make this report
a real visual contract document. This report is designed
to be used to sell the job to the customer. While having a
great deal of information about whats going to be done and
only general pricing, it keeps the clients focused on what
they will get for their money. This is better than having
lots of numbers and totals around to distract them.
For example too much detail would be having the
price of a sheet of plywood listed. The first thing that would
pop into a customers mind is "how much is a sheet of plywood"
or "I can get it at Home Depot for less"

This report sells jobs


cadestv5_costbook
Report Improvments

The reports are the final output of any Estimate.
They summarize and display all the information
about the job in a clear concise manner.

They are the only place that the total dollar
amount of the entire job can be viewed.

They are also the only place where all materials
are sorted to each accounting code.

For example if you estimate the sheetrock during
the framing takeoff when you are doing the walls
anyway and set it up so that all the sheetrock was
going to appear in a separate takeoff just for sheetrock.
Then the Reports are the only printouts that would have
all the sheetrock show up where it was sorted to
instead of the takeoff it was estimated in.

Before a report is generated you must decide which
takeoffs will be included, and if that takeoff will have
tax and profit added to it. This is done in the Report
Setup form.

Reports


Room_Report


cadestv5_assemblyscroll
Style Improvements

Prior versions of cadestimator where able to
use styles, but they were too complicated.

Version 5 solves this problem with more drag
and drop features.

Instead of having to work in the "Style" menu
(which is VERY complicated) to get results, you
simply drag the image from here and drop it in the picture
and it automatically sets the style. Each category
pastes a different example. If graphics are already
drawn the new style is applied. If no graphics are
drawn, a temp graphic is placed there to display
the style.

You can edit the new style to refine it by clicking
on the STYLE button.

If STYLE is turned off all you see is the simple
lines you drew in the takeoff.

If STYLE is turned on, any assemblies that use style
are drawn with that style.

STYLE ALWAYS TURNS OFF WHEN YOU ZOOM
Be sure to turn it on to print if you want styles to show up
in Printouts.


Takeoff Picture Prefrences
List of Takeoffs Panel

New functionally in the list of takeoff

In the old version the list of takeoffs was basically just a way to navigate and show direct costs.

The new version has a lot of improvements:

tab back & forth between assembly and takeoffs panel
Insert and rename takeoffs by typing directly on their name
delete a takeoff by backspacing over its title and pressing enter.
drag and drop a takeoff from one location to another

double click commands

Double clicking on a takeoff shows a list of assemblies in that takeoff.Clicking on them displays them in the assembly panel.

Double Clicking in the COST column of any takeoff turns it on or off. You can tell by the small graphic preceeding the takeoffs name. If it is gray the takeoff has been turned off.

Double Clicking in the COST column of a category title turns all the sub categories on / off

Double Clicking in the TAX column turns it on or off for that takeoff
Double Clicking in the Profit column turns it on or off for that takeoff

Tax and profit rates are set in the JOB SETUP menu.

There are 3 Types of takeoffs

You can tell what type of takeoff is in this window by the icon  that preceeds its name.

a short blue bar is a standard takeoff
a long blue bar is a category title.
a red bar is a sub category

category titles should be followed by at least one red "sub category"

red sub categories should only follow long blue category titles or other red sub categories.

Changing the type of takeoff by drag & drop

If you have a sub category you want to become a standard takeoff drag it and drop it on another
standard takeoff.

If you have a standard takeoff you want to become a sub category, drag it and drop it on
another sub category.

Sub categories are created from standard takeoffs when a category title is dropped on it

To Add takeoffs to categories: DROP THEM ON THE SUB CATEGORY INSTEAD

To convert a category title to a standard takeoff. Right click on the list and select SAVE AS
to create a new copy of the takeoff. The copy shows up as a standard takeoff. Delete the original

Note: The column spacing stays where you set it between uses


cadestv5_costbook
Drag & Drop Templates

Drag an entire takeoff from a different job into the current one.
This is useful for keeping libraries of parts you need available
every once in a while.

Any Job can be a source of "Templates"

If a job's name begins with "Library", all graphics and
pictures of sections you have created are loaded in and ready to
be used to paste assemblies in graphically. WARNING
pictures in jobs used this way must have unique picture
names that won't interfere with your regular names.

You can rename a job in the job room (in the estimate menu)

This will make it easy to share sections and assemblies because
you'll see them graphically grouped logically in the picture.

Be sure to disable these takeoffs and not include them in the job.
(dlb click in COST column to turn on/off)

Click on this button again to close template window.


cadestv5_totalcost
New Total Cost

In prior versions this only displayed the direct
cost without tax or profit added.

This version displays the total cost including
tax/profit/added%

Note When generating reports, by default "sort to" is turned off
and the report total will always equal this displayed cost.

When "sort to" is enabled the dollar amount can change as items
are sorted to takeoffs that may have a different tax/profit/add% than
the takeoff they originate from.


What Each Column Does

Assembly Column

When there is an entry in the Assembly column it marks the beginning of
a list of material that all belong to that assembly. For example; an assembly
for 8' walls may look like this:

Assembly      Qty Description    Comment  Unit   Total
8'Ext Walls  300  lf 2x4         plate
             100  2x4 precuts 8  studs
              25  1/2 cdx 4x8    sheathing

Assemblies mark the start of entries that are updated when graphics are
drawn on a picture. Each Assembly can display only one picture.  As you
draw, the output of this picture can update all sub assemblies.

Drawing on a picture passes values to variables that any line in an
assembly can use.

Using Variables in the Assembly column

Qty Column

The Qty column is where the real work gets done in CadEstimator. It may
contain a value that you type or a formula with variables that is updated as
you draw on a picture.

For instance, say you have just drawn a 25' by 25' box on a picture that
represents the outside walls of a small house. One variable you could
use in your formula is LF (this stands for linear feet).

The following example shows formulas embedded in the Qty column that
automatically estimate the amount of material as you draw on top of the image.

Assembly      Qty  Description   Comment  Unit   Total
8'Ext Walls  LF*3  lf 2x4        plate
             LF    2x4 precuts 8 studs
             LF/4  1/2 cdx 4x8   sheathing

See Formulas

Description Column

It is up to the estimator to make sure that the Material column is correct
for the Qty ordered.

But...

If you want to take full advantage of some of the options available for
extending prices, (see the UNIT COLUMN for details), than it's best to
put material in the standard format described here.

Following this standard format will give your material lists the following
abilities:

•	You will only have to enter the Unit Price for one linear foot of material
and CadEstimator will automatically use that price when you specify
a certain length. You don't need different prices for different board lengths.
(But you can also use different prices for each length)

•	You can simply enter the board foot price and CadEstimator will
automatically figure what dimension lumber is being ordered, account
for different lengths, and correctly extend the prices.

•	You can simply enter the square foot price of sheet goods and
CadEstimator will correctly extend the price.

Proper Material Entry

The dimensions first

2x4, 2x8, 3/4 or  LF 2x4, LF 2x8, etc.
(No spaces in between characters.)
2 x 4 won't work for board foot conversions.
LF can precede the entry for clarity.

Grade or Type Next

Fir, #2, clear, ac, cdx, redwood, etc.

The length or sheet size last.

10, 12, 4x8, 4x10, etc.
(No spaces in between characters.)
4 x 8 won't work for sheet goods priced with square foot prices.
CadEstimator needs to find the characters "4x8" to know there are
32 square feet in the sheet.

Example of correct material notation:

Assembly      Qty Description    Comment  Unit   Total
8'Ext Walls  300  lf 2x4         plate
             100  2x4 precuts 8  studs
              25  1/2 cdx 4x8    sheathing

Comment Column

The Comment column displays what ever is typed there. This details Takeoffs
and gives important information to both the estimator and the person using
the final material list.

One setting in the Formula Wizard uses the Comment column to display qty
and lengths of material drawn. See the Formula Wizard for more information.

The Formula Wizard

The Unit Column

The Unit column works hand in hand with the Qty and Total columns.
In the simplest case the Total column equals the Unit price times the
Qty. The contents in the Material column do not affect the total price.

But...

If the description column is formatted the way CadEstimator can
understand it, the following optional ways to extend prices with the
Unit column can be used.

Assembly     Qty Description    Comment   Unit    Total
8'Ext Walls  300 lf 2x4         plate     .95 BF  $380
             100 2x4 precuts 8  studs     .45 LF  $360
              25 1/2 cdx 4x8    sheathing .75 SF  $600

In line #1 of the above example, board foot prices are used to extend LF 2X4
because CadEstimator found the string of characters "2X4" in the description
column and the characters "BF" in the Unit column. This entry would have
generated an error if  "2 x4" was entered.

In line #2 of the above example the 2X4 8 is correctly extended using the
linar ft price of the material  because CadEstimator could find "LF" in the
Unit column and the length 8 at the end of the string of characters "2X4 8"
in the Material column . A space after the material and before the length
allowed CadEstimator to correctly extend the price. This entry would have
generated an error if  "2x4-8" was entered.

In line #3 of the above example the 1/2 cdx 4x8 is correctly extended
using the square ft price of the material  because CadEstimator could find
the string of characters "SF" in the Unit column and "4x8" somewhere in
the Material column. This entry would have generated an error if
"1/2 CDX 4 X 8" was entered. (Upper and lower case does not matter).

Total Column

The Total column is completely automatic and updated whenever
there is a change in the Qty, Material, or Unit columns.

The Total column does not reflect tax or profit on any entry.


Variables in the Assembly Column

The Assembly column allows you to embed variables that make your
Takeoff easier to understand.

Instead of seeing this

Assembly          Qty Material       Comment
8'Ext Walls      300 lf 2x4         plate
                 100 2x4 precuts 8  studs
                  25 1/2 cdx 4x8    sheathing

You might want to see this in a finished Takeoff.

Assembly             Qty Material       Comment
100 LF 8'Ext Walls  300 lf 2x4         plate
                    100 2x4 precuts 8  studs
                     25 1/2 cdx 4x8    sheathing

So you would type a variable (LF) into the Assembly:

Assembly            Qty Material       Comment
(LF)LF 8'Ext Walls  300 lf 2x4         plate
                    100 2x4 precuts 8  studs
                     25 1/2 cdx 4x8    sheathing

CadEstimator will then always display the lin ft drawn on the picture
inside the Assembly.

Now anyone reading the finished Takeoff knows how many feet of
 wall was figured in the Takeoff.

Here is a list of variables you can use in the Assembly column:

(LF)   Linear feet
(SF)   Square feet
(QT)   Qty of objects drawn
(WA)   Wall area
(CF)   Cubic feet
(HT)   Height in feet
(OC)   Inches on center
(SD)   Side of Box
(TP)   Top of Box

Metric Variables

(ME)	Linear Meters
(SM)	Square Meters
(WM)	Wall Area Meters
(CM)	Cubic Meters
(HM)	Height in Meters
(MT)	Meter Tops
(MS)	Meter Sides
(MC)	Meters on center

Note: The Assembly column cannot do any math. It can only
display the value of these variables.

The  Right Hand / Left Hand Variable

There is a special variable (RHLH) available to the Assembly
column for working with doors. It is used in conjunction with
the DOT drawing tool.

Specifications are User defined Variables

You can also use up to 99 of your own variables either as
numbers for formulas or as text in the Assembly, Description
and Comment columns. See the SETUP/VARIABLES menu

Specifications

Also See Formulas


Takeoffs_userdefinedvariables
Specifications

Format of variables in formulas

If you have named a variable "pitch factor" which you
want to use to adjust areas for pitch in a
formula it could look something like this in the qty column.

Assuming the pitch factor is set to 1.2 and the
sf = 100 then this formula:
(Pitch factor)*sf
would return 120
Notice that the variable must be enclosed within ( ) to work.

Format of variables in columns

Using variables for text works the same way.
If you had a variable setup for the word "Joist" and set its
value to "2x12" and the Material column had "LF (joist)"
typed in, it would result in the following statement;
"LF 2x12"

About the board compiler

When using variables with the Formula Wizard's board
compiling command you should use this format in the Qty column;
LF (JOIST)
and not
(LF JOIST)


Columns Math Expression Evaluator
The Expression Evaluator

The following Operators are supported according to their priority:

Priority	Operator	Description	Operator	Description
6	( )	Sub expressions
5	^	Power
4	*	Times	/	Divide
	%	Modulus	\	Integer divide
3	+	Plus	-	Minus
2	>	Greater than	>=	Greater or equal
	<	<=Smaller than	<=	Smaller or equal
	=	Equal	<>	Not Equal
1	&	Logical and	|	Logical or
The following built-in functions are also supported (they are case-insensitive): abs(), sin(), cos(), tan(), atn(), log(), log10(), exp(), sqrt(), int()

Do not be alarmed by the complexity of the above statements. The vast majority of formulas in estimating only use + - * /, once in a blue moon the sqrt() function is useful to compute pitches and sometimes the int() function proves useful for figuring how pieces get cut out of full sheets, but that's about it. Besides, CadEstimator's Formula Wizard does most of the work for you.

The Formula Wizard


Takeoff_FormulaWizard_button
Formula Wizard

Formula Wizard

The ability to estimate material using formulas is one to the strong points of CadEstimator.
Sometimes the process of creating a formula from scratch can be tedious.
CadEstimator's Formula Wizard takes the drudgery out of creating formulas. It always produces a
formula that graphics can update as you draw on a picture. You can also go back to the wizard at
any time to see how the formula was created or to change its settings.

To use the wizard, follow the 4 steps across the top of the box and press OK
Lets create a short material list for a 5/12 pitched roof. We want to estimate the plywood,
tar paper and roof shingles just by drawing their area on a floor plan.

Assembly        QTY  MATERIAL                   COMMENT     UNIT  TOTAL
Roof Material       1/2 cdx 4x8decking
                    rolls tar paper 400 sf     roof felt
                    squares 225 lb shingles    roofing

Type in the material list as above and leave the QTY Blank, we will use the Formula Wizard to
setup a formula for each line.

The Roof Decking

Click on the first line 1/2 cdx 4x8 and press F9 to bring up the Formula Wizard.

In column #1 	click on Area ( you want to calculate the material based on the area)
In column #2 	click on Qty  ( you want to know how many sheets )
In column #3 	click on height & enter 4 click on width & enter 8  ( 4x8 plywood )
In column #4 	click on waste & enter 5% ( for 5% waste factor )
                            click on layers & enter 1     ( only one layer of plywood )
                            click on degrees and set to 23 =  5/12   (23 degrees for 5 on 12 pitch)

Click on OK and that's it! you have just created a formula that will return how much plywood to
order for a 5/12 roof when you draw the area of the roof on the floor plan.

The Tar paper

Click on the second line rolls tar paper 400 sf  and press F9 to bring up the Formula Wizard.

In column #1 	click on Area ( you want to calculate the material based on the area)
In column #2 	click on Qty  ( you want to know how many rolls )
In column #3 	click on height & enter 1 click on width & enter 400  ( 400 sf per roll )
In column #4 	click on waste & enter 0 ( no waste factor )
                            click on layers & enter 1     ( only one layer of felt )
                            click on degrees and set to 23 =  5/12   (23 degrees for 5 on 12 pitch)

Click on OK and you have just created a formula that will return how many rolls of tar paper
to order for a 5/12 roof when you draw the area on a floor plan.

The Shingles

Click on the third line  squares 225 lb shingles  and press F9 to bring up the Formula Wizard.

In column #1 	click on Area ( you want to calculate the material based on the area)
In column #2 	click on Qty  ( you want to know how many squares )
In column #3 	click on height & enter 10 click on width & enter 10  ( 10 x 10 = 100 sf )
In column #4 	click on waste & enter 3% ( small waste factor for shingles )
                            click on layers & enter 1     ( only one layer of shingles )
                            click on degrees and set to 23 =  5/12   (23 degrees for 5 on 12 pitch)

Click on OK and you have just created a formula that will return how many squares of shingles
to order for a 5/12 roof when you draw the area of the roof on a floor plan.

Now when you attach a picture to the Assembly and draw an area on it all three items will be correctly
figured for the estimate.

More Examples

The Formula Wizard can create a formula for just about any type of material take-off. Here are some
more examples of what it might be used to do.

4 Runs Of  Rebar In A Footing

In column #1 	click on Lin Ft ( take-off based on the Linear feet you draw )
In column #2 	click on Qty  ( you want to know how many 21 foot lengths to order )
In column #3 	click on centers & enter 21 ( one bar every 21 feet )
In column #4 	click on waste & enter 5% (  waste factor for overlap in lengths )
                            click on layers & enter 4     ( 4 runs in the footing )
                            click on degrees and set to none ( footing has no pitch)

How many yards of concrete for 10" x 16" footing

In column #1 	click on Lin Ft ( take-off based on the Linear feet you draw )
In column #2 	click on Cubic Yards  ( you want to know how many yards to order )
In column #3 	click on height & enter 10" , click on width & enter 16"
                                    ( The height and width of the footing )
In column #4 	click on waste & enter 5% (  waste factor  )
                            click on layers & enter 1     ( 1 footing )
                            click on degrees and set to none ( footing has no pitch)

How Many LF of Valley Flashing From Floor Plan

In column #1 	click on Lin Ft ( you want to calculate the material based on the Lin ft)
In column #2 	click on Lin Ft  ( you want to know how many Lin Ft to order )
In column #3 	is left blank
In column #4 	click on waste & enter 0 ( no waste factor )
                            click on layers & enter 1     ( only one layer of flashing )
                            click on degrees and set to 23 =  5/12   (23 degrees for 5 on 12 pitch)

How Many LF of 2 1/2" Material is needed to cover area

In column #1 	click on Area ( you want to calculate the material based on the area)
In column #2 	click on Lin Ft  ( you want to know LF )
In column #3 	click on width & enter 2.5"  ( 2 & 1/2 inches wide )
In column #4 	click on waste & enter 0 ( no waste factor )
                            click on layers & enter 1     ( only one layer )

How Many Cubic Feet of Concrete for 16" x  30" x  18" Pads

In column #1 	click on QTY ( you want to count the number of pads)
In column #2 	click on Cubic Ft  ( you want to know Cubic feet )
In column #3 	click on height & enter 16"
                            click on length & enter 30"
                            click on width & enter 18"
In column #4 	click on waste & enter 0 ( no waste factor )
                            click on layers & enter 1

How to use the Formula Wizard to display lengths of material.

The Formula Wizard has one setting that allows you to get a list of board lengths from
all the graphics drawn on an image. It requires that you have the description column set
up for Linear Feet.

For example
LF 2X6
This tells the wizard that the material is in linear feet.  And It knows what to do when you start drawing.

If you draw one line 12' long on the image the Qty and Material and comment column would read:
1	2x6 12    (comment column blank)
This is because only one length was drawn and it knows enough to order the wood the correct length.
Now if you add another line, one that is 14' long you have a different situation. You cannot order both
pcs of lumber on the same line so the display reverts to this
26	LF 2X6    (1/12 1/14)

The comment column is then used to describe what lengths to order.

It is much better to draw only one line (or set of joist) for each assembly. (Just add copies of the
current assembly if you have to). This is because lumber prices are usually different for different
lengths. In the first case of 1-2x6 12, it just looks up the price of a 12' piece of 2x6 in the price file.
In the second case knowing that you need to stop and price out the difference between a 12' or 14'
board would take too long and would be at best confusing and time consuming.

Calculating Lengths.

When you are using the Formula Wizard to calculate lengths, you have plenty of options that
appear in a drop down menu in the wizard.

Lumber 8-20 , 8-22, 8-24, 8-26
This setting figures out how everything you draw should be broken out into the range of
lumber sizes you specify. For example a 32 foot line will produce 2-16' boards. A 34 foot
line will produce 2-18' boards.
This feature has been refined for standard wood lengths. For instance if you draw joist that
are 7' long it will assume they will be cut out of 14' material because it is cheaper. It also
compiles many shorter lines into the most practical size to order.

Sizes Drawn
This setting allows you to force the output to the size you draw. For example a 32 foot line
will produce 1-32' board. This is useful for floor and roof trusses.

All to Longest
This setting calculates how much lumber would be needed if everything drawn had to be cut
out of boards the length of the longest line drawn. This is ideal for cutting in hip roofs when
using the joist fill tool.

22,20,18,16,14,12,10,8
Forces sizes to the specified length. But takes into account how the lumber is cut out of
those lengths. For example if you need 10 2x4 10' and have the size forced to 16' you will
order 10 16' boards because only one 10 foot length can be cut out of each 16 footer.

Connecting the formula wizard to the QTY column.

To connect the Formula Wizard  to the Qty column is simple. Change it's settings to produce
the desired output and press OK. Pressing OK locks the Qty column for that entry to the
Formula Wizard. If you make any attempt edit the formula in the Qty column the Formula Wizard
pops up for editing.

Breaking the connection the formula wizard has to the QTY column.

To disconnect the Formula Wizard  from the Qty column press the Break Connection button.
This does not change any of the settings and does not change the formula. After breaking the
connection you can edit the formula just like any other.

Setting all Pitches in a Takeoff at the same time

Click the Set All Pitches To button to change all the pitches in the takeoff to the pitch
currently displayed in the Formula Wizard. This is useful for example when doing a roofing
takeoff, because it changes all the pitches in a takeoff that are set up by the Formula Wizard.
That means you don't have to change it on each and every assembly that has a pitch calculated.

Variables set by the Formual Wizard

The Formula Wizard can pass special variables back into the Assembly, Material and Comment columns.

(FWD)	Dimensions from height, width and length
(FWP)	Pitch setting
(FWL)	Layers
(FWW)	Waste Factor
(FWC)	Centers

About the Metric Formula Wizard

The Metric version of the Formula Wizard is basically the same as the US one but does not
support the different length settings in the board compiler. All lengths are returned as drawn
and rounded to the nearest 10th of a meter.


Formulas In The Qty Column

Expression Evaluator

CadEstimator incorporates a powerful expression evaluator that quickly converts your formulas into quantities of material. It is algebraic, i.e. multiplication and division take precedence over addition and subtraction. For example:

CORRECT
2*3+4*5 = 26
(6) + (20) = 26

INCORRECT
2*3+4*5 = 50
2*3 = 6
6+4 = 10
10*5 = 50

More about the Expression Evaluator

The following is a list of variables you can use in your formulas. For simplicity examples do not include waste factors.

LF, LINFT and L

Return the linear feet of graphics drawn on a picture. Elements that create linear feet are: lines, boxes, perimeters, circles, joist.

Formula example:
LF*12/16 = number of studs on 16" centers
LINFT/4 =  number of anchor bolts 48" on center

SF, SQRFT, AREA, A

Return the area of graphics drawn on a picture. Elements that create area are: boxes, perimeters, circles, joist.

Formula example:
AREA/32 = number of sheets of 4x8 plywood to cover an area.
A*12/2.5 = how many linear feet of  2.5" material need to cover area.

Q, QTY, QT, QUANTITY, QY, COUNT

Returns the quantity of graphics drawn on a picture. Elements that create quantity are: lines, boxes, each line in a perimeter, circles, joist (counted as 1 per graphic), dots.

 WALLAREA, WA, W

Returns the wall area of graphics based on the linear feet drawn times the height set by the height box at the bottom of the screen.

Formula examples:
WALLAREA = sqrft of insulation for wall
W/100 = square of wood shakes to cover wall
WA/32 = number of sheets of 4x8 sheet rock to cover wall

CF, CUBICFT

Returns the volume of graphics based on the AREA drawn times the height set by the height box at the bottom of the screen.

Formula examples:
CUBICFT/27 = number of yards of fill
CF*1.05 = cubic ft of concrete with 5% waste factor
CF*60 = weight of water filling volume

HEIGHT, H, HT, HIGH

Returns the value of the HEIGHT BOX at the bottom of the screen.

Formula examples:
HEIGHT*QTY = linear feet of sono tube needed for selected points
HEIGHT*12/8 = number of course of 8" high block

OC, CENTERS, C, INCHOC

Returns the value of the CENTERS BOX at the bottom of the screen.

Formula examples:
LF/CENTERS = number of studs needed for given centers
AREA*12/CENTERS = lf of material need to fill an area on center

 TOP, TOPS

Returns the total width of all boxes drawn.

Formula examples:
TOPS/10 = number of pieces of 10' drip-cap over windows
TOP/150 =  number of 150' rolls of moist-stop under windows

SIDE, SIDES

Returns the total height of all boxes drawn.

Formula examples:
SIDES*2 = linft of j-channel for the sides of windows
SIDES*2+TOP = linft of casing on door

Metric Equivalents of the variables

LF	ME, M, LM, METERS
SF	SM, SQRMETERS, SQRMT
WA	WM, MW, WALLAREAMETERS
CF	CM, CUBICMETERS
HT	HT, HEIGHTINMETERS, HTMETERS
OC	MC, METERSONCENTER, METERSOC
TOPS	MT, METERTOPS, TOPINMETERS
SIDES	MS, METERSIDE, SIDEINMETERS

Note: The reason for giving variables more than one name is to help make your formulas easier to read.

Variables set by the Formual Wizard

(FWD)	Dimensions from height, width and length
(FWP)	Pitch setting
(FWL)	Layers
(FWW)	Waste Factor
(FWC)	Centers

The Formula Wizard


Accounting Code
Each takeoff should have an accounting code.

•	Using accounting codes give you the ability to reorder the takeoffs in your jobs.


Charge Tax for Takeoff
Determines if the current takeoff will have tax charged to it in the report.

•	By default when a new takeoff is created it is setup to be taxed. But not all takeoffs should have tax added to them. For example you would not charge tax on a takeoff that is setup for subcontract labor.


Not implemented
This command is not implemented in the current version of CadEstimator.


Adding Profit
Determines if the current takeoff will have profit added to it in the report.

•	By default when a new takeoff is created it is setup to have profit added. Use this checkbox to add or remove profit.


Lock Takeoff Name
Determines if a takeoff's name is displayed in the sort-to menu

•	This "locks" a takeoff's name so that it cannot be renamed


Takeoff Name
The name of the takeoff as it appears in the index. The name of a takeoff is used when:

•	Its referenced to be compiled into other takeoffs

•	Its printed at the top of each page

•	A takeoff is included in the reports


poptakeoffname
Insert a new takeoff before or after the currently displayed takeoff.

•	You can quickly setup new takeoffs one right after another.


poptakeoffname
Rename the currently displayed takeoff.

•	New names can't be the same as another takeoff's name

•	New name can't be the same as the current name. If you are just trying to change the case of the letters, then rename it something else first, then rename it again.


Printing options
Printing options allow you to customize how this takeoff
will be printed out when you are using the batch print feature
"by takeoff setup". Some types of takeoffs simply don't need
all the printing option available in CadEstimator. Check off the
types of printouts needed for each takeoff.


DOS file name
Shows you what the DOS file name of each takeoff. This name is also used for the QuickBooks Export

•	Normally you won't ever need to know the DOS file name, but it is possible to copy a file from one job to another.

•	Note: The DOS file name cannot be edited in this box.But it can be changed by renaming the takeoff.


Scrolling through takeoffs
Scroll back and forth through the takeoffs.

•	It is easier to scroll back and forth and change settings here rather than going to each takeoff and making the changes.


Report Set Divisions
Set divisions. CadEstimator supports CSI 1-16
and HomeTech 1-30. Only the HTML report currently
shows these division. They will be used more in future
upgrades.


Include Takeoff in Report
Determines if the current takeoff will be included in the report.

•	By default when a new takeoff is created it is setup to be included. But not all takeoffs have to be included. For example you can have a couple of different siding takeoffs and just include the one you currently want.

•	This command does not exclude items sorted to this takeoff from being displayed in the reports.


Searching Costbooks
Search String

Type the string of characters you are searching for
and press ENTER (or click the seach button) to
search. A list of all entries that satisfy the search
will appear in the SELECTED ENTRIES box.

You can have 2 search strings (separate them
with a space) to help narrow your search.


Costbook search results
Search Results

This is a  list of all assemblies that satisfy the search.

Click or use the arrow keys to select which assembly
you want to paste into your takeoff


Costbook 1
Start Search

Start to search for the text

If the search box is blank then all assemblies
are displayed.


Costbook 1
Clear Search

Delete text in the search box and
display all assemblies


Costbook 1
View Assembly

Displays the currently selected assembly
which is ready to paste into your takeoff


Costbook 1
Exit CostBook


Costbook 1
Change CostBook

Switch to another costbook and
start using it.


Costbook 1
Paste at Cursor

Paste the assembly into the takeoff at
the current cursor location.


Costbook 1
Paste at End

Paste the assembly at the end of  the takeoff.


cover


Cover 1
File Menu

New

Paragraph

Load File

Paragraph

Save File

Paragraph

Printer Setup

Paragraph

Print

Paragraph

Exit

Paragraph


Cover 1
Preview Panel

Drag and Drop selections from the
menus on the right.

Click on objects that are already
on preview panel to drag and resize.

To re-size any object click on its red
handels


Cover 1
Text Box

Drag this box and drop it onto the preview
panel. Click the Edit Text button to edit
contents.


Cover 1
Picture Box

Drag this box and drop it onto the preview
panel. You can then browse for the picture
you want displayed. The picture can be re-
sized at any time by selecting it and dragging
its handles


Cover 1
Delete Box

Drag any item on the preview panel
and drop it here to remove it.


Cover 1
Edit Text

Edit the Text of the selected Object.


Cover 1
Edit Font

Edit the Font & colors of
the selected Object.


Cover 1
Set Border

Select the most suitable border here.


Room_Takeoff
Clipboard View

Spreadsheet to be imported

This displays what was pasted onto the
clipboard in Excel. It shows you the contents
of the columns. You'll use the letter of the
columns to describe where to get information
from.


Room_Takeoff
Split at

Split up information for easy selecting

If the cell you are importing contains
more information than you want or is
to long, you can break it apart and
select the parts you want to keep.


Room_Takeoff
Prefix CSI field information

Prefix part or whole CSI number to field

The default value is "NO"
Enter a number that corresponds to the CSI
number mask


Room_Takeoff
Fill Column

Auto fill columns

Typically used to extend information down a column.
You can see the results of this command in the top
window. All blank entries in the column are changed
to the previous non-blank entry (starts at the top and
works down).


Room_Takeoff
Offset column

Creates a new column

The offset column is used in conjunction with the
Fill column. When a non blank entry is encounted
in the fill column and this offset has a column letter,
a new column is created to the left of the regular
columns. The contents of the cell defined by this offset
is transfered to that new column.
This is used to import spreadsheets that are not "flat"
files. It allows you to break out information into a seperate
column (and carry it down) so it can be imported into any
field as if it were on every line (like a flat file)


Room_Takeoff
Select sub assemblies to create

M = Material  L = Labor  E=Equipment  S=Sub

If checked the assembly will include a line for that selection.

The dollar amount will come from the column letter typed
into the box next to it.

You can also add a text string to the description field so
that entries in the assembly will be different from each other.
This is especially important if you will be using price files.
If all the items had the same description you could not have
a unique price for each one.


Room_Takeoff
CSI Mask

Select CSI column

Type in the column letter to get the csi number from.

Create CSI Mask

Enter a string of numbers that break the CSI number
up into fields. Look at the example in the picture.
Column B contains the CSI number. The mask shows
that the first 7 places are identified by the number 1
The last 4 places are identified by the number 3

When a field has the CSI number appended to it, you
use the number in the mask to identify which part in
the CSI number to use.


Room_Takeoff
Text import

Text to be imported into the COMMENT column

Type the column or columns you want to insert into the
COMMENT column. Text longer than 40 characters will
be wrapped to next line in comment column.

This command does not show up in the preview.


Room_Takeoff
Preview Panel

View the results of a filter

The preview panel allows you to fine tune how you
want a filter to work before importing any information
into a takeoff.


Room_Takeoff
Name of Filter

Select which Filter to use

All the settings of this import filter can
be saved and given a name. This makes
it easy to have templates of commonly
used filters.


Room_Takeoff
Go to Spreadsheet

Go to the excel spreadsheet

When you are in the spreadsheet simply
highlight the rows you want to import and
click the "Copy" Icon. This will return you
to this screen with the information on the
Windows clipboard.


Room_Takeoff
End Importing

End importing session with current spreadsheet

The next time you use the "Paste from Excel" command
in the takeoff room, you'll will be able to select a different
spreadsheet.


Room_Takeoff
Exit Back

Return to Takeoff room

The next time you use the "Paste from Excel" command
in the takeoff room, you'll return to the current spreadsheet.


Room_Takeoff
Paste in Takeoff

Paste results of filter into Takeoff

This is where information actually gets into
the takeoffs. It pastes to the cursors current
location.


Room_Takeoff
New Filter

Create a new Filter

Give the new filter a name and it will
be a copy of the currently loaded settings.


Room_Takeoff
Character to Split at

Type the character used to break cell up into fields

By default, blank is defined as a "space". This could
be used to parse words.
More commonly, data is seperated by a comma or
a dash. You can choose any character.
You can also choose multiple characters for example
to break the cell up by commas and dashs simply
type a comma and a dash here.


Room_Takeoff
Select which entries to include

Which "sub" entries in the cell will be included

The "sub" entries created by "Split at" and "Split at character"
can be individually selected to be included. The left most box
is #1.which means (if checked) the first sub entry parsed will be included.
(Parsing is left to right, just as you read)

Reverse

The "sub" entries are usually stitched together from left to
right. You can use this check box change the order.


Room_Takeoff
Delete Filter

Delete the current Filter

The current filter name will be removed
and another filter will be displayed.


Room_Takeoff
Preview

Preview the results of the filter

After you have edited a filter click here to
generate a preview of the results. This preview
will allow you to verify that the formating done
with the filter is correct before pasting it into the
takeoff.


Room_Takeoff
Assembly Title field

Select column(s) to create assembly title field

Enter a column letter  a - az to import to
the assembly column. This column will
be imported according to the rest of instructions
in the assembly filter. Enter additional columns
by seperating them with a space. If the column
letter is entered in lowercase it will be appended
to the end of the entry, if uppercase it means the
column will be prefixed to the begining of the entry.


Room_Takeoff
Qty Field

Select a letter column to create Qty field from

Enter a column letter  a - az to use for the Qty field.

Depending on other settings in the Qty box it will
be imported as a Formula, a Value or simply left
blank.


Room_Takeoff
Description Field

Select column(s) to create Descripton Field

Enter a column letter  a - az to import to
the description column. This column will
be imported according to the rest of instructions
in the description filter. Enter additional columns
by seperating them with a space. If the column
letter is entered in lowercase it will be appended
to the end of the entry, if uppercase it means the
column will be prefixed to the begining of the entry.


Room_Takeoff
Comment Field

Select column(s) to create Comment Field

Enter a column letter  a - az to import to
the comment column. This column will
be imported according to the rest of instructions
in the comment filter. Enter additional columns
by seperating them with a space. If the column
letter is entered in lowercase it will be appended
to the end of the entry, if uppercase it means the
column will be prefixed to the begining of the entry.


Getpic 1
File Menu

Get All Pictures in 24 bit

This utility converts all images in the job to 24 bit color.
You may prefer images in this format because they scale
better to your computer screen. However they take up 24
times more hard disk space than pure black and white
(CAD file import for example)

Get All Pictures in Black & White

This utility converts all images in the job to Black/White
Only suitable for CAD drawings

Use VoloView & Peernet

Turning this option on makes CAD
files open in VoloViewExpress. One
advantage of this is you can use a
printing utility such as the Peernet
bmp print driver. Its a print driver that
creates large hi-res bitmaps suitable
for Cadestimator.


Getpic 1
Find Button & Drive Selector

Select which drive on your
computer you want to load
images from.

If you use the FIND button
you can navigate across networks
desktop/mydocuments etc.

On large networks if the FIND button
bogs down you may need to use the
drive changer to view the network from
the letter mapped drive instead.


Getpic 1
Picture Preview

By default the cursor is a
cross-hair. Drag a box around
the area you want to Zoom to.
Use the Reset Zoom button to
zoom out.


Getpic 1
Select Folders

Click on any folder to view
its files in the file window.
Dlb-click folder to open folder up


Getpic 1
File Window

Contains a list of image files
Both raster and vector file
formats are supported.

Click on any file to load it.

When CAD files are selected


Room_CAD


Getpic 1
Exit

Exit back to Plan Room

Button will be disabled until
picture importing processes
are complete


Getpic 1
Black/White

Feature not supported
images auto-detect type now.


Getpic 1
Reset Zoom

When you want to zoom back out
after using the cursor zoom.


Getpic 1
OK Button

Click here when you have the image
the way you want it. A form will pop
up that will allow you to select the
name for the new picture.


GetPicture_CAD_Files
DXF, DWG, WMF VECTOR FILE IMPORT

Being able to import CAD drawings into CadEstimator

Importing drawings saves time and increases the accuracy of your esimates.


Goto_Takeoff_Room
Navigating between Rooms

Get Pictures    To    CAD Room

Simply click on a CAD file in
Get Picture. Allow time to load
and convert file.

CAD Room     To     Get Pictures

Click The Exit Button


Goto_Takeoff_Room
Navigating between Rooms

Takeoff Room   To   Cover Page

In the Takeoffs room click on the
REPORT menu and select COVER PAGE

Cover Page     To    Takeff Room

Close by clicking on the close
window X in top right corner

Or in the file menu select "EXIT"


Goto_Takeoff_Room
Navigating between Rooms

Plan Room   To   Get Pictures

Click on the "GET PICTURE" button

Get Pictures    To    Plan Room

Click The Exit Button
This button may be disabled
while completing picture processing.


Goto_Plan_Room
Navigating between Rooms

Takeoff Room   To   Plan Room

Click on the PLANS button at the top
of the Graphics Toolbar.

F5 Function Key toggles back and forth
between the Takeoff Room and Plan Room.

Plan Room   To   Takeoff Room

Go from the Plan Room to the Takeoff Room
by either click the EXIT button or by double-
clicking any image in the Plan Room. (This
attachs the image to the current assembly
in the Takeoff Room and returns there.


Goto_Takeoff_Room
Navigating between Rooms

Takeoff Room   To   Price Room

Right-Click on the Takeoffs panel
and select "PRICE ROOM"

Short-cut Key  Ctrl+F8

Price Room     To    Takeff Room

Click The Exit Button

You also automatically return
to the Takeoff Room when you
use the Paste Material button.


Goto_Takeoff_Room
Navigating between Rooms

Takeoff Room   To   Report Room

Click on the Excel Icon

Report Room     To    Takeff Room

Use the EXIT button and the report
stays loaded and is available for display
without re-compiling

You can jump to any Takeoff by dlb-clicking
on it in the summary report.


Goto_Scale_Room
Takeoff Room   To   Scale Room

To go from the Takeoff Room to the
Scale Room for the displayed picture
click on the Scale Icon in the Graphics Toolbox

Plane Room   To   Scale Room

In the Plan Room if a picture has this Scale
Icon it means that it has not been scaled yet.
Click on this Icon to go to the Scale Room.

You can also Right-Click on any image in the
Plan Room to go to the Scale Room for that image.

Scale Room    To     Previous Room

You can return from the Scale Room by clicking
on the OK button or the CANCEL button. The
OK button will only be available if the picture has
been assigned a valid scale


Goto_Takeoff_Room
Navigating between Rooms

Job Room    To    Takeoff Room

Double-click on any job.

Takeff Room    To    Job Room

click this icon.


Goto_Takeoff_Room
Navigating between Rooms

Job Room   To   Tracking

Single click on any job to select it
Click on the TRACKING button.

Tracking    To    Job Room

Each screen in Tracking has
an exit button at each level.

When you are at the opening
screen of Tracking, the exit
button returns you to the
Job Room.


Job_All_Button
BACKUP / RESTORE JOBS

Click to restore a job

Or drag a job to this icon to select where you
want to back it up.

By default cadest will store backups in the
folder c:\cadest\database\backups  but you
can back up and restore from anyplace on
the computer/network


Job_Cancel_Button
Cancel

Because it is possible to re-enter the job room
while you are already working on a selected job
(In the Takeoff Room), you can use this button
to exit back into that job with out forcing it to
reload (Which it would do if you selected it
again by double clicking) you can also click
on the white X to do that.


Job_Clone_Button
Clone Job

Clone

The command is one of the most useful in CADEST.
It makes it easy to continully improve your estimating.

When you Clone a Job all the quantites, blueprint images
and redlining is removed for the new job. But all the formulas
and comments are intact. All you have to do is load new
blueprint images and begin redlining. New quantities will
appear as you draw.


Job_EstimateMenu
Job Room Help Menu

Display metric or US

US displays lengths of lines you draw
as Feet and Inches.

Metric displays lengths of lines you draw
in tenths of a meter.

To get Metric results in formulas you must
use the Metric variables.

To set the scale of a blueprint in Metric, use
meters and follow the number with "M".
For example input 10 meter as 10M

Internet Update

Get the latest update from the internet

Video Tutorial

Start the Version 5 Video Tutorial
This can also be accessed by
pressing F12


Job_HelpMenu
Select Job

Double click on a job to load it

Jobs can be dragged into the group box to change which
group they belong to.

Jobs can be dragged into the icons on the screen to excute
those commands


Job_Hidden_Button
Rename a Job

Drag a job to this icon to rename it.

New job names may not contain periods


Job_Hide_Button
Make Copy of Job

Duplicates a Job

Drag a job into this icon, give it a new name
and this creates an exact copy of it. This is
handy for "what if" situations where you don't
want to change your original job


Job_New_Button
New Button

New

Creates a new complely blank Job.
This Job will contain 3 completely blank
takeoffs named sheet1, sheet2 and sheet3.


Job_Estimating_Button
Instant assemblies Database

This button open the DATABASE job in cadestimator.
This is where the instant assemblies are stored along
with graphics etc.

It behaves just like any other job and can also be used
as a template or a costbook.


Job_PlanRoom_Button
Blueprints

View Jobs' Plan Room

This is a viewer for any jobs' plans.
Click on small pictures to view large
version.

Clicking and draging on large version
activates zooming. Keep Right Clicking
to exit back to the Job room.


Job_Report_Button
Report Button

Reports

This views any jobs' Summary,
Detailed and Compiled reports
without actually loading it.


Job_Select_Job
Delete a Job

Completely remove job from machine

THERE IS NO UNDO FUNCTION

USING THIS COMMAND WILL NOT ALLOW
YOU TO RETRIEVE THIS LATER FROM THE
RECYLE BIN

How To delete a job and get it back later

Simply use windows explorer to click on the job
in the cadest folder and delete it.

This keeps a copy in the recyle bin if you need
to get it back


Job_Tracking_Button
Tracking

Takes you to the tracking program built into CADEST.
It can be used to create Purchase Orders, Budgets,
Labor reports, etc. by importing the takeoffs created
in CADEST

More about Tracking


Room_Tracking


Job_ViewMenu
Select Group

What are Groups

Groups are a fast way of navigate between jobs you want
displayed together.

When you click on any job, its group shows
up in red. If you click on the group the display changes
to show only jobs in the group

This might be used for sub-divisions or clients etc.


Job_Visible_Button
Networking & CADESTIMATOR

Runing cadest from other locations on the network

Although cadest is not a true networking program
(it is not multi-user) The networking button can point
to other locations across the network that contain a
copy of the file cadest.exe

This can point to another cadest installation by locating
the other cadests'  "cadest.exe" file

You can also use this feature to organize folders of jobs
that are kept separate from your working cadest folder.


Misc_CostBooks
Pasting Assemblies from Costbooks

Click on image for more information about buttons etc.


oldTakeoff_PrintMenu
The Print Menu

Select Printer

This command allows you to setup printing options for Windows.

Takeoff>

Pictures and Text

Print all the pictures and text side by side.

Picture Report

Print all the pictures and text side by side in special format
for bidding

Takeoff Text Only

Prints the text of a takeoff only. No graphics.

One Picture Per Page

Print All the pictures in the Takeoff along with graphics and material
associated with them one picture per page.

Batch Print

Batch Printing allows you to print out multiple takeoffs

Cover Page

Design a Cover Page


Takeoffs_Batch_Print
Batch Printing Takeoffs

Click on image for information about buttons etc.

press ESC to exit during batch printing


Room_Coverpage
No estimate is really complete without a cover page. It adds a professional
touch and also demonstrates you are willing to go "that extra mile" for
your client.

The coverpage interface is different from other parts of CadEstimator. It uses
"Drag n Drop" to place objects on the page.


plans 1
Picture Menu

Rename

Rename the selected image.
This is the same as clicking
on the image's title.

Delete

Remove image from Job.
Only allowed if the image
is not in use with a takeoff.

To remove an image from
a takeoff, use the Picture
Panel right-click command:
"Remove Picture"


plans 1
Get Picture

Opens Cadestimator's image importing
utility. It reads all AutoCAD dwg/dwf/dxf
as well as most industry raster formats
Tiff, Targa, Jpeg, Bmp, and many more.


plans 1
New Blank Picture

Create a new blank picture with
a scale already setup. You can
draw on the image in the takeoff
room and then convert those lines
into a new background image.


plans 1
Paste Picture

Paste an image from the Windows
clip board into the planroom.

Note: you can capture any window
on your screen by pressing Alt+PrintScreen.
This places a bitmap on the clipboard.


plans 1
Edit Picture

Edit the selected bitmap using
the bitmap editor of your choice.

You can change which editor you
want to use in CadEstimator's setup

CadEstimator Setup


plans 1
Show All

You can display drawings by
type. For example Floor plans,
Elevations, Roof plans, Site plans
Sections, etc.

This makes it easier to select
drawings.


plans 1
Exit

Exit back to the Takeoff Room


plans 1
Rename Title

Click on the title of any image
to rename it.


plans 1
Select Picture

Click once on a picture to
select it

Dlb-click on any picture to
attach it to the current assembly
in the Takeoff room.

Right-click on any picture to take
it to the Scale Room.


price4
Exit Price File

Return to the Takeoff Room


price4
Paste Description only

When you doubleclick and drag a line from the
price file into the takeoff, if you pass over this
button (it turns RED) before dropping it, just the
description and price get pasted in (not a complete
assembly)


price4
Show Only / Show All

Type the description of what you are searching
for and only those line will be displayed.

Searches can have up to 2 items separated
with a space.
For Example: 5/4 REDWOOD
Finds all entries that have both REDWOOD and 1/4
in their description.


price4
Adjust Prices by Percent

If prices are adjusted by +10 percent then
all the takeoffs will be updated by the price
in the pricefile adjusted by +10 percent

This does not change the prices in the
pricefile


price4
Paste From Home Depot Software

Highlight & copy lines in the home depot software that
contain SKUs

Then click here to paste them into the price file


price4
Create Price files from takeoffs

It is possible for price files to contain a lot more information
then just the price of an item.

This information can be pasted back into the takeoff complete
with formulas and assembly names, comments etc.


price4
Copy List of Takeoffs

This is a simple utiltiy that creates a
list of all the takeoffs in a job. It can
then be saved as an XLS file.


price4
Add  Items not in Price File

You can use this utility to add items not already
in the price file.

This is different from adding all entries to the price
file. (which updates the price file prices with the
prices brought in from the takeoffs)

It disregards entries that already exist in  the
price file and adds the new entries at the end


price4
Paste From Home Depot

If you have the Home Depot sotware that
downloads prices from the internet you can
hightlight the SKU items (as many pages
as you want) and simply paste the info
right into the price file.

From the price file you can drag it into
the takeoffs and create assemblies with
them.

If you keep a record of what page numbers
the prices you need are on, it only takes
a couple of minutes to input current prices

The current prices could be used to update
the takeoffs at any time.


Room_Price


Price2 1
New

Start with a completly blank price file.
This erases the contents of the current
price file.


Price2 1
Printer Setup

Select and/or setup Windows Printer


Price2 1
Print

Print price file


Price2 1
Sort By Code

Price file is sorted by column B
Used with SKU Price files


Price2 1
Sort By Material Description

Price file is sorted by column A
Use with regular or SKU Price files


Price2 1
Close Price file

Exit Price File


Price2 1
Load

Load a price file.


Price2 1
Save

Save the current price file with
its current name


Price2 1
Save As

Save the current price file under
a different name or location.


Price2 1
Auto-Load Price file

Load this price file automatically
whenever the current job is opened.


Price2 1
No Auto-Load

Turn off Auto-Load


Price2 1
Import ASCII Price file

Price files can be imported from most
ascii files. Comma delimited, tab delimited
and space delimited.

More about Importing Ascii


Prices Importing ASCII Price Files
Importing ASCII Price Files

The Import ASCII Window

CadEstimator can import a tab or comma delimited ASCII file in either the SKU or the standard format.

The ASCII price import window works the same whether a standard or SKU price file is being imported. When this command is executed the current price file is made blank, and a form appears asking for the location of the ASCII file to load. The first ten lines of that ASCII file are imported and displayed with all the columns that are available to use. In the SKU price file you must pick 3 columns and type their letters in the text box. For the standard price file you need to only pick 2. These are the only columns that will be imported into the price file. Click the Preview Button to see if the results conform to how CadEstimator wants information set up in price files. When you're sure that it is importing correctly, press the Import ASCII File button. After importing is complete, Use the File menu Save As command in the Price Files to save the file under the name you want. When you know what format the ASCII file is in, you can just type in the column letters and press the Import ASCII File button.


Price2 1
Page Setup

Set up page printing options


Price2 1
Import Home Depot Prices

Imports from a .csv file previously exported
from the Home Depot Software.


Room_Price


Price2 1
Copy to Windows Clipboard


Price2 1
Paste From SpreadSheet

Paste a range of cells previously copied to the Windows clipboard
from a spreadsheet.
Note: you can move ranges of cells in this spreadsheet by highlighting
them and then dragging the BORDER to a different location.


Price2 1
Add All Takeoffs To Price File

Build a price file from scratch using the data
in the takeoffs. This price file can then be used
to update all the prices in all the takeoffs.


Price2 1
Find Same Item Different Prices

Before using price files to update the prices in takeoffs
its a good idea to use this utility to find out if there are
identical items with different prices.

This could mean that you need to more uniquely identify
items for example: "Drywall Labor" instead of "Labor"

This is important because items in the price file can only have
one value. You do not want to mistakenly update all your takeoffs
with the wrong value.


price4
View

Select the zoom factor to view
the spreadsheet.


price4
Show

Select which items in this menu
you would like to search for


price4
Update Takeoff

Click to update current takeoff
with current pricefile

a white X appears on each line
in the takeoff that was found and
updated by the price file.


price4
Update All Takeoffs

Click to update all the takeoffs in
the current Job


price4
Paste As Assembly

When you doubleclick and drag a line from the
price file into the takeoff, if you pass over this
button (it turns RED) before dropping it, a complete
assembly gets pasted in.


price4
Interfacing the price file

You can double-click and drag from the price file
and drop it on a line in the takeoff room.

Note: you have to double-click and drag
not simply drag.

You can also double click on any description
in the takeoff and the price file displays that
location


Report rename source
This is a special report you can generate which searches every takeoff for entries in it that are sorted to other takeoffs and gives you the opportunity to rename that reference.

For example; If you had a takeoff named "DRYWALL" and other takeoffs had entries sorted to "DRYWALL"

You might want to rename the takeoff "DRYWALL" to "SHEETROCK". Use this utility to change every occurence of "DRYWALL" to "SHEETROCK" in the sort fields of all takeoffs.


Report Room File Menu

Configure Report

Setup the takeoffs for the reports

Export to Spreadsheet

Export To

As different options become available they will
appear in this menu. It is updated when you
get the latest version of cadest over the Internet.

Print

The report on the currently selected tab will be printed.


Summary
Summary Report

The Summary shows the total cost of each takeoff
as well as the bottom line cost for the entire project.


Detailed
Detailed Report

The detailed report shows all the detail that
went into the creation of the summary.
Every charge to the estimate is itemized.


Compiled
Compiled Report

The Compiled Report gives less details,
but shows how much of each material
in that takeoff needs to be ordered.


Source
Source Report

The Source report shows the raw
information that is compiled from
all the takeoffs. It is useful to track
down items that have been sorted
in from different takeoffs.


Rename Source Field

This report is a trouble shooter to
fix a problem that may come up
in the summary report

For example you have an entry
showing up in the summary
called "TEST" and you can't find
out where it is comming from.

This tab has utilities that fix the problem


Reports
Mat/Equip/Labor/Sub

Every line in every takeoff can be defined
as being either Material, Equipment,
Labor and Sub-Contract

This report shows how each of these figured
into the total cost.


Address Block

This address is set in the takeoff
room JOB button


Company Block

This information is set in the takeoff
room JOB button


Account Codes

Every Takeoff should have an account
code. You can sort takeoffs by changing
their account codes.


Summary Dlb-Click
Takeoff Names

In the Summary Report

You can dlb click on a takeoffs
name to load and display that
takeoff.


View Menu
Print

Print the currently selected report


Direct Cost

In the Summary Report

The cost column displays the cost
of each takeoff before tax and or profit


Tax Column

In the Summary Report

The tax column displays how much
tax is to be paid. The tax rate itself
can be adjust in the Takeoff Room
JOB / INFORMATION / PRICES menu.

The title of this column does not have
to be "TAX" there is a place in the
cadestimator setup where you can
change it to something else.


Profit Column

In the Summary Report

The profit column displays how much
profit is to be paid. The profit rate itself
can be adjust in the Takeoff Room
JOB / INFORMATION / PRICES menu.

The title of this column does not have
to be "PROFIT" there is a place in the
cadestimator setup where you can
change it to something else.


Total Column

In the Summary Report

The total column displays the
total of the cost, tax, and profit
columns.


Bottom Line
Save Settings

Save how the reports are generated


Bottom Line
Edit Column width

Show top of columns  so they can be
resized.


Bottom Line
Open In Excel

Open the select Report in Excel

Whenever you generate the reports
new excel spreadsheets are created
in the folder of the job. They are:

SUMMARY.XLS
DETAILED.XLS
COMPILED.XLS
SOURCE.XLS
MELS.XLS
ALLOWANC.XLS


Bottom Line
Detail Sorted

The Default Value is to be checked

Unchecking causes the detailed report
to be left in the original order of the
assemblies in takeoff.

Note: The compiled report will not
work correctly with this un-checked.
Change settings and regenerate
to get the proper compiled report.


Bottom Line
HomeTech

The Default Value is to be Un checked

Use this for format the reports better
when using the HomeTech Database.


Bottom Line
Allowances

Every line in the takeoff that
has the ALLOWANCE flag
set shows up in this report

Note that the report shows
the dollar amount of the
allowance. The takeoff that
it originated in still has
tax and or profit and
an added % which does
not show up in the allowance
report


Exit Button

Exit back to the Takeoff
room. This leaves the report
open and it will not need to
be regenerated each time you
move back from the takeoff
room.

you can select the regenerate
button at any time.

You can force the report to
close completly by using
the Windows close button


Bottom Line
No Sub-Categories

By default CADESTIMATOR displays
the finished summary exactly the way
the takeoffs appear in the takeoff room
(showing all Categories and sub-
categories)

Use this feature to suppress category
titles


Print Setup

Each Report can be setup
with it own Fonts, colors,
print margins etc.

Move to each Report's Tab
then click this button.


Regenerate Report
Regenerate

Regenerate the report.
After you have made
changes to how you
want the reports select
this button to update
the reports with the
latest changes.


Sort To   On/Off

When Sort to is checked
items in a takeoff that
are sorted to a different
entry show up in those
entries when you generate
the reports.

When Sort to is not checked
all items in the takeoff remain
in that takeoff when the report
is compiled. Even though you
may have sorting information
in the takeoff


Prices

If you want prices in the
Reports check this box.


Hide Blank Lines

Check this box if you want to
suppress lines in the summary
that don't have a dollar value


Report_1
Show Cost Only

Check this box if you want
the summary report to only
show direct cost and not
include tax or profit/markup


Reports
The Reports

Click on the Tabs For More Information about Each Report

Compiled

The Compiled Report gives less details, but shows how much of each material in that takeoff needs to be ordered.
There is a setting in the CadEst.ini file that allows you to attatch the material description to a SKU item in this report.


Reports_regenerate
Use This command to regenerate the reports if you have made changes in the report print setup.


Room_CAD


Room_CAD


Room_Coverpage


Room_GetPictures


Room_Takeoff


Room_Job


Room_Takeoff


Room_Price


Room_Scale


Room_Takeoff


Room_Takeoff


Room_Takeoff


Scale 1
Scale

Set picture to a known page size and scale
This is useful for output of blueprint scanners


Scale 1
Width Box

Type in the width between the two vertical red lines.
Use Feet and inches separated by a ' fractions of
an inch are in decimal. For example forty two foot
seven and one half inches= 42' 7.5

when you have a HEIGHT set you can click on the
word WIDTH and cadest will fill in the missing value
from the proportions


Scale 1
Height Box

Type in the distance between the two horizontal red lines.
Use Feet and inches separated by a ' fractions of an inch
are in decimal. For example forty two foot seven and one
half inches= 42' 7.5

when you have a WIDTH set you can click on the
word HEIGHT and cadest will fill in the missing value
from the proportions


Scale 1
Select Type Box

If you assign types to the plans
you scale, it will make it easier
later to view them by type.
For example you may just want
to see the "floor plans" or just
the "elevations" when you are
in the Plan Room.


Scale 1
Zoom Window

When you are dragging arrows
onto the blueprint, this zoom
window shows a blow up of the
area under the mouse. A scrolling
bar appears on this window that
allows you to fine tune the location
of the line, Sometimes the line might
not exactly agree with the fine tuning
but the fine tuning is the most accurate.


Scale 1
CAD checkbox

Checking this box can dramatically
enhance how CAD drawing and true
black and white images are displayed.
it will not work with continuious tone
images (like photos).


Scale 1
Change Line thickness

Make red lines on image bolder


Scale 1
Help Menu

shows how to format numbers typed into
the height and width boxes


Scale 1
Line Thickness

Makes lines easier to see on image.


Scale 1
Help

Shows format if Feet and Inches
or Metric


Scale 1
Scale Screen

Scale Screen has 2 types of input

This screen accepts dropping the arrows
you drag from the "Arrows" box. You have
to drop 4 arrows to define an area in your
image. These lines are usually placed on
the ext walls or some other known dim

because of this next type of input, in some
cases it does not matter where you place the
lines.
After you have the 4 lines drawn and before
you have entered the dimensions, you can
click 2 points anywhere on the picture that
has a known distance. The height and width
values are automatically calculated.


Scale 1
OK button

The OK button will only be
enabled if a valid scale has
been typed into the Width
and Height boxes.


Scale 1
Cancel button

The Cancel button exits without
saving any changes you made.


Scale 1
Arrow Box

Drag the Arrow you want and
drop it on the blueprint. While
you are dragging you can see
a zoomed view of the mouses
location. If you don't drop the
arrow perfectly you still have
the option of fine tuning it in
the zoom window.

Move the Mouse in and out of
this box to turn on zooming
feature.


specs1
Save Changes

Save changes but do not update takeoffs


specs1
Update Takeoff

Updates the current takeoff only


specs1
Update All Takeoffs

Updates all the takeoffs in the current job


specs1
Print

Print the current specifications


specs1
Editing Specification

Specification are on a standard Excel
spreadsheet.

Column A contains the variable name
Column B contains what the variable
should be
columns C - ? are other values you might
want the variables to have

Press F2 to edit cell or just type over

Double-clicking on column A rotates value
in column B - ? to change specification


takeoff index1
Accounting Codes

You can type new account codes
right where you see them.

Use of accounting codes is optional
in CADESTIMATOR except if you
want to do TRACKING.
Tracking links the costs to the
account codes


takeoff index1
Option is present

Shows when options in takeoff


takeoff index1
Percentage of JOB

Shows cost as a Percentage of job

Shows each takeoffs percentage of the job


takeoff index1
Cost per square foot

Based on the project size and cost
of each takeoff

This project size  is set in the

Job Information Form


Takeoff Job Information
Job Information

Setup - Information

This form sets up the job name, address, builder etc.
that you want to appear on printouts of the estimate.

Setup - Pricing

Determines how tax and profit are applied to the estimate.

Setup Screen and Printout Fonts

Setup Project Size

The estimator's name and misc info can be stored here. It will not show up in any reports.

The Project Size is a new feature in version 5. By setting project size you'll be able
to glean all kinds of information from a previous job.


takeoff index1
Cost per square foot

Based on the square footage you type
in when you double-click on this column

Showing the sf cost of that actual part
of construction is useful for projecting
future cost.


takeoff index1
Change Column Spacing

Use the mouse to drag the columns where
they work best.

The column setting is saved between sessions.


takeoff index1
Add Template

You can drag a takeoffs from any other job and
drop it where you want them in the current
job using it like a template.

Templates you drag in can simply be
assemblies

Templates you drag in can contain graphics
and already built assemblies.

Templates can also contain images of
what you want to paste in. The image
can show many objects and the graphics
highlight each particular one.


takeoff index1
Add Takeoff

Drag this Icon and drop it where
you want to insert a new takeoff


takeoff index1
Add Category Title

Generally Category titles are place markers

You don't usually want to put any information in them
because it will not show up any in the reports.

Its main use is to act as a totaler for a group of takeoffs.

Other uses
In the compile menu you can compile the category's
sub parts into a single takeoff (residing in the category title
marker). this takeoff can be printed.

Because contents of category titles do not show up in reports,
there is no conflict about having the information in 2 places


takeoff index1
Turn Picture On/Off

This command gets the picture out
of the way so you can view the entire
list of takeoffs.


takeoff index1
Takeoff Names

Double-Click on a Category Title

This expands or collapses a category

Double-Click on a takeoff

You can double-click on a takeoffs
name to display a list of all the
assemblies in the takeoff. You
can then click on the list and
the assembly will be displayed.

Fast Editing

You can type over the takeoff names
right where you see them.

You can drag takeoffs to a new location

you can insert new takeoffs simply by
pressing the INSERT key. Then just
type its new name over it.


takeoff index1
Cost

Turning Takeoff COSTS   ON and OFF

Double-Clicking in the cost column
toggles the state of the takeoff.
the icon in the Name column
is gray when a takeoff is turned off.
and blue or red when it is turned on

Takeoffs that are turned off are not
included in the job in any way.

A blue check means that there is
at least one qty in the takeoff


takeoff index1
Tax

Turning Takeoff TAX   ON and OFF

Double-Clicking in the Tax column
determines if a takeoff will be taxed
or not. A dollar amout will show if
tax is added.


takeoff index1
Profit

Turning Takeoff PROFIT   ON and OFF

Double-Clicking in the Profit column
determines if a takeoff will have profit
added.  A dollar amout will show if
profit is added.


takeoff index1
Add Percent

Add a Percentage

You can type in a percent to
be added to the total cost
of a takeoff. In bidding jobs
you might use this to allow
for a difficultly factor.


takeoff index1
Total Column

Display results of all costs

All costs including added %

How tax & profit are calculated
is setup in Job information

Job information


takeoff index1
Bid Amount

Display cost of bid

This is what the job
was bid at as opposed
to the stick mode which
is what it actually cost.


takeoff index1
Stick Amount

Display cost of Sticks

This is what the job actually cost
as opposed to what it was bid at.


Takeoff Picture Prefrences
Picture Preferences

The Preferences form is accessed from the PICTURE menu.

Select what color lines to draw with

Click on the color bar to select which color will be used for the default color to draw graphics on the picture. This color setting can be overwritten in the style menu for each assembly..

Select Line Thickness

Select a line thickness that suits the scale of the drawing. Too thin and they are hard to see. Too thick and joist may blend together depending on their spacing. Line thickness can also be adjusted for the printouts by a setting in the CadEst.ini file.

Printing Options

Select how your printer will print graphics drawn on pictures

Picture Density

Change the picture density. This feature can make your screen and printouts look better because the graphics will really stand out.

Apply to All Pictures

Setting for the current picture can be applied to all pictures in the estimate.


Takeoff Room Picture

Picture Right-Click Menu


Takeoff Room Print Menu


Takeoff_assembly_menu_1
Open CostBook

Open the current costbook. If a
costbook is not yet loaded then
select a costbook.


Takeoff_assembly_menu_0
Make Font Smaller

Bump the fontsize down. This
also checks for new text and
adjusts the screen column
widths based on the amount
of text in each column.


Takeoff_assembly_menu_0
Goto Next Graphic

Jump to next assembly
that has graphics drawn


Takeoff_assembly_menu_0
Update Scale in takeoff

Recalculate all the information in
the current takeoff to adjust to the
new scale.

More Infor on Scale Room


Takeoff_assembly_menu_0
Update Prices in takeoff

Update all the prices in the current
takeoff using the current Price file

More About Price Files


Takeoff_assembly_menu_0
Repeat Assembly

Make a copy of the assembly
the cursor is on. The cursor
should be on the first line of
the assembly you want to duplicate.


Takeoff_assembly_menu_0
Link to Other Documents

You can place a link from your takeoff
to a document on your computer or to
a web address.

Those documents/web address will open
when you click on the link in your takeoff.


Takeoff_assembly_menu_0
Spell Check Cell

Check the active cell for spelling


Takeoff_assembly_menu_0
Spell Check Column

Spell check the column the cursor
is in.


Takeoff_assembly_menu_0
Spell Check Takeoff

Spell check entire takeoff.


Takeoff_assembly_menu_0
Change pitch in formula wizard

Allows you to set the pitch of all other assemblies in the takeoff that have pitch set in the formula wizard. It lines are highlighted in the takeoff, the selected lines are updated.


Takeoff_assembly_menu_0
Spell Check All Takeoffs

Spell check all takeoffs in the job.


Takeoff_assembly_menu_0
Spell Check Takeoff Names

Spell check all takeoff names.

Warning: Cadestimator uses the
name of the takeoffs for sorting
purposes. If you change the name
of a takeoff you could break the
sort to link.


Takeoff_assembly_menu_0
Cut Lines

Delete the high-lighted lines and save
them to internal clipboard.

(lines can be highlighted by dragging
the mouse down or by using the Shift-down
arrows in the takeoff.)


Takeoff_assembly_menu_0
Copy Lines

Copy Selected Lines


Takeoff_assembly_menu_0
Paste Lines

Paste Lines
Note: pasted quantites will be blank


Takeoff_assembly_menu_0
Jump to previous Graphic

Move cursor to previous entry that has
Graphics drawn


Takeoff_assembly_menu_0
Block Edit Comment Column

Used to paste or type long blocks of text
into the comment column. Words automatically
wrap to next entry in comment column. This
is useful for longer descriptions then a single
line in the comment column could provide.
These comments show up in finished takeoffs.


Takeoff_assembly_menu_0
Block Edit Assembly Column

Used to paste or type long blocks of text
into the Assembly column.

This information does not show up on any
of the printouts. It is used as a reminder
for the estimator to check something.

Words appear in RED on the takeoffs.

Because this command cuts down on
cadestimator's performance it is reccomended
it be used for less then 20-30 lines of text


Takeoff_assembly_menu_0
Make Font Larger

Bump the fontsize up. This
also checks for new text and
adjusts the screen column
widths based on the amount
of text in each column.


Takeoff_assembly_Right_click_Menu
Assembly Panel Right-Click Menu


Takeoff_column_0
The Column Titles

Single clicking on the column titles
selects the entire takeoff for copying.


Takeoff_column_0
The Assembly Column

The assembly column shows the title of each
Assembly. every line following the title until
the next title is considered a "Sub-assembly"

Assembly Panel Right Click Menu

Double click command for Assembly column

More About Columns


Takeoff_column_0
The Qty Column

Like a Spreadsheet cell the Qty column
contains a formula that creates the
final answer. (Amount of material to order)

Double Clicking brings up the Formula Wizard

Double Clicking brings up the Formula Wizard

More About Columns

More About Formulas

The Assembly Right Click Menu

When you Right Click on the Assembly Panel
the following menu pops up.

Assembly Panel Right Click Menu

More about Qty column in version 5


Takeoff_column_0
The Description Column

This column contains a complete description
of what needs to be ordered. Although it can't
do formulas like the Qty column, you can imbed
variables in it to change the material descriptions.

More About Columns

Specifications

The Assembly Right Click Menu

When you Right Click on the Assembly Panel
the following menu pops up.

Assembly Panel Right Click Menu

More about description column in version 5


Takeoff_column_0
The Comment Column

The comment column is used to give more
information about a material. You can embed
variables in it also.
.

More About Columns

The Assembly Right Click Menu

When you Right Click on the Assembly Panel
the following menu pops up.

Assembly Panel Right Click Menu

More about comment column in version 5


Takeoff_column_0
The MAT & LAB Unit Columns

These columns contain the unit costs of what
is described in the description column.

***Note:  the current version has no advantage
to using the labor col. it now acts as an extension
of the Mat Unit. A future update will be able to
seperate material and labor costs

Double Click on MAT col to turn item to Bid

If the MAT column ends in the word BID then
that item will not be updated by the price file
See more about this is the price room.


Takeoff_column_0
The Total Column

The Total column is calculated by multiplying
the Qty column times the Unit column. .

More About Columns

The Assembly Right Click Menu

When you Right Click on the Assembly Panel
the following menu pops up.

Assembly Panel Right Click Menu


Takeoff_CompileMenu
The Compile Menu

Itemized List

This command displays the Compile Form that compiles
the current Takeoff into a detailed list with all material
sorted by type. All Assembles and comments remain intact.

The Compiler

Shortcut Key F6

Total Each Material

This command displays the Compile Form that compiles
the current Takeoff into a simple total of all material.

Shortcut Key F7

The Compiler

Compile by List

This command allows you to create a Takeoff that is actually a combination
of other Takeoffs. Any Takeoff within the current job can be loaded and
optionally multiplied by a number.

More about Compile By List


Takeoff_Compiler
Compiling Takeoffs

Compiling A Takeoff

The Material Compiler Form

This form is displayed when either the COMPILE \ ITEMIZED LIST or the COMPILE \ TOTAL EACH MATERIAL menu is selected.

The Material Compiler form displays a finished material list. The list is sorted by material type and can either show an itemized or compiled list depending on which option was selected from the Compile menu.

Displaying Prices

Prices are displayed unless the SETUP \ JOB INFORMATION \ PRICES menu item "NO PRICES IN TAKEOFS has been checked.

Tabs at the Bottom

If any line in the current takeoff is sorted to another takeoff for the report, a tab for that takeoff is added and the list of material sorted to it is displayed when that tab is clicked.

Compiler Commands

Print

Print out the current tab.

Copy

Copy highlighted lines of text for pasting into other Windows applications.

Larger / Smaller

Set the size of the font to make the Takeoff easier to read.
(Does not effect printouts.)

Exit

Return to the Takeoff.


Takeoff_Graphic_Toolbox
Graphic Toolbox

Click on Buttons for info


Takeoff_GraphicToolbox_


Takeoff_Graphics_Toolbox
Jump to Previous Graphic

Searchs backwards to find an
assembly that has graphics
attached. If none are found it starts at
the end of the takeoff and works backward.


Takeoff_Graphics_Toolbox
Joist Fill Tool

Fill an area with Joist

The joist fill tool fills a polygon with joist.
The joist are always drawn perpendicular
to the first line drawn. This tool is great
for hip roofs when used with the Formula
Wizard pitch settings.

What Variables do the graphic tools update?


Takeoff_Graphics_Toolbox
Line Tool

Draw lines point to point

This tool allows you to draw lines by
specifying each line's start and end
point. After selecting this tool click
and release on the starting point, then
click and release on the end point.

What Variables do the graphic tools update?


Takeoff_Graphics_Toolbox
Horizontal Joist Tool

Draw Joist Horizontally

The Horizontal joist tool is similar
to the Box tool but draws joist instead.

The spacing of the joist is set by the
"OC box in the graphics toolbox

What Variables do the graphic tools update?


Takeoff_Graphics_Toolbox
Diagonal Joist Tool

Draw Joist diagonally

The diagonal joist tool requires you
to select three points. The first two
define the "band" that could cap the
ends of the joist. The third point defines
the length of the joist (As measured
from the 2nd point ). This Tool does not
adjust the spacing of the joist to true
centers if the band is not perpendicular
to the joist. The number of joist is
calculated by how many centers
divide into the run of the band.

What Variables do the graphic tools update?


Takeoff_Graphics_Toolbox
Box Tool

Draw a Box

This Tool draws boxes and rectangles on the image.
Click and Release on the starting point of one corner
of the box, move the cursor to the opposite diagonal
and click to draw the box

What Variables do the graphic tools update?


Takeoff_Graphics_Toolbox
Circle Tool

Draw a Circle

This tool allows you to draw circles.
After selecting this tool click and release
on the center of the circle, then click and
release when the circle reaches the proper
diameter.

What Variables do the graphic tools update?


Takeoff_Graphics_Toolbox
The Dot Tool

Draw a dot

The Dot Tool allows you to place a Dot
on the image to specify the location of
some point. It also has some special
variables assoiated with it that allow for
right and left hand door swings

What Variables do the graphic tools update?


Takeoff_Graphics_Toolbox
The Eraser Tool

The Eraser Tool

Use the Erase Tool to delete any graphic
from the picture. Simply position the cursor
over the graphic and click. There is no
UN-delete command. The graphic must be
re-drawn to reinstate it. This Tool affects
all the variables of any graphic object it erases.

What Variables do the graphic tools update?


Takeoff_Graphics_Toolbox
The Neighbor Tool

The Neighbor Tool.

This tool displays all graphics drawn
on the same picture in the Takeoff.
Each set of graphics is drawn in a
different color. It is very useful to check
if you have already estimated a particular
area. This tool does not affect any variables.

What Variables do the graphic tools update?


Takeoff_Graphics_Toolbox
Erase All Graphics

The Trash Can

Erase all the graphics on the current assembly.
All variables are updated.

What Variables do the graphic tools update?


Takeoff_Graphics_Toolbox
Goto to the Plan Room

Go to the plan room and view
blueprints available to the current
job. This is where you can "attach"
a picture to an assembly so that
you can draw on it.


Takeoff_Graphics_Toolbox
Height Tool

The Height Tool updates the Height
variable in the assemblies.

It also graphically draws the height on the image when the
"Style" is turned on.

What Variables do the graphic tools update?


Takeoff_Graphics_Toolbox
The "Inch on Center" Tool

The Inches OC option box sets the
spacing of joist drawn on the picture.
It also sets the value of the variable (OC) which can
be used in formulas for calculating the quantity of
material. It updates all math using the OC variable
based on its current setting.

What Variables do the graphic tools update?


Takeoff_Graphics_Toolbox
Fix Lines

This box is checked so that you
draw only straight lines at 90 or 45
degree angles. Pressing the shift
key when drawing does the opposite
of what this box is set for.


Takeoff_Graphics_Toolbox
Negative Areas

The Negative area indicator
allows you to subtract areas
from a picture. For example
if you were drawing a box that covered the
side of a house, you may want to subtract
the window area from the total square feet.
Draw a box or perimeter around the entire
area, then check this box and draw the
windows as negative graphics (these have
the color purple instead of regular graphics).
If you intend to use a texture map with the
style command you must draw the negative
areas first.


Takeoff_Graphics_Toolbox
No Pitch

When you are using the
formula wizard with pitch
settings you may want some of the lines
you draw not to be subjected to pitch. For example
if you are taking off starter shingle from the plan view
and had the formula wizard set to a 5/12 pitch, you
would draw on the gable ends first, then check this
box and draw the eaves. This way the lines drawn
on the eaves would not be adjusted for pitch.


Takeoff_Graphics_Toolbox
Manual Values

The Variables LF, SF and QTY can
be updated manually for each
assembly. It behaves the same as drawing graphics on
the picture.

What Variables do the graphic tools update?


Takeoff_Graphics_Toolbox
Rounding the Qty column

Each line in an assembly
can have its rounding turned
on and off with this check box. It always shows
the status of the current line. Clicking on the box
toggles it on and off.


Takeoff_Graphics_Toolbox
Turning the QTY on and off

Turning lines in a takeoff on and off

Checking the QTY ON/OFF
box allows you to double click
on any line in the takeoff to turn it off or on.

Turning off a line means it will not be  included
in the material list. You can use this feature to
have menus of items under a single assembly.

More about QTY ON/OFF


Takeoff_Graphics_Toolbox
Allowances

Mark the current line as an Allowance

An Allowance report is generated when
you use the Excel reports


Takeoff_Graphics_Toolbox
Bid Item

Mark the current line as a Bid Item

Lines that have the bid item checked only
appear when the bid mode box is checked


Takeoff_Graphics_Toolbox
Jump to Previous Graphic

Searchs forward to find an assembly
that has graphics attached. If none are found
it starts at the beginning of the takeoff and works
forward.


Takeoff_Graphics_Toolbox
Instant Assemblies

Paste Assemblies from the built in database

The DATABASE resides at c:\cadest\database

It contains assemblies you can paste into your job


Takeoff_Graphics_Toolbox
Cost Books

Any Job can be used as a "COSTBOOK"


Takeoff_Graphics_Toolbox
Find & Replace

Navigate across takeoffs to search for text


Takeoff_Graphics_Toolbox
Unanswered Questions

Each takeoff can have a log of questions
that need answers. All the logs are combined
in the report QUESTIONS in the Report menu


Takeoff_Graphics_Toolbox
Sort to

Every Line in every takeoff can be sorted
to any other takeoff when the reports are
generated.

This is how for example Exterior walls
are estimated in the framing takeoffs but
the sheetrock and trim estimated from it
show up in there respective takeoffs.

See the Video Tutorial under
TAKEOFF ROOM TOOLS


Takeoff_Graphics_Toolbox
Options

Options allow you to have more than one bottom line

It is fairly simple to create options in CADESTIMATOR.

It allows you to create jobs that have assemblies you can
turn on and off with options

When you change an option, everything connected to it
is updated. (Even in other takeoffs)

See the video tutorial "TAKEOFF ROOM TOOLS : OPTIONS


Takeoff_Graphics_Toolbox
Specifications

Global specifications you can change

Specifications

See the video tutorial
TAKEOFF ROOM TOOLS : SPECIFICATIONS


Takeoff_Graphics_Toolbox
Bid Mode

Checking this box turns on the BID MODE

The Bid mode is like having a completely
separate job in the project.

See the video tutorial
TAKEOFF ROOM TOOLS : BID MODE


Takeoff_Graphics_Toolbox
CADESTIMATOR SETUP

Change the default way Cadestimator works

Changes affect all jobs.


Takeoff_Graphics_Toolbox
Make Picture Large

Toggles the display of the picture to
Full Screen and back. It does not
affect the current position of the resizing bar


Takeoff_Graphics_Toolbox
Symbols

Add Style to your takeoffs with
custom symbols


Takeoff_Graphics_Toolbox
Select Symbols

Choose a category of symbols
and move the mouse over the picture
when you have the picture you want,
click & drag it onto the blueprint image


Takeoff_assembly_menu_1
Go To JOB ROOM

The Job Room is where you manage all
your jobs in CADESTIMATOR.

Each job has its own folder below the program
directory. Typically c:\cadest\your job folder

You can rename, copy, clone, backup & restore
jobs with the commands in the job room.


Takeoff_assembly_menu_1
Save Takeoff

There is no automatic backup system.
Whenever you change takeoffs or jobs,
CADESTIMATOR will ask if you want to
save the changes.

If you are working in a single takeoff for
a long time, use this button to save all
your changes up to that point.


Takeoff_assembly_menu_1
Go To Price Room

Brings up the Price Room


Takeoff_assembly_menu_1
Sizing Bar

Drag bar up and down to resize picture


Takeoff_assembly_menu_1
Column Spacing

Click to change column visiblity


Takeoff_assembly_menu_1
Blueprint

Digitize on screen


Takeoff_Graphics_Toolbox
Goto Scale Room

Go to the scale room for the
currently displayed blueprint.


Takeoff_Graphics_Toolbox
Adjust Style

Each Assembly can have its own style.
Styles affect the way graphics are drawn
on the blueprint.

Some things you can do with styles

show height of walls in drawing
change color of drawing lines...
set graphics to solid or transparent
render texture maps on areas and walls
draw symbols

More About Styles


Default


Takeoff_Graphics_Toolbox
Style ON/OFF

Turns the style on and off.

This is useful for example when
some styles slow down the display
because of their render time or when
displaying the style would make it
more confusing to draw on the image.


Takeoff_Graphics_Toolbox
Perimeter Tool

This tool allows you to draw lines one after another around a perimeter.
If the perimeter is closed then an AREA is created. After selecting this
tool click and release on the starting point, then click and release on all
following points. To close an area click on the first point (a bell will sound)
and a dot will appear near the top of the area. If this dot is deleted with the
delete tool the square feet will not be added to the AREA variable.

What Variables do the graphic tools update?


Takeoff_Graphics_Toolbox
Vertical Joist Tool

Draw Joist vertically

The Vertical joist tools is similar to the Box tool but draws joist instead.

The spacing of the joist is set by the "OC box in the graphics toolbox

What Variables do the graphic tools update?


Takeoff_HelpMenu
The Help Menu

This Help file

Visit www.digitalproperty.com for more information about CADESTIMATOR

Internet Update Now

Get and install latest version of software

Other Shortcut Keys

A List of shortcut keystroke to make the program easier to use

Video Tutorial F12

If you have installed CADESTIMATOR Video Tutorial to your hard drive it
will play the videos directly from the hard drive. If the tutortial was not
installed on the hard drive, you can still play the video from your CD by
having it present in the CD-ROM. If the CD does an autorun when you
insert the disc simply use the EXIT button to close it.


filemenu
Job Information

Information

Set up job name, address,
tax rate, profit, etc.  Also
sets up a jobs screen colors,
fonts

The Job Information Form


filemenu
Importing Jobs

Import RS Means

Converts a text file exported from
RS Means Costbooks into a JOB

Import HomeTech

CADESTIMATOR has extensive
support for the HomeTech Format
it imports the entire database and
converts it to a job complete with
all long text descriptions.

Import From Excel

You can switch back and forth from
Excel, copying and pasting assemblies
into CADESTIMATOR using custom
filters.

More about Importing Excel


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Refresh Job

Loads and saves each takeoff
and refreshs all indexes


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Update Scale

Updates the scale in all takeoffs
in the job


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Update Prices

Update all takeoffs & assemblies with
the current price file.


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Exit CADESTIMATOR


Takeoff_Panel_Assemblies
The Assemblies Panel

What does the assembly panel let you do?

The assembly panel displays all the assemblies
that are in a takeoff. You can type in the "cells"
and move around with the arrow keys similar to
using an Excel spreadsheet.

How to make and use Assemblies


Takeoff Picture Prefrences
List of Takeoffs Panel

Takeoff List

All the takeoffs in a job are listed in this panel.
The highlighted line in the list is the currently loaded takeoff.
Only one takeoff can be selected at a time.
 Select any takeoff by clicking on it.

Takeoff List Right Click Menu

Improvements in Version 5


Takeoff Picture Prefrences
Takeoffs List Right Click Menu

ADD NEW
        Create a new blank takeoff
INSERT FROM TEMPLATE
        Paste in a complete takeoff
RE-NAME
        Rename the current takeoff
SAVE AS
        Save current takeoff as another new takeoff
DELETE
        Delete the current takeoff
UPDATE THEIR SCALE
        Update the scale information in all takeoffs
SORT BY ACCT CODE
        Resort the list in ACCT Code order
SORT BY NAME
        Resort the list in Name order
PRICE ROOM
        Open the Price Room
REFRESH LIST
        Force all takeoffs to refresh their totals
UPDATE ALL TAKEOFFS
        Use Price file to update all takeoffs


Picture Right Click Menu
The Picture Panel

The does the picture panel do?

The picture panel displays the blueprint image
for the assembly you clicked on.
You can draw on it using the graphic tools
to the right of the picture panel.

Picture Panel Right-Click Menu

When you Right Click on the picture
the following menu pops up

Picture Panel Right Click Menu


Picture Right Click Menu
The Picture Panel Right-Click Menu

Click on buttons on picture for description


Picture Right Click Menu
Open Plan Room

This Button will open the Plan Room.
It is also used to show the title of each
of the other buttons in the menu.


Picture Right Click Menu
Copy Graphics

Copy the current picture and all the graphics
drawn on it for later pasting into another Assembly.
(Even in another takeoff).


Picture Right Click Menu
Open Notes on Takeoff

Open up notepad for the current takeoff to record questions,
comments, reminders, etc. these notes can be reviewed with
the Report menu command QUESTIONS


Picture Right Click Menu
Paste Graphic

Pastes the picture and graphics previously copied
to the current Assembly.

The Qty column is automatically updated by the
graphics pasted into the Assembly. Graphics cannot
be pasted onto a different picture
(as their scale information would be meaningless).


Picture Right Click Menu
Copy Graphic to Paste Room

Send a copy of the current graphic
to the Paste Room


Picture Right Click Menu
Paste Room

Open the Paste Room
You can Select a picture
to paste by double clicking
on it


Picture Right Click Menu
Create BluePrint from Graphics

Create a new blueprint image using
only the lines drawn on the current picture.


Picture Right Click Menu
Create Blueprint from Graphic and Picture

Create a new blueprint image that combine the current image
and graphics. This feature can be useful for creating special
effects and details for your cover pages.
Because you can keep adding layers and saving each improvement
as you get a picture to look just the way you want it.


Picture Right Click Menu
Remove Picture

Remove picture from Takeoff. If you
can't remove a picture from the planroom
use this command to remove all refrerences
in the current takeoff.


Picture Right Click Menu
Set Picture Preferences

Edit a picture colors, line thickness
tranparency etc.

Picture Preference Form


Picture Right Click Menu
Print This Picture

Print the current Picture and Assembly


Picture Right Click Menu
Calculator

Windows Calculator Pop Up


Picture Right Click Menu
Auto Joist Button

If the Auto Joist button is depressed and you are drawing joist or rafters, a new assembly will be created for each set of joist you draw.


filemenu
Select Printer

If you have problems with a network
Printer, have the printer emulate
an LPT1 port


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Questions

Each takeoff can have its own questions
and or comments.

This report combines all the takeoffs
comments into one document.


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Word Report RTF files

This command opens Microsoft Word with
the RTF files created by generating a Visual
Contract

Unfortunely you have to actually print out
the "Visual Contract" before the RTF files
are created. Any printer with a print preview
will accomplish this task. But there is other
software that takes printer output and displays
it before actually printing anything. For example:
Adobe Acrobat Writer

Once you have WORD open you can tell it
to unlink the picture references and store
everything in a single DOC file that can be
edited.


filemenu
Quickbooks Export

Every line in every takeoff can be made to
point to any quickbook accountcode that
you've setup in quickbooks

CADESTIMATOR will not create any new
inventory items

It finds out what inventory items you already
have from the file CADEST.IIF exported from
quickbooks


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Cover Page

Cover pages add a professional touch!

Every Bid should have a coverpage.

More about Cover Pages


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HTML

a different way to get information across

CADESTIMATOR generate a complete HTML
document for the job.

You will be able to hand a client a CD, have
them simply insert it into their computer and
up pops their job with all the red-lining visible


Takeoff_Resizing_Bar
Resizing bar

The resizing bar is usually in the middle of the screen when you are doing takeoffs. You can click and drag it up or down when you want to see more or less of either the assembly panel or the picture panel.


Takeoff_Jobroom_Button
Open the Job Room

Job Room

Displays the window that allows you to
open a different job than the one currently
loaded.  It is also the startup window
when you first run the program.


Takeoff_Jobroom_Button
The Save Button

Save Takeoff

Saves the changes made to the current takeoff.
Its a good idea to use this button frequently.


Takeoff_Jobroom_Button
Cost Books

Using Cost Books

Cost Books are an interesting feature in
CADESTIMATOR. They organize the jobs
you want to use as templates for future jobs.

Some users like to start with a blank job and
paste the information in as they needed from
the jobs they entered as Cost Books

More About CostBooks


Takeoff_Jobroom_Button
View Assemblies

Show list of assemblies in the takeoff

This is a quick way to list all the assemblies
then optionly to click on any assemblies name
and have that assembly placed at the top of the
page.


Takeoff_Jobroom_Button
Report Configuration

Configure the Report

Setup how you want the Major reports
for the job to be preformed.

Configure Reports Form


Default


Takeoff_Jobroom_Button
The Report Button

The Report Generator

Report Setup Form


Default


Takeoff_Jobroom_Button
Direct Cost Display

Displays to total direct cost in the takeoff.
This is before tax and profit are calculated.


Topic1


Topic2


Topic3
Title


Topic4
Title


Topic5


Track_1
Job Menu

Specifications

Set the specifications for the job
such as, overtime points, first day
of work week etc.

Default Date

You can set the date on the printouts
for making corrections

Job Information

Gives you the current count of POs
and labor logs.


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Exit Tracker


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What is TRACKER

TRACKER was originally designed
to "account to an accounting dept"
in the construction of movie sets.
I don't know why, but keeping
a budget in real time put you
weeks ahead of the accounting
dept.

Goal #1

That TRACKER was so easy
to use that an untrained production
assistant could use it.

Goal #2

That you would know up to the minute
where every dollar in the job stood and
that you could easily document it with
a few mouse click and print it out.

CADEST MEETS TRACKER

It was a natural extension of
CADESTIMATOR to incorporate
TRACKER because the takeoffs
could actually create the POs

Goal #2 is further enhanced by
POs graphically showing placement
of material

See the Video Tutorial TRACKING


Track_1


Track_1


Track_1
Daily labor Log

Keep track of who works on what when!

Organize employees by trades

Input your Labor logs daily for the
previous day by making a copy
of the last log and saving it as a
new day

The purpose of the CREW log is to store
the names in the order they will appear
in printouts. It also establishs what trade
an employee belongs to. (if you use trades)

See the Video Tutorial under TRACKING


Track_1
Weekly Log

Gives you a window onto any work week
in the job. It displays all employees and
trades hours for the week

You can also show a particular cost code
to view distrubtion of labor.

See the Video Tutorial under TRACKING


Track_1
Purchase Orders

Lets you know where the money goes
and to whom

POs are created from your takeoffs, but
you can also make them manually.

POs can be used for more than tracking
materials to suppliers. They can be used
to track any other cost item you wish.

For example: You could have a po numbered
1000 that points to a suppler called Petty cash
or
2001 could be check request #1
2002 could be check request #2 etc.

basicly make up any account code and point
each line in the POs point to it.

See the Video Tutorial under TRACKING


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Suppliers

Add or edit suppliers, seach for
phone numbers/ contact names etc

See the Video Tutorial under TRACKING


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Budget

Shows the bottom line for the job.

Using the update button gives you
where you stand on the entire job
up to the minute.

It can be sorted various ways to make
the data stand out.

See the Video Tutorial under TRACKING


Track_1
Search POs

Search for and jumps to POs
that have what you are looking for.

Refresh the index to keep it current.


Goto_Takeoff_Room
Navigating between Rooms

Job Room     To   View Plan Room

You don't have to load a job into
the Takeoff Room in order to view
its Blueprints

Click on any job and select the
PLAN ROOM button.


Goto_Takeoff_Room
Navigating between Rooms

Job Room     To   View Reports

You don't have to load a job into
the Takeoff Room in order to view
its Reports.

Click on any job and select the
REPORTS button.


the estimate setup window


the order the estimates appear in