Discover how Bluebeam Revu Redefines AEC Workflows

A seamless workflow and barrier-free communications are crucial for a smooth journey in a project lifecycle, from design to building and handover in the AEC industry. A well-collaborated framework enables instant stakeholder communication, complementing an improved and optimised project lifecycle. Emerging technology trends like data analytics, image processing, and machine learning have further revamped and optimised design to build workflows with unmatched accuracy.

A survey by SoftwareConnect reveals that construction businesses are more interested in finding digital solutions that offer:

• Project Tracking - 73%
• Project Estimation - 66%
• Improved Accuracy (Project Takeoffs) - 47%
• Workflows Automation - 39%

Data Source – SoftwareConnect

A model-based, open-source, PDF collaboration tool such as Bluebeam Revu offers centralised coordination for all stakeholders and quantitative resources essential for any construction project. Bluebeam facilitates workflow automation, clash detection, and high accuracy in construction projects by sharing real-time insights with all stakeholders. Furthermore, it helps construction teams access valuable insights on budget, critical activities, and potential risks.

In this article, we will aim to help you discover why Bluebeam Revu is the right digital solution for construction businesses of all scales. Let’s find out how you can improve & optimise your AEC workflows with Bluebeam’s market-leading, industry standard features and use cases.

Optimising AEC Workflows & Estimating with Bluebeam Revu

An emerging trend of digitising construction is the use of insightful data that integrates design, construction, and operational resources to offer real-time insights. Project managers and decision-makers seek greater authority over the project budget, timeline, and strategic plan as they face the significant financial repercussions resulting from cost overruns. However, construction businesses are in search of a reliable solution to effectively tackle these pressing challenges. This is where Bluebeam enters the frame and redefines AEC workflows for efficient and optimised allocation of resources.

Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) professionals work on different elements and domains of the project. Architects are responsible for the aesthetic appearance of the deliverables, not what lies inside the ceilings and walls. Engineers ensure the infrastructure meets the regulatory and structural benchmarks to provide strong immunity against natural disasters. Contractors are responsible for managing projects to detect clashes and run simulated scenarios for project costing. Construction technology (#ConTech) software such as Bluebeam for all AEC professionals enables synchronisation among individual departments and remote teams to ensure accuracy and efficiency. Bluebeam allows AEC teams to finish projects faster, avoid pitfalls, and increase ROI.

Below are some key areas that Bluebeam revamps to achieve goals faster with optimised utilisation of resources, budget, and time.

Design Review with Bluebeam Revu

Bluebeam is known for its markup tools which empower users to incorporate comments and annotations easily. It allows faster and more efficient collaboration between various departments and team members, eliminating the need for in-person meetings and dependency on paper-based documents. In 2019, Bluebeam helped the construction industry work on digitised documents totalling 32 million. Producing 32 million documents digitally instead of using paper-based documents has saved approximately 3900 trees.

Bluebeam offers a variety of technical features that enhance the design review process. For instance, its "Compare Documents" feature allows users to identify changes between different document versions quickly. Revu Core and Complete packages enable teams to create and save custom markup legends. Revu Complete, with Batch Tools feature exclusively allows automating repetitive workflows, such as:

• Creating navigational hyperlinks across selected documents via Batch Link,
• Inserting new page revisions,
• Replacing current pages with updated modifications across multiple documents,
• Applying digital signatures across a batch of files,
• Implementing scripting commands, etc.

Bluebeam Cloud, part of the Bluebeam Revu subscription, is the solution for connecting your office and field operations, enhances your productivity and elevates your workflows. This cloud-native suite for Web, Android, and iOS provides seamless integration with your Bluebeam Revu documents and tools, empowering remote teams to work efficiently from anywhere and anytime. Bluebeam Cloud allows construction teams to:

• Instantly access their tools and Studio Project files from Revu,
• Invite remote users to collaborate in real-time,
• Seamlessly manage punch lists (snagging lists) and RFIs via Field Tools, etc.

All these features enable construction teams to maintain transparency and monitor project progress effectively. With Bluebeam Studio, all project stakeholders can easily access comments and revisions to ensure all conflicts and clashes are adequately addressed and incorporated into the final design.

Design review is the most common use of Bluebeam Revu. Take a quick look at markup tools and some more advanced ways of tracking project progress with Revu in our Bluebeam Me Up! training videos covering Markup Lists, by Troy DeGroot, the industry-leading Bluebeam Certified Instructor.

Quantity Takeoff & Estimating with Bluebeam Revu

AEC Decision-Makers Top Priority, source – Deloitte

Quantity Takeoff and estimating with Bluebeam Revu involves measuring and projecting the material quantities required for a construction project. It typically includes evaluating architectural and engineering drawings to count or measure various items such as doors, flooring, ceiling, window openings, length of piping or cables, etc.

Bluebeam Revu allows AEC teams to streamline and automate manual estimation practices. You can mark construction drawings and PDF documents with notes, measurements, and other annotations. It equips users with state-of-the-art measurement tools to add measurements and quantities directly to PDFs without counting or measuring manually.

Measurement tools capture dimensions and quantities precisely to create more comprehensive and accurate bids. These tools can calculate linear (1D), areal (2D), and volumetric (3D) measurements. All these state-of-the-art features allow users to ensure that their bids possess all essential materials, reducing the risk of budget overruns and maximising the likelihood of winning the bid.

Watch our detailed Bluebeam Me Up! Webinar Estimating with Bluebeam Revu to discover the functionality of measurement tools and the valuable information they generate.

QA/QC with Bluebeam Revu

Bluebeam Revu's markup and collaboration tools are also instrumental in improving the quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) process for construction projects. With Bluebeam Revu, multiple team members can view and markup the same document simultaneously, irrespective of location, enabling faster and more robust collaboration throughout the project lifecycle.

Revu's markup tools include text boxes, callouts, and highlights, allowing team members to seamlessly identify & document issues and mention suggestions for their resolution. Moreover, Revu can create custom markups, like checklists and inspection reports, to validate that all critical QA/QC requirements are fulfilled and tracked.

With Bluebeam Studio, stakeholders can monitor markup's review and approval status. Sharing documents with clients and external teams makes incorporating feedback and input into project design easier to strengthen QA/QC efforts.

Role of Brighter Graphics in Digitising Construction

Digital solutions must be applied coherently to all stages of the project lifecycle to streamline and optimise workflows from design to construction. The digitization of the construction industry necessitates collaboration among all stakeholders involved, including clients, architects, engineers, contractors, and the operations team. Brighter Graphics has curated an unparalleled library of resources for Bluebeam Revu, offering access to an extensive range of materials such as Tips & Tricks, Tutorials, How-to Guides, and much more, available to everyone.

Brighter Graphics were the 1st Bluebeam partner in the UK back in 2003. We are now a Bluebeam Platinum Partner and the largest Bluebeam Reseller across the UK and Europe. Feel free to connect with Brighter Graphics - Bluebeam Specialists committed to supporting valued customers throughout their journey. We aim to ensure our clients have all the right resources and onboarding support to concentrate on core areas of the AEC project. Embrace digitisation to gain a competitive edge in the rapidly evolving and digitising construction sector.