Takeoff List Palette For Guiding Semi-Automatic Quantity Takeoff From Computer Aided Design Drawings

• US 20100023432A1
• Filed: 07/28/2008
• Published: 01/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/28/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Autodesk, Inc.
• Inventors: Wood, Andrew
• Granted Patent: US 8,244,608 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/29
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0875 Itemisation or classification of parts, supplies or services, e.g. bill of materials
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/08 Construction

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention enable users to efficiently guide semi-automatic quantity takeoff from computer aided design (CAD) drawings by selecting multiple drawing objects and/or multiple instances of drawing objects as the target of subsequent commands. In some embodiments, the user supplements an automated portion of a quantity takeoff from a CAD drawing by selecting one or more drawing objects in a takeoff palette. The user defines the dimension (e.g., linear) to quantify and optionally the parameter to be quantified (e.g., length) for the selected drawing objects simultaneously. The quantity takeoff engine quantifies the instances associated with the selected drawing objects, performs takeoff calculations, and updates a workbook accordingly. To further facilitate the analysis of the CAD drawing, the user simultaneously selects one or more drawing objects and/or one or more instances of drawing objects to view and organize (e.g., filter, search, etc.) by properties in a properties palette.

Claims

1. A method for performing quantity takeoff computations, the method comprising:

receiving a selection of a drawing object, wherein at least one instance of the selected drawing object is included in a computer-aided design (CAD) drawing;

determining a takeoff object associated with the selected drawing object;

generating a quantified value for each instance of the selected drawing object based on a takeoff property associated with the takeoff object; and

computing a cost estimate for each instance of the selected drawing object based on the quantified value for the instance and cost data included in the takeoff object.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the selected drawing object is included in a takeoff palette.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the takeoff property is included in the takeoff palette.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the takeoff property is a quantify property.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the step of generating a quantified value for each instance of the selected drawing object comprises:

parsing the takeoff object associated with the selected drawing object to determine the quantify property associated with the takeoff object;

parsing the instance to determine an instance-specific value for the quantify property; and

computing the quantified value based on the instance-specific value of the quantify property.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the takeoff property is a quantify type.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the steps of:

determining a default quantify property associated with the quantify type; and

applying the default quantify property to the takeoff object associated with the selected drawing object.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of updating a cumulative cost estimate to reflect the computed cost estimate for each instance of the selected drawing object.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of updating a workbook to reflect the updated cumulative cost estimate and the computed cost estimate for each instance of the selected drawing object.

10. A computer-readable medium including instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform quantity takeoff calculations by performing the steps of:

receiving a selection of a drawing object, wherein at least one instance of the selected drawing object is included in a computer-aided design (CAD) drawing;

determining a takeoff object associated with the selected drawing object;

generating a quantified value for each instance of the selected drawing object based on a takeoff property associated with the takeoff object; and

computing a cost estimate for each instance of the selected drawing object based on the quantified value for the instance and cost data included in the takeoff object.

11. The computer-readable medium of claim 10, wherein the selected drawing object is included in a takeoff palette.

12. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein the takeoff property is included in the takeoff palette.

13. The computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the takeoff property is a quantify property.

14. The computer-readable medium of claim 13, wherein the step of generating a quantified value for each instance of the selected drawing object comprises:

parsing the takeoff object associated with the selected drawing object to determine the quantify property associated with the takeoff object;

parsing the instance to determine an instance-specific value for the quantify property; and

computing the quantified value based on the instance-specific value of the quantify property.

15. The computer-readable medium of claim 12, wherein the takeoff property is a quantify type.

16. The computer-readable medium of claim 15, further comprising the steps of:

determining a default quantify property associated with the quantify type; and

applying the default quantify property to the takeoff object associated with the selected drawing object.

17. The computer-readable medium of claim 10, further comprising the step of updating a cumulative cost estimate to reflect the computed cost estimate for each instance of the selected drawing object.

18. The computer-readable medium of claim 17, further comprising the step of updating a workbook to reflect the updated cumulative cost estimate and the computed cost estimate for each instance of the selected drawing object.

19. A computer system configured to perform quantity takeoff calculations, the computer system comprising:

a processor; and

a memory coupled to the processor and including a quantity takeoff engine configured to;

receive a selection of a drawing object, wherein at least one instance of the selected drawing object is included in a computer-aided design (CAD) drawing,

determine a takeoff object associated with the selected drawing object,

generate a quantified value for each instance of the selected drawing object based on a takeoff property associated with the takeoff object, and

compute a cost estimate for each instance of the selected drawing object based on the quantified value for the instance and cost data included in the takeoff object.

20. The computer system of claim 19, wherein the selected drawing object and the takeoff property are included in a takeoff palette.