TAVCO Construction Technology Blog

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.

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. 

Construction documents are full of data, today more than ever. Often contractors or other project partners need to quickly search a set of plans to identify specific, important information.

Unfortunately, manually reviewing a set of printed plans is laborious, tedious, and invites mistakes. Luckily, there is a faster and more accurate way - the Search Tool in Blubeam Revu. For those who use it, Bluebeam's Search Tool is a game-changer for working with construction plans.

Swiss-based imaging manufacturer, Leica, recently introduced the first smartphone-sized device that allows users to instantly get measurable 3D data just be snapping a picture. Contractors are ecstatic about the new Leica BLK3D Imager.

This tool is perfect for skilled construction trades that need fast and accurate measurements, but not necessarily full models. It takes immediate and precise 3D measurements from any 2D image it captures.

Guest article by Christian Erickson of Qnect - Connection Engineering and Design Software

“This nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to Earth.”

~ President John F. Kennedy May 25, 1961

That was a big goal. We know the outcome. Goal reached.

Another big goal in the building and construction was recently announced. Specifically in the structural steel sector - a growing and important part of any project.

When construction projects approach completion, a Punch List is one of the final activities that must be conducted.

Essentially, this is a list of repairs and incomplete work items remaining at the end of a project that must be finished by specialty contractors to address and fix, before the project is completed, plan submittals are completed, and the project is handed over to the building owner.

According to the Business Directory, this is the definition of a Punch List:

A listing of items requiring immediate attention before finalizing a construction project. It is a document listing work that does not conform to contract specifications, usually attached to the certificate of substantial completion. The contractor must correct the punch list work before receiving payment.

The topics of a punch list can be wide-ranging. For example, door adjustments, flooring issues, electrical problems, and damaged wood trim are all potential items in a punch list.

For decades, this has happened via a manual paper/pen process that is slow, tedious, and marred with potential communication problems.

Luckily, now, software applications, like Bluebeam Revu, provide a way to quickly and easily complete a punch list and keep every stakeholder up to speed, in real time.

The PDF file format is now an industry standard for large-size floor plans. The reasons for this are pretty obvious. PDFs are commonly used, they are familiar, they can include embedded meta data, and they can be protected by robust security properties.

These dynamics have made PDF files universally used throughout the construction industry. But, when it comes to dealing with a multipage set of plans, organizing the pages to quickly get to the specific information you need, can be challenging at times.

No worries, Bluebeam Revu software is a perfect cure for your multipage PDF blues.

Here’s the scenario: You are a Project Manager at construction company who just can’t find enough time to handle everything. There are project meetings to attend, sub-contractors to coordinate with, submittals, site visits, RFIs and other looming bid deadlines. No doubt, things are hectic. So, if there was a way to save some time, you’d jump right on it. Luckily, Bluebeam Revu provides you a way to quickly markup, edit, and revise your construction plans, saving you a bunch of time to take care of those other things. Check out how easy it is to customize markups using Bluebeam Revu.