SoEasyUser GuideUser Guide

Table of Contents 

 

1  SoEasy

 

Table of Contents 

1.0  INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................................................................................... 9 

1.1  What is SoEasy ..................................................................................................................................... 9 

1.2  SoEasy Display ...................................................................................................................................... 9 

1.3  Getting Started ..................................................................................................................................... 9 

1.4  SoEasy Workbook ................................................................................................................................ 9 

1.4.1  Main Worksheet ........................................................................................................................ 10 

1.4.2  Level 1 (L1) ................................................................................................................................. 11 

1.4.3  Level 2 (L2) ................................................................................................................................. 12 

1.4.4  Level 3 (L3) ................................................................................................................................. 13 

1.4.5  Level 4 (L4) ................................................................................................................................. 14 

1.4.6  Level 5 (L5) ................................................................................................................................. 14 

1.5  Creating BQ From Past Projects ......................................................................................................... 15 

1.6  Measurement In SoEasy..................................................................................................................... 22 

1.6.1  Drawing Polylines ....................................................................................................................... 22 

1.6.2  Capture Quantities From Cad Drawings To SoEasy Worksheet ................................................. 24 

1.7  Document  Actions ............................................................................................................................. 27 

2.0  Tab "P1" .................................................................................................................................................................29 

2.1  "Drawing Unit" Drop‐down List ......................................................................................................... 29 

2.2  "ModelSpace/Region"  Drop‐down List ............................................................................................. 30 

2.3  Command Button "B"......................................................................................................................... 31 

2.4  "SELECT" Group .................................................................................................................................. 32 

2.4.1  Button "C" (Top Row) ‐ Capture selected objects and calculate "Count".................................. 32 

2.4.2  Button "L" (Top Row) ‐ Capture selected objects and calculate "Length" ................................. 32 

2.4.3  Button "A" (Top Row) ‐ Capture selected objects and calculate "Area" ................................... 33 

2.4.4  Button "C" (Bottom Row) ‐ Select Text then Capture selected objects  ........................................ 

  and calculate "Count" ................................................................................................................ 33 

2.4.5  Button "L" (Bottom Row) ‐ Select Text then Capture selected objects  ........................................ 

  and calculate "Length" ............................................................................................................... 33 

2.4.6  Button "A" (Bottom Row) ‐ Select Text then Capture selected objects  ........................................ 

  and calculate "Area" .................................................................................................................. 34 

 

 

 

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2.5  "SKETCH" Group ................................................................................................................................. 35 

2.5.1  Button "C" (Top Row) ‐ Drop hatched circle and calculate "Count" .......................................... 36 

2.5.2  Button "L" (Top Row) ‐ Sketch Length ....................................................................................... 36 

2.5.3  Button "A" (Top Row) ‐ Sketch Area .......................................................................................... 36 

2.5.4  Button "C" (Bottom Row) ‐ Select Text and drop hatched circle and calculate "Count" ........... 37 

2.5.5  Button "L" (Bottom Row) ‐ Select Text and Sketch Length ........................................................ 37 

2.5.6  Button "A" (Bottom Row) ‐ Select Text and Sketch Area ........................................................... 37 

2.6  "MATCHING" Group ........................................................................................................................... 38 

2.6.1   Match Cad objects Based On Type, Layer Name and Color and return results  ........................... 

  in "No", "Length" and "Area" from whole ModelSpace ............................................................ 38 

2.6.2  Match Cad objects Based On Type, Layer Name and Color and return results  ............................ 

  in "No", "Length" and "Area" within a selected Region............................................................. 39 

2.6.3  Select  Similar Type of Object and return results in "No", "Length" or "Area"  ............................. 

  from whole ModelSpace ............................................................................................................ 39 

2.6.4  Select  Similar Type of Object and return results in "No", "Length" or "Area"  ............................. 

  within a selected Region ............................................................................................................ 39 

2.7  "HIDE/UNHIDE" Group ....................................................................................................................... 40 

2.7.1  Hide/Unhide Selected Object (Purple) ....................................................................................... 40 

2.7.2  Hide/Unhide All Objects from Worksheet (Peach) .................................................................... 40 

2.7.3  Hide/Unhide All Objects in Cell (Cyan) ....................................................................................... 40 

2.7.4  Hide/Unhide Objects in the drawing (Pink) ............................................................................... 41 

2.7.5  HIde/Unhide All Objects in Drawing (Grey) ............................................................................... 41 

2.7.6   Zoom in to selected object ........................................................................................................ 41 

2.8  "ZOOM/FIND" Group ......................................................................................................................... 42 

2.8.1  Button "Z" ‐  Zoom to Selected Object ....................................................................................... 42 

2.8.2  Button "F" ‐ Find Object in Worksheet ...................................................................................... 43 

2.9  "TAG OBJECTS" Group ........................................................................................................................ 44 

2.9.1  Button "S" ‐ Set Text on Objects ................................................................................................ 44 

2.9.2  Button "G" ‐ Get Text from Objects ........................................................................................... 44 

2.10  "ZOOM +TEXT" Group ........................................................................................................................ 45 

2.10.1   Button "G" ‐ Zoom to object and associate text ....................................................................... 45 

2.10.2  Button "E" ‐ Zoom to object and enter text ............................................................................... 45 

2.10.3  Button "A" ‐ Zoom to object and edit text ................................................................................. 46 

2.10. 4  Button "L" ‐ Zoom to object and sketch length ......................................................................... 46 

2.10.5  Button "A" ‐ Zoom to object and sketch area ............................................................................ 46 

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2.11  "LOCATE + TEXT" Group ..................................................................................................................... 47 

2.11.1  Button "G" ‐ Select text and select object to associate ............................................................. 47 

2.11.2  Button "E" ‐ Enter text and select object to associate ............................................................... 47 

2.12  "LAYERS" Group ................................................................................................................................. 48 

2.12.1  Button "I" ‐ Isolate selected layers ............................................................................................. 48 

2.12.2  Button "E" ‐ Exclude selected layers .......................................................................................... 48 

2.12.3  Button "A" ‐ Unhide all layers .................................................................................................... 48 

2.13  "CELL" Group ...................................................................................................................................... 49 

2.13.1  Button "C" ‐ Copy selected cell .................................................................................................. 49 

2.13.2  Button "P" ‐ Paste selected cell.................................................................................................. 49 

2.13.3  Button "D" ‐ Delete selected cell ............................................................................................... 49 

2.13.4  Button "A" ‐ Place AutoSum Heading in Column to Total .......................................................... 49 

2.14  "SORT" Group ..................................................................................................................................... 50 

2.14.1  Button "A" ‐ Sort Ascending ....................................................................................................... 50 

2.14.2  Button "D" ‐ Sort Descending..................................................................................................... 50 

2.14.3  Button "Group By Selected Column" ......................................................................................... 50 

3.0  Tab "P2" .................................................................................................................................................................51 

3.1  "Group 1" ........................................................................................................................................... 51 

3.1.1  Button "C" ‐ Change ................................................................................................................... 51 

3.1.1.1  Change – Text Size ................................................................................................................. 51 

3.1.1.2  Change – Polyline Width ........................................................................................................ 51 

3.1.1.3  Change – Polyline Color ......................................................................................................... 51 

3.1.1.4  Change – Layer Name ............................................................................................................ 52 

3.1.1.5  Change – Scale of Circle Hatch ............................................................................................... 52 

3.1.2  Button "I" ‐ Insert ....................................................................................................................... 53 

3.1.3  Button "H" ‐ Hatch ..................................................................................................................... 54 

3.1.3.1   Polyline to Hatch ................................................................................................................... 54 

3.1.3.2  Edit ......................................................................................................................................... 54 

3.1.3.3  Capture Matching .................................................................................................................. 54 

 

 

 

 

 

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3.2  "Group 2" ........................................................................................................................................... 55 

3.2.1  Button "Q" ‐ Associate Quantities To Selected Objects ............................................................. 55 

3.2.1.1  Object & No ............................................................................................................................ 55 

3.2.1.2  Object & Length ..................................................................................................................... 55 

3.2.1.3  Object & Area ......................................................................................................................... 56 

3.2.1.4  Object & Point ........................................................................................................................ 56 

3.2.2  Button "D" ‐ Do Selected ............................................................................................................ 57 

3.2.2.1   Make Block ............................................................................................................................ 57 

3.2.2.2   Copy Objects ......................................................................................................................... 57 

3.2.2.3  Explode Polyline ..................................................................................................................... 57 

3.2.2.4  Copy Line to Polyline .............................................................................................................. 58 

3.2.2.5  Delete Objects ........................................................................................................................ 58 

3.2.2.6  Get Block Names .................................................................................................................... 58 

3.2.2.7  Get Layer Names .................................................................................................................... 58 

3.2.2.8  Text Column ........................................................................................................................... 59 

3.2.2.9  Update All ............................................................................................................................... 59 

3.2.3  Button "T" ‐ Text ........................................................................................................................ 60 

3.2.3.1  Get In Column ........................................................................................................................ 60 

3.2.3.2   Insert to Modelspace ............................................................................................................ 60 

3.2.3.3   Insert Object's Handle ........................................................................................................... 60 

3.2.3.4  Capture ................................................................................................................................... 61 

3.2.3.5  Edit ......................................................................................................................................... 61 

3.2.3.6  Text to Cell ............................................................................................................................. 61 

3.2.3.7  Take Out From Object ............................................................................................................ 62 

3.2.4  Button "I" ‐ Insert ....................................................................................................................... 63 

3.2.4.1  Insert Text .............................................................................................................................. 63 

3.2.4.2  Insert Object ........................................................................................................................... 63 

3.3  "CHANGE DWGS PATH" Group .......................................................................................................... 64 

3.3.1  Button "D" ‐ Drawing Path ......................................................................................................... 64 

3.3.1.1  Get Address ............................................................................................................................ 64 

3.3.1.2  Replace Address ..................................................................................................................... 64 

 

 

 

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3.4  "LAYER COMMANDS" Group .............................................................................................................. 65 

3.4.1  Button "W" ‐ Manipulate Layers in Worksheet ......................................................................... 65 

3.4.1.1  Unhide All ............................................................................................................................... 65 

3.4.1.2  Exclude ................................................................................................................................... 65 

3.4.1.3  Isolate ..................................................................................................................................... 65 

3.4.1.4  Set Current ............................................................................................................................. 66 

3.4.2  Button "D" ‐ Manipulate Layers in Drawing ............................................................................... 67 

3.4.2.1  Get All ..................................................................................................................................... 67 

3.4.2.2  Unhide .................................................................................................................................... 67 

3.4.2.3  Hide ........................................................................................................................................ 67 

3.4.2.4  Set Current ............................................................................................................................. 67 

3.4.2.5  Change Color .......................................................................................................................... 67 

3.4.2.6  Find ......................................................................................................................................... 68 

3.4.2.7  View ........................................................................................................................................ 68 

3.4.2.8  Make ...................................................................................................................................... 68 

3.5  "COPY/PASTE/DELETE" Group ........................................................................................................... 69 

3.5.1  Button "C" (Top Row) ‐ Copy selected cell ................................................................................. 69 

3.5.2  Button "P" (Top Row) ‐ Paste selected cell ................................................................................ 69 

3.5.3  Button "D" (Top Row) ‐ Delete selected cell .............................................................................. 69 

3.5.4  Button "C" (Mid Row) ‐ Copy selected Row(s) ........................................................................... 70 

3.5.5  Button "P" (Mid Row) ‐ Paste selected Row(s) .......................................................................... 70 

3.5.6  Button "D" (Mid Row) ‐ Delete selected Row ............................................................................ 70 

3.5.7  Button "X" (Mid Row) ‐ Cut and Paste selected Rows ............................................................... 70 

3.5.8  Button "C" (Bottom Row) ‐ Copy selected Column .................................................................... 71 

3.5.9  Button "P" (Bottom Row) ‐ Paste selected Column ................................................................... 71 

3.5.10  Button "D" (Bottom Row) ‐ Delete selected Column ................................................................. 71 

3.5.11  Button "X" (Bottom Row) ‐ Cut and Paste selected Column...................................................... 71 

3.6  "DOCUMENTS+DWGS" Group ........................................................................................................... 72 

3.6.1  Button "A" ‐ Add Documents ..................................................................................................... 72 

3.6.2  Button "O" ‐ Open Documents .................................................................................................. 72 

3.6.3  Button "T" ‐ Add Dwg Title ......................................................................................................... 72 

3.6.4  Button "F" ‐ Add Dwg In Folder .................................................................................................. 73 

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4.0  Tab "P3" .................................................................................................................................................................74 

4.1  "SLAB BEAMS" Group ......................................................................................................................... 74 

4.1.1  Get and Split ............................................................................................................................... 74 

4.1.1.1  Button "L" ‐ Get Length .......................................................................................................... 74 

4.1.1.2  Button "T" ‐ Get Text .............................................................................................................. 75 

4.1.1.3  Button "S" ‐ Split Text ............................................................................................................ 75 

4.1.2  Attach Span ................................................................................................................................ 76 

4.1.2.1  Button "L" ‐ Select Length ...................................................................................................... 76 

4.1.2.2  Button "P" ‐ Select Point ........................................................................................................ 77 

4.1.2.3  Button "D" ‐ Select Dimension ............................................................................................... 77 

4.1.3  Calculate ..................................................................................................................................... 78 

4.1.3.1  Button "C" ‐ Calculate Count .................................................................................................. 78 

4.1.3.2  Button "W" ‐ Calculate Weight .............................................................................................. 78 

4.2  "LINKS" Group .................................................................................................................................... 79 

4.2.1  Get and Split ............................................................................................................................... 79 

4.2.1.1  Button "S" (Top Row) ‐ Get Text and Span ............................................................................ 79 

4.2.1.2  Button "T" ‐ Get Text .............................................................................................................. 80 

4.2.1.3  Button "S" (Bottom Row) ‐ Split Text ..................................................................................... 80 

4.2.1.4  Button "A" ‐ Attach Length .................................................................................................... 80 

4.2.2  Attach Span ................................................................................................................................ 80 

4.2.2.1  Button "L" ‐ Select Length ...................................................................................................... 80 

4.2.2.2  Button "P" ‐ Select Point ........................................................................................................ 80 

4.2.2.3  Button "D" ‐ Select Dimension ............................................................................................... 80 

4.2.3  Calculate ..................................................................................................................................... 81 

4.2.3.1  Button "C" ‐ Calculate Count .................................................................................................. 81 

4.2.3.2  Button "W" ‐ Calculate Weight .............................................................................................. 81 

4.3  "HIDE/UNHIDE" Group ....................................................................................................................... 82 

4.4  "SORT" Group ..................................................................................................................................... 82 

4.5  "ZOOM/FIND" Group ......................................................................................................................... 82 

4.6  "TAG OBJECTS" Group ........................................................................................................................ 82 

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5.0  Tab "P4" .................................................................................................................................................................83 

5.1  Command Button "Create Main Sheet #" .......................................................................................... 83 

5.2  Command Button "C" ‐ Change Case ................................................................................................. 84 

5.2.1  Upper ......................................................................................................................................... 84 

5.2.2  Lower.......................................................................................................................................... 84 

5.2.3  Title ............................................................................................................................................ 84 

5.3  Command Button "I" ‐ Indent ............................................................................................................ 85 

5.3.1  Increase Indent Level 1, 2 or 3 ................................................................................................... 85 

5.3.2  Decrease Indent Level 1, 2 or 3 .................................................................................................. 85 

5.4  Command Button "F" ‐ Filter ............................................................................................................. 86 

5.4.1  Filter ‐ Normal ............................................................................................................................ 86 

5.4.2  Filter ‐ Upper .............................................................................................................................. 86 

5.4.3  Filter ‐ Lower .............................................................................................................................. 86 

5.4.4  Filter ‐ Not Upper ....................................................................................................................... 86 

5.4.5  Filter ‐ Not Lower ....................................................................................................................... 86 

5.4.6  Filter ‐ Font Color ....................................................................................................................... 87 

5.4.7  Filter ‐ Background color ............................................................................................................ 87 

5.4.8  Filter ‐ Not Font color ................................................................................................................. 87 

5.4.9  Filter ‐ Not Background color ..................................................................................................... 87 

5.4.10  Filter ‐ Text ................................................................................................................................. 88 

5.4.11  Filter ‐ Greater than 0 ................................................................................................................ 88 

5.4.12  Filter ‐ Greater than 0 + Head .................................................................................................... 88 

5.4.13  Filter ‐ Empty Cell ....................................................................................................................... 88 

5.5  Command Button "N" ‐ Line Numbering ........................................................................................... 89 

5.5.1  Alphabet and Numeric ............................................................................................................... 89 

5.5.2  Cost Plan..................................................................................................................................... 89 

5.6  Command Button "S" ‐ Sort Coding Fields ......................................................................................... 90 

5.7  Command Button "Standard WorkBook" .......................................................................................... 91 

5.8  Command Button "Export WorkSheets" ............................................................................................ 92 

 

 

 

 

 

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5.9  "FILTER" Group ................................................................................................................................... 93 

5.9.1  Blank Cell ‐ Criteria Cell .............................................................................................................. 93 

5.9.2  Button "F" ‐ Filter Selected Column ........................................................................................... 93 

5.9.3  Button "N" ‐ Unfilter Rows ......................................................................................................... 93 

5.9.4  Button "C" ‐ Copy Cell Value ...................................................................................................... 93 

5.9.5  Button "V" ‐ Paste Cell Value to Selected Range ....................................................................... 93 

 

 

 

INTRODUCTION 

 

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1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 What is SoEasy

SoEasy is designed with Excel interface which is incredibly easy to use and is familiar to all Microsoft Office 2007 users. SoEasy is created to allow building professionals to manage their projects using all the functionalities, flexibilities and reporting capabilities of Excel. SoEasy allows you to prepare Bills of Quantities (BQ) and take-off quantities via CAD drawings within one program. This will eliminate mistakes that may occur during the transfer of data in cumbersome two step method, i.e. measurement and BQ preparation is done separately.

1.2 SoEasy Display

SoEasy is an Excel workbook and the display takes the form of a Document Actions panel. There are four tabs in the panel i.e. "P1", "P2", "P3" and "P4" and each tab is organized in Groups and Sub-Groups complete with command buttons and drop-down command that you need to complete a task. SoEasy works more efficiently and productively with dual monitors. By having dual monitors you can have two views, one for Workbook view (i.e. Excel workbook) and the other one for Drawing view (CAD drawing)

1.3 Getting Started

Open AutoCAD or Bricscad on one monitor and Microsoft Excel on the other. Open Excel workbook "SoEasy Workbook.xlsx" from the folder SoEasy Workbooks AutoCad►Deploy and save the workbook as another filename in the folder created by you. Alternatively you can copy the file "SoEasy Workbook.xlsx" from the folder SoEasy Workbooks AutoCad ► Deploy to the folder of your choice. Of course you can change the filename to comply with your company's filing system. Open the Excel Workbook saved or copied above and create your BQ from scratch or from the past projects. Open the Cad drawing and measure straight into your BQ and have your estimates or cost plans ready in no time.

1.4 SoEasy Workbook

SoEasy Workbook comprises of Main Worksheets (Worksheets with numbers prefix "#" placed in Cell A1, e.g. #1, #2, #3 etc) and five sub-Worksheets referred to as Levels (Worksheets with "L1", "L2", "L3", "L4" and "L5" placed in Cell A1) under each Main Worksheet.

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The Main Worksheet No 1 i.e. worksheet with "#1" shown in cell A1 is generated by default when you open the Workbook for the very first time. You can add as many Main Worksheets as you like (see the procedure below for adding new Main Worksheet) and each new Main Worksheet will be numbered sequentially with prefix "#" in cell A1. Please note that you are not allowed to perform quantity measurement on Main Worksheets

To create a new Main Worksheet 1. Select another Worksheet tab, e.g. "Sheet2" in the workbook 2. Select command button "Create MainSheet #" from tab "P4"

Note : "#2" is placed in cell A1 on new Worksheet

Sub-Worksheets can be created by double clicking a cell on the Worksheet above it (except Level 5 which is the last level under the Main Worksheet). For example, double clicking a cell on Main Worksheet creates a sub-worksheet as Level 1, double clicking a cell on Level 1 will create a sub-worksheet as Level 2 and so on. You can, after drilling down to the level below, return to the level above by selecting "Close" i.e. "X" at right top corner or "Close Window" i.e. "X" below "Close". But selecting "Close" at Main Worksheet closes the whole workbook .

1.4.1 Main Worksheet

This Worksheet summarizes your estimates. It can contain a list of building components or even a list of erection stages. The choices is up to you

Worksheet with Number prefix "#" in cell A1 indicates this is Main Worksheet 1

Double click cell D15 drills down to Level 1

Cell with grey infill indicates the cell has built-up details below

Select "Close" to closes the Workbook

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1.4.2 Level 1 (L1)

This worksheet contains a list of Elements or Trades as shown below

Worksheet with "L1" in cell A1 indicates this is Level 1

Double clicking cell I25 drills down to Level 2

Select "Close" or "Close WIndow" "X" to go back to level above

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1.4.3 Level 2 (L2)

This Level contains all items associated with the element or trade selected. The basic calculation of Quantity X Rate = Amount is done here.

Worksheet with "L2" in cell A1 indicates this is Level 2

Double clicking cell K16 drills down to Level 3

Select "Close" or "Close WIndow" "X" to go back to level above

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1.4.4 Level 3 (L3)

This worksheet can be used as an intermediate worksheet between elemental items and quantity calculation sheets. This worksheet may be used to subdivide the quantities into different floor levels or sections etc.

Double clicking cell E6 drills down to Level 4

Select "Close" or "Close WIndow" "X" to go back to level above

Worksheet with "L3" in cell A1 indicates this is Level 3

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1.4.5 Level 4 (L4)

This worksheet allows you to calculate quantities by selecting Cad objects from the Cad drawings. This worksheet also allows you to build up composite rates that may include materials, labour and sub-contract components.

1.4.6 Level 5 (L5) Spare

Worksheet with "L4" in cell A1 indicates this is Level 4

Quantities measurement from Cad drawing is happening here

Select "Close" or "Close WIndow" "X" to go back to level above

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1.5 Creating BQ From Past Projects

You are able to create BQ in SoEasy Workbook from existing BQ in Excel format by using the Copy and Paste commands in Microsoft Office Excel The following section shows you how to create BQ by copying range of cells and their contents from existing BQ (Source Worksheet) to SoEasy Workbook (Target Worksheet)

1. Open SoEasy workbook and go to the Level (Target Worksheet) you want to create the BQ 2. Open existing BQ (Source Worksheet) and select range of cells to be copied 3. Right click on Source Worksheet and select command "Copy" 4. Switch to Target Worksheet 5. Select location on Target Worksheet where you want to paste the data 6. Right click on Target Worksheet and select command "Paste" 7. Right click on Target Worksheet again and select command "Paste Special" 8. Check "Column widths" box to paste the widths of range of columns from Source Worksheet to

Target Worksheet and select "OK"

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○1

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○2 & ○3

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○4 ,○5 &○6

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○7

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○8

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BQ created in Target Worksheet

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1.6 Measurement In SoEasy

Measurement in SoEasy is done through Cad drawings. The default CAD scale is 1:1 but it is however always good practice after the drawing has been selected to check the scale by use of the “Measure Distance”. With the drawing open on screen, identify a figured dimension or known length (eg. a door opening) that you can use as a reference. Simply click the “Measure Distance” button and then click on a point at one end of the identified length; a line will appear which can be dragged to the other end of the identified length and if the dimension accords with the known length then the scale is correct.

1.6.1 Drawing Polylines

In AutoCad you can obtain the area and perimeter by selected objects or a sequence of points. Therefore it is essential for the user to create polylines on the drawings that you want the area and perimeter to be calculated. The following is the procedure of drawing polyline in Cad drawing 1. Select "Layer Properties" 2. Create a new layer and name it zArea 3. Set layer zArea as current layer 4. Select color and polyline from drawing menu 5. Start drawing polyline by tracing the internal walls of the room

○1

○1 Select Layer Properties to create a new layer

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○2

○3

○2 Enter new layer name e.g. "zArea"

○3 Set new layer created as "Current"

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○4 & ○5

1.6.2 Capture Quantities From Cad Drawings To SoEasy Worksheet

SoEasy allows you take-off quantities via CAD drawings directly into the Bills of Quantities (BQ) as prepared. The following section demonstrates how to capture areas from polylines drawn in Cad drawing to SoEasy worksheet 1. Double click the "Quantity" cell on the Worksheet 2. Select button "I" from "LAYERS" group in "P1" tab to isolate the layer (i.e. zArea) that you want to

measure 3. Select top row button "A" from "SELECT" group from "P1" tab 4. Move cursor to AutoCAD drawing and select the polylines at the "Select Objects" prompt and

select right click. Please note you can select many objects at the same time by either

dragging your cursor from left to right to select objects that are entirely enclosed by the rectangular area (Window selection); or

dragging your cursor from right to left to select objects that the rectangular window encloses or crosses (Crossing selection)

5. Select right click again at "Select Objects" prompt to end the process

○4 &○5 Draw polylines by tracing the internal walls of the room

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○1

○2

○1 Double click the quantity cell

○2 Select button "I" from "LAYERS" group to isolate the layer

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○3

○4

○4 select the polylines at the "Select Objects" prompt by dragging your cursor from top left to right bottom corner to select objects that are entirely enclosed by the rectangular area

○3 Select button "A" from "SELECT" group

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○5

1.7 Document Actions Document Actions is a Command packed panel that transforms your Excel workbook into an user-friendly yet powerful estimating system. This Document Actions panel comprises of Commands and command list which are organized in logical groups and collected together under tabs. Furthermore short description of the command is displayed when you execute the command button. Generally there are Four tabs in the Document Actions panel i.e. "P1", "P2", "P3" and "P4" which consists of

Function Groups (e.g. SELECT, SKETCH, MATCHING etc) with Command Buttons (e.g. ),

Function Groups with combination of Command Button with Drop-Down command list (e.g. )

or standalone Command Button like this .

○5 Select right click to complete the selection. Select right click again at "Select Objects: prompt to end the process

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The Document Action can be closed by selecting the "X" at right top corner of the panel as shown below

Nevertheless you are able to open the Document Actions panel again by selecting " Open Action Panel" from ribbon tab named "Menu" as shown below

The following sections explain all the command sets that you need to complete a task.  

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2.0 Tab "P1" 2.1 "Drawing Unit" Drop-down List

   

Drawing Unit

This is what one drawing unit represents based on what a draughtsman plans to draw. Every object on the drawing is measured in drawing units. For example, a distance of one drawing unit typically represents one millimeter, one meter, one inch, or one foot in real-world units.

Default Drawing Unit The default Drawing Unit is millimeters To choose Drawing Unit Pull down Option list and choose the Drawing Unit e.g. millimeters, meters, inches or feet to suit your drawing

 

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2.2 "ModelSpace/Region" Drop-down List  

                    

ModelSpace/ Region There are two options on this drop-down list, i.e. ModelSpace and Region

These options are used to limit the search area when you are using commands from "Matching" group or select "Capture Similar Objects" button like

Option : ModelSpace

Select this option if you want to "match objects" or "select similar objects" from the whole modelspace of the Cad drawing

Option : Region

Select this option if you want to "match objects" or "select similar objects" within a region drawn as a polyline on the Cad drawing

 

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2.3 Command Button "B"  

          

 

Button B

Select command button B to open Bricscad program if you open SoEasy Workbook before opening Bricscad Notes:

If you are using AutoCAD

1. Replace button with button throughout tab "P1"

2. Replace text "Bricscad" with "AutoCad"

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2.4 "SELECT" Group  

    

 

There are SIX command buttons in this group and they are placed in two rows with three commands each. THREE command buttons with grey infilled color are placed on top row whilst the other THREE command buttons without infilled color are placed at bottom row. The command buttons are as follow Top Row

1. Button "C" - Capture selected objects and Count 2. Button "L" -Capture selected objects and get their

Length 3. Button "A" -Capture selected objects and get their

Area Bottom Row

1. Button "C" - Select text then capture selected objects and Count

2. Button "L" - Select text then capture selected objects and get their Length

3. Button "A" - Select text then capture selected objects and get their Area

2.4.1 Button "C" (Top Row) - Capture selected

objects and calculate "Count" This command allows you to capture selected object and calculate "Count"

1. Select button "C" from top row 2. Move cursor to Cad drawing 3. Select objects and right click 4. Repeat Step 3 to capture more objects or 5. Right click to end

2.4.2 Button "L" (Top Row) - Capture selected

objects and calculate "Length" This command allows you to capture selected object and calculate "Length"

1. Select button "L" from top row 2. Move cursor to Cad drawing 3. Select objects and right click 4. Repeat Step 3 to capture more objects or 5. Right click to end

 

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2.4.3 Button "A" (Top Row) - Capture selected objects and calculate "Area"

This command allows you to capture selected object and calculate "Area"

1. Select button "A" from top row 2. Move cursor to Cad drawing 3. Select objects and right click 4. Repeat Step 3 to capture more objects or 5. Right click to end

2.4.4 Button "C" (Bottom Row) - Select Text then

Capture selected objects and calculate "Count" This command allows you to select text and then capture selected object and calculate "Count"

1. Select button "C" from bottom row 2. Move cursor to Cad drawing 3. Select text and right click 4. Select objects and right click 5. Repeat Step 3 and 4 to capture more objects or 6. Right click to end

2.4.5 Button "L" (Bottom Row) - Select Text then

Capture selected objects and calculate "Length" This command allows you to select text and then capture selected object and calculate "Length"

1. Select button "L" from bottom row 2. Move cursor to Cad drawing 3. Select text and right click 4. Select objects and right click 5. Repeat Step 3 and 4 to capture more objects or 6. Right click to end

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2.4.6 Button "A" (Bottom Row) - Select Text then Capture selected objects and calculate "Area" This command allows you to select text and then capture selected object and calculate "Area"

1. Select button "A" from bottom row 2. Move cursor to Cad drawing 3. Select text and right click 4. Select objects and right click 5. Repeat Step 3 and 4 to capture more objects or 6. Right click to end

 

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2.5 "SKETCH" Group  

    

   

There are SIX command buttons in this group and they are placed in two rows with three commands each. THREE command buttons with grey infilled color are placed on top row whilst the other THREE command buttons without infilled color are placed at bottom row. The command buttons are as follow Top Row

1. Button "C" - Drop hatched circles and Count 2. Button "L" - Sketch Length 3. Button "A" - Sketch Area

Bottom Row

1. Button "C"- Select Text and Drop hatched circles and Count

2. Button "L" - Select Text and Sketch Length 3. Button "A" - Select Text and Sketch Area

There is also a standalone button i.e. attached next to the Group. SIX command buttons in this group are designed to be used as "digitizer on screen" by dropping points on Cad drawing to form Hatched Circle (for counting No) or 2DPolyline (for Length and Area measurement) and return results in “No” for button "C", "Length” for button “L” and “Area” for button “A" Whereas standalone command button "C" attached to this group is designed to be used for setting color of the sketched objects. You can change the color by selecting button "C" and select the color from the Color palette

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2.5.1 Button "C" (Top Row) - Drop hatched circle and calculate "Count"

This command allows you to drop hatched circles on drawing and calculate "Count"

1. Select button "C" from top row 2. Move cursor to Cad drawing 3. Drop points to start the Counting process (note

Hatched Circles are formed as Count objects) 4. Right click to end

2.5.2 Button "L" (Top Row) - Sketch Length This command allows you to drop points on drawing to form 2DPolyline and calculate "Length"

1. Select button "L" from top row 2. Move cursor to Cad drawing 3. Drop points to form 2DPolyline and right click 4. Repeat Step 3 to form more 2DPolylines or 5. Right click to end

2.5.3 Button "A" (Top Row) - Sketch Area This command allows you to drop points on drawing to form 2DPolyline and calculate "Area"

1. Select button "A" from top row 2. Move cursor to Cad drawing 3. Drop points to form 2DPolyline and right click 4. Repeat Step 4 to form more 2DPolylines or 5. Right click to end

 

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2.5.4 Button "C" (Bottom Row) - Select Text and drop hatched circle and calculate "Count"

This command allows you to select text and drop hatched circles on drawing and calculate "Count"

1. Select button "C" from bottom row 2. Move cursor to Cad drawing 3. Select text and right click 4. Drop points to start the Counting process (note

Hatched Circles are formed as Count objects) 5. Right click to end

2.5.5 Button "L" (Bottom Row) - Select Text and

Sketch Length This command allows you to select text and drop points on drawing to form 2DPolyline and calculate "Length"

1. Select button "L" from bottom row 2. Move cursor to Cad drawing 3. Select text and right click 4. Drop points to form 2DPolyline and right click 5. Repeat Step 3 to form more 2DPolylines or 6. Right click to end

2.5.6 Button "A" (Bottom Row) - Select Text and

Sketch Area This command allows you to select text and drop points on drawing to form 2DPolyline and calculate "Area"

1. Select button "A" from bottom row 2. Move cursor to Cad drawing 3. Select text and right click 4. Drop points to form 2DPolyline and right click 5. Repeat Step 4 to form more 2DPolylines or 6. Right click to end

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2.6 "MATCHING" Group  

There are THREE command buttons in this group i.e. 1. Button "C" - Capture selected matching objects and

Count 2. Button "L" - Capture selected matching objects and

get their length 3. Button "A" - Capture selected matching objects and

get their area

There is also a standalone button i.e. attached next to the Group. Three command buttons "C", "L" and "A" in this group are designed to be used to match objects you want to capture in “Count” for button "C", “Length” for button "L" or “Area” for button "A", based on Object Type, Layer Name and Color of the objects. Button "S", on the other hand, is designed for selecting same type of objects irregardless of Layer Name and Color of the objects Furthermore you can decide the limit of the search area by selecting the options from drop-down menu on top i.e. "ModelSpace" or "Region". If you choose option "ModelSpace", your search area represents the whole modelspace of the Cad drawing. However if you choose option "Region", then your search area will be limited within the region or boundary drawn as polyline on the Cad drawing. 2.6.1 Match Cad objects Based On Type, Layer

Name and Color and return results in "No", "Length" and "Area" from whole ModelSpace

1. Select "ModelSpace" from drop-down menu on top 2. Select button "C", "L" or "A" 3. Move cursor to Cad drawing 4. Select an object you want to match and right click 5. Repeat Step 4 for another object to be matched

and right click or 6. Right click to end

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2.6.2 Match Cad objects Based On Type, Layer Name and Color and return results in "No", "Length" and "Area" within a selected Region

1. Select "Region" from drop-down menu on top 2. Select button "C", "L" or "A" 3. Move cursor to Cad drawing 4. Select polyline forming the region and right click 5. Select an object you want to match and right click 6. Repeat Step 5 for another object to be matched

and right click or 7. Right click to end

2.6.3 Select Similar Type of Object and return

results in "No", "Length" or "Area" from whole ModelSpace

1. Select "ModelSpace" from drop-down menu on top 2. Select button "S" 3. Move cursor to Cad drawing 4. Select an object you want similar type to be

captured and right click 5. Select "OK" at "You have selected ........" window 6. Repeat Step 4 and 5 for another object you want

similar type to be captured and right click or 7. Right click to end

2.6.4 Select Similar Type of Object and return

results in "No", "Length" or "Area" within a selected Region

1. Select "Region" from drop-down menu on top 2. Select button "S" 3. Move cursor to Cad drawing 4. Select polyline forming the region and right click 5. Select an object you want similar type to be

captured and right click 6. Select "OK" at "You have selected ......." window 7. Repeat Step 5 and 6 for another object you want

similar type to be captured and right click or 8. Right click to end

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2.7 "HIDE/UNHIDE" Group

There are 5 types of Hide and Unhide functions within this group. The command buttons for the above function type are arranged in pairs (button "H" for Hide and "U" for Unhide) horizontally or vertically. Moreover the command button are filled with different colors to differentiate different type of functions as shown below (infilled colors are shown in brackets)

1. Hide/Unhide Selected object (Purple) 2. Hide/Unhide All objects from Worksheet (Peach) 3. Hide/Unhide All objects in the Cell (Cyan) 4. Hide/Unhide Objects in the drawing (Pink) 5. Hide/Unhide All objects in the Modelspace (Grey)

2.7.1 Hide/Unhide Selected Object (Purple)

These two buttons allow you to hide or unhide selected objects captured in the worksheet.

1. Select a cell or range of cells containing captured objects you want to hide/unhide

2. Select button “H" to hide selected objects or 3. Select button “U" to unhide selected objects

2.7.2 Hide/Unhide All Objects from Worksheet

(Peach)

These two button allow you to hide or unhide all objects captured in the worksheet.

1. Select any cell on the worksheet 2. Select button "H" to hide all objects in worksheet or 3. Select button "U" to unhide all objects in worksheet

2.7.3 Hide/Unhide All Objects in Cell (Cyan)

These two buttons allow you to hide or unhide all objects in the cell

1. Go to level above quantity worksheet 2. Select a cell or range of cells which you want to

hide or unhide the objects 3. Select button "H" to hide all objects in the cell or 4. Select button "U" to unhide all objects in the cell

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2.7.4 Hide/Unhide Objects in the drawing (Pink)

These two buttons allow you to hide Cad objects and unhide selected objects in the drawing

To hide Objects in Drawing

1. Select button "H" 2. Move cursor to Cad drawing 3. Select object(s) you want to hide and right click

To unhide Objects in Drawing

1. Select button "U" Note : This function can also be used to unhide objects captured in worksheet

2.7.5 HIde/Unhide All Objects in Drawing (Grey)

These two buttons allow you to hide or unhide all objects in the drawing.

1. Select button "H" to hide all objects in drawing or 2. Select button "U" to unhide all objects in drawing

2.7.6 Zoom in to selected object

This button allows you to zoom in to selected object at zoom factor of 100

1. Select an object in worksheet 2. Select button "Z"

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2.8 "ZOOM/FIND" Group

There are TWO command buttons in this group, i.e 1. Button "Z" - Zoom to selected object 2. Button "F" - Find object in worksheet

2.8.1 Button "Z" - Zoom to Selected Object This command allows you to zoom in or out of the selected object in worksheet. You can select the zooming factor from the drop-down list and the larger the zoom factor you choose the nearer the object will be seen to you and vice versa. There are EIGHT zoom factors i.e. "1", "5", "10", "50", "100", "200", "400" and "Object". These numbers represent the percentages of object to be seen on screen

1. Select the object to be zoomed in on worksheet 2. Select Zoom factor, e.g. 200 from drop-down list 3. Select button "Z"

Notes : i. you are allowed to key in zoom factor other than those found in

the drop-down list ii. if you select "Object" from drop-down list, the object will be

zoomed in at around 75%

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2.8.2 Button "F" - Find Object in Worksheet This command allows you find objects on worksheet corresponding to Cad objects selected on Cad drawing There are SIX color codes i.e. "3", "4", "5", "6", "7" and "8" and ONE "Clear" option. Each number corresponds to the color as shown below:

"3" - Red "4" - Green "5" - Blue "6" - Yellow "7" - Magenta "8" - Cyan

To Find Objects in Worksheet

1. Select Color code from drop-down list 2. Select button "F" 3. Move cursor to Cad drawing 4. Select Cad object(s) you want to find and right

click Notes :

i. Found objects will be sorted and placed in last rows ii. Found objects will have their handle cells in Column B

highlighted with color selected in Step 1

To Clear Found Objects in Worksheet

1. Select "Clear" from the drop-down list 2. Select button "F"

Note : All highlighted handle cells in Column B are cleared of any color

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2.9 "TAG OBJECTS" Group

There are TWO command buttons in this group, i.e. 1. Button "S" - Setting text on cad objects 2. Button "G" - Getting text from cad objects

Setting Text on cad objects is similar with writing attributes on them. On the other hand the text set on the cad objects can be retrieved for further manipulation.

2.9.1 Button "S" - Set Text on Objects This command allows you to set text on cad objects

1. Select column with text to be set on the objects 2. Select button "S"

2.9.2 Button "G" - Get Text from Objects This command allows you to retrieve text set on the cad objects

1. Select any column on worksheet 2. Select button "G"

 

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2.10 "ZOOM +TEXT" Group  

        

 

There are five command buttons in this group, i.e. 1. Button "G" - Zoom to object and associate text 2. Button "E" - Zoom to object and enter text 3. Button "A" - Zoom to object and edit text 4. Button "L" - Zoom to object and sketch length 5. Button "A" - Zoom to object and sketch area

Text association is a very important feature in the whole process. You must associate text with the Cad objects you captured to add information (information such as Room Name, Floor, Ceiling and Wall Finishes etc) to them. 2.10.1 Button "G" - Zoom to object and associate text This command allows you to zoom in to selected object and select text on drawing to associate with the selected object

1. Select cell or range of cells 2. Select button "G" 3. Move cursor to Cad drawing 4. Select text and right click 5. Repeat Step 4 until it zooms in to the last object or 6. Select “Esc” at anytime to end

Note : Object zoomed according to Zoom Factor (except "Object" found within the drop-down list in "ZOOM/FIND" group on "Document Actions" panel

2.10.2 Button "E" - Zoom to object and enter text This command allows you to zoom in to selected object and enter your own text to associate with the selected object

1. Select cell or range of cells 2. Select button "E" 3. Enter text required at Cad Command “Enter text to

attach to this object” and select Enter 4. Repeat Step 3 until it zooms in to the last object or 5. Select “Esc” at anytime to end

Note : Object zoomed according to Zoom Factor (except "Object" found within the drop-down list in "ZOOM/FIND" group on "Document Actions" panel

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2.10.3 Button "A" - Zoom to object and edit text This command allows you to zoom in to text object captured and edit the text

1. Select cell or range of cells to be zoomed in (cells must contain text captured from drawing)

2. Select button "A" 3. Enter text required at Cad Command “Enter New

text Over Writing existing Text On the Drawing =“ and select Enter

4. Repeat Step 3 until it zooms to last object or 5. Select “Esc” at anytime to end 6. Right click to end

Note : i. Object zoomed according to Zoom Factor (except "Object" found within the drop-down list in "ZOOM/FIND" group on "Document Actions" panel

ii Edited text appears in last column on worksheet and on Cad drawing as well

2.10. 4 Button "L" - Zoom to object and sketch length This command allows you to zoom in to selected object and sketch length

1. Select range of cells to be zoomed in 2. Select button "L" 3. Move cursor to Cad drawing 4. Drop points on drawing to form 2DPolyline and right

click twice 5. Repeat Step 4 until it zooms to the last object or 6. Select “Esc” at anytime to end

Note : i. Rows with calculated lengths are added below the last row

ii. Object zoomed according to Zoom Factor found in Zoom Factor column (i.e. Column C) on worksheet

 

2.10.5 Button "A" - Zoom to object and sketch area This command allows you to zoom in to selected object and sketch area

1. Select range of cells to be zoomed in 2. Select button "A" 3. Move cursor to Cad drawing 4. Drop points on drawing to form 2DPolyline and right

click twice 5. Repeat Step 4 until it zooms to the last object or 6. Select "Esc" at anytime to end

Note : i. Rows with calculated areas are added below the last row

ii. Object zoomed according to Zoom Factor found in Zoom Factor column (i.e. Column C) on worksheet

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2.11 "LOCATE + TEXT" Group

          

   

There are TWO command buttons in this group, i.e. 1. Button "G"- Select text and select object to associate 2. Button "E" - Enter text and select object to associate

Text association is a very important feature in the whole process. You must associate text with the Cad objects you captured to add information (information such as Room Name, Floor, Ceiling and Wall Finishes etc) to them. 2.11.1 Button "G" - Select text and select object to

associate This command allows you to associate text on drawing with selected object

1. Select a cell in a blank column 2. Select button "G" 3. "Overwrite text in selected column" window appears 4. Select "Yes" to proceed or continue or select "No" to

cancel the operation 5. Move cursor to Cad drawing if selected "Yes" 6. Select text on Cad drawing and right click 7. Select object or objects (for cases where same text

applies to more than one objects) to associate and right click

8. Repeat Step 3 and 4 or 9. Right click to end

Note : This function shows no response if you place the cursor in "Handle" column (i.e. Column B) whether you answer "Yes" or "No" in Step 3

2.11.2 Button "E" - Enter text and select object to

associate This command allows you to associate text entered with selected object

1. Select button "E" 2. Move cursor to Cad drawing 3. Enter text you want to associate with the objects at

Cad command “Enter Text =“ and select Enter 4. Select objects to associate and right click 5. Repeat Step 3 and 4 or 6. Enter any text at command line and press “Enter” to

end  

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2.12 "LAYERS" Group  

    

 

There are THREE command buttons in this group, i.e. 1. Button "I" - Isolate selected layers 2. Button "E" - Exclude selected layers 3. Button "A" - Unhide all layers

2.12.1 Button "I" - Isolate selected layers This command allows you to freeze other layers except the layers selected

1. Select button "I" 2. Mover cursor to Cad drawing 3. Select object(s) on drawing which you want the

layer(s) to be isolated and right click 4. Right click to end

2.12.2 Button "E" - Exclude selected layers This command allows you to freeze layers of object(s) selected

1. Select button "E" 2. Mover cursor to Cad drawing 3. Select object(s) on drawing which you want the

layer(s) excluded and right click 4. Right click to end

2.12.3 Button "A" - Unhide all layers This command allows you to thaw all frozen layers

1. Select button "A"

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2.13 "CELL" Group  

    

 

There are FOUR command buttons in this group, i.e. 1. Button "C" - Copy selected cell 2. Button "P" - Paste selected cell 3. Button "D" - Delete selected cell 4. Button "A" - Place AutoSum Heading in Column to Total

2.13.1 Button "C" - Copy selected cell This command allows you to copy cell with built-up details

1. Place cursor on the cell you want to copy 2. Select button "C"

2.13.2 Button "P" - Paste selected cell This command allows you to paste cell with built-up details. This command can only be applied after Button "C" had been selected as shown in 2.13.1

1. Place cursor on the cell you want to paste 2. Select button "P"

2.13.3 Button "D" - Delete selected cell This command allows you to delete cell with built-up details

1. Move cursor to the cell you want to delete 2. Select button "D" 3. Answer :YES” at “Do you want to delete Cells in Row

[row no -> row no]”  

2.13.4 Button "A" - Place AutoSum Heading in Column to Total

 

This command allows you to place text “AutoSum” where the cursor is. The purpose of putting AutoSum (usually in cell along Row 3) is to sum the column with text AutoSum instead of the very last column

1. Move cursor to the cell where you want to place the text AutoSum

2. Select button "A"  

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2.14 "SORT" Group  

    

There are TWO command buttons in this group, i.e. 1. Button "A" - Sort Ascending 2. Button "D" - Sort Descending

There is also one standalone button attached to this group and it is for grouping data by selected column 2.14.1 Button "A" - Sort Ascending This command allows you to sort data by rows in ascending order

1. Select column or a cell in the column where the data you want to sort

2. Select button "A" 2.14.2 Button "D" - Sort Descending This command allows you to sort data by rows in descending order

1. Select column or a cell in the column where the data you want to sort

2. Select button "D" 2.14.3 Button "Group By Selected Column" This command allows you to group your dimensions into groups according to the criteria specified by you

1. Place cursor in the column where you place the sort criteria (e.g. description of floor finishes such as CR, CT, VS etc)

2. Select button "Group By Selected Column" 3. Close Window

Note : Dimensions are grouped into different floor finishes and

brought forward to the level above it

 

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3.0 Tab "P2"  

3.1 "Group 1"

There are THREE command buttons in this group, i.e. 1. Button "C" - Change 2. Button "I" - Insert 3. Button "H" - Hatch

Each command button is designed to work with a list of drop-down commands on the left hand side of the command button. 3.1.1 Button "C" - Change This command allows you to change Text Size, Polyline Width, Polyline Color, Layer Name and Scale of Circle Hatch. 3.1.1.1 Change – Text Size

1. Edit “Text Size” in column H 2. Select range of cells to be changed or select whole

column to change all 3. Select “Text Size” from drop-down list 4. Select button "C" to change

3.1.1.2 Change – Polyline Width

1. Edit “Polyline Width” in column H 2. Select range of cells to be changed or select whole

column to change all 3. Select “Polyline Width” from drop-down list 4. Select button "C" to change

3.1.1.3 Change – Polyline Color

1. Edit “Color Code” in column G 2. Select range of cells to be changed or select whole

column to change all 3. Select “Polyline Color” from drop-down list 4. Select button "C" to change

 

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3.1.1.4 Change – Layer Name 1. Edit “Layer Name” in column F 2. Select range of cells to be changed or select whole

column to change all 3. Select “Layer Name” from drop-down list 4. Select button "C" to change

3.1.1.5 Change – Scale of Circle Hatch

1. Edit “Scale Value” in column J 2. Select range of cells to be changed or select whole

column to change all 3. Select “Scale of Circle Hatch” from drop-down list 4. Select button "C" to change

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3.1.2 Button "I" - Insert This command allows you to insert Cad objects' properties such as Length, Area, Block Attribute and Layer Name to the worksheet.

1. Select any column 2. Select “Length”, “Area”, “Block Attribute” or “Layer”

from drop-down list 3. Select button "I"

Note : The property selected is placed in the very last column of the worksheet

The properties that can be inserted to the worksheet are as follow:

Item Properties To Be Inserted

Object Types

1 Block Attribute Block Reference

2 Length Line, Polyline (<=2 vertex), Polyline (>2 vertex), Arc, Circle, Polygons

3 Area Polyline (> 2 vertex), Circle, Polygons

4 Layer Name All object types

Note : This command can also be used to update the dimension like "Length" and "Area" after you have adjusted the cad objects  

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3.1.3 Button "H" - Hatch This command allows you to create hatches with closed polyline, edit the hatches formed and match and capture the hatches 3.1.3.1 Polyline to Hatch This command allows you to create hatches with enclosed polyline

1. Capture closed polylines from Cad drawing 2. Select the rows you want to create hatches 3. Select “PolyLine to Hatch” from drop-down list 4. Select button "H" to create hatch

Default values of hatches formed are as follow:

Color = current color Pattern Scale = 100 Pattern Angle = 0 Pattern Type = 1 Pattern Name = SOLID

3.1.3.2 Edit This command allows you to edit the hatches formed

1. Edit the default values in the respective column to suit your need (e.g. you can change Pattern Name to LINES, Pattern Scale to 1000 and Pattern Angle to 45)

2. Select the rows with amended values 3. Select “Edit” from drop-down list 4. Select button "H" to edit the hatches

3.1.3.3 Capture Matching This command allows you to match and capture hatches based on color and layer name

1. Select “Capture Matching” from drop-down list 2. Select button "H" 3. Move cursor to Cad drawing 4. Select the hatch you want to match and capture and

right click 5. Repeat Step 4 to capture more hatches or 6. Right click to end

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3.2 "Group 2"

There are FOUR command buttons in this group, i.e. 1. Button "Q" - Associate Quantities To Selected Objects 2. Button "D" - Do 3. Button "T" - Text 4. Button "I" - Insert

Each command button is designed to work with a list of pull-down commands on the left hand side of the command button. 3.2.1 Button "Q" - Associate Quantities To Selected

Objects This command allows you to

• select “No” (Object & No), “Length” (Object & Length) or “Area” (Object & Area) and place the values in the column determined by you

• drop two points on Cad drawing to workout length and place the results in the column determined by you (Object & Point)

3.2.1.1 Object & No

1. Place cursor in a blank column 2. Select "Object & No" from drop-down list 3. Select button "Q" 4. Move cursor to Cad drawing 5. Select object(s) and right click 6. Select object(s) to associate and right click 7. Repeat Step 5 and 6 or 8. Right click to end

3.2.1.2 Object & Length

1. Place cursor in a blank column 2. Select “Object & Length” from drop-down list 3. Select button "Q" 4. Move cursor to Cad drawing 5. Select line(s) or polyline(s) and right click 6. Select object(s) to be associated with and right click 7. Repeat Step 5 and 6 or 8. Right click to end

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3.2.1.3 Object & Area 1. Place cursor in a blank column 2. Select “Object & Area” from drop-down list 3. Select button "Q" 4. Move cursor to Cad drawing 5. Select polyline(s) and right click 6. Select object(s) to be associated with and right click 7. Repeat Step 5 and 6 or 8. Right click to end

3.2.1.4 Object & Point

1. Place cursor in a blank column 2. Select “Object & Point” from drop-down list 3. Select button "Q" 4. Move cursor to Cad drawing 5. Drop two points on Cad drawing 6. Select object(s) to be associated with and right click 7. Repeat Step 5 and 6 or 8. Right click to end

 

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3.2.2 Button "D" - Do Selected This command button allows you to Create Block Reference, Copy Objects, Explode Polyline, Copy Line to Polyline, Delete Objects, Get Block Names, Get Layer Name, Split Text to separate column based on common delimiter and Update the workbook 3.2.2.1 Make Block This command allows you to create Block References and save them in layer zInsertBlock

1. Select “Make Block” from drop-down list 2. Select button "D" 3. Move cursor to Cad drawing 4. Key in Block Name or key in “0” and select text from

drawing and select Enter 5. Select objects to form Block Reference and right click 6. Pick base point and right click 7. Repeat Step 5 and 6 or 8. Right click to end

3.2.2.2 Copy Objects This command allows you to copy cad objects captured in worksheet and save them in layer zCopy

1. Select row(s) of objects to be copied on worksheet 2. Select “Copy Objects” from drop-down list 3. Select button "D"

Note : Object(s) copied to layer named zCopy

3.2.2.3 Explode Polyline This command allows you to explode polylines captured into 2Dpolylines and arc and save them in layer of source polyline (also note that layer zExplode was created as well)

1. Select rows of polylines (source polylines) to be exploded

2. Select “Explode Polyline” from drop-down list 3. Select button "D"

Note : 1. Polylines exploded into 2Dpolylines and arc and saved in the layer of the source polylines 2. Rows of new data consisting of the 2Dpolylines and arc are created from the “explosion” process are added below the existing data

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3.2.2.4 Copy Line to Polyline This command allows you to copy lines to 2Dpolylines and save them in layer zPolyline

1. Select rows of lines to be copied 2. Select "Copy Line to Polyline" from drop-down list 3. Select button "D" 

Note : Rows of new data consisting of 2dpolylines are created and added below the existing data 

 

3.2.2.5 Delete Objects This command allows you to delete rows of data in worksheet together with the associated Cad objects on drawing

1. Select rows to be deleted 2. Select “Delete Objects” from “drop-down list 3. Select button "D" 4. Answer “Yes” at window “Do you want to delete Rows

and Associated Drawing Objects [Row No -> Row No]?

3.2.2.6 Get Block Names This command allows you to get all block names and placed them in workbook named Standards.xlsx

1. Go to any Level (except Main Worksheet) 2. Select “Get Block Names” from drop-down list 3. Select button "D"

Note : 1. All Block Names created in the drawing are placed in the active worksheet in Standards.xlsx workbook 2. A warning window "Please select a new worksheet or clear the current one" will appear if the cueent worksheet in Standards.xlsx contains other data

3.2.2.7 Get Layer Names This command allows you to get all layer names and place them in workbook name Standards.xlsx

1. Go to any Level (except Main Worksheet) 2. Select “Get Layer Names” from drop-down list 3. Select button "D"

Note : 1. All layer names of the drawing are placed in the active worksheet in workbook Standards.xlsx 2. A warning window "Please select a new worksheet or clear the current one" will appear if the cueent worksheet in Standards.xlsx contains other data

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3.2.2.8 Text Column This command allows you to split text according to the delimiter specified

1. Select cell or range of cells with text you want to split 2. Select “Text Column” from drop-down list 3. Select button "D" 4. Key in delimiter at “Enter Delimiting character” (default

delimiter is “^”) and select “OK” Note : Text split according to delimiter and placed in last column and onwards

 

3.2.2.9 Update All This command allows you to update the workbook and this is particularly useful when you have cell reference to another cell(s) in different levels of the Workbook

1. Select “Update All” from drop-down list 2. Select button "D" 

 

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3.2.3 Button "T" - Text This command allows you to Get Text from drawing (in column) to Worksheet, Insert text from worksheet to drawing, insert object's handle from worksheet to cad objects on drawing, Capture text from drawing, Edit captured text, get text from drawing and place in a cell in the worksheet and take out text from cad object 3.2.3.1 Get In Column This command allows you to get text from drawing (in column) to worksheet

1. Select “Get In Column” from drop-down list 2. Select button "T" 3. Move cursor to cad drawing 4. Select text from top to bottom in column format and

right click 5. Repeat Step 4 for more text or 6. Right click to end

3.2.3.2 Insert to Modelspace This command allows you to place text from worksheet onto drawing

1. Select text on worksheet 2. Select “Insert to Modelspace” from drop-down list 3. Select button "T" 4. Move cursor to Cad drawing 5. Drop text at Cad command "A Point" 6. Repeat Step 5 to drop more text or 7. Right click to end

Note : Text objects are placed in layer named zText and the color of text follows the current color selected

3.2.3.3 Insert Object's Handle This command allows you to insert “Handle No” from worksheet to Cad objects

1. Place cursor anywhere on quantity worksheet 2. Select “Insert Object's Handle" from drop-down list 3. Select button "T"

Note : “Handle Nos” of all selected objects are placed on the Cad objects respectively

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3.2.3.4 Capture This command allows you to capture text from drawing and placed them in worksheet

1. Select “Capture” from drop-down list 2. Select button "T" 3. Move cursor to Cad drawing 4. Select all objects and right click 5. Repeat Step 4 for more text or 6. Right click to end

Note : This command ignores all objects except text object. Therefore only text objects on drawing are captured

3.2.3.5 Edit This command allows you to edit the properties of the text captured. There are six columns in the worksheet with the following properties that can be edited, i.e. Text Content (column E), Color (column G), Height (column H), StyleName or Font (column I), Rotation (column J) and Scale Factor (column K) Example 1 - Edit Text Height from 300 to 100

1. Edit text height in column H from 300 to 100 2. Select cell or range of cells in column H where you

have changed the text height 3. Select “Edit” from drop-down list 4. Select button "T"

3.2.3.6 Text to Cell This command allows you to select text from drawing and place the selected text in a cell on worksheet

1. Place cursor on a cell in worksheet 2. Select “Text to Cell” from drop-down list 3. Select button "T" 4. Move cursor to Cad drawing 5. Select text or multiple text on Cad drawing and right

click 6. Repeat Step 5 for more text or 7. Right click to end

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3.2.3.7 Take Out From Object This command allows you to take out text from Cad objects such as Dimension with Text Override and Block Reference with Text

1. Select “Take Out From Object” from drop-down list 2. Select button "T" 3. Move cursor to Cad drawing 4. Select an object that you want to take out text and

right click Note : Only objects of the same layer are captured and the text from the objects are placed at the last column

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3.2.4 Button "I" - Insert 3.2.4.1 Insert Text This command allows you to zoom in and insert text on selected object

1. Enter any text you want to insert in a blank cell on the same row as the selected object

2. Select cell or range of cells with text you want to insert 3. Select “Insert Text” from drop-down list 4. Select button "I"

Note : Text inserted on drawing follow the current color selected

3.2.4.2 Insert Object This command allows you to zoom in and insert object (Block Reference) on selected object Before you can insert any object, you must first get a list of block names and place them in Standards workbook (Refer section 3.2.2.6 on how to get Block Names from the drawing) To zoom in to Cad object and insert object

1. Select the block name you want to insert from block name list in Standards workbook

2. Open workbook where you want to insert object selected above

3. Select cell or range of cells you want object inserted 4. Select “Insert Object” from drop-down list 5. Select button "I"

Notes: Rows of blocks inserted are added below the existing data in the worksheet

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3.3 "CHANGE DWGS PATH" Group

There is only ONE command buttons in this group, i.e. 1. Button "D" - Drawing Path

The command button is designed to work with a list of pull-down commands on the left hand side of the command button. 3.3.1 Button "D" - Drawing Path This command allows you to

• Get drawing address • Replace drawing address

3.3.1.1 Get Address This command allows you to get all drawing paths of drawings used in the project

1. Select “Get Address” from drop-down list 2. Select button "D" 3. Answer “OK” at “Finish” window

Note : All drawing paths are placed in another workbook named DwgPath.xlsx

3.3.1.2 Replace Address This command allows you to replace drawing paths

1. Go to workbook DwgPath.xlsx 2. Enter drawing paths you want to replace in column D

(i.e.. on the right hand side of the drawing path you want to change)

3. Select the drawing paths you want to replace 4. Select “Replace Address” from drop-down list 5. Select button "D" 6. Select “OK’ at “Finish”

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3.4 "LAYER COMMANDS" Group

There are TWO command buttons in this group, i.e. 1. Button "W" - Manipulate Layers in Worksheet 2. Button "D" - Manipulate Layers in Drawing

These command buttons are designed to work with a list of pull-down commands on the left hand side of the command button. 3.4.1 Button "W" - Manipulate Layers in Worksheet This command button allows you to

• Thaw all layers (Unhide All) • Freeze layers (Exclude) • Freeze all layers except selected layer (Isolate) • Set layer current (Set Current)

3.4.1.1 Unhide All This command allows you to thaw all frozen layers

1. Select “Unhide All” from drop-down list 2. Select button "W"

3.4.1.2 Exclude This command allows you to freeze layers of objects selected

1. Select “Exclude” from drop-down list 2. Select button "W" 3. Mover cursor to Cad drawing 4. Select object(s) on layer(s) you want to freeze and

right click 5. Right click to end

3.4.1.3 Isolate This command allows you to freeze other layers except the layers of objects selected

1. Select “Isolate” from drop-down list 2. Select button "W" 3. Mover cursor to Cad drawing 4. Select object(s) on drawing which you want the

layer(s) to be isolated and right click 5. Right click to end

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3.4.1.4 Set Current This command allows you to set the layer current

1. Select “Set Current” from drop-down list 2. Select button "W" 3. Mover cursor to Cad drawing 4. Select object on drawing which you want the layer to

be set current 5. Right click to end

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3.4.2 Button "D" - Manipulate Layers in Drawing This command allows you to get all layers from Cad drawing and place them on Worksheet, you can manipulate them, create layer or set view according to the status of layers 3.4.2.1 Get All This command allows you to bring all layers of the active drawing to the worksheet

1. Select “Get All” from drop-down list 2. Select button "D"

Note : List of layer names is displayed on the worksheet together with properties like On/Off, Color, Freeze/Thaw, status and line type

3.4.2.2 Unhide This command allows you to thaw frozen layers

1. Select the rows of layers to be thawed (or select whole column to thaw all layers)

2. Select “Unhide” from drop-down list 3. Select button "D"

3.4.2.3 Hide This command allows you to freeze layers

1. Select rows of layers to be frozen (or select whole column to freeze all layers except the current layer)

2. Select “Hide” from drop-down list 3. Select button "D"

3.4.2.4 Set Current This command allows you to set a layer as current

1. Select the layer to be set current 2. Select “Set Current” from drop-down list 3. Select button "D"

3.4.2.5 Change Color This allows you to change the color of layers

1. Edit the color code (in column “Color”) 2. Select range of cells or rows of layers with changed

color code 3. Select “Change Color” from drop-down list 4. Select button "D"

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3.4.2.6 Find This command allows you to find layer of object selected on Cad drawing

1. Select “Find” from drop-down list 2. Select button "D" 3. Move cursor to Cad drawing 4. Select object(s) of the layer(s) you want to find and

right click Note : Layer name(s) of the selected object(s) in Column D are shown in red

3.4.2.7 View This command allows you to display drawing according to layers set (hidden/unhidden)

1. Make sure the view had been set, i.e. hide or unhide certain layers to show what you want to see

2. Select “View” from drop-down list 3. Select button "D"

Note : Drawing displays unhidden layers as per the view set

3.4.2.8 Make This command allows you to create layer(s) on current drawing

1. Go to any worksheet (except Main Worksheet) 2. Key in layer name(s) in any column 3. Select cell or range of cells with layer name(s) 4. Select “Make” from drop-down list 5. Select button "D"

Note : 1. if there is only one layer name selected, the layer selected will be created and set as current layer 2. if there are more than one layer names selected, the layers will be created and the last layer name on the list is set as current layer

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3.5 "COPY/PASTE/DELETE" Group

There are ELEVEN command buttons in this group and they are placed in three rows with three and four commands respectively. The command buttons are as follow Top Row

1. Button "C" - Copy Selected Cell 2. Button "P" - Paste to Selected Cell 3. Button "D"- Delete Selected Cell

Mid Row

1. Button "C" - Copy Selected Row 2. Button "P" - Paste to Selected Row 3. Button "D"- Delete Selected Row 4. Button "X" - Cut and Paste Selected Row

Bottom Row

1. Button "C" - Copy Selected Column 2. Button "P" - Paste to Selected Column 3. Button "D"- Delete Selected Column 4. Button "X" - Cut and Paste Selected Column

3.5.1 Button "C" (Top Row) - Copy selected cell This command allows you to copy cell with built-up details

1. Place cursor on the cell you want to copy 2. Select button "C" (Top Row)

3.5.2 Button "P" (Top Row) - Paste selected cell This command allows you to paste cell with built-up details. This command can only be applied after Button "C" had been selected as shown in Section 3.5.1

1. Place cursor on the cell you want to paste 2. Select button "P"

3.5.3 Button "D" (Top Row) - Delete selected cell This command allows you to delete cell(s) with built-up details

1. Select cell or range of cells you want to delete 2. Select button "D" 3. Answer :YES” at “Do you want to delete Cells in

Row [row no -> row no]”

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3.5.4 Button "C" (Mid Row) - Copy selected Row(s) This command allows you to copy row(s) with built-up details

1. Select rows you want to copy 2. Select button "C" (Mid Row) 3. Answer "OK" at "Finished Copy"

3.5.5 Button "P" (Mid Row) - Paste selected Row(s) This command allows you to paste row(s) with built-up details. This command can only be applied after Button "C" had been selected as shown in Section 3.5.4

1. Select row(s) you want to paste 2. Select button "P" (Mid Row) 3. Answer "OK" at "Finished Pasting Rows"

3.5.6 Button "D" (Mid Row) - Delete selected Row This command allows you to delete row(s) with built-up details

1. Select the row(s) you want to delete 2. Select button "D" (Mid Row) 3. Answer :YES” at “Do you want to delete Rows [row

no -> row no]” 3.5.7 Button "X" (Mid Row) - Cut and Paste selected

Rows 1. Select row(s) to be moved 2. Select button "X" (Mid Row) 3. Key in “Row No” to move the row(s) above at

“Enter Row Number to Insert Above” and select “OK”

 

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3.5.8 Button "C" (Bottom Row) - Copy selected Column

This command allows you to copy Column with built-up details

1. Select column you want to copy 2. Select button "C" (Bottom Row)

3.5.9 Button "P" (Bottom Row) - Paste selected

Column This command allows you to paste column with built-up details. This command can only be applied after Button "C" had been selected as shown in Section 3.5.8

1. Select column you want to paste 2. Select button "P" (Bottom Row)

3.5.10 Button "D" (Bottom Row) - Delete selected

Column This command allows you to delete column with built-up details

1. Select the column you want to delete 2. Select button "D" (Bottom Row) 3. Answer :YES” at “Do you want to delete Column

[Column Character]” 3.5.11 Button "X" (Bottom Row) - Cut and Paste

selected Column 1. Select column to be moved 2. Select button "X" (Bottom Row) 3. Key in “Column Character” to move the column in

front of at “Enter Column Character to move in front of” and select “OK”

 

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3.6 "DOCUMENTS+DWGS" Group

There are FOUR command buttons in this group, i.e. 1. Button "A" - Add Documents 2. Button "O" - Open Documents 3. Button "T" - Add Drawing Title 4. Button "F" - Add Dwgs In Folder

3.6.1 Button "A" - Add Documents This command allows you to add any documents to the Worksheet for reference purposes

1. At any level except Main Worksheet 2. Select button "A" 3. Windows explorer opens 4. Select file(s) to add to the worksheet and select

"Open" 3.6.2 Button "O" - Open Documents This command allows you to open the documents added to Worksheet

1. Open worksheet where documents are added 2. Select the document you want to open 3. Select button "O"

3.6.3 Button "T" - Add Dwg Title This command allows you to add drawing titles to the documents added to worksheet

1. Select range of drawing folders that you want to add drawing titles

2. Select button "T" 3. Move cursor to Cad drawing and select Drawing title

from the first drawing opened (drawing title can be found either on Modelspace or Layout) and right click

4. Continue to add drawing title until the last drawing is opened

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3.6.4 Button "F" - Add Dwg In Folder This command allows you to add drawing folders to create drawing register.

1. Go to worksheet you want to add drawing folders 2. Select button "F" 3. “Browse For Folder” window opens 4. Select Folder you want to add 5. Select OK

Note : Only files of dwg formats are selected and placed on worksheet

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4.0 Tab "P3" 4.1 "SLAB BEAMS" Group  

   

There are THREE sub-groups in this group, i.e. 1. Get and Split 2. Attach Span 3. Calculate

There are THREE command buttons in Sub-group "Get and Split", i.e.

1. Button "L" - Get Length 2. Button "T" - Get Text 3. Button "S" - Split Text

There are THREE command buttons in Sub-group "Attach Span", i.e.

1. Button "L" - Get Length 2. Button "P" - Get Point 3. Button "D" - Get Dimension

There are TWO command buttons in Sub-group "Calculate", i.e.

1. Button "C" - Calculate Count 2. Button "W" - Calculate Weight

4.1.1 Get and Split 4.1.1.1 Button "L" - Get Length This command allows you to capture rebar as Length

1. Isolate layer of objects (e.g. rebar drawn as polylines) you want to capture

2. Select button "L" 3. Move cursor to Cad drawing 4. Select polylines and right click 5. Right click again to end

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4.1.1.2 Button "T" - Get Text This command allows you to select text on drawing (e.g. 3T25) and associate them with the rebar length captured

1. Place cursor in any cell on worksheet 2. Select button "T" 3. Move cursor to Cad drawing 4. Select text and right click 5. Select polylines to associate and right click 6. Repeat Step 4 and 5 or 7. Right click to end

Note : All text attached are shown in Column L

4.1.1.3 Button "S" - Split Text This command allows you to split text of the following formats: 3T25 and T12-200.

1. Make sure text are placed in column L and they are of 3T25 or T12-200 format

2. Select Column L 3. Select button "S"

Note : i. For Text of 3T25 format, after split, text “3” is placed in column P (Count) and text “25 “is placed in column M (bar size) ii. For text of T12-200 format, after split, text “T12” is placed in column M (Bar Size) and text “200” is placed in column N (Space)

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4.1.2 Attach Span This command allows you to measure span and associate it with object(s) captured that require span to workout the number of objects between the measured span, e.g. links in beams and columns (R10-200 etc) and rebars in slabs and walls (T16-150) Span can be drawn as one of the following Case 1 Line, polyline or arc with arrows at both ends and Text

above (line, polyline and arc extend from tip of one arrow to the tip of another arrow)

Case 2 As Case 1 but line, polyline and arc extend from end

of arrow to the end of another arrow Case 3 Two leaders Case 4 Block Reference Case 5 Dimension and Text above Case 6 Dimension With Text Override (discussed in “Links”) 4.1.2.1 Button "L" - Select Length For Case 1

1. Place cursor anywhere on the worksheet 2. Select button "L" 3. Move cursor to Cad drawing 4. Select line, polyline or arc and right click (You can

select multiple lines, polylines or arcs if the rebar is placed between multiple spans. You must select all spans before right click)

5. Select object perpendicular to span selected above and right click

6. Repeat Step 4 and 5, or 7. Right click to end

Note : Span is placed in Column “O” and the Number is calculated and placed in Column “P”

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4.1.2.2 Button "P" - Select Point For Case 2 , 3 and 4

1. Place cursor anywhere on the worksheet 2. Select button "P" 3. Move cursor to Cad drawing 4. Select two points between line, polyline, two leaders

or block reference and right click (You can select two points for multiple lines, polylines, two leaders or block references if the rebar is placed between multiple spans. You must select all the spans before right click)

5. Select object perpendicular to span selected above and right click

6. Repeat Step 4 and 5, or 7. Right click to end

Note : Span is placed in Column “O” and the Number is calculated and placed in Column “P”

4.1.2.3 Button "D" - Select Dimension For Case 5

1. Place cursor anywhere on the worksheet 2. Select button "D" 3. Move cursor to Cad drawing 4. Select dimension and right click (You can select

multiple dimensions if the rebar is placed between multiple spans. You must select all the spans before right click)

5. Select object perpendicular to span selected above and right click

6. Repeat Step 4 and 5, or 7. Right click to end

Note : Span is placed in Column “O” and the Number is calculated and placed in Column “P”

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4.1.3 Calculate 4.1.3.1 Button "C" - Calculate Count This command allows you to calculate “number” by dividing “Span” with “Spacing”

1. Make sure "Spacing" (e.g. 200) is placed in column "N"

2. And "Span" is placed in column "O" 3. Select any column 4. Select button "C"

Note : “Numbers” are calculated by dividing “Span” with “Spacing” and the result is placed in column “P”

4.1.3.2 Button "W" - Calculate Weight This command is used to calculate the Total Weight by multiplying “Length” (in column “K”) by “Count” (in column “P”) by “Weight” (in column “Q”) and “Factor (in column “R”) and placed the result in column “S”

1. Select whole column 2. Select button "W"

Note : Headers appeared on Row 4 and Total Weight is calculated and placed in column “S”

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4.2 "LINKS" Group

There are THREE sub-groups in this group, i.e. 1. Get and Split 2. Attach Span 3. Calculate

There are FOUR command buttons in Sub-group "Get and Split", i.e.

1. Button "S" (Top Row) - Get Text and Span 2. Button "T" - Get Text 3. Button "S" (Bottom Row) - Split Text 4. Button "A" - Attach Length

There are THREE command buttons in Sub-group "Attach Span", i.e.

1. Button "L" - Get Length 2. Button "P" - Get Point 3. Button "D" - Get Dimension

There are TWO command buttons in Sub-group "Calculate", i.e.

1. Button "C" - Calculate Count 2. Button "W" - Calculate Weight

4.2.1 Get and Split 4.2.1.1 Button "S" (Top Row) - Get Text and Span This command allows you to capture "Dimension" objects and place "Text Override e.g. R10-300" if any in column "L" and "Length" in column "O" as span

1. Select button "S" (Top Row) 2. Move cursor to Cad drawing 3. Select all objects and right click 4. Right click to end

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4.2.1.2 Button "T" - Get Text This command is similar with button "T" of "SLAB BEAMS" group. Refer section 4.1.1.2 for details 4.2.1.3 Button "S" (Bottom Row) - Split Text This command is similar with button "S" of "SLAB BEAMS" group. Refer section 4.1.1.3 for details 4.2.1.4 Button "A" - Attach Length This command is used for attaching Length by selecting object(s) (e.g. link(s) in beams) and associate them with the object captured (e.g. span of links)

1. Select button "A" 2. Move cursor to Cad drawing 3. Select object(s) as length and right click 4. Select objects to associate the length with and right

click 5. Repeat Step 3 and 4 or 6. Right click to end

4.2.2 Attach Span 4.2.2.1 Button "L" - Select Length This command is similar with button "L" of "SLAB BEAMS" group. Refer Section 4.1.2.1 for details 4.2.2.2 Button "P" - Select Point This command is similar with button "P" of "SLAB BEAMS" group. Refer Section 4.1.2.2 for details 4.2.2.3 Button "D" - Select Dimension This command is similar with button "D" of "SLAB BEAMS" group. Refer Section 4.1.2.3 for details

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4.2.3 Calculate 4.2.3.1 Button "C" - Calculate Count This command is similar with button "C" of "SLAB BEAMS" group. Refer Section 4.1.3.1 for details 4.2.3.2 Button "W" - Calculate Weight This command is similar with button "W" of "SLAB BEAMS" group. Refer Section 4.1.3.2 for details

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4.3 "HIDE/UNHIDE" Group This group is similar with "HIDE/UNHIDE" group as detailed in tab "P1". Refer Section 2.7 for details. 4.4 "SORT" Group This group is similar with "SORT" group as detailed in tab "P1". Refer Section 2.14 for details. 4.5 "ZOOM/FIND" Group This group is similar with "ZOOM/FIND" group as detailed in tab "P1". Refer Section 2.8 for details. 4.6 "TAG OBJECTS" Group This group is similar with "TAG OBJECTS" group as detailed in tab "P1". Refer Section 2.9 for details.

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5.0 Tab "P4" 5.1 Command Button "Create Main Sheet #"

This command allows you to create a new Main Worksheet (i.e. worksheet with number prefix # in cell A1 (e.g. #1, #2, #3 etc for Main Worksheet 1, 2, 3 etc)

1. Go to a new Worksheet tab 2. Select button "Create MainSheet #"

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5.2 Command Button "C" - Change Case

This command button allows you to change text to Upper Case, Lower Case or Title format 5.2.1 Upper This command allows you to change the text to Upper Case

1. Select range of cells with text you want to change to Upper case

2. Select "Upper" from drop-down list 3. Select button "C"

5.2.2 Lower This command allows you to change the text to Lower Case

1. Select range of cells with text you want to change to lower case

2. Select “Lower” from drop-down list 3. Select button "C"

5.2.3 Title This command allows you to change the text to Title

1. Select range of cells with text you want to change to Title

2. Select “Title” from drop-down list 3. Select button "C"

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5.3 Command Button "I" - Indent

This command button allows you to create an outline of up to three levels. You will find THREE positive numbers (i.e. 1, 2 and 3) and negative numbers (i.e. -1, -2 and -3) from the drop-down list. 5.3.1 Increase Indent Level 1, 2 or 3 This command allows you to increase the margin between the border and the text in the cell by 1, 2 or 3 level

1. Select cell or range of cells 2. Select "1", "2" or "3" from drop-down list 3. Select button "I"

5.3.2 Decrease Indent Level 1, 2 or 3 This command allows you to decrease the margin between the border and the text in the cell by 1, 2 or 3 level

1. Select cell or range of cells 2. Select "-1", "-2" or "-3" from drop-down list 3. Select button "I"

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5.4 Command Button "F" - Filter

This command button allows you to filter data and displays only the rows that meet criteria that you specify and hides rows that you do not want displayed. After you filter data, you can copy, find, edit, format, and print the subset of filtered data without rearranging or moving it. 5.4.1 Filter - Normal This command allows you to switch the worksheet back to normal state i.e unfiltered worksheet

1. Select any cell 2. Select “Normal” from drop-down list 3. Select button "F"

5.4.2 Filter - Upper This command allows you to filter all Upper Case text

1. Select any cell in the column where you want to filter 2. Select “Upper” from drop-down list 3. Select button "F"

5.4.3 Filter - Lower This command allows you to filter all lower Case text

1. Select any cell in the column where you want to filter 2. Select “Lower” from drop-down list 3. Select button "F"

5.4.4 Filter - Not Upper This command allows you to exclude text which are in upper case

1. Select any cell in the column where you want to filter 2. Select “Not Upper” from drop-down list 3. Select button "F"

5.4.5 Filter - Not Lower This command allows you to exclude text which are in lower case

1. Select any cell in the column where you want to filter 2. Select “Not Lower” from drop-down list 3. Select button "F"

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5.4.6 Filter - Font Color This command allows you to filter text according to its font color

1. Select text of any color (e.g. red) in one of the cells in the column you want to filter

2. Select “Font color” from drop-down list 3. Select button "F"

5.4.7 Filter - Background color This command allows you to filter cell according to its “filled color”

1. Select any cell with filled color (e.g. Red) in the column where you want to filter

2. Select “Background color” from drop-down list 3. Select button "F"

5.4.8 Filter - Not Font color This command allows you to exclude text of the font color selected

1. Select text of the font color (e.g. Red) you want to exclude in the column

2. Select “Not Font color” from drop-down list 3. Select button "F"

5.4.9 Filter - Not Background color This command allows you to exclude cell with filled color selected

1. Select any cell with filled color (e.g. Red) you want to exclude

2. Select “Not Background color” from drop-down list 3. Select button "F"

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5.4.10 Filter - Text This command allows you to filter cell with text selected

1. Select the cell with text (e.g. "m2") in the column where you want to filter

2. Select “Text” from drop-down list 3. Select button "F"

5.4.11 Filter - Greater than 0 This command allows you to filter cell with number greater than zero

1. Select any cell in the column where you want to filter 2. Select “Greater than 0” from drop-down list 3. Select button "F"

5.4.12 Filter - Greater than 0 + Head This command allows you to filter cell with number greater than zero and display them together with the headings in the description column

1. Select any cell in the column where you want to filter 2. Select “Greater than 0 + Head” from drop-down list 3. Select button "F"

5.4.13 Filter - Empty Cell This command allows you to exclude all empty cells

1. Select any cell in the column where you want to filter 2. Select “Empty Cell” from drop-down list 3. Select button "F"

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5.5 Command Button "N" - Line Numbering

This command allows you to generate item number in alphabetical order or in numerical order or in Cost Plan style 5.5.1 Alphabet and Numeric You must key in two basic codes i.e. “#No” above Item and “Unit” above Unit in Row 4 as shown below

Row No

4 #No Unit

5 Item Description Quantity Unit

m2

This command allows you to generate item number in alphabetical or numerical order

1. Place cursor anywhere in BQ 2. Select “Alphabet” for item numbers in Alphabetical order, or

“Numeric” for item numbers in Numerical order 3. Select button "N"

Notes: i. BQ must have "Unit of Measurement" in "Unit" column ii. No spaces are allowed in front or behind the codes "#No" and "Unit" iii Program checks the codes when you select button "N" and the

following message appears "Check Heading #No" or "Check Heading Unit" if code "#No" or "Unit" is not keyed in correctly

5.5.2 Cost Plan You must key in four basic codes i.e. “#No” above Item, “H1” above Title 1, “H2” above Title 2 and “Unit” above Unit in Row 4 as shown below (note you must have unit of measurement in Unit column)

Row No 4 #No H1 H2 Unit

5 Item Quantity Unit

6 Substructure

7 Site Preparation

This command allows you to generate item number in Cost Plan style e.g. A, 1, 1.1 etc

1. Place cursor anywhere in Cost Plan 2. Select “Cost Plan” from drop-down list 3. Select button "N"

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5.6 Command Button "S" - Sort Coding Fields

Table 1

Row No

4 C1 C2 C1q C2q Quantity Total

5 Description Quantity Unit Rate Amount

6 SB 1 q 100 M2 10.00 1000.00

7 SB 2 q 200 M2 10.00 2000.00

8 SB 3 q 150 M2 10.00 1500.00

This command allows you to sort your job according to code C1 and/or C2. You must create a Macro-enabled workbook by the name of “Sort”. Within “Sort” workbook you must have the following worksheets:

• worksheet named "Element_Code" consisting of codes for “C1” and “C2”

• empty worksheet named "Sort Buffer" for sorting process • empty worksheets containing C1 code (e.g. worksheet

named "C1"), C2 code (e.g. worksheet named "C2") , C1C2 code (worksheet named "C1C2" or C2C1 code (e.g. worksheet named "C2C1")for placing sorted documents

The worksheets must be priced for this function to work In your estimate, cost plan or BQ, you must create 4 columns for C1 code, C2 code, C1q and C2q. In addition, On Row 4, you must key in "C1" for "C1 code", "C2" for "C2 code", "C1q" for "C1 quantity code" and "C2q" for "C2 quantity code", "Quantity" for "Quantity" and "Total" for "Amount", all as shown in Table 1 below

1. Select Cell or range of cells on a worksheet at level above worksheets

2. Select “C1”, “C2”, C1C2” or “C2C1” from drop-down list 3. Select button "S" 4. Enter worksheet (worksheet name e.g. "C1" etc) for sort

output and select “OK”

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5.7 Command Button "Standard WorkBook"

This command allows you to open a standard workbook, named ”Standards.xlsx”. You can use this workbook to keep schedules, lookup tables etc To open Standard Workbook.xlsx

1. At any worksheet 2. Select button "Standard WorkBook"

 

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5.8 Command Button "Export WorkSheets"

This command allows you to export built-up sheets to another workbook named "SelectedSheets.xlsx"

1. Select cell(s) where you want to export the built-up sheets 2. Select button “Export WorkSheets” 3. Specify the levels you want to export (e.g. Level 1 to 2) 4. Answer “OK” at “Finished”

Note : All sheets exported to a new workbook named SelectedSheets.xlsx

 

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5.9 "FILTER" Group  

   

There are FOUR command buttons and a blank cell in this group i.e.

1. Button "F" - Filter Selected Column 2. Button "N" - Unfilter Rows 3. Button "C" - Copy Cell Value 4. Button "V" - Paste Cell Value to Selected Range 5. Blank Cell - Criteria Cell

5.9.1 Blank Cell - Criteria Cell This is a space for you to specify the criteria you want the data to be filtered

1. Move cursor into the blank cell 2. Type the criteria you want the data to be filtered

5.9.2 Button "F" - Filter Selected Column This command allows you to filter your data based on the criteria specified (refer Section 5.9.1 above)

1. Select button "F" to filter 5.9.3 Button "N" - Unfilter Rows This command allows you to unfilter the filtered data

1. Select button "N" to unfilter 5.9.4 Button "C" - Copy Cell Value This command also allows you to copy the cell value and paste it on to a cell or range of cells

1. Place cursor on the cell with value that you want to copy 2. Select button "C"

5.9.5 Button "V" - Paste Cell Value to Selected Range This command also allows you to paste the copied cell value (refer Section 5.9.4 above) to a cell or range of cells

1. Select a cell or range of cells to paste cell value 2. Select button "V"