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Q. What is Digital
Takeoff?
A. Digital Takeoff is a Visual (on your computer screen) electronic
takeoff interface - this IS the future of takeoffs in the
construction industry. No more bulky and expensive digitizers are
required to do your takeoffs twice as fast. Everything is done on
your computer screen by clicking with your mouse. Its fast, its easy
and its less expensive than a digitizer! Cad files automatically
transfer into the software, paper drawings can be scanned, or as is
more common, a digital photograph can be taken with an inexpensive
camera and Digital Takeoff's intelligence will be sure you scale it
correctly.
Q. Why should I use
Digital Takeoff?
A. The reasons that most clients purchase Digital Takeoff are:
- Speed - Digital Takeoff enables you to estimate a plan even
more automatically by clicking on the drawing with your mouse
and automatically calculating quantities with no additional
mouse clicks.
- Visual Assistance - Digital Takeoff provides a 2D and 3D
graphic of the project so you can see any areas you may
have missed. It also colors the areas that have already been
taken off; if it's colored, it's been counted
- Digitizers remain very popular and work well with BidBuilder.
However, Digital Takeoff is growing because it is less
expensive, does not require more desk space, provides the same
benefits as a digitizer and the world is becoming more digital
as time passes.
Q. What type of file
formats does Digital Takeoff Support?
A. Digital Takeoff supports and reads over 80 file formats including
CAD files, scanned images digital pictures, etc., so we are pretty
sure we have you covered. With a few simple mouse clicks you will be
able to set the scale of your plan, measure lengths, areas, volumes,
counts, pitched roof areas, rafter lengths, etc. That's fast.
Digital Takeoff has added intelligence that can actually read CAD
polygons - eliminating the need to pick all points of the polygon -
one click and your takeoff is done.
Q. Does Digital Takeoff
have layer capabilities?
A. Absolutely. Digital Takeoff supports layers and each layer can
have its own pattern, color, etc. so you don't lose anything in the
data. In addition, the Data Form displays all pertinent quantities
along with 2D and 3D views so you can do a Visual check of your job
as well.
Q. What do I need to take
digital pictures of plans?
A. Digital Camera's are very inexpensive compared to a Digitizer and
you can use any digital camera. However, the larger the mega pixel
number the camera can handle, the better because the picture clarity
is then higher as well. The best resolution for importing into
Digital Takeoff is 8 mega pixel or higher. Typically a 3 mega pixel
cameral will create a resolution of 2048 X 1536, a 5 mega pixel will
create a resolution of 2560 X 1920 and an 8 mega pixel will create a
resolution of 3264 X 2448. The lower resolutions will work with
Digital Takeoff, but the higher the resolution the better for
software to operate with because the picture maintains more clarity.
Q. Can I use Digital Takeoff with
other programs?
A. Yes. Digital Takeoff can export the values to virtually any
spreadsheet or database program and can be purchased without
BidBuilder.
Q. Will Digital Takeoff
work with a scanner?
A. Yes. Some clients are having their blue print company - or even
Copy Works, or Kinko's - scan in blue prints and email these files
to the contractors computer back in the office. Once they get back
to the office they are set to begin clicking in the plan with their
mouse and getting they�re takeoff completed quickly. And, of course,
if you have a scanner or purchase one you can use that as well.
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