Question

Does PowerCADD do schedules? Does PowerCADD provide the capability to do material take-offs, such as door and window schedules and other schedules?

Requirements

Any version of PowerCADD and the corresponding Mac OSi to run it on

Background

PowerCADD, like all computer programs, creates documents that are actually databases with graphical representations.

All databases are not intended to do the same thing. Typically they have a specialty. PowerCADD's database specialty is in providing accurate object descriptive data plus provide user access to the object database to add textual descriptions. Data can be transferred from one database to another, either through tabbed or comma delimited formats. PowerCADD currently provides this capability and more.

PowerCADD documents contain a database describing all the objects drawn including their location, their object type and geometry, their physical and rendering attributes, and their status as a group or symbol instance. PowerCADD also provides the ability for the user to add textual "descriptive" data to objects, grouped objects, and symbols, the ability to browse, review and report such data.

PowerCADD provides these capabilities through a set of 15 fixed formatted fields with the ability of the user to determine their own templates and set of templates. You even have the capability for the user to attach textual Notes to objects.

To assign textual "descriptive" data to symbols and grouped objects, PowerCADD provides a choice of tools to satisfy the various user needs; a Set Symbol Fields function, a Symbol Data Tool and Symbol Data functions .

To browse and review the assigned textual "descriptive" data, PowerCADD provides a Symbol Data Browser function and a Symbol Data Search function.

To report (export) the assigned textual "descriptive" data, PowerCADD provides Symbol Report , Export Data Report , and Symbol Data Report functions.

Please reference your PowerCADD user manual for full descriptions of the various options noted above and in the rest of this article.

What To Do

Learning about Databases requires diligent study. Having more than one database tool in one's "software tool chest' is as good an idea as having more than one screw driver in one's tool box.

Review the following to gain a perspective on the intended purpose of each of PowerCADD's functions towards providing you with the scheduling capabilities that you require. Just remember, it helps to use the right tool for the job.

Assigning Text Notes to Objects Obj. Text External
Obj(ect) Text Notes is an XTNL that enables you to "attach" freeform text notes to an object or group of objects. Its intent is to provide a hidden "stickies" capability, so that the user can attached reminders notes and follow up notes to any object or group of objects and then browse and review the notes at anytime. Excellent for reminding you that this particular door needs to be a fireproof door with a 3 hour rating.

Assigning Data to Objects
The intent of these tools is to enable the user to assign textual "descriptive" data to objects groups and symbol instances.

The Set Symbol Fields (Tool Menu) function is available to allow some of such data to be assigned to an object BEFORE it used in a symbol library. You may also want to review information posted in other articles on our web site.

The Symbol Data Set Data... Function (Edit Menu) is available to allow such data to be assigned to objects, object groups, and symbol instances present in the drawing, and to apply different data templates.

The Symbol Data Tool is available to allow some of such data to be assigned to an object BEFORE it used in a symbol library.

Review Data Assigned to Objects
Symbol Data Browser External (XTNL) enables the user to view the assigned textual "descriptive" data of objects, groups and symbols and enables the display of such data whether an object is directly selected or whether the object is found using Symbol Data - Search.

Symbol Data - Search (Edit Menu) enables the user to search the drawing for objects by user prescribed template and bearing specified data . It works in conjunction with Symbol Data Browser.

Exporting and Preparing Schedules
In addition to this information included in your PowerCADD manual. You may also want to review information posted in other articles on our web site.

Export Data Reportis a Save As... function that enables the user to save all the base attribute object data including area and perimeter to a text filei that can be imported to any database or spreadsheet.

Data Report is a Save As... function that enables the user to save textual "descriptive" data assigned to drawing objects through a report writing filter. The file saved is a text file that can be imported to any database or spreadsheet. This report may be placed back into the drawing as a schedule using Edit menu > Data >Place Report and once placed, it can be updated using Data > Update Reports.

Symbol Report provides an inventory report of the count of Symbol Instance and Groups by name.

We hope that helps
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