Estimating Preferences Screen Field Reference
This screen field reference describes the following:
- Settings tab
- Colors tab
- Data tab
- Decimals tab
- Notepad Headings tab
- Estimate Headings tab
- Alternate Headings tab
- Change Order Headings tab
- Summary Headings tab
- Buttons tab
- Accounting tab
Due to the number of tabs in the popup window, not all of the tabs are visible at one time. Select to access tabs that are not currently visible.
Settings tab
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Make new annotations movable | Select the checkbook to set the Movable property default to true for new annotations. Existing annotations are not affected by this, but may still be edited to be movable. Annotations that are movable may be repositioned on the sheet when they are selected. |
| Make new annotations sizeable | Select the checkbox to set the Sizable property to true for new annotations. Existing annotations are not affected by this, but may still be edited to be Sizable. Annotations that are sizable may be stretched or shrunk when they are selected. |
| Scroll speed | Select |
| Image Quality (for PDF, AutoCad import) | Select the image quality in DPI (dots per inch) of imported PDF and AutoCAD images. A higher DPI results in better image quality, but the Estimating module may perform more slowly. Lower DPI causes lower image quality with faster performance. |
| Adjust gray scale intensity on PDF import | Darkens gray lines in a PDF file during import, improving readability and making the file easier to trace. Note: If you import a PDF file that is difficult to read, perhaps because it contains shaded areas, clear the checkbox and import the file again.
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| Use man-hours for production rates (instead of crew hours) | Select the checkbox to calculate production rates based on man-hours instead of crew-hours. By default, the checkbox is not selected and Viewpoint Estimating calculates production rates in crew-hours. |
| Show assembly member quantity based on assembly quantity of 1 |
Select the checkbox to set how quantities within assemblies are displayed in the Catalog and Estimate tabs. When an assembly is expanded, the quantity of each member is based on the master quantity. For example, imagine you are working with a wall assembly. If you need 50 board-feet of lumber for each foot of wall, and the master quantity of the wall assembly is 5 feet, the quantity of this assembly's lumber member is 250 board-feet. This number will be the same for Quantity (QTY) and Adjusted Quantity (ADJQTY). This is the default setting. However, when this checkbox is selected, ADJQTY will still show the same 250 board-feet, but QTY will now show 50 board-feet. In other words, QTY will show the amount of the member for one unit of the master quantity, while ADJQTY shows the expanded quantity. When this checkbox is selected, the quantities for assembly members are shown with a red border to indicate that they are based on an assembly quantity of 1. |
| Spread WBS codes to assembly members | Select the checkbox to spread WBS code values from the assembly to assembly members. For more information, see WBS and UBS Codes. |
| Show advanced catalog editing toolbar | Select the checkbox to enable the toolbar on the Catalog tab. The Advanced Catalog Editing toolbar displays a series of features that allow you to make changes to catalog items. For more information, see Use the Advanced Catalog Editing Toolbar. |
| Show 3D on VAs and ELAs | Select the checkbox to show the 3D graphics in visual assemblies and enterprise level assemblies. Deselect the checkbox to prevent 3D graphics from displaying. This is useful on computers with video cards that don't support OpenGL. |
| Prompt before Express Takeoff |
Select the checkbox to display a prompt when you select the Express Deselect the checkbox if you do not want the prompt to display. Note: Within the prompt itself, you have the option to turn off future prompts by selecting the Don't ask again checkbox.
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| Offer to update similar items | Select this checkbox to have Viewpoint Estimating prompt you to update similar cost items in the Estimate, Alternates, or Change Order tabs based on the cost-related information. You still need to select the Offer to update similar items checkbox when you edit a cost item to be prompted to update similar cost items. For more information, see Update Similar Cost Items. |
| Set to Exclusive on Startup | Select the checkbox to have Viewpoint Estimating automatically set jobs to Exclusive mode when you create a new job or open an existing job. This option is user-specific. For more information, see Estimate Tab Overview. |
| Display line segment lengths | Select the checkbox to display the length of the lines you digitize in the Takeoff next to the line. Note that the areas you digitize will display both the perimeter and area of the area. If you want to change the font, size, color, or style of the text, select Change Font or Change Color, then select the appropriate options. |
| Line segment lengths font & color | Displays the current font, font size, and font color for lien segment labels. Use Change Font and Change Color buttons to modify these settings, if needed. |
| Change Font | Select the button to set the characteristics of the text when line segment lengths are displayed. Select the font, font style, size, and effects, then select OK. |
| Change Color | Select the button to set the color of the text when line segment lengths are displayed. Select the color to use and select OK. |
| Line segment lengths decimal places | Select |
| Show import image diagnostic messages | Select the checkbox to have Viewpoint Estimating show diagnostic messages when you import an image into a job. |
| Enable Takeoff auto-zoom | Select the checkbox to enable to zoom in a specified region of the sheet at 2, 4, and 8x levels during takeoff. When this checkbox is selected, select once on the takeoff to bring up a zoom region to allow you to place a point more accurately without having to manually zoom into the sheet. See Zoom on Sheets for more details. |
| Auto-Zoom Level | Select the option for the zoom level for the auto-zoom feature.
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| Pan Mode | Select the option to use to activate pan mode in the Takeoff tab.
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| While allocating, include previously allocated amounts in cost proration | Select the checkbox to have previously allocated amounts included when financial cost items are allocated pro-rated by cost in an estimate. The pro-rated amount of allocation to a cost item is determined by the extended adjusted cost of the item including allocations from other financial cost items. This does not affect the job totals; it just affects how the financial cost item amounts are spread to the other cost items in the estimate. If you select this checkbox, the financial cost items need to be added to the estimate in the correct order of allocation. For example, if you have the following financial cost items in an estimate in order: The allocation of Labor Burden is first, then Overhead, and finally Profit. If the checkbox is selected, the amounts prorated to cost items for Overhead are affected by the Labor Burden allocation amounts. The amounts prorated to cost items for Profit are affected by Labor Burden and Overhead allocation amounts.
Note: With this checkbox selected, the order of the financial cost items in the estimate affects how the amounts are pro-rated across the cost items. Be sure to add them to the estimate in the order that you want them allocated. Deselect this checkbox to exclude previously allocated amounts when allocating financial cost items. The amount of allocation to a cost item is determined by the extended adjusted cost minus any previously allocated amounts from other cost items. |
| Recalculate zero quantity assemblies | Select the checkbox to recalculate assemblies with zero quantities. This setting is included to assist in performance increases. If you don't want Viewpoint Estimating to recalculate assemblies with a quantity of zero, leave this unchecked. |
| No automatic recalculation of assemblies |
Select the checkbox to prevent Viewpoint Estimating from automatically recalculating assemblies in the current job. You must set the job to exclusive to be able to select this checkbox. By choosing to not recalculate assemblies automatically, you may see increased performance when performing tasks such as sending items to the estimate, performing global updates, or clearing financials. If you select this checkbox, you must remember to manually recalculate the assemblies by selecting Recalc Viewpoint recommends that you leave this option unchecked. If you start seeing a decrease in performance, then you should consider not allowing automatic recalculations of assemblies. |
| Replace 'like-WBS' codes in WBS spread | Select the checkbox to have Viewpoint Estimating automatically update the WBS code values of assembly members when the assembly's WBS code value is changed and the original values were the same. The Spread WBS codes to assembly members checkbox must also be selected to have Viewpoint Estimating spread values. For more information, see WBS/UBS Code Values. |
| No automatic recalculation of assemblies |
Select the checkbox to prevent Viewpoint Estimating from automatically recalculating assemblies in the current job. You must set the job to exclusive to be able to select this checkbox. By choosing to not recalculate assemblies automatically, you may see increased performance when performing tasks such as sending items to the estimate, performing global updates, or clearing financials. If you select this checkbox, you must remember to manually recalculate the assemblies by selecting Recalc Viewpoint recommends that you leave this option unchecked. If you start seeing a decrease in performance, then you should consider not allowing automatic recalculations of assemblies. |
Colors tab
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Manage Sheet Revisions Default Colors - Use this area to set the default colors for sheet revisions. If needed, you can override the default colors using Manage Sheet Revisions. | |
| Original | Select on the color sample to modify the default color for the original drawing sheet. The color selected is used when you view the original sheet and revisions at the same time. |
| Revised | Select on the color sample to modify the default color for the revised drawing sheet. The color selected is used when you view the revised sheet and the original at the same time. |
| Initial Annotation Color - Use this area to set the default properties for annotations. | |
| Color | Select on the color sample to modify the default color for lines created when you make annotations. |
| Line Width | Enter a value in the field or select |
| Highlighter Properties - Use this area to set the default properties of the Highlighter tool on the Takeoff tab. A sample line is shown below the fields in the area. | |
| Color | Select on the color sample to modify the default color for lines created using the Highlighter tool. |
| Line Width | Enter a value in the field or select |
| Line Style | Select the default style for lines created using the Highlighter tool from the drop-down. |
Data tab
The preferences you select on the Data tab specify the default libraries to be displayed for symbols, lines, and formulas in cases where no library is set in the areas they are used. Note that in areas of the Estimating module where you do have a library selected, it will set the library to the last one used.| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Folders | |
| Image File Repository | Enter the path of the folder to be used for storing digital plans or select Browse to browse to the folder. Each time you add a digital plan file to your job, a copy of the sheet is made which the Estimating module interacts with during takeoffs. Each file is copied to a CAL file in the folder you specify here. |
| Drawing Files | Enter the path of the folder for the default location when adding digital plans to your jobs or select Browse to browse to the folder. |
| Custom Reports | Enter the path of the folder for the default location for reports created in the Estimating module or select Browse to browse to the folder. |
| Library Records | |
| Formulas | Select |
Decimals tab
The Decimals tab enables you to specify the number of decimal places that will display in different parts of the Estimating module. The Estimating module automatically calculates all quantities, costs, and any other calculations to four decimal places. The values you select on this tab specify the number of decimal places you want to display.
The Estimating module uses the traditional rounding method when displaying decimal places. This means that numbers that end with a value of 5 or higher are rounded up and values of 4 or lower are rounded down in the display of the number.
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Column Default |
Select This setting also sets the number of decimal places for Quantities in the NotePad tab. Note: You need to restart your Viewpoint Estimating application for changes to this field to take effect.
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| Totals Cost | Select Note: You need to restart Viewpoint Estimating for changes to this field to take effect.
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| Totals Value | Select Note: You need to restart Viewpoint Estimating for changes to this field to take effect.
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| Working Totals | Select |
Notepad Headings tab
The preferences you select on the Notepad Headings tab specify the column headings in the NotePad tab in the Manage Estimates screen.Estimate Headings tab
The preferences you select on the Estimate Headings tab specify the column headings in the Estimate and Catalog tabs in the Manage Estimates screen.Alternate Headings tab
The preferences you select on the Alternate Headings tab specify the column headings in the Alternates tab in the Manage Estimates screen.
You can also set three additional values for the Status field in the Alternates tab if you need additional status options to conform to your company's business practices regarding alternates. Enter the additional values in the Other1 Status, Other2 Status, and Other3 Status fields below the Headings section.
Change Order Headings tab
The preferences you select on the Change Order Headings tab specify the column headings in the Change Orders tab in the Manage Estimates screen.Summary Headings tab
The preferences you select on the Summary Headings tab specify the column headings in the Summary tab in the Manage Estimates screen.Buttons tab
The Buttons tab enables you to set the action each button on your stylus or puck performs in the Estimating module. For each button, you can select an action from a list. You can select actions that are specific to the Estimating module, or you can select actions that are the same as pressing a key on a computer keyboard. For example, you could set the first button on the side of the stylus to be the same as selecting Finished on the speedbar.
Note that the buttons that appear in the list of buttons are set by the digitizer drivers you installed with the digitizer. The Buttons tab may list more buttons than the stylus or puck you are using has. If you set functions for buttons that are not available on the stylus or puck, the function is ignored by the Estimating module.
To change the number of buttons that appear for the stylus or puck, you must change the settings for the digitizer.
Accounting tab
The preference you select on the Accounting tab specifies how you will integrate the Estimating module with an external accounting system.- Enabled: Allow control of Status within Estimating Change Order - The Status field is enabled and you can set the status for change orders in the Manage Estimates screen.
- Disabled: Disable control of Status within Estimating Change Order and allow creation of Change Order Requests for Accounting Projects - The Status field is disabled for change orders in the Manage Estimates screen. You can create Change Order Requests in the Projects module of Viewpoint Estimating based on change orders created in the Manage Estimates screen.
