TAVCO Construction Technology Blog

Blueprints are a classic historical icon of the construction industry. For some more seasoned AEC professionals, the thought of reviewing a blueprint brings back nostalgic memories. For other, younger people, a blueprint (or blueline) drawing may be best viewed in a museum, not at a jobsite.

But, the fact remains, printed construction plans are still used regularly (I know this because companies still buy a lot of plotters from us). And, while digital files and applications are wonderful to work with, it is still useful to have a set of paper plans available onsite.

This still leads companies to purchase new plotters or MFPs. And, when exploring options, you have probably wondered, “should I get an inkjet or a toner plotter?”

AutoCAD - The Industry Standard

When it comes to CAD design software, the first thing that probably comes to mind is AutoCAD, and rightfully so. It was first released in 1982, essentially giving birth to the PC-based CAD (computer-aided design) movement as we know it. Since then, AutoCAD has become a household name in most AEC firms.

During the mid-to-late 2000s, many architectural, engineering, and construction offices throughout the country purchased Kip 3100 plotters and MFP units.

The new Canon imagePROGRAF TZ 30000 is here, and it is specifically engineered to be the fastest imagePROGRAF plotter ever. It’s packed with a multitude of new technologies to make your work easier than ever before. See how the new TZ automations outmatch of all inkjet CAD plotters that came before it.

AutoCAD® and BricsCAD® are two well-known CAD software platforms. They share some similarities but are also quite different from one another.

If you considering a new CAD solution or looking to make the change, hopefully this article will provide some helpful context so you can compare the two.

Guest article by Renata Jolene

Picture source: pexels.com

The pandemic has necessitated rapid innovation across every sector, and the construction industry is no exception. In fact, in the 2020 JLL’s State of Construction Tech report, senior analyst Henry D’Esposito said,

Poster printing used to be a privilege reserved exclusively for high-end commercial print shops. Sure, they do good work, but it is expensive - especially if you are printing signs, book covers or posters on a regular basis.

But, changes in technology have not only made poster creation and printing posters much easier, it has made it more accessible to everyone.

Today, if you can click a mouse, you can print some amazing posters with Canon wide equipment and software. See how.

[ Watch the recorded webinar ]

Despite all the digital advancements in the AEC industry over the past few years, the concept of a completely paperless office just does not exist. There is still a need for paper plans, maps, and other large images.

So, a plotter is still very much a viable piece of equipment for any architectural, engineering, and construction offices. But there are more options now than ever. The choices can be daunting. So, this article will help narrow down the important aspects of how to buy a plotter today.

Many years ago, someone gave me the awesome advice of, “you have to be willing to give up who you are for who you may become.” It looks like Troy DeGroot is living by that creed with his launch of U Chapter 2 - his company dedicated to Bluebeam training – empowering people to get the most out of Bluebeam Revu.

Canon recently announced their latest additions to their imagePROGRAF line of large format printers with new hybrid solutions, the imagePROGRAF TZ-30000 and imagePROGRAF TZ-30000 multifunction printer (MFP) Z36.

When it comes to construction projects, Subcontractors (Subs) are the heart and soul of any job. General Contractors and Architects rely on their Subs (HVAC, plumbing, lighting, electrical, concrete, etc.) to complete the project on time and under budget. So, efficiency and productivity are the keys to subcontractor success.

But, it is a changing world and some subcontractors have issues adapting to some of the shifting business dynamics within the construction industry. The entire construction workflow us much more digital. Though this change has dramatically decreased the need to print hard copies of construction drawings, the need still exists. 

Plotting needs have certainly changed, but have not gone away completely. In fact, construction-related printing is still very vital, but dynamic. So, every contractor should have access to a wide-format plotter, for a variety of reasons. 

When it comes to working with construction plan revisions, speed is certainly a factor. Given the current construction labor shortage, the expectation is for more key people to do more work, make less errors, and still finish projects on time.

So, when a speed hack is discovered, it doesn’t take long for others to jump on board. This is why Bluebeam Revu software might just be muscle that companies need to supercharge comparing construction plan revisions. 

See why Revu can be one of your most powerful weapons in your arsenal when it comes to finding changes in document revisions quickly.