Reading digital documents on site

Log Out | Topics | Search Moderators | Register | Edit Profile

Author Message Margaret G. Chewning FCSI CCS Senior Member Username: presbspec Post Number: 322 Registered: 01-2003 Posted on Monday, January 06, 2020 - 12:30 pm:    Hi all, I've put my foot in it again. I've been asked to lead a discussion regarding the technology available to contractors in the field to read construction documents without having to haul out the Huge set of drawings and specs out to the middle of the building. My focus is primarily on the mid to small projects. The big guys seem to have all kinds of tools available, but what are some low cost solutions for the small to mid-range contractors? Any ideas and contact information would be most helpful in preparing for this topic. Marc Chavez Senior Member Username: mchavez Post Number: 560 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Monday, January 06, 2020 - 01:54 pm:    the only set of large docs is (usu) in the job trailer.....occasionally on site for large layout...the answer is "bluebeam" upto and including "tool chests" to pop open to show a large screen and keyboard. johnahunter (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Monday, January 06, 2020 - 04:16 pm:    We've found PlanGrid (https://www.plangrid.com) to be very useful Nathan Woods, CSI, CCCA, LEED AP Senior Member Username: nwoods Post Number: 791 Registered: 08-2005 Posted on Monday, January 06, 2020 - 04:58 pm:    Most of my contractors use iPads. For drawing access we use multiple options, including: - Procore (not my favorite) - Box.com ( my preference, and allows offline sync) - Bluebeam Studio with an “ePlanroom” digital dashboard - Bluebeam Drawings (currently in Beta, works well!) - StructionSite I was embedded in a large contractor Field Office for the oast 5 years, and during that time I’ve been playing with BB Drawings and I like it, but Box is superior in my opinion. Note that I always use single sheet uploads, not whole sets. Hyperlinks work well in all the options listed above and having native vector hyperlinked PDF’s is critical for effective field use. Drawings created per the Construction PDF Coalition Guidelines is really, really important. Here is a favorite photo of mine. I was taking to a sheet metal contractor about a flashing condition, standing there with boots in the dirt, and all of us reached into our safety vests and whipped out our iDevices to look at the drawings. It became a little rivalry to see who could access details the fastest. https://www.instagram.com/p/BIK5e9vjJ4v/?igshid=1x4bnpudl1oyh Michael Chusid, RA FCSI CCS Senior Member Username: michael_chusid Post Number: 510 Registered: 10-2003 Posted on Monday, January 06, 2020 - 06:50 pm:    Does the abundance of iDevices on site mean that everyone working there has easy access to project manuals? Michael Chusid, RA FCSI CCS 1-818-219-4937 www.chusid.com www.buildingproduct.guru Marc Chavez Senior Member Username: mchavez Post Number: 561 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Monday, January 06, 2020 - 06:58 pm:    that's it. just label the old fashioned "Project Manual" iSpec and we are good to go! seriously however....bluebeam and most similar platforms all have apps for apple and or android. as EVERYONE on the site has a phone, they can all get to the spec...now do they read it? different story....and perhaps more importantly is it constructed so that they CAN get to the information they need? THAT is another question Nathan Woods, CSI, CCCA, LEED AP Senior Member Username: nwoods Post Number: 792 Registered: 08-2005 Posted on Monday, January 06, 2020 - 07:24 pm:    Michael, yes actually, though seldom. I do upload an indexed and hyperlinked project manual to Box on my large project, and IMMENSELY ENJOYED opening it on the tile contractors own iPad to show him the Part 3 application notes that Permanent light fixtures had to be installed and operating (temp power ok) prior to tiling the walls. My spec specifically excludes the use of floor mounted drop lights for tiling and grouting because of the way it totally changes the shadow lines compared to the final overhead light sources. That was a good day. Margaret G. Chewning FCSI CCS Senior Member Username: presbspec Post Number: 323 Registered: 01-2003 Posted on Tuesday, January 07, 2020 - 12:03 am:    Thanks Guys! Actually the drawings are the item I'm hearing the most complaint about from my hubby, a construction inspector. His concern seems to be being able to read the detail, often small print even enlarged, then finding it's application location on the plan. The grid (if there is one) gets lost in the 9 inch tablet he and the contractor are using. The question I believe I want to ask is how can the drawings be formatted (arranged?) to accommodate the scrolling needed to find the information on a tablet. Margaret G. Chewning FCSI CCS Senior Member Username: presbspec Post Number: 324 Registered: 01-2003 Posted on Tuesday, January 07, 2020 - 12:04 am:    BTW I love the picture Nathan. May I use in the presentation? Nathan Woods, CSI, CCCA, LEED AP Senior Member Username: nwoods Post Number: 793 Registered: 08-2005 Posted on Tuesday, January 07, 2020 - 12:30 am:    Certainly! Send me your email address and I’ll send you a full size image, not just a screenshot off instagram! nwoods AT wearetaylor DOT com I have some thoughts on your husbands challenge, but its too much to tap out on my phone tonight. Ill post again tommorow afternoon. Greta Eckhardt Senior Member Username: gretaeckhardt Post Number: 115 Registered: 08-2013 Posted on Tuesday, January 07, 2020 - 02:57 pm:    My main comment on this topic is that any pdf compilation of documents that will be viewed in the field really must have a bookmark for each page, to aid in navigation. This is ideal for any compiled set, but for a situation where the documents will be viewed on a relatively small screen it is essential. Marc Chavez Senior Member Username: mchavez Post Number: 562 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Tuesday, January 07, 2020 - 03:21 pm:    Bluebeam (and I assume others) can automatically build bookmarks for drawings based upon page title and for detail bugs (forward to the referring page). You can also build links for insertion into the document to send people to a separate location. Bookmarks are also listed on one side (in bluebeam) to provide access thru bookmarks…..Adobe acrobat does a lot of this as well Ellis C. Whitby, PE, CSI, CDT, AIA, LEED Senior Member Username: ecwhitby Post Number: 493 Registered: 03-2003 Posted on Wednesday, January 08, 2020 - 11:47 am:    I find that it is hard enough to read drawings as 1/2 size prints, let alone on a 24" monitor. Trying to quickly read them on tablets will inevitably be much slower, even if bookmarks are utilizes well. Who would be responsible for the bookmarking? If the Designer is assigned this effort it's just one more task to be squeezed into an undoubtedly small fee structure. Maybe designers can include it as a additional service to be performed only when requested and paid for. Is there software "smart" enough to scan project drawing and spec PDFs and create links/bookmarks between plans and details and other "referenced" information (such as a mention of a specific spec section? Marc Chavez Senior Member Username: mchavez Post Number: 563 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Wednesday, January 08, 2020 - 12:01 pm:    ...I'm not talking tablets alone ...you know there is a zoom feature? ...of course it's not as easy as a full size set...but you can carry it around and refer to it instead of saying "I don't want to walk all the way back to the trailer....this is good enough" ...The book marks can be made by anyone including the designer. I can link a 250 page set for all detail bugs and pages in about 5 minutes ...Bookmarking happens as the set is created or immediately thereafter ...similar technique about 5 minutes (including getting a fresh cup of coffee). ...Bill me for the 10 minutes. ...software smart enough etc. not quite but pretty close. specs can be bookmarked and linked as well. not to be an advertisement but go to Bluebeams website ...Lastly like it or not paper files in the field are dying out. Seattle wants PDF's for plan review. it's a new century. deal with it. to quote "OK Boomer" oh wait....I'm a boomer too...well I'm ok with it.