Section 3 - Take Off & Measurement

The Take-Off system allows quantity calculations to be performed and presented in an orderly and consistent manner. Using the 4th Base family facility, it is possible to condense or expand information to different levels of detail for viewing and printing. The system can be used for both recording measurements during the course of a contract and producing a Bill of Quantities at the pricing stage. The Take-Off system allows quantity calculations to be performed.

This section of the Candy manual contains the following topics:

Take off selector Take off document Copying items Bill writer

- Sheet 3.01 - Sheet 3.02 to 3.03 - Sheet 3.04 to 3.07 - Sheet 3.08 to 3.11

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TAKE OFF & MEASUREMENT

SECTION 3

Take-Off & Measurement

Take-Off & Measurement is located within the Bill Preparation module of the CCS System. From the CCS Menu follow the path Candy System to Bill Preparation Menu and select Take-Off & Measurement.

Take-Off Selector
A selector is displayed on w hich an unlimited number of measurement sections may be registered. Type in a 4-digit code and the name of the measurement area. A master take-off code is allocated to each entry, which allows a previous take-off or part thereof to be copied.

Take-Off A001 is linked to a take-off in the current master to this job. Take-Off A002 is linked to the first take-off on this selector. A current take-off can be duplicated by using the softkey.

A blank line is inserted in the selector below the current line so that the name of the new take-off can be entered. Typing a code and using Enter creates a copy of the original take-off file. A current take-off can be overwritten with a copy of the Master take-off by using the softkey.

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Take-Off Document
When the cursor is on an Op Code, the first three lines of its description are shown above the Description/Dimensions heading. On the right-hand side of the description, the current master is displayed, with the master take-off below it. The green line is a formula line that may be used to calculate any of the dimensions in the take-off document.

The code for House Number 1 starts with a # which is a reserved symbol in the take-off system and is regarded as a measurement heading. The # is similar to the * of a section heading in a Candy Bill of Quantities. Measurement headings can have a level from 1 to 9 like a section heading. The level is entered in the Level/Qty column. Measurement headings are used only in the take-off system and are not accessible anywhere else.

Starting a code with an exclamation mark reserves the line for comments. These lines are for documentation only. The Op Codes between the "!" and +2 form part of the measure for Foundations. Starting the code with a minus sign produces a line across the complete document to divide the measurement into distinct pieces. The +2 in the code column is simply a heading to clarify the dimension columns. Below the dimension headers are the dimensions for the foundations. Comments or measurement notes can be written alongside each dimension.

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How The Calculations Work

The dimensions total (29 in this case) refers to the Op Codes above the dimensions header. When an Op Code is found, the three factors Times, Width and Height are multiplied by the dimension total to form the quantity for the Op Code. If an Op Code has been priced, the quantity is multiplied by the Nett Rate and the cost of the item is reflected in the Amount column. After deletions, insertions and changes in the dimensions use the softkey to recalculate the take-off document.

Dimension Headings
Dimension heading lines are for documenting the dimension columns. The numbers in the four columns are always multiplied together irrespective of the heading type. Dimension headings don't have to be used as they are simply for documenting the takeoff. Section headings, measurement headings, underlines or a new group of dimensions restart the multiplication process. Any number of Op Codes can be placed above a group of dimensions and are multiplied out using the dimension total.

The +5 type heading, with its girthing capability, is an exception to the above. It has been designed so that dimensions previously entered for area calculations can be picked up using Ctrl+R and dropped using Shift+Ctrl+R below the girthing header, to calculate the perimeter. The ADJ(ustments) column is used for taking out the width of a door opening when, for example, measuring skirti ngs. If a column is blank, a value of 1 is assumed. The +6 and +7 headings are to calculate the mass of reinforcement in Tonnes and Kilograms respectively.

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Use the softkey. This softkey is only available when a master is defined for the job.

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Master Op Code Scroller

The Master Op Code Scroller is displayed. You can copy Op Codes from the Master by Dragging and Dropping. Select the Op Code(s) that you wish to copy into the take-off by using Shift+Left-click to select the start and end of a range, and/or Ctrl+Left-click to select non consecutive Op Codes. Notice that the cursor line is highlighted in a different colour than previously. Left-click on and drag any selected line onto the take-off document.

Drop the selected Op Codes onto any line. The Op Codes are copied onto the take-off document. Note: If you copy a single Op Code and drop it onto an existing item it may replace the bill item. See Candy Manual Section 1 - Candy Basics, sheet 1.04 for information about this setting. If you copy multiple Op Codes, it always creates them as new items in the take-off document.

Alternate Documents
You can set up Alternate Document combinations between various documents. One of these combinations is that you can make an Op Code Scroller the Alternate Document for a Take-Off Document. Hold down the Alt key and Left-click on the Master Op Code List. The Master Op Code List is now displayed in a different colour than previously. Hold down the Alt key and use Down/Uparrow to scroll through the Alternate Document.

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With the take-off document as the Active Document, having found the required Op Code, holding Alt and using Enter copies that Op Code onto the take-off document. Note: You can automatically set up an Op Code scroller as an Alternate Document. Position the cursor in the Op Code column, type in the Trade Character of the required code - in this case B for brickwork, then use Alt+Left-arrow to call up the Master Op Code list, or Alt+Right-arrow to call up the Job Op Code list as an alternate document. The same keystrokes as described above may then be used to scroll through the list and copy the required codes onto the takeoff document.

Master Take-Off
The i. softkey is available only if: The job that holds the required take-off is made the master to the current job. The master reference on the take-off selector is filled in with the code of the take-off in the master job.

ii.

Any previous take-off may be used as a master take-off. Use the softkey to display the master take-off document.

Paint and Pick Up

Prepared elements may be picked up from the master and deposited on the current take-off document. Position the cursor on the first line of the section that is to be copied and use the softkey. Use Page-Down and/or Down-Arrow to select the required section and use the softkey. Use the softkey to copy the selected section to a holding area.

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Left-click on the take-off document to make it active. Position the cursor on a blank line and use the softkey. softkey followed by the

The picked-up section is recalled from the holding area and inserts the lines at the cursor position. Note: Ctrl+R can also be used to pick up lines and Shift+Ctrl+R to insert them at the cursor position.

Summarising Into Families

Op Code lines in the take-off are automatically set to level 10. Section and measurement headings can have levels from 1 to 9 in the quantity column. If no level is given, the level defaults to 9. Dimensions and th eir headings adopt levels 11 and upward. Section and measurement headings are the most senior in the hierarchy. Position the cursor on an Op Code and use the button or Ctrl+Up-arrow.

A group of Op Codes can be hidden behind the section above in this case, the section for Superstructure. When Op Codes are hidden, the combined value of the Amount column of the Op Codes is added up and displayed against each section heading. Use the button or Ctrl+Up-arrow.

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Sections can be summarised into more senior sections above them, again adding the Amount column and displaying the value against the more senior section heading. The ability to summarise and hide information is useful for reviewing the value of elements in a well-structured take-off. When the take-off is printed using the softkey, whatever levels are current on the document are printed to enable summaries to be printed. Use the softkey followed by the

softkey to print the take-off with full descriptions.

Transfer to Bill Writer & Bill

Converting the take-off into a Bill of Quantities is a two stage operation: i. Consolidate and order the Op Codes from the take-off into Bill Writer. Check and correct the quantities in Bill Writer and then copy the Op Codes into the Bill of Quantities. softkey.

ii.

Use the

Consolidation
Use the softkey to display a selector that controls the transfer to Bill Writer.

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Consolidation accumulates the quantities of all like Op Codes. For example, if level 2 is specified as shown, consolidation takes place from a level 1 until the next level 1 is encountered. At this stage, a new consolidation commences and continues until the next level 1 is encountered and so on. Each consolidation level has to be defined by using an Op Code header i.e. a heading which has an * as the first character of the Op Code, which can be added at the end of the take-off document. During the transfer to Bill Writer, the Op Codes are sorted by descending trade order. A section Op Code such as *E100 i s sorted before an Op Code E100. Use the button.

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Bill Writer
Bill Writer provides the ability to view and edit the bill items that have been produced in the take-off system, before transferring them to the Bill of Quantities or Area Allowables module. From the CCS Menu follow the path Candy System to Bill Preparation Menu and select Bill Writer.

Items can also be imported from an existing Bill or Area or typed directly into Bill Writer. When the cursor is on an Op Code, the first three lines of its description are shown above the Description heading. On the right-hand side of the description, the code and name of the take-off that has been transferred are displayed. If an Op Code has been priced, then the cost of the item is reflected in the Amount column. Note: The worksheet for an Op Code may be called up by using the softkey.

Families And Bubbling Of Lines

Bill Writer has the ability to open and close families as well as bubble lines (moving a line to a new position in the document). The levels allocated to the Op Code headings govern the hierarchy of these families. Families are closed by using the button or with Ctrl+Up-arrow and opened by using the button, or with Ctrl+Down-arrow.

Note: A closed up family line is displayed in a different colour when the cursor is on that line.

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SHEET 3.08

Bubbling Of Lines
Moving a line up the document is done by using the button, or with Ctrl+Left-arrow.

Moving a line down the document is done by using the arrow. button, or with Ctrl+Right-

Note: A closed family can be re-positioned in the same manner.

Preparing The Data For Transfer

The data in Bill Writer can be manipulated by means of various softkeys, before transferring to the Bill of Quantities. The Description and Unit may only be changed by using the softkey.

The softkey can be used to mark the lines at which a new page must start during the transfer to the Candy bill. In this example a page break has been set on the line of code *E100 and is marked with + signs on the column lines. These markers can be deleted by using the softkey again with the cursor on this line.

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SHEET 3.09

Using the softkey produces another set of softkeys that allow quantities to be multiplied, Op Codes to be sorted, lines to be deleted, like Op Codes to be added together and items to be picked up. Use the softkey.

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SHEET 3.09

A further set of softkeys is displayed, which include the following functions : The softkey allows the quantities to be rounded, based on the 4/5 rule for rounding quantities up or down. The softkey allows the creation of a bill from Bill Writer. The softkey allows the creation of an area bill from Bill Writer. Use the softkey.

Creating a Bill from Bill Writer

The document is displayed which controls the transfer of data from Bill Writer to the Candy bill of quantities. The following selections should be considered : Selection

The first page on which the transfer must start should be specified. If this field is left blank the transfer starts at the end of an existing bill. If the option, Delete All Bill Pages First is marked, the existing bill is cleared prior to transfer.

Pagination

Paging can be done either by selecting Break On Section Level or Break On Page Markers. The number of printable lines per page can be specified.

Bill Writer Quantity

Selecting Bill Quantity copies the quantities to the Estimating Bill. Selecting Valuation Quantity displays the Quantity Selector from which the destination quantity can be selected.

Use the button to copy Bill Writer data to the bill of quantities.

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SHEET 3.10

Creating an Area from Bill Writer

Use the softkey.

The selector is displayed which controls the transfer of data from Bill Writer to an Area Bill. The following selections should be considered : Selection

The Area field can be filled in with an existing Area code or a new Area code to which the items in Bill Writer must be copied. Items can be added to an existing Area, existing quantities can be updated, or an existing Area can be overwritten.

Pagination

Paging can be done either by selecting Break On Section Level or Break On Page Markers. The number of printable lines per page can be specified.

Bill Writer Quantity

The Bill Writer quantities can be copied either to the current quantity or the final quantity columns of the selected Area.

Use the button to copy Bill Writer data to the Area Bill.

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SHEET 3.11