Takeoff list palette for guiding semi-automatic quantity takeoff from computer aided design drawings
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented 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, and the selected drawing object is associated with a drawing category;
determining a takeoff object associated with the selected drawing object, wherein the takeoff object is associated with a quantify type;
referencing a database to generate a list of one or more quantify properties based on the quantify type;
displaying a hierarchical takeoff palette that includes the drawing category associated with the selected drawing object, wherein each instance of the selected drawing object is shown as a sub-element to the drawing category;
receiving a selection of a quantify property from the list of one or more quantify properties via the hierarchical takeoff palette;
generating a quantified value for each instance of the selected drawing object based on both the quantify type and the selected quantify property; 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,wherein one or more of the steps of receiving a selection of a drawing object, determining, referencing, displaying, receiving a selection of a quantify property, generating and computing are performed by a processor.
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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.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A computer-implemented method for performing quantity takeoff computations, the method comprising:
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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, and the selected drawing object is associated with a drawing category; determining a takeoff object associated with the selected drawing object, wherein the takeoff object is associated with a quantify type; referencing a database to generate a list of one or more quantify properties based on the quantify type; displaying a hierarchical takeoff palette that includes the drawing category associated with the selected drawing object, wherein each instance of the selected drawing object is shown as a sub-element to the drawing category; receiving a selection of a quantify property from the list of one or more quantify properties via the hierarchical takeoff palette; generating a quantified value for each instance of the selected drawing object based on both the quantify type and the selected quantify property; 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, wherein one or more of the steps of receiving a selection of a drawing object, determining, referencing, displaying, receiving a selection of a quantify property, generating and computing are performed by a processor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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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:
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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, and the selected drawing object is associated with a drawing category; determining a takeoff object associated with the selected drawing object, wherein the takeoff object is associated with a quantify type; generating a list of one or more quantify properties based on the quantify type; displaying a hierarchical takeoff palette that includes the drawing category associated with the selected drawing object, wherein each instance of the selected drawing object is shown as a sub-element to the drawing category; receiving a selection of a quantify property from the list of one or more quantify properties via the hierarchical takeoff palette; generating a quantified value for each instance of the selected drawing object based on both the quantify type and the selected quantify property; 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. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A computer system configured to perform quantity takeoff calculations, the computer system comprising:
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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, and the selected drawing object is associated with a drawing category, determine a takeoff object associated with the selected drawing object, wherein the takeoff object is associated with a quantify type, generate a list of one or more quantify properties based on the quantify type, display a hierarchical takeoff palette that includes the drawing category associated with the selected drawing object, wherein each instance of the selected drawing object is shown as a sub-element to the drawing category; receive a selection of a quantify property from the list of one or more quantify properties via the hierarchical takeoff palette, generate a quantified value for each instance of the selected drawing object based on both the quantify type and the selected quantify property, 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. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification