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RIB CostX Estimating Software - 2D Measurement Training Video
RIB CostX
Overview
This video introduces the fundamental 2D measurement capabilities of CostX estimating software. It covers how to manage and calibrate drawings, including various file types like DWG, PDF, and image files. The tutorial details the use of layers to simplify drawings, the setup and application of dimension groups for different measurement types (area, length, count), and various measurement techniques such as polyline tracing, quick measure, and auto-counting. It also touches upon advanced features like measuring negative dimensions, comparing drawings for revisions, and adding markups for clear communication.
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Chapters
- The CostX interface features a sidebar with 'Dimension View' for measurement and 'Costing View' for later use.
- The sidebar's 'Drawing Section' lists loaded drawings, organized into folders (e.g., Architecture, MEP).
- Drawings can be managed individually via properties (name, folder, scale, measure mode) or in batches through the 'Drawings Manager'.
- CostX supports various file types including CAD, PDF, image files (raster), and BIM.
- Basic viewing tools include zoom (mouse wheel) and pan (mouse wheel click and drag).
Understanding how to organize and access your drawings is crucial for efficient takeoff, ensuring you can quickly find and prepare the correct documents for measurement.
Double-clicking a drawing to access its properties, where you can change its name, assign it to a different folder, or adjust its scale and default measure mode.
- Before measuring, drawings must be calibrated to ensure accuracy; this involves setting the correct scale.
- Calibration can be done by using a known measurement on the drawing and inputting its actual value.
- The 'Calibrate X-axis' or 'Calibrate Y-axis' tool is used to define a horizontal or vertical known length.
- The software can automatically apply the calibrated scale to the other axis, or it can be set separately if scales differ within a drawing.
- Scale can also be adjusted directly in the drawing properties, but manual calibration offers higher precision.
Accurate calibration is the foundation of precise quantity takeoffs; an incorrectly scaled drawing will lead to significant errors in measured quantities.
Measuring a known line on a PDF, finding it registers as 0.5m when it should be 128.43m, then using the 'Calibrate X-axis' tool to input the correct value (128,430mm) to fix the scale.
- Layers are an organizational feature within drawings, often present in DWG and some PDF files, representing different design elements.
- CostX can automatically generate layers for vector PDFs without inherent layers based on geometry type and color.
- The 'Layers Tab' in the sidebar allows users to view, toggle on/off, or invert layers.
- Holding the 'Shift' key highlights all elements within the same layer, aiding in previewing what will be hidden.
- Turning off unnecessary layers cleans up the drawing, making it easier to focus on specific elements for measurement.
Effective use of layers significantly simplifies complex drawings, allowing you to isolate and measure specific components without distraction.
Turning off the 'roof canopy' layer by hovering over it in the layers list and clicking, thus removing it from view to focus on other measurements.
- Dimension groups categorize measurements (e.g., Area, Length, Count) and can be customized with names, folders, and measurement types.
- Key settings include default display, multipliers (for repetitive elements), default height, and offset.
- Custom fields and formulas can be added for advanced calculations, such as calculating lintel lengths based on window dimensions.
- Dimension groups can be saved as templates for new projects or copied from existing buildings to maintain consistency.
- The 'Dimensions Section' displays individual measured dimensions contributing to a dimension group's total quantity.
Dimension groups provide a structured framework for organizing your takeoff data, enabling consistent calculations and facilitating later costing and analysis.
Creating a 'Window Type 1' dimension group with a 'Length' measurement type, a default height of 1.8m, and an offset of 0.4m, then adding a custom 'Lentils' field with a formula to calculate its length.
- Measurement involves selecting a drawing, then the appropriate dimension group, and using measurement tools.
- For areas, DWG files can leverage polylines for automatic area calculation; PDFs and images use tracing with a 'sticky cursor' (line mode) or point mode.
- Curved areas are measured by clicking and dragging the mouse.
- Lengths are measured similarly using line or point modes, with options to add segments or deduct negative dimensions (e.g., doorways).
- Counts can be performed manually, using an 'auto-count' feature that captures an image of an item and searches the drawing for matches, or by using Shift-click on CAD blocks.
Mastering these measurement techniques allows you to accurately quantify various building elements from different drawing types, forming the core of your estimate.
Using the 'L' key and clicking on a polyline in a DWG file to instantly measure the enclosed lounge area, which updates the 'Lounge' dimension group quantity.
- Negative dimensions allow for deductions, such as stair voids or doorways, which automatically adjust the total quantity.
- The 'View in 3D' function provides a visual representation of measured dimensions, aiding in takeoff verification.
- Dimensions can be copied and pasted between drawings, useful for applying measurements from one floor to another identical floor.
- Labels can be customized to display dimension names, quantities, or units, and can be toggled on/off.
- Tools like adjusting decimal places, color indicators, displaying multiple dimension groups, and adding markups enhance review and communication.
These advanced features streamline the takeoff process, improve accuracy through visualization and comparison, and facilitate clear communication of project details and changes.
Measuring a stair void as a negative dimension, which automatically reduces the total area of the floor in the corresponding dimension group.
- The 'Compare Drawings' feature overlays two drawings to visually identify differences, crucial for managing revisions.
- Users can adjust colors and transparency to clearly see discrepancies between versions.
- The comparison view can be printed to create a visual record of changes.
- Markups allow users to add notes or instructions directly onto the drawing, such as specifying 'triple glazed' windows.
- These markups remain visible for all users, ensuring important details are communicated effectively.
Comparing drawings and using markups are essential for managing project changes, ensuring everyone is working with the latest information and understanding any necessary modifications.
Overlaying an original drawing with a revised version, adjusting the transparency, and easily spotting where a wall has been added or removed.
Key takeaways
- Accurate measurement in CostX begins with proper drawing management and precise calibration to the correct scale.
- Leveraging drawing layers is essential for simplifying complex plans and focusing on specific elements during takeoff.
- Dimension groups provide a structured way to organize measurements by type (area, length, count) and apply consistent calculation rules.
- CostX offers multiple measurement modes (line, point) and tools (polyline, auto-count) to efficiently quantify elements from various file types.
- Negative dimensions and the ability to copy/paste measurements streamline the process of deductions and repetitive takeoffs.
- Visual review tools like 'View in 3D' and 'Compare Drawings' are critical for verifying takeoff accuracy and managing revisions.
- Customizable labels and markups enhance the clarity and communication of takeoff details and project variations.
Key terms
Dimension ViewDimension GroupCalibrationScaleLayersPolylineRaster FileVector FileMeasure Distance ToolNegative DimensionAuto-CountMarkup
Test your understanding
- Why is calibrating a drawing to the correct scale a critical first step before performing any measurements in CostX?
- How can using layers in CostX help to simplify a complex architectural drawing for measurement purposes?
- What is the purpose of a 'Dimension Group' in CostX, and what key information can be configured within one?
- Describe the difference between measuring an area in a DWG file using a polyline versus measuring in an image file using point mode.
- How does the 'Compare Drawings' feature assist in managing project revisions, and what visual aids does it provide?