IMAGINiT Building Solutions Blog

Autodesk Quantity Takeoff

Autodesk Quantity Takeoff

Understanding Quantity Takeoff (QTO) Concepts and Tools

The process of measuring quantities of materials from drawings and specifications prepared by architects, engineers, and other designers is known as quantity takeoff. Traditionally, construction cost estimators have used paper-based methods to perform quantity takeoff. QTO gives estimators the tools to perform digital quantity takeoff, which is faster, easier, and more accurate than paper-based methods.

Using QTO, estimators can combine multiple sources of two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) design data and generate quantity takeoff to create a cost estimate. Both DWF and non-DWF files (DWGs, PDFs, TIFs, GIFs, and JPGs) can be used as source files. All data associated with a given estimate is stored in a QTO project.

What is DWF?

DWF stands for Design Web Format™, which is an open, secure file format developed by Autodesk. Using DWF, you can combine 2D and 3D design data, as well as other project-related files, into a single, highly compressed file. Using DWF files helps you enhance collaboration and easily exchange information with extended teams.

Each DWF file contains one or more pages called sheets. Usually, the content of each sheet can be viewed, marked up, measured, and printed. However, in some cases, this is limited by the person who originally created, or published, the DWF file. In QTO, the source of the 2D or 3D DWF file determines the level of automatic quantity takeoff functionality that is available.

Much like Adobe® PDF files, the contents of a DWF file cannot be altered. Unlike PDF files, however, DWF files retain design information (scale, measurements, assemblies), which makes them more suitable for architects, engineers, and designers. Also, DWF files are typically much smaller than PDF files.

You can send a published DWF file as an e-mail attachment, share it using a project collaboration site, such as Autodesk® Buzzsaw®, or post it to a company website. You can view and plot DWF files with the free downloadable Autodesk® Design Review, which is included as an installation option on the QTO product DVD.

NoteQTO supports both 2D and 3D workflows.

What is a Project?

In QTO, a project is a collection of files and takeoff items that yield the material quantities needed for a construction or renovation job. Project files can include DWF files (2D sheets and 3D models), DWG files, and image files (TIFs, GIFs, and JPGs).
You organize a project by building disciplines, divisions, trades, or other categories.

What Can Be Measured?

QTO can count and measure item quantities associated with these disciplines:

1. Civil (earth, road, drainage)

2. Architecture (doors, walls, windows)

3. Engineering (structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing)

The available measurements are count, length, area, and volume.

Check out this Video Clip from Autodesk Called "Autodesk Quantity Takeoff 2010" by Brian Haines, Solutions Marketing Manager at Autodesk.

 

Adjustable Plan Door Swings in Revit Architecture 2010

When I teach Revit Architecture Fundamentals I consistently get asked by students on how they can adjust the swing angle of door a plan view. The default door families from the libary that installs with the application does not have an adustable plan door swing parameter. I am going to step you through on how to create an adjustable plan door swing.

1. In Revit Architecture from the Application Menu choose Open>Family from the Revit Library>Doors folder>Single-Flush.rfa file.

2. This opens the Revit Family editor. From the Application Menu choose Save As>Family with new name in your directory. Example: Single-Flush Adj Swing.rfa

3. From the Browser open view under floor plan>Ground floor.

4. The Plan Swing [projection] and Panel [cut] Symbolic lines needs to be redrawn at an angle other the 90 degrees. Delete all Plan Swing [projection] and Panel [cut] Symbolic lines.

5. Redraw the Symbolic lines for the Panel. Pick the Detail Tab>Detail Panel>Symbolic Line. From the Contextual tab>Place Symbolic Lines>Element Planel>Line Style drop-down choose Panel [cut].

6. Using Line from the Draw Panel, draw the Symbolic lines for the Panel at a 135 degree angle from the right hand corner of the door opening with a length of 3' and width 2".

7. Redraw the Symbolic lines for the Plan Swign. Pick the Detail Tab>Detail Panel>Symbolic Line. From the Contextual tab>Place Symbolic Lines>Element Planel>Line Style drop-down choose Plan Swing [projection]

8. Using Start-End-Radius Arc, draw the arc starting from the left hand corner of the open for the start of the Arc, then pick the top of the Panel line, then type in 3' for the Arc Radius.

9. Add Dimensions for the Panel Width and Thickness from the Detail tab>Dimsension panel>Aligned. Add Dimensions for Plan Swing from the Detail tab>Dimsension panel>Angular by choosing the Wall 1st, then the Panel line.

10. We now add Parameters to the Dimensions for the Width and Thickness. The Labels are already made . Pick on the 3'-0" Dimension and from the Options bar> Label drop-down choose Width.

11. Pick on the 0'-2" Dimension , from the Options bar> Label drop-down choose Thickness.

12. We now add Parameters to the Angular Dimsension. Pick on the 45.00 degree angular Dimsension, from the Options bar>Label drop-down choose <Add parameter...>

13. From the Parameters Dialog box, under Parameter Data>Name: Type the name of the parameter (ex. Swing Angle). Choose from Group Parameter under:  Other. Choose Instance, then click OK.

 

 14. The Dimensions now have Parameters.

15. Test out the Parameters to make sure they work. From the Family Properties panel choose Types.

16. You see Swing Angle Parameter under Other. Try different angles.

 

17. Save the family. Load it into a Project to try it out. Note: If you have a project open you can load it from the family. From the Family Editor panel>Load Into Project. Pick the door size and pick on wall to place the door.

 

To learn more about making Revit Architecture families take the Revit Architecture Advanced course from Imaginit Tecnologies.