Introduction to CostX

Introduction to CostX®

Introduction to CostX®

Contents 1 CostX® _______________________________________________________________ 1 1.1 Introduction__________________________________________________________ 1 1.2 CostX® Product Range _________________________________________________ 1 1.3 CostX® Training Options________________________________________________ 2 1.4 CostX® Help Files _____________________________________________________ 2 2 System Configuration ____________________________________________________ 3 2.1 CostX® for single or multiple users ________________________________________ 3 2.2

System Administration _______________________________________________ 3

3 Getting Started ________________________________________________________ 4 3.1 CostX® Display _______________________________________________________ 4 3.2 Setting up a project ___________________________________________________ 5 3.4 Using Templates or Previous Projects _____________________________________ 5 3.5 Merging Buildings _____________________________________________________ 5 3.6 Keyboard Shortcuts ___________________________________________________ 5 4 2D Digital Drawing Files __________________________________________________ 6 4.1 Adding a drawing _____________________________________________________ 6 4.2 Navigation around a 2D drawing _________________________________________ 7 4.3 Layers______________________________________________________________ 8 4.4 Other Control Buttons __________________________________________________ 8 5 2D Measurement ______________________________________________________ 10 5.1 Measurement _______________________________________________________ 10 5.2 Measurement Tools – 2D vector files _____________________________________ 11 5.3 Measurement Tools – 2D raster files _____________________________________ 12 5.2 Dimension Groups ___________________________________________________ 13 5.4 Other Control Buttons _________________________________________________ 13 6 Auto-Revisioning ______________________________________________________ 14 6.1 Revisions to 2D Drawings _____________________________________________ 14 6.2 Revisions to 3D BIM Models ___________________________________________ 14 7 Workbooks ___________________________________________________________ 15 7.1 Costing View tab ____________________________________________________ 15 7.2 Live Linking ________________________________________________________ 16 7.3 Workbook Content ___________________________________________________ 17

Introduction to CostX®

8 Reports ______________________________________________________________ 18 8.1 Standard Reports ____________________________________________________ 18 8.2 Report Preview ______________________________________________________ 18 8.3 How to Customise a Report ____________________________________________ 18 9 Subcontractor Comparison _______________________________________________ 19 9.1 Subcontractors List___________________________________________________ 19 9.2 Subcontractor Comparison Workbooks ___________________________________ 19 9.3 Subcontractor Comparison Reports ______________________________________ 21 9.4 Priced Tender Schedule _______________________________________________ 21 10 BIM Dimensions and 3D Measurement ____________________________________ 22 10.1 3D Drawing Navigation _______________________________________________ 22 10.2 BIM Model Navigation _______________________________________________ 23 10.3 Import Quantities from BIM Models _____________________________________ 25 10.4 3D Measurement ___________________________________________________ 25 10.5 BIM Dimensions – Workbooks _________________________________________ 26 11 Further Information ____________________________________________________ 26 11.1 Additional Reading __________________________________________________ 26 11.2 Drawing File Optimisation ____________________________________________ 26 11.3 Free Training Videos ________________________________________________ 27

Introduction to CostX®

1 CostX® 1.1 Introduction CostX® is an exciting software innovation developed by award winning software designers and construction industry professionals. It allows non-CAD users to measure from PDF or CAD files without running CAD software, and, dependent upon the version of CostX® being used, create detailed workbook documents such as estimates, cost plans, bills of quantities or tenders – all within a fully integrated, paperless, electronic environment. A powerful and flexible report writer allows professional quality output to be produced and issued either as paper documents or electronic files. At its core, CostX® comprises two complementary and fully integrated modules: 

The Dimension View. A drawing viewer where CAD files can be viewed, and without the use of CAD software or any previous experience of CAD by the user, detailed and accurate dimensions generated automatically from 3D CAD models (3D versions only), or measurements easily and quickly taken from 2D drawings by using simple but powerful electronic measurement tools. Using simple mouse clicks, these tools make use of the embedded CAD data to capture dimensions and building geometry – you’ll never need to use a scale rule again!

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The Costing View. A spreadsheet based workbook (not available in CostX® Takeoff) within which the cost plans, estimates and bills of quantities etc. are developed. You can import previous documents to use as a template, access rate libraries, code for sorting, generate reports – everything you need to create sophisticated, accurate and flexible working documents. You can switch back and forth between the modules at any time, and you can always see what’s been measured where, with all measured items clearly highlighted - and the live links between the drawing and the workbook keep the workbook up to date at all times. It is the integration of the modules and the “live linking” of the dimensions that make CostX® so unique, simple and yet powerful.

1.2 CostX® Product Range The CostX® Family of Products ranges from fully-featured CostX® through to CostX® Takeoff 2D, which are available at differing price points. This manual introduces the key features of CostX® but not all features are available in all products. Refer to the table below for a comparative overview of product features.

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1.3 CostX® Training Options CostX® is very easy to learn and use, so after just a few hours of introductory training you’ll be up and running – but through regular use of CostX®, you’ll find that you are able to further develop your skills to really exploit its power and capabilities. CostX® training courses are available either online or can be delivered in your office by one of Exactal’s CostX® Product Specialists. Training material includes comprehensive manuals, videos, sample files and worked examples. Online material can be viewed at www.training.exactal.com. Courses include structured Introductory and Advanced training modules. The Introductory Course concentrates on the import and manipulation of CAD and alternate drawing files and use of the CostX® measurement tools. It also covers initial project setup, and, dependent upon the version of CostX® being used, introduces workbooks, rate libraries and reports. Advanced modules look at Revisioning (design change updates), Subcontractor Comparisons, Workbook Tools (zoning for functional areas, advanced rate libraries, sorting by multiple codes), and Advanced Measurement including automatic quantities generation from 3D BIM models (3D Versions only).

1.4 CostX® Help Files 

In addition to the training manuals, CostX® contains very comprehensive Help Files. They are easily accessed at any time whilst you are working in CostX® by using the F1 key, or clicking the help icon

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which is in the top right hand corner of the screen.

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2 System Configuration 2.1 CostX® for single or multiple users CostX® can operate in a Network or Standalone environment. 

Network mode allows several users to share CostX® on a common server which gives them access to all projects, and enables them to work on the same project and measure from the same drawing simultaneously. The Standalone mode operates on individual computers, but files can still be shared and merged via an export and import function. There is also a portable standalone licence that can be swapped between computers via a USB key (dongle). The network and standalone modes both look the same and progressively save work automatically. CostX® creates a complete system back-up automatically each night, and a RecoverX utility also allows individual files to be restored from the system back-up.

2.2 System Administration 

To open CostX® double click on the CostX® Desktop icon and a blank CostX screen will open with a Select Building dialogue box open to enable you to select an existing building or start a new one. If using the network version, you will first be prompted to enter a password.

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System Administration is found under the Main Menu. To open the Main Menu, click on the CostX® icon in the top left hand corner of the screen. The System Administration area is used for global CostX® changes, Project set-up and to hold central libraries for rates, codes, etc. Generally CostX® does not ship with library content because it is expected that users will create and maintain their own libraries unique to their business. External data can be easily imported into CostX®, and it is also easy to copy and paste between CostX® workbooks and Microsoft programs such as Excel® and Word®.

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3 Getting Started 3.1 CostX® Display 

The display takes the form of a Ribbon. The Ribbon is a way to organize related commands so that they are easier to find. Commands are organized in logical groups, which are collected together under tabs. Each tab relates to a type of activity, and within each tab the commands appear as control buttons along a horizontal strip at the top of the screen. There is a tab for Drawings, Dimensions, and Workbooks respectively.

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There is also a Home tab, which conveniently collects together the most commonly used control buttons from each of the other tabs. When the cursor is held over a control button, a Supertip hint box displays which describes the button name and function.

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The display can be viewed in either the Dimension View (drawings) or the Costing View (workbooks – not available in CostX® Takeoff), accessed by clicking on the tabs under the Ribbon or via the F9 and F10 keys respectively. You can use two monitors to have both views open simultaneously; simply double click on one of the tabs and the view will open in a new window which can be dragged across to the second monitor.

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Dimension view contains a drawing viewer screen, a list of drawings top left and a list of dimension groups bottom left. The costing view contains the workbook spreadsheet, a list of workbooks top left and the same dimension group list bottom left. The dimension groups are the common interface between both modes, for taking dimensions from the drawings and into the workbooks.

Dimension View

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3.2 Setting up a project Before any work can be done in CostX® a Project file has to be set up. This is the highest level file and is done at System Administration level. All work relating to the Project will be carried out and stored within the Project file. Within System Administration, select the “Projects” button from the left hand column by clicking on it. Then click “Insert” and enter the project details into the dialogue box. Then close System Administration.

3.3 Setting up a Building Once the Project has been set up, all CostX® activities relating to that Project take place within a Building file. There can be any number of Building files residing within a Project. 

Click on the Main Menu icon and then click on “New Building”. A dialogue box will open to enter the building details.

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If Standard Dimension Groups have been set up in System Administration, you may optionally open the Standard Dimension Groups tab and tick or un-tick any groups that you would/would not like to use in the new building. You can also import Dimension Groups from Excel® via a CSV file.

3.4 Using Templates or Previous Projects 

New buildings can be based on previous projects or pro-forma templates to avoid having to enter dimension groups and workbook descriptions from scratch.

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“Based On” is used for this purpose. After entering the new Building details, move to the “Based On” section of the box and select the required template or previous Project and Building from the drop down menus, and check the data selection boxes. Usually you would only check the “Use Dimension Groups” and “Use Workbook” boxes to provide a basis for a new estimate. Using the drawings and dimensions would provide a full copy of the previous project with all quantities intact. Then click “Insert”.

3.5 Merging Buildings If you set up a Building and then decide later that you would like to bring in data from other Projects, Buildings or templates, the “Merge” command can be used. 

With the new Building open in dimension or costing view, open the Main Menu and hover the cursor over ‘Merge Building”. Select either “from database” which means current Projects and Buildings already set up in CostX®; or “from EXF File” which means a CostX® file exported or sent to you by another user.

3.6 Keyboard Shortcuts 

In addition to the ribbon buttons and right mouse click menus, there are several keyboard shortcuts. These are scheduled in the Help files under the following headings:  General Keyboard Navigation & Shortcuts;  Keyboard Shortcuts in Workbooks;  Keyboard Shortcuts in Drawings.

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It can be useful to print these schedules out for easy reference. 5

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4 2D Digital Drawing Files 4.1 Adding a drawing 

The Digital Drawing Interface is a key strength of CostX® and a major differentiator from competing software products, enabling a fully digital workflow and vastly improved speed and accuracy over traditional or digitizer measurement.

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The Add Drawing menu button is in the Drawings ribbon tab or in the Drawings section of the Home ribbon tab. Use the Add Drawing option for 2D drawings.

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Simply click the button to Add a Drawing. A browser opens to access the electronic drawing files on your computer or network. Double click on the required file to import. You can import image files (JPEG, BMP, PDF), vector PDF files, DWG, DGN and 12D files, 2D and 3D (not available in 2D products) DWFx files, IFC files, and several other formats.

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The drawings can be re-named for ease of identification and sorting.

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The default CAD scale is 1:1 but be aware that you are likely to receive drawing files in a variety of formats and scales. The Drawing Properties dialogue box provides the means to adjust drawing scales. Regardless of the scale used, it is always good practice after the drawing has been inserted to verify that the drawing has been correctly scaled by use of the “Measure Distance” button on the Drawings ribbon or by the “m” key function which measures any given length.

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The Measure Distance tool will also return values for multiple conjoined segments and the enclosed angle and pitch between them.

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If the scale is unknown, a calibration tool can be used to determine the scale.

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It is also possible to enter the repetition of the drawing or unit type for the number of typical floors or units. This will multiply all measurements by the number inserted.

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Drawing properties (name, scale, etc) can be amended at any time by clicking the “Properties” button or double clicking on the drawing name, which will re-open the properties dialogue box. Any measured dimensions will be automatically updated.

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Drawings within multi-sheet sets (PDF or DWFTM) can be selected individually, grouped, or as a complete set. In DWFTM files, CostX® hyperlinks can link related drawings, eg. a section reference on one drawing can link to the section detail drawn on another drawing.

4.2 Navigation around a 2D drawing 

Simply hold down the mouse wheel and move the mouse to pan (move) the drawing around.

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Scroll the wheel on your mouse to zoom in or out of the drawing. Point the cursor to where you want to zoom in, then scroll the wheel.

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There are also navigation control buttons on the Drawings ribbon or via right mouse click.

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Right click menu options allow for the drawing orientation to rotated, zoom areas and extents to be defined, the view to be reset to its default, raster images such as logos or symbols to be hidden, and mark-ups to be created. Note that these options only relate to the drawing view in CostX®, the drawing file itself is not being amended.

The mark-up box and pointer can be separately relocated by hovering the cursor to select them and dragging whilst holding the left mouse click. Select the Mark-up and right click for menu options to edit or delete.

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4.3 Layers 

CAD files such as DWGTM files contain drawing information in layers. Not all drawings have layers, eg. Raster type PDF’s. It is invariably easier to view and measure particular drawing components if unwanted layers are hidden to reduce “clutter”.

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Click the layers tab above the drawing name. The layers will be listed and can be switched on or off by checking or un-checking the boxes. Alternatively hover the cursor over the drawing and the cursor will attach to lines and highlight them in orange. Hold the shift key and the entire layer will be highlighted. Click on the highlighted line to switch off the layer. Note that the layer is not being removed from the drawing, simply hidden.

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The Layers section of the Drawings ribbon contains several control buttons:

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“Show all” reinstates all the drawing layers;

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“Hide all” hides all the drawing layers;

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“Invert” inverts the layer selection. This is a quick way to select a particular layer to measure from, rather than laboriously switching off all the unwanted layers. Simply click on the desired layer which will switch it off (hide) it. Then click the invert layers button – all the remaining layers will now be switched off and the selected (hidden) layer reinstated.

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Click the Drawings tab to exit layers mode before measuring.

4.4 Other Control Buttons The Drawings Ribbon contains several sections, each with a selection of control buttons. Some of these control functions are also accessed via a right mouse click when the cursor is over the drawing, or by short cut keys (eg. the “m” key measurement function.)

 The Compare function allows one drawing to be compared against another, using an overlay technique, red for the old layout, green for the new. The overlay screen may also be printed to a report. The colour intensity can be adjusted using the sliders. Turn the mouse wheel to zoom in and out, and hold the left mouse click and move the mouse to drag the top (green) image for positioning. The comparison view can be printed as described below. Click “Stop Comparison” to exit Comparison mode.

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The Reports button on the Drawings ribbon allows screen shots of the drawing window to be printed. Print... to Report provides a formatted report output as an image file. The title and other details may be amended in the dialogue box. This prints the drawing window as you see it, so zoom, rotate, etc. to select the drawing view as you wish to record it. Publish... to PDF creates a PDF of the Drawing which may also be presented as a report. Publish...to DWF creates a DWF file of the Drawing. Right click on a drawing title and select “Copy Drawing Window to Clipboard” to capture an image which can then be pasted into other documents or programs.

 The Working Area function allows areas of the drawing to be isolated for ease of measurement, or perhaps to separate details shown to a different scale on the same drawing. With large or complex drawing files, limiting the working view can increase the speed of the software.  The View in 3D button allows dimensions taken on a 2D drawing to be displayed as a 3D projection.

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5 2D Measurement 5.1 Measurement Using CostX®, on-screen measurement is fast, easy and accurate. A “sticky cursor” attaches to the lines in the drawing, making measurement a simple case of “point and click”. All measurements are clearly highlighted so you can always see what’s been measured where, with every dimension individually listed and tagged. Area measurements also return a perimeter value with optional height functions for automatic calculation of wall areas and volumes. The values can be optionally displayed in a text box when the cursor is held over a dimension. Markups can also be added to the drawing display (not to the drawing file itself – CostX® is strictly read-only and cannot alter CAD files.)

Different colours can be selected for measurements and displayed in a Legend. The drawing display and measurements can also be printed, or published to PDF or DWFTM.

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5.2 Measurement Tools – 2D vector files Several simple but smart measurement tools allow you to optimize drawing file intelligence for increased measurement speed and accuracy. Areas 

Standard – click on perimeter of area to define its borders, click once at every change of direction and press enter or right click to complete area.

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Quickpoint – press and hold Shift key to measure a rectangular area.

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Quickpoint combining areas (for irregular-shaped area) – press and hold Shift key to measure the first area, press and hold Control key (do not release Shift key) and click to measure adjacent area(s) – the areas will be combined.

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Polyline – press and hold L key whilst hovering cursor over the perimeter of an area. If a polyline is available, the area will be highlighted blue. Click once to capture the complete area.

Lengths 

Standard – click on lines to measure the length of the item.

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Combining lengths - press and hold Control key to measure the length of the item, click once at every change of direction.

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Trimming Lengths – cutting lengths at an intersection by use of Control key and right mouse click trim start/end

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Polyline – press and hold L key whilst hovering cursor over a line. If a polyline is available, the full perimeter of an area will be captured with a single click.

Counts 

Standard – click on the item to register a count.

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Blocks – Press and hold Shift key to highlight the item as a drawing block (object) – usually but not always doors, sanitary fixtures, etc. Then click.

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Multiple counts – Press and hold Shift and Control keys to highlight all like Blocks, then count them all with a single click.

Polyline single click area measurement 11

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5.3 Measurement Tools – 2D raster files Measurement tools work by attaching to vectored (drawn) lines in the CAD file. These lines do not exist on an image (raster) file such as a scan or a JPEG or BMP file so the measurement is digitized in CostX® as an overlay on the drawing. Raster drawings are added in the usual way but a scale must be entered into CostX® if it is known, otherwise the Calibrate tool can be used to determine the scale before measuring. Areas 

Standard - click on a corner of the area to be measured. Then drag the mouse to move the cursor. A line will appear. Place the cursor on the next corner and click. Continue to drag the mouse, clicking the cursor at each corner to define the borders. Enclose the area and at the last corner before returning to the start point, press enter or right click to complete the area. To commence a new area immediately adjacent to an existing one, hold the “O” key.

Lengths 

Standard – click on an end of the length to be measured. Then hold the Control key and drag the mouse to move the cursor. A line will appear. Place the cursor on the end of the length to be measured and click to capture the length. Keep hold of the Ctrl key to add further lengths to the first, or click without the control key to start a new length measurement. To start a new length over the end of an existing one, hold the “O” key.

Counts 

Standard – click on the item to register a count.

A “Raster Mode” button allow raster style measurement to be taken on a vector drawing. This is very useful for when you want to take measurements without connecting to any drawing lines. Even in Raster mode, you can still snap to points and use single click Polyline measure and Block count. To disable the snap feature, switch off the Snap button or hold the “B” key.

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5.2 Dimension Groups The measured dimensions are collected into Dimension Groups as they are measured from the drawings. You have to create the Dimension Group before you can measure the dimensions, which can only be done whilst in the Dimension View. Once measured, dimensions can be exported from the Dimension Group into Excel®, dragged and dropped into an Excel® spreadsheet, or you can switch to the Costing View (not available in CostX® Takeoff) and drag and drop the quantities into the Workbook, thereby creating a “live link” (see 7.2 below). 

Buildings can be set up to automatically include a set of standard Dimension Groups drawn from a library; may incorporate Dimension Groups based on or merged from another Building or template; or individual Dimension Groups can be added at any time with the Add Dimension Group button.

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Dimension groups are arranged into Dimension Group folders. Examples may be folder – Floor Finishes, dimension group – Carpet. These names are not used for reporting so may be abbreviated.

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The Dimension Groups are located in the bottom left corner of the screen. The viewing window can be enlarged vertically or horizontally. Clicking on the Dimensions tab will display each individual dimension within the Group.

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The data shown in the Dimensions tab can be userdefined from an options list.

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For vertical elements there is an option to insert a height in the Dimension group properties. For example, walls may be measured by length on plan, and the height nominated in the Dimension group will return an area value in addition to the measured length.

5.4 Other Control Buttons 

The Dimensions ribbon contains several sections, each with a selection of control buttons.

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In the “Show” section, click ‘Measured Items” to highlight or hide measured items. Click “Overlaps” to show where measurements overlap on the same item. Click “Labels” to show annotation of individual dimensions, which references the item numbers within the ‘Dimensions” tab. These can be overwritten with your own annotations.

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6 Auto-Revisioning (Not available in CostX® 2D versions) The revision function in CostX® is extremely powerful. As revised drawings for a building are issued to reflect design changes, the building revision status in CostX® can be incremented (Add Revision) and the drawings promoted from the previous to the new issue. All changes are scheduled in a Revision Log.

6.1 Revisions to 2D Drawings CostX® compares the dimensions that have already been extracted from the previous drawings to the same drawing objects in the new drawing issue and displays them for adjustment and acceptance by the user. The comparison of dimensions is done for all area, length and count dimensions and when the revised dimensions are accepted, the dimension group quantities are automatically updated. Workbooks also support revisions, allowing the updated quantities from the new drawing to automatically update the new workbook revision. 

In order to revise the area dimension below, the previous measurement shown in yellow is relocated to its new position on the revised drawing by a simple click and drag or click and drop, and the quantity will automatically update.

Drawings, dimensions and workbooks from previous revisions are automatically saved, creating a comprehensive audit trail. Previous revisions may be viewed at any time using the drop down Current selection list.

6.2 Revisions to 3D BIM Models CostX® has full revisioning capabilities for imported BIM dimensions. When a 3D model is promoted, the quantities are updated automatically and detailed in the Revision Log.

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7 Workbooks (Not available in CostX® Takeoff)

7.1 Costing View tab 

The Add Workbook button is in the Workbook ribbon tab or in the Workbooks section of the Home ribbon tab. You can have several Workbooks in a single Building.

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Workbook structure is spreadsheet based, similar to Excel®. Columns A to H are fixed; columns I onwards are user definable. This structure is highly flexible and easy to use.

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The Spreadsheet is hierarchical. This means double click on row number or F: Subtotal column to drill down to an underlying Cost build-up sheet; double click on C: Quantity column to drill down to a quantity build-up sheet; double click on E: Rate column to drill down to a rate build-up sheet. Click on the up arrow to return to the previous level.

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7.2 Live Linking Dimensions are transferred from the Dimension Groups to the Workbook by dragging and dropping or by link formulas. It is worthwhile to live link as much information as possible to get the best out of CostX®. Increasing the number of times a dimension group is used increases efficiency, for example a single room area dimension can be used for both floor finish and ceiling; the perimeter for skirting and cornice; and perimeter x height for wall finish. 

Click on the required Dimension Group to highlight it. Hold down left mouse button on Dimension Group, then drag and drop (click) dimension into workbook column B: Description to create a new line item, or column C: Quantity to insert quantity into workbook.

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When clicking to drop the dimension, a dialogue box will open. This enables selection of various dimension properties, eg. perimeter of area, or use of a height if it has been inserted into the Dimension Group properties. Perimeter x height will provide wall area.

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The quantity will now be inserted into the workbook and is “live linked” to the dimension group. If the dimension is changed, the workbook quantity will automatically update. A simple right click command “Show Dimension group” on the quantity or the Show Source button on the ribbon will open the drawing view and display the dimension where the quantity has come from.

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If the Dimension tab is opened, individual or multiple dimensions (select multiple dimensions with the Ctrl or Shift keys) may be dragged and dropped into the workbook. Note that these will not be live linked.

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Rates can also be dragged and dropped from rate libraries into Workbooks and will be similarly “live linked” for automatic updating. Rate libraries can be multi-structured so that a composite rate build-up in one library can, for example, reference labour rates and material prices held in another library, and the rate items can include full descriptions and codes.

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7.3 Workbook Content 

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Workbook content (item descriptions, etc) can be drawn from a number of sources; workbooks can be based on (copied from) previous jobs, or on templates complete with preformatted descriptions and items. Data can also be copied and pasted from Excel® or Word®, simply typed into the workbook, or imported from (and exported to) other estimating software. Standard phraseologies or model description libraries may be imported into CostX® and accessed via a Phraseologies tab to drag and drop text into workbooks. Text strings may be selected individually or combined to create detailed descriptions.

CostX® workbooks can automatically append secondary quantities to workbook descriptions, such as the area of a slab measured by volume, or the lengths of steel members measured by tonnage. This feature is controlled by a simple right mouse click command.

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8 Reports (Not available in CostX® Takeoff)

8.1 Standard Reports To generate a report you open the subject workbook, then use the Reports button on the Workbooks ribbon. Standard report formats may be established as default templates, for general use or for copying prior to amending.

8.2 Report Preview Select a Report Template from the list and click “Generate”. Then select “Preview”.

8.3 How to Customise a Report Click on a report title to select it, and then use the Edit button. To maintain integrity of the standard templates, first copy the template, rename the copy and then edit it. Report Suites allows multiple reports to be generated simultaneously, eg a detailed report together with its associated summary. The Edit function can be restricted to selected users.

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9 Subcontractor Comparison (Not available in CostX® Takeoff) The Subcontractor Comparison System in CostX® consists of two main parts: a pre-formatted spreadsheet-style Subcontractor Comparison workbook; and a suite of default Subcontractor comparison report templates. The report templates can be downloaded from the CostX® installation CD and imported using the Main Menu “Import CostX Data” button.

9.1 Subcontractors List 

A Subcontractor library with contact details may be created in the Subcontractors section of System Administration, and those subcontractors will then be available for selection each time a Subcontractor comparison workbook is created for their trade, without having to type them in each time. Subcontractors who are not listed in the library can also be added directly into the workbook at any time.

9.2 Subcontractor Comparison Workbooks 

Whilst in the tender estimate workbook, click on the Workbooks tab to open the Workbooks ribbon. Generate a subcontractor comparison workbook by selecting the Generate Subcontractor Workbook option from the Add workbook drop down menu. A Workbook Properties box will open with a naming option for the new workbook which adds the words “Subcontractor Comparison” to the name of the source workbook. This name can be left as is or amended at this point, but cannot be the same as the source workbook. There is also an option to pre-fill the preferred pricing column with estimate figures. Click OK and a new Subcontractor Comparison workbook is generated and a Subcontractors ribbon will open which contains buttons for easy access to all standard comparison functions.

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A “Fill From Estimate” button provides the ability to add estimate allowances for items excluded by subcontractors in order to compare on a like for like basis.

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A “Fill To Lump Sum” button provides the ability to pro-rata subcontractors lump sum trade totals across all breakdown items within the trade.

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A “Freeze Columns” button allows columns to be fixed in the workbook view while others are scrolled.

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The Subcontractor workbook contains features such as fixed columns for lowest and preferred subcontractors, read only cells, automatic formulas, subcontractor selection, empty price flags, columns formatting, and Subcontractor headings, amongst other things.

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To ease navigation within the workbook, single or multiple columns can be hidden by use of the buttons in the Workbook Display section of the ribbon, or with right click menu options.

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All subcontractors in the library that have the “Include” box ticked against trades that exist in the workbook are automatically pre-filled in the workbook against those trades. A “Single Preferred” option allows only one or multiple subcontractors per trade can be selected as preferred.

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Prices can now be entered for each of the subcontractors in their respective columns. Rates and text can be copied and pasted into multiple cells. Type prices into the Rate column (white one) and the Total column is filled out automatically by multiplying by the quantity column. (Note – if you type directly into the total column, the rate is automatically calculated and filled in). Each cell that needs to have data entered is tagged with a small orange corner tag, which disappears when the data is entered. Remaining tags indicate cells that still need to have data entered.

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The Low columns (N & O) get automatically filled in with the lowest price data.

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Once a price has been entered, you can select the subcontractor for that item as “preferred” (regardless of whether the price is the lowest), or make adjustments to the pricing to ensure that the comparison is on a “like for like” basis. For example, a Use Estimate function allows the estimate pricing to be used to price an item excluded from the subcontractors tender. The Fill From Estimate button will insert estimate prices against all unpriced items. Small blue marker tags indicate use of an estimate rate.

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To select a subcontractor as preferred, click on a cell with their name or total in it, then click the Make Preferred button in the Current Subcontractor section of the ribbon, or the Use Current button in the Preferred Subcontractor section of the ribbon. (Note: these buttons are interchangeable, and you can also use the right click menu “Use This Subcontractor” option).

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The Pref columns (L,M) will be filled with the selected subcontractor’s details for all estimate items, and their details in the subcontractor columns will be underlined.

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The Preferred selection can be cleared by use of the “Clear” button in the Preferred Subcontractor section of the ribbon, or use the right click menu “Clear Preference” option.

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If additional items such as addenda items need to be added to a trade or to the trade summary, this can be done in the pink section at the bottom of the workbook.

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The Subcontractor workbook contains columns to add Contingency, Escalation and BWIC (Builder’s Work in Connection) allowances. This may be done at Summary level 1 or at Detail level 2. These allowances may be lump sums, or formulas such as =M1*5%.

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9.3 Subcontractor Comparison Reports 

There are 12 report templates provided with CostX® for Subcontractor Comparison reporting. These are system generated and cannot be edited. (Users can also create their own bespoke report templates as required).

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Click on the Reports Generate button on the Workbooks ribbon to open the Reports window.

9.4 Priced Tender Schedule When the comparison exercise is complete and a tender price has been determined, a Tender Schedule priced using all the selected subcontract prices may be generated. 

With the completed Comparison workbook open, click the Add dropdown menu on the Workbooks ribbon and use the “Generate Standard Workbook” option. A new name will be required for the workbook.

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The workbook is a standard workbook which can be edited in the normal way. Additional data has already been inserted into it including the Mark-up allowances, and the names of the selected subcontractors listed against their pricing.

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10 BIM Dimensions and 3D Measurement (Not available in 2D versions) CostX® has full 3D graphics capability, which means it has universal application ranging from measurement of simple 2D drawing files through to 5D BIM capability. The BIM capability arises from the ability to read parametric design models such as those from Autodesk® Revit® (via a DWFx export) or Graphisoft® ArchiCAD® (via open-format IFC files) to extract object properties and their associated quantities. All objects within the model can be easily viewed, hidden or isolated using the advanced graphics engine. 

Use “Add Drawing” to import a DWFx or IFC file containing 3D views and Model data. Instead of a single 3D view DWFx, a multi-view DWFx containing a 3D view and a set of 2D views and sheets (plans and elevations) can be imported. The BIM dimensions are taken from the 3D view, and then additional quantities can be added to the BIM dimensions by measuring from the 2D sheets in the normal way. Additional 2D DWFx, DWG or even PDF drawings can be added at any time.

10.1 3D Drawing Navigation The CostX® Dimension View features an easy to use 3D viewing navigation system, including a view cube for rotating and aligning the drawing and the ability to move through a building (even through walls) to see the 3D model from any position or angle. Individual drawing objects can be shown and hidden (e.g. hide the roof to access the interior of the building) and the whole building can be shown in shaded, transparent or wireframe mode. The navigation tools include; 

Display control buttons on the Drawing ribbon and in the View section of the Home ribbon. Transparent mode is useful for identifying hidden measured objects.

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Scroll mouse wheel to zoom, hold wheel down and move mouse to pan, hold left mouse button and move mouse to rotate building;

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Click on the view cube arrows or facets to rotate or reset the building views;

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Walk through the building by use of the “eye” function. To do this, firstly select an elevation view by using the view cube. Then hold the “E” (eye) key on the keyboard and move the mouse forwards or backwards to move through the building. You can then scroll or hold the mouse wheel to zoom in and out and to pan around.

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Right click menu options include filtering and hiding objects and object types, showing object properties, selecting object properties for measurement, adding mark-ups and resetting the screen view.

10.2 BIM Model Navigation 

The Model tab opens a Model Tree, which provides an at-a-glance view of the entire hierarchical structure of the objects within a 3D BIM model. The tree format of the tab allows any part of the model to be easily selected, progressively filtered, and displayed.

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

The Schedule button opens a Model Schedule which schedules all the parametric properties of the model objects selected in the model view. The schedule may be filtered to specific categories within the model tree, eg. to create a window or door schedule, and may also be exported to Excel®.

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The Model Maps function allows users to configure templates, called Model Maps, which can extract data from a BIM model using any combination of object properties. The Model Maps are created by dragging and dropping the relevant object properties into the desired Model Map fields. A Preview tab previews the resultant quantities and their associated Dimension Group structure.

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10.3 Import Quantities from BIM Models CostX® has the ability to extract BIM Object properties from 3D Model drawing files or multisheet 3D and 2D files, with several measurement options available to optimise data extraction. The measured objects highlight in green on the 3D view and also on all associated 2D sheets in the same drawing set. 

The “Add Dimension Group” function (or right click “Create Dimension Group”) allows you to select specific BIM Properties to use for measurement of individual objects.

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The “Import Dimensions from BIM Properties” function will automatically create dimension groups and generate quantities from a 3D model view for all displayed model objects using a standard CostX® BIM Template.

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The “Import Dimensions Using Model Maps” function tool will automatically create dimension groups and generate quantities from a 3D model view for all displayed model objects using a user defined Model Map.

10.4 3D Measurement 

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3D measurement tool allows counts, lengths and areas to be easily taken off 3D drawings. In addition, depending on the properties of the drawing , a shortcut Smartkey (L key) will automatically takeoff areas, including the surface area of complex curved 3D shapes in a single click.

The Measure Distance tool also operates in 3D. 25

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10.5 BIM Dimensions – Workbooks (Not available in CostX® Takeoff) Within the Costing View, there are a number of different ways the quantities can be transferred to the workbook. 

The first example is to create a workbook in the standard format by basing it on a previous job, then dragging and dropping the dimension groups into the appropriate cells. Alternatively, if the family names are going to be used regularly, workbook templates with link formulas to those names may be set up. Rate libraries linked to those same named items could also be established to automate the pricing process.

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Another method is to create a workbook from the dimension groups. To do this click the Add workbook drop down menu and select Generate Workbook from Dimension Groups.

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This will generate a two level workbook with live linked quantities. The dimension group folder names will be shown on the first level and the dimension group name and quantities will be shown on the second level.

11 Further Information 11.1 Additional Reading Contact your local Exactal office or reseller to obtain a free copy of these documents. Advanced CostX® Techniques is essential reading for all serious users of CostX® products.

11.2 Drawing File Optimisation

This document aims to provide general tips and guidance to Designers for the more common drawing file formats on how the files may be arranged and optimized to improve team communication, and specifically to assist in the quantities measurement and estimating activities. It is not intended to be a mandatory requirement for using each file format within CostX® but rather to reflect some of the more common optimizations which are of benefit. 26

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11.3 Free Training Videos The Exactal Website www.exactal.com contains a series of training and demonstration videos, as well as other useful resources.

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