Best Display for Bluebeam​

Tag an RFI in Bluebeam and Sync the Whole Crew

The video outlines a quick 5-step process for generating an RFI directly from your drawings:

1. Select the Cloud+ Tool: Navigate to your tools and select Markup > Cloud+ [00:07].

2. Highlight the Issue: Draw a cloud around the specific area on the plan you need to address, press Enter, and type your initial note (e.g., "move the stall") [00:18].

3. Snapshot the Area: Go to Edit > Snapshot and select the area you just marked up [00:31].

4. Transfer to Template: Open a new PDF using your RFI template, then Paste the snapshot into the document [00:37].

5. Finalize and Share: Add any remaining notes or details to the RFI form and share it with your team [00:50].

Key Takeaways

• Visual Context: The workflow emphasizes carrying visual context (the plan snapshot) directly into the formal RFI document, reducing ambiguity.

• Cloud+ Efficiency: Using the Cloud+ tool allows you to create the shape and the text callout in a single action, speeding up the markup process.

• Template Integration: The process relies on having pre-loaded RFI templates in Bluebeam ("new PDF from template") to quickly standardize the output.

Common Pitfalls

• Ensure the Snapshot captures enough surrounding context so the location on the plan is clear.

• Remember to hit Enter after drawing the cloud to trigger the text box input [00:18].

Lock Accurate Scale in Bluebeam in 45 Seconds

The video outlines a quick 5-step process to calibrate Bluebeam for your drawings:

1. Access Measurement Tools: Navigate to the top menu, select Tools, then Measure, and click Set Scale [00:07].

2. Initiate Calibration: In the dialog box that appears, click the Calibrate button [00:07].

3. Define the Distance: Select your first point on the drawing, then tap the second point to define a known distance [00:19].

4. Enter Measurements: A dialog will pop up; type in the actual physical distance between those two points (e.g., 17 ft) [00:19].

5. Apply and Verify: Click Apply Scale. You can verify the calibration by checking the scale settings displayed at the bottom of the screen [00:26].

Key Takeaways

• Speed: The process is designed to be extremely fast, allowing users to calibrate a large format touchscreen in under a minute.

• Touch Interface: The workflow utilizes the touchscreen capability ("grab one touch point") to quickly define measurement spans without a mouse.

• Immediate Verification: The interface updates instantly, showing the new calibrated scale at the bottom of the window for confirmation.

Common Pitfalls

• Short Calibration Distance: Picking two points that are too close together can lead to less accurate scaling across the entire drawing. It is better to pick the longest known dimension available.
• Incorrect Input: Typographical errors when entering the known distance (e.g., typing 17 inches instead of 17 feet) will skew all subsequent measurements.

Capture Room Square-Footage & Export to CSV

The video outlines a quick process to export square footage from Bluebeam drawings:

3–6 Step Summary

1. Select the Measurement Tool: Choose the Area/Square Footage tool from the toolbar [00:07].

2. Define Areas: Tap or click to select the specific rooms or zones you want to measure (e.g., circulation, restrooms, concessions) [00:07].

3. Verify Measurements: Confirm that the measurements have appeared in the markups list at the bottom of the screen [00:22].

4. Initiate Export: Click the Share/Summary button located near the markups list [00:22].

5. Select Format and Customize: Choose your desired output format (CSV or PDF) and filter the columns to include only the data you need (e.g., labels, totals) [00:29].

6. Finalize Export: Click OK to generate the final document [00:35].

Key Takeaways

• Batch Selection: You can measure multiple distinct areas (like different rooms) one after another before exporting, and they will all be compiled into a single summary [00:07].

• Customizable Data: The export function allows you to edit columns, meaning you can strip out unnecessary metadata and focus solely on the metrics that matter for your report [00:35].

• Format Flexibility: The tool supports both CSV (for spreadsheets) and PDF (for formal reports) exports directly from the interface [00:29].

Common Pitfalls

• Incomplete Selection: Failing to verify that all intended rooms are highlighted before clicking export may result in missing data.

• Column Overload: Not filtering the columns during the export step can lead to a cluttered report full of irrelevant system data (like Author, Date, etc.) instead of just the area totals.