Bluebeam Pdf Review Software
What is Bluebeam PDF Revu?Bluebeam PDF Revu is a design and construction management software that has been designed to streamline collaboration on projects of various sizes. This tool lets users put together a centralized collection of all materials required in a project. This makes it easier for team members and other collaborators to work on the said project, as they are able to make changes concurrently on the same documents.
This tool also has a feature that can convert documents and blueprints into 2D and 3D PDFs. Multiple team members can then markup these PDFs throughout. Bluebeam PDF Revu lets team members conduct this simultaneously. The main benefits of Bluebeam PDF Revu are the collaborative feature of the application, shareable nature of each file created by the application, users access to project files as needed, document creation from a variety of sources, and information centralized into a single file.Real-time CollaborationThis makes it easier for members of your team to coordinate with each other on individual projects. That’s because this tool lets you put together all important information pertaining to a project into one digital file. This means that you won’t have a hard time finding which document your team member is working on and your teammates can easily find which document you’re referring to.ShareabilityBluebeam has made the shareability of the items you create easier.
You can share key files with select individuals in your team and your key personnel can share reports with you, as can your rank-and-file employees. And since you can converse with them instantly via the documents themselves, this feature makes it easier to discuss key items with your team.PDF Creation at WillBluebeam PDF Revu lets you convert a variety of files into a fully markable PDF.
This includes CAD files, MS Office files, and images that have been digitized. So you can put together all of the files of one project into one central file, which makes collaboration easier.Conversational Markup ModeAll of the documents created via Bluebeam PDF features a neat way of communicating with your team within the document through annotations and markups. This results in threaded views of chats, making it easier for team members new to the project to follow the history of the current task they are dealing with.
This feature also allows team leaders and managers to pull reports based on these conversations, which is great for creating historical information about a specific project, task, or issue.
Pros: There is no PDF program out there to my knowledge that comes anywhere close to this program when it comes to the construction industry. We have been using this program for 6 years now, and the advancements the developers have made have been fantastic.
Bluebeam Pdf Review Software Online
All of our estimators and project managers have at least Bluebeam Revu, some have Extreme. The text recognition for creating page labels/bookmarks is fantastic (has improved greatly over time). The Sets feature is top notch as well, particularly for keeping up with jobs that have numerous revised drawing sets. The takeoff module is quite powerful, although we do not really take advantage of it's full potential as we already had an on-screen takeoff program. Pros: I love that it can 'read' my plans, and help me with my takeoffs. The search function can look for either words or symbols, and is incredibly useful when I'm looking for something specific.The different user type profiles are tailored to show the tools and functions that someone in that role would be more likely to use the most.
It's easy to switch between these profiles, even when viewing the same file, so no matter what or how many hats I'm wearing that day, it's easy to find the tools that I need for the job I'm doing.The customizable tool box is great - I can use the existing tools, or create my own! These are handy for posting as-builts, as well as for doing take offs and estimates.I love all the short cut keys!!
Instead of using my mouse to select tool options, I can simply use the 'G' key to take a 'photo' of a certain part of my open file, or 'C' to cloud an area. I use these frequently and it really cuts down the time I spend posting changes to our drawings.There are so many tools, functions, and options, that you're sure to find everything you need for seamless and efficient construction drawing management! Pros: I have been using BB Revu PDF software since 2010, when I switched from Adobe Professional. Revu is designed for construction personnel. I use it for reviewing documents and drawings, marking up, sketching, quantity take off, illustrating, presentations, flowchart and Org Chart creations - just almost everything. I convert word documents to PDF for reviewing.
I add bookmarks as way-finder through large documents such as Specifications, Reports and Specifications etc. For drawing reviews or study, I compile large packs of PDF drawings into single PDF with drawing numbers visible under Bookmarks. With Revu you can have 2 (or more)drawings opened on your screen, from within the combined pack or separate files, for comparing eg Elevations and Sections or plans or details. Sometimes I use the auto compare feature in comparing updated drawing with an older version where the differences will be highlighted. The Search feature is extremely useful and I use it a lot in finding references in Specifications Codes and Reports etc.
The Spaces feature is really good and impresses hugely when included within presentations. Signature feature also excellent.
I use the Add Ins for Outlook, Word, Excel and CAD regularly. I find the Help Section and Bluebeam University incredible. The Developers really put themselves in the place of the 'normal' user and provide excellent vide demos of all the features. Overall: First, let me start by saying I have the Extreme version and create forms and use the JavaScript features frequently. I switched to Revu because Adobe wasn't giving me what I needed and that was software that could automate many of the tasks I was performing at the time. For example, to process one submittal, I had to combine the pages from one file with the submittal cover page, stamp it, add the date and signature of the person approving the submittal, flatten the markups so no one could edit them, and then save them on a network drive.
With Revu I was able to click one icon and do all that from inserting the page, stamping/flattening, and prompting me to save on the network. It saved me so much time! I was able to create custom stamps for all our coordinators to use. Cons: It takes a little while to learn the program because many icons are unfamiliar at first. And because it can do so much, there are so many icons. But I was able to customize my layout so it narrowed down my available icons to just the ones I use regularly. It's only a con for the first month of learning the program.
Same for creating forms. As you start to work with it, you learn the tricks to making them easily, but at first it can be difficult. Most of the functions are similar to Adobe, but the one that I had to get used to was copying pages from one document to another.
I used to open two separate Adobe windows and then click and drag pages from one into another. Revu only has one thumbnail view pane available at a time, so I had to modify my steps by copy and pasting pages from one document into another. Overall: Our estimating team switched to this from planswift and we've had more people get on board who were doing paper takeoff.
While there were definitely some pains with transitioning once we got used to the new layout we came to appreciate some of the additional features Revu has to offer. I would say planswift is a bit quicker for doing small quick takeoffs, but when we do larger jobs and especially jobs with breakouts Bluebeam starts to pull ahead.
The biggest timesaver (and reason we switched) is that Revu makes it much easier to hand-off from estimating to sales (due to the fact that it uses pdf/excel files and the fact that it has the spaces feature that allows sales to provide more detailed info/schedule products by room).In addition, it is much easier to use than Adobe Acrobat (or any dedicated takeoff software) for quickly making comments/marking up PDF's for customers. Also, have to commend them for making changes based on customer feedback that greatly improved the takeoff process. Pros: I can't say enough good things about this software using it in the construction industry. I have used multiple different PDF editors but nothing comes close to as how good BlueBeam is. There is not much of a learning curve and you can learn the basics very quickly. It goes about as advanced as you would need and can do almost anything.Marking up blueprints is straightforward and easy to do. There are multiple different callout shapes and easily input the tag on it.
You can have a favorite toolset on a window for the most frequently used items such as your stamp, signature, check mark, etc. Once you collaborate the blueprint you can measure dimensions, surface, and volume.Bluebeam integrates into most other software such as browsers, Microsoft Excel, and word. It has a quick button in these programs to easily convert it into a PDF inside of Bluebeam.
If it does not have integration with the software you can print something and use Bluebeam as a printer to convert it into a PDF inside Bluebeam. You can even set spaces and do punch lists as well.Everyone I work with loves with the product and nobody has a bad thing to say about it.
Pros: There are several features that make this software very useful in engineering and project management. When marking-up PDF drawings or diagrams, the ability scale dimensions and measurements within the software is valuable. Many of the features included with the software are familiar to other software commonly used in the industry, and required no special training to use. I jumped right into using Bluebeam without any training or research, the user interface is that intuitive. Combining, converting, extracting, e-signing, and marking up PDF files has become a simple task which saves a tremendous amount of time.
The feature to 'lock' or 'unlock' amendments to documents with the 'flatten' feature is a nice touch. Cons: Sometimes when converting MS Word docs to PDF using Bluebeam creates anomalies or unwanted formatting changes in the converted/output PDF file. This can be irksome for large documents, as QC of hundreds of pages to ensure document was converted to PDF accurately is sometimes necessary. Usually this only occurs with MS Word docs that use MS features that are not commonly used in document formatting or content. Regardless, peace of mind and confidence in formatting conversion would be nice to have, though this issue is also common to other similar software suites.
Pros: Bluebeam has a lot of buttons and features out-of-the-box. The default layout is intuitive. Quickly and easily add text, highlights, shapes, callouts, and lines to PDFs. The buttons for rotating the page are readily available. Taking snapshots/copies, cropping, and other editing functions are easy. Bluebeam has measurement tools so you can easily get dimensions off of plans.
There are tons of keyboard shortcuts and 'toolboxes' that allow you to perform repetitive tasks quickly. Customize stamps to create signatures or other repetitive text like 'Reviewed By.' Or dynamic shop drawing stamps (like 'Make Corrections Noted'). Flatten tool allow you to lock your edits into place.
Security features are also available.Bluebeam also allows you to merge/staple multiple sheets together and further manipulate pages within a document. Pros: Bluebeam is not only a construction industry standard now, it is a necessity!! I use this software on a daily basis and could not function without it. Some people look at it as a replacement for Adobe Acrobat as just a simple PDF viewer but it is so much more than that. I use it to dimension drawings with it's calibration tool, you can extract specific pages from large document packages mark them up and send them out, their OCR feature is something that I know our Project Engineers and Project Managers use all the time as well and that is just a start of what it can do.
Highly recommend!! Worth every penny!! Cons: I have a hard time finding things that I don't like about Bluebeam, one thing that I have found difficult with Bluebeam is while it has many tools and options it is to the point where it is almost too many tools and options.
I have been using the software for close to three years now ona daily basis and I still am learning about the tools and how best to use them. The basic principals and working of Bluebeam is still quite simple but getting into their advanced tools and uses does take an investment of time and practice.
Pros: I'm constantly amazed by how many features bluebeam has packed in.The markup tools themselves have a lot flexibility. Being able to scale drawings and generate dimensions and areas is a huge plus. Creating new elements and adding them to your tool chest for future use is also a nice feature to have.The OCR tools are fantastic helping us create bookmarks and labels to navigate large PDFs.
We also routinely use the hyperlink tool to create linkable details that make navigating a large drawing set even easier. (I believe this feature is available only in the 'Extreme' version). There is also an option to take two versions of a document and compare changes between two versions.Beyond that being able to use blue beam sessions to collaborate with your project team on common markups is a great bonus. Cons: One con is that whenever I lose network connection, my stamp folder loses the path to my stamp folder.
It would be helpful if there was a way to save the default stamp folder so when I regain connection it will automatically connect. Another issue is with flattening. It would be nice if there was a password or something users could share with a team in order for everyone in the team to have access to flattening and unflattening. Perhaps there could be a way to choose whether to only have the user who flattened be able to unlock it or to give access to teams.
This software is incredible and to say that you can use it to markup PDF's is just scratching the surface. You can use it as an estimating takeoff tool, estimating database, document control system, cloud document storage and more! Really the list goes on and on for the uses of this tool. I have never been so satisfied by any software as much as I am with Bluebeam Revu.
You cant go wrong here, and if you ever do mess something up or think you can't do something, their customer support team is top notch, so you'll be saved by their graces! (Shout out to Amanda Wieting for the impeccable support over the years!). Overall: I'm speaking of Revu primarily from a project engineer perspective, working with multi-discipline teams located across the country. Anytime we used to receive a submittal or RFI that requires multi-discipline coordination, you could guarantee that it would be weeks before it was returned.
The typical workflow was that only one person had the file at a time, a check-out/check-in kind of system. It would work its way down the chain until all disciplines had a chance to review. For example, an elevator submittal would have to go through Arch to ensure finishes/layout, structural to approve supports and angles, mechanical, electrical, and fire protection for power, machinery, equipment, and sprinklers. By the time each person had a moment to review the submittal, a month could have easily gone by.Then came Bluebeam Revu. All of a sudden I had the ability to create these studio sessions.what a godsend. In an industry where lead times are everything, getting submittal/RFIs back quickly is of paramount importance. So we created accounts for all of our team members and now anytime I receive a submittal that requires multi-discipline coordination, I create a Bluebeam Session with the file uploaded to it.
I add all the team members that need to review it to the session and sit back and watch the show. We typically schedule a 1-hour review block where all team members hop onto the session and a conference call and we all review the file CONCURRENTLY.
The beauty of Bluebeam software is all the included tools for markups and dimensioning which come absolutely FREE in the 'reader' version Bluebeam Vu. So while I pay for my Revu license, all my team members get to access the studio session from a reader they can install for free on their personal computers at home.All markups are tracked by Bluebeam and an ID is attached to each markup so that I can identify who wrote what. It's amazing software. What used to take weeks of being stuck in the pipeline, now gets turned around in a day or two.In addition to sessions, I also take advantage of creating sets for my design team and keep track of all revisions using Bluebeam Revu's smart tagging and revision tracking. Add to that Bluebeam's integration with software like ProjectWise, Outlook, and all Autodesk software, and you've got a serious workhorse on your hands.Revu is more than a simple PDF editor, it is an invaluable tool in the design-construction world. Pros: What is there not to like about Bluebeam?
I first started using it when I got in the construction industry in June 2016 and I have never used a PDF editing software that is as user friendly as Bluebeam. There is countless things you can use it for and more than anything, it is the editing options and capabilities that this program has what makes it simply unique.
Being able to create a session and invite members to join is quite a unique feature too; I am glad my company uses it for basically everything! Pros: My favorite feature is the ability to set the scale and take measurements of items that are drawn on the PDF sheets. I am an Engineer so this comes in very handy.
I also love that I can quickly sketch details to get to my drafter or a contractor who is working on my project. Revu has a tool chest where I can store my most frequently used mark-ups so I dont have to keep redrawing them. This program is super powerful with the ability to insert images, reduce the file size, and create an open session that multiple people can join into and make markups on the same document simultaneously. Lastly, one of the best features are the keyboard hot-keys - just type L to draw a line, C to draw a cloud, and so on. Pros: It is easy, powerful, and allows you to be the master of all documentation. PDF to word conversion, drawings tools, measurement tools, scaled take-offs, etc.
Very powerful.The creation, modification, and use of the Stamps is another great tool for the contractor. We use Bluebeam to review, mark, and submit 100% of our shop drawings. We then have to digitally stamp each page and being able to change the date and comments in the stamp so quickly is awesome.It integrates well with PROCORE which is an excellent Management Software.The license is transferable between devices so that I can carry my SINGLE license from my work laptop to my home computer very easily by logging in on my license number. Overall: This is excellent software that gives you enormous bang for your buck. The Extreame version is by far the best and worth every penny. Its easy to use basic tools, as it has a similar interface with AutoCAD, but it also has some really good tools that are easy to learn with a little exploring. I work in many design and modeling software and this is just an extension of them.
It also has plugins for many popular software. One of my favorite abilities is going from 3D revit to PDF and being able to view it. It makes communicating easier for field workers because they can rotate and view the model in 3D without me being right there. Great product! Pros: Extremely easy to use.
The functionality of this software is improved our efficiency and accuracy when it comes to take offs and estimating. The tools for marking drawing changes and red lines are extremely easy to use and useful for keeping a current plan with any changes accurate. The editing features allow for us to call out specific details and shade certain areas to differentiate what we are looking at or phasing a certain project. The online help and information has been wonderful as we dig deeper and deeper into the functions of this software. Pros: Easy to use. Bluebeam Revu allows you to view PDF files in similar fashion to the traditional Adobe program.I found that the Bluebeam software is far less taxing on your computer system. So the performance of day to day PDF viewing is smoother and quicker.I also like the tools available for marking up and commenting on PDF's.
Bluebeam Pdf Review Software Pdf
Emailing directly from the software makes editing documents a breeze. You can view, mark-up and email back a document within minutes.
For those in the design industry this is a huge plus. Pros: I was first introduced to Bluebeam through my place of employment. I was amazed, right from the start, at how powerful it was and how many features it had that I never knew I needed! After seeing it I could not believe how lame Adobe Acrobat seemed in comparison.
The overlay comparison feature is one of the most used features here at work. I manipulate documents within it continuously. The OCR is very powerful. And text manipulation is nothing short of amazing! Great piece of software! I recommend it to everyone that can afford it! Luckily, I can use my corporate computer for personal use, otherwise I'd have to pay full price for it.
Pros: Absolutely intuitive program. You can get up and running with this with no training, assuming you have ever used any.pdf software prior. The menus are extremely rich, and generally intelligible to anyone who is computer 'fluent' at the typical office 'user' level. The depth of the menus is astounding, once you are past the basics, the abilities this program lets you access will change the way you do business. I like it because it makes someone without a CAD background (me) look like a professional, I was a huge Acrobat fan, the switch to BlueBeam was a corporate decision and I didn't think I'd ever get used to it.
Bluebeam Pdf Review Software Pdf
Took about two days, actually. Pros: I am using bluebeam revu for last 1 year. As a civil engineer, I feel grateful to have this software which easier many of my works.From my experience I feel bluebeam is the best option to handle PDF files. Handling shop drawing is much easier while using this software.
We can do any makeup, changes & comments and can do measurements as well (linear, area etc.) here. And we can remove anything if we don't want in the documents. Here it is easy to combine two or more documents.It helps to convert PDF files into other format of documents like word, excel, power point, image etc. Cons: I've been using Revu for about 8 years, 5 of those on Windows. The last 3 are at my most recent job, and when I found out that Bluebeam had created a Revu for Mac, I was quick to push our company to adopt. I even gave a lunchtime presentation to show everyone some of the really powerful features I had come to know and love from the windows side.Playing with the trial version of 1.0, though, I quickly realized that a ton of features were absent from the windows version. I went ahead and gave the presentation anyway, though and with some convincing, we bought seats for everyone.It became clear within the first week of using the software, though, that it was incredibly slow.
So slow as to be unusable. It took several seconds to render every page. Considering that we regularly deal with 100+ page architectural sets, this made the program worthless in a lot of cases. What's more we really felt the lack of some features from the windows side, many of which were so basic that it's laughable that Bluebeam decided not to invest in them. You can't crop pdfs for instance.Anyway, when bluebeam for mac 2.0 came out, we bought in thinking that we'd be getting all of the features that we were missing along with performance improvements.
Turns out they decided to revamp the UI with almost 0 feature inclusions. The performance of page rendering was significantly improved, which was helpful, although page thumbnails now no longer load.