…Girl Scout cookies!
We just got our fix today. So, if you call in this afternoon and we seem extra chipper, don’t worry. We’re just on a sugar high! Now please excuse me while I eat my box of Tagalongs. And remember, to keep on PDFin’!
-Karen
Nothing excites Bluebeamers like…
March 9, 2010 by karenpdfConnect with Bluebeamers on the new Bluebeam Community Forums!
March 8, 2010 by karenpdfYou asked, and we’re delivering. I’m very excited to give you a sneak peak at the Bluebeam Community Forums!
We’ll make the “official” announcement in our April Bluebeam Insider, but don’t let that stop you from posting now! Hop on over to http://communities.bluebeam.com and join the fun today. Connect with other Bluebeamers about using Bluebeam PDF Revu and Bluebeam Conversion Server. Or start your own thread to get suggestions and feedback on your Bluebeam workflow.
If you need help, Bluebeam’s Brian F. (yes, we have tons of Brians at Bluebeam) is your man.
Say hello to your Bluebeam Community Forum Moderator, Brian F.
So head on over to our message boards, and remember to keep on PDFin’!
-Karen
Video Testimonial – Plan Room Estimator using Bluebeam PDF Revu for Takeoffs
March 5, 2010 by karenpdfHello, Bluebeamers! Today we’re introducing a new feature for the PDF Insider and our social media sites – video testimonials! In our first “Bluebeam PDF Revu User Story,” watch plan room estimator Brad Wells tell you why he thinks Bluebeam PDF Revu is the best software for takeoffs:
To share your Bluebeam story with other Bluebeamers, email me and I’ll send you all the details about how to record and submit videos to us. Thanks for watching and remember to keep on PDFin’!
-Karen
So you want to use Bluebeam on a Mac, eh?
March 3, 2010 by karenpdfLet me guess – did you just go to Google and type in “Bluebeam for Mac” and find this post? Well, if so, hello! I hope that this blog will help you get up and running with Bluebeam on your Mac very soon.
Now for the “probably not what you’re hoping for” answer: We don’t have a Mac version of Bluebeam PDF Revu. That doesn’t mean we never will – trust me, we know you want Mac compatibility, and we want to give it to you someday.
In the mean time, we do have many Mac users who run Bluebeam on Windows all the time. You too can toggle between both operating systems using solutions such as Boot Camp (now a built in part of OS X) or Parallels.
So go ahead, test this out using Bluebeam’s 30 day trial, and feel free to leave your feedback below or send us your suggestions to suggestions@bluebeam.com. And remember to keep on PDFin’!
-Karen
A nifty way to use Bluebeam’s Action Markups
March 2, 2010 by karenpdfAction Markups (new in Revu 8) are a cool enhancement to Bluebeam. Now you can take any annotation and configure it to open a website, jump to a specific portion of the PDF or open an entirely different file when clicked.
In my opinion, one of the niftiest ways to use this new tool is to drag and drop related files over annotations, instantly linking them to the markup. It’s great for easily sharing images, RFIs, specifications and other files that help answer project questions.
Let me show you what I mean:
This PDF has a few comments that are referring to other documents and images. Rather than just describing where viewers can find additional information, you can now attach those files directly to the markups.
Just drag and drop a file from the File Explorer, your desktop or other Explorer window on top of the markup.
Now the cloud markup is configured to open up the staircase image when clicked. You can tell that a markup is configured to perform an action because it will display a little lightning bolt to the bottom right of the annotation (see the circled area below).
The lightning bolt tells the tale!
Now when clicked, this markup will open the associated image.
Don’t forget to use Action Markups the next time you need to reference or attach additional files, and remember to keep on PDFin’!
-Karen
Where you can see Bluebeam this March
March 2, 2010 by karenpdfTalk about a crazy travel schedule. This month, Bluebeam Software is exhibiting at four conferences on two continents!
First up is Ecobuild, taking place this week at Earls Court in London. Bluebeam will be exhibiting March 2nd – 4th in Stand 1831.
After that, it’s off to Orlando, Florida for some fun in the sun at the AGC Annual Convention & Pavilion. This conference is taking place March 17th – 20th, and Bluebeam will be in booth B20.
Next up, we’re heading back to Europe. But this time, we’ll be in Stockholm, Sweden to show off the Swedish version of Bluebeam PDF Revu at Nordbygg. Come see us March 23rd to 26th in stand A24:29.
And finally, rounding off the month is the FIATECH 2010 Technology Conference & Showcase in Austin, Texas (mmm…BBQ!). Making this trip even more special, our very own VP of Engineering Don Jacob will be hosting an educational session about the roles that PDF and other 2D file formats play in Building Information Modeling (BIM). The conference is taking place March 29th – 31st, and Don’s educational session is on Wednesday, March 31st at 10:45am.
If you’re going to one of these shows, stop by and say hello to your favorite jet-setting construction software company and paperless superhero Mighty Bluebeam, too. And remember to keep on PDfin’!
-Karen
New Bluebeam features for getting takeoffs from PDFs
February 24, 2010 by karenpdfBluebeam has always been a great tool for getting takeoffs from PDFs. But with the release of Revu 8, great got even better! Take a look at these enhanced features for measuring and counting from PDFs:
Estimation Profile
This is the new, must-have profile for anyone using Bluebeam’s measurement tools. It displays all the measurement options on a Revu toolbar, adds special length and area columns in the markups list (that show values in decimal format) and adds special Curves and Sequenced Markups tool sets in the Tool Chest. It’s everything and the kitchen sink!
Radius Measurement
Calculate a radius by clicking two points along a curve. So simple!
Sequence Markups
It’s a new way to count from Bluebeam. Group any markup with a text box, save it to your Tool Chest then right-click to sequence the markup. Every time it’s placed, the text field will update sequentially. Cool!
Markups List Columns and Formulas
If you’re preparing estimates, you can now get takeoffs from your PDFs and let the Markups List take care of all the cost calculations. Add custom columns with formulas and calculations, so data such as material cost, square footage and more is automatically calculated as you measure off your PDF. Learn more about this feature in the Columns & Formulas Video on this page.
What’s your favorite new feature for getting takeoffs from PDF? Let me know. And remember, to keep on PDFin’!
-Karen
Bluebeam Rally Team Wins 1st Place at Torparskogsrundan!
February 22, 2010 by karenpdfRemember a few weeks ago, when I told you about Bluebeam’s new Swedish Rally Car Team?
Well, this past weekend Bluebeam’s CEO, Richard Lee, joined the Bluebeam Rally Team at Torparskogsrundan, Sweden. With Peter Hermansson, a 35-year veteran rally racer, behind the wheel and Richard riding shotgun as co-driver the pair tore up the ice at high speeds.
Riding shotgun with the Bluebeam Rally Team!
And, guess what? The Bluebeam Rally Team won First Place in their division!
The Bluebeam Rally Team after the First Place finish.
I just spoke with Richard, and he gave me a quick recap of the race. He said they were averaging 60 MPH and hitting anywhere between 80 to 90 MPH on straights. Sounds like a good time to me!
When I asked him what it was like to win, he said, “Nothing like a turbo-charged Mitsubishi Evo 8 to get you to the finish line REALLY fast!”
You can find out more about the victory and future races at www.bluebeamrally.com and www.facebook.com/bluebeamrally. And remember, to keep on PDFin’!
-Karen
New Bluebeam PDF Revu 8 video featuring Mighty Bluebeam!
February 18, 2010 by karenpdfIt’s the next chapter in our battle against paper! Today on www.station32.com our paperless hero, Mighty Bluebeam, revealed his latest video.
Click screen #3 to watch the latest Mighty Bluebeam video…
In this motion comic, watch the World’s Greatest Paper Eliminator blast paper to PDF with newly released Bluebeam PDF Revu 8. Arriving just in time, Mighty Bluebeam rescues project architect Veronica from mountains of paper and certain doom.
Go to Station 32 now to see the action, and remember to keep on PDFin’!
-Karen
My 3 Favorite Customization Features in Revu 8
February 16, 2010 by karenpdfWhen I think of Bluebeam PDF Revu 8, I can’t help but be reminded of my favorite 80s rock band, Journey. After all, with all new, customizable options in Bluebeam, you really can have it “any way you want it.”
But, enough about hair bands. When it comes to giving users control over how software works and looks, Revu 8 really hits the mark, especially with these three customization features, which also happen to be my favorites.
Favorite Customization Feature #1 – Customizable Toolbars
I know I’m not the only one excited about this feature. Many users, including our faithful tablet pc followers, have requested the ability to create custom toolbars. And with Revu 8, that’s now possible. Just go to View/Toolbars/Customize to Add, Modify and Delete toolbars.
Favorite Customization Feature #2 – New Profiles, Including Multiple Monitors
Revu’s Profiles are a quick way to change the configuration of the Interface. You can make a Profile by relocating toolbars and tabs, then going to View/Profiles/Save Profile. This isn’t new. However, Revu 8 revamps the profiles shipped with Bluebeam, and even provides one for those of you who work with multiple monitors. Pretty sweet!
Favorite Customization Feature #3 – Custom Columns
I’ve saved the best for last! New in Revu is the ability to add custom columns in the Markups list, and configure them with formulas, check boxes and more. This is so much more than just a way to customize Bluebeam – it really does turn the Markups list into a worksheet for a variety of functions, including performing cost calculations from PDF takeoffs. Learn how to use Custom Columns in this video.
So go ahead, use these new features to have Revu any way you want it. And remember, to keep on PDFin’!
-Karen
