Import From CAD

You can import item lists that have been exported from selected CAD programs. You can import data from several CAD programs into Estimating Mechanical Takeoff.

Open Takeoff.
Go to File > Import From CAD.
Select your CAD Import File in the CAD File Type section. Place a checkmark next to the appropriate software package (AutoCad MEP, East Coast CAD, CADPIPE Mechanical or REVIT).
Click Select File to browse to the file you want to import.
: In order to import from AEC CADPIPE, the C8D0PIPE.CAD file must be in the ...Estimating/Common folder in order to import from AEC CADPIPE. The C8D0PIPE.CAD file is found in the Export folder of your AEC CADPIPE program.
You can use the Select Level Group for Import drop down to select the level group that the import will be saved as. If your import already has levels defined in it, this information will be overwritten by the level group that you select. You will get a confirmation prompt as this selection will overwrite the current levels in Estimating. Select Yes to overwrite the current levels and continue the import or select No to select a different level or None.
Select Edit Section Defaults to open the Takeoff Options window.
On the Takeoff Options window, use the drop down arrow in the Manage Levels By field to select how you want to manage the data. Go through each tab as needed to define how you want to import the data. This allows you to set the levels to the System that was drawn. See Takeoff Options for more details.

Make any necessary changes to the tab options on the Takeoff Options window.

If you do not want to save the changes you have just made, select Undo Changes to stay on the Takeoff options screen and re-enter your selections.
If you do not want to save your entries and want to exit the Takeoff Options screen, select Cancel.
When you are finished making changes in each tab, click Apply.
If you have made changes and realize that you want to revert back to the original values, select Restore Defaults.
When you have finished making all the changes needed in the Takeoff options tabs, click OK to close the Takeoff Options window and return to Import From CAD.

Click Import.
You may need to enter values to set matches during the import.
The Select a Matching Data Item window will display when an item that has not been previously matched has been encountered. Each time an exported item is read, Estimating looks for a previous item match to match the CAD item to an Estimating Takeoff Item. Here, you can set the matches for items or map the item to a new or existing special.

To match the CAD item to an Estimating item, select the appropriate Category, Key and Size.

To map the CAD item to an existing special:

Select "Category 000: Specials".
In the Specials section, select the number for the special.

In the Pick Existing Item section, highlight the item to select it.

You cannot modify the description.

To map the CAD item to a new special:

Select "Category 000: Specials".
In the Specials section, enter the number for the special. Click Add.

Enter the necessary information on the Edit Special window. See Editing Specials.
Override Auto Size Match and Save to Session Only: select this check box if you want to select the size for items such as accessories or fixtures, rather than having the system automatically import the size as it is in the import file. When you check the box, the size drop down field becomes available for you to select the appropriate size needed for the item.

Sizes should not be overridden for normal pipe and pipe fittings that have a size specified.
The size you select will be for the current import session only.

In the Save Match To section, choose to save this match for Current Dataset, the Current Job, the Current Estimate or for this Import session only.
When you map the item to a new special, it is only saved to the current estimate.
Select Skip Remaining Items to skip the rest of the items and end your import here.
Select Skip This Item to skip the current item and go to the next item in the list, resuming the import.
Select Save Match to save the Category and Key information for the current item.

The import session will end when all of the items have been matched to items from your Estimating dataset, or when Skip Remaining Items is selected.

At the Import From Cad screen, you can review and edit your item matches.

Select Edit Database Matches to review item matches for this import or this dataset on the Item Data Match screen.
Select Edit Job Matches to review item matches for this Job on the Item Data Match screen.
Select Edit Estimate Matches to review item matches for this Estimate on the Item Data Match screen.

You can delete a match record. If you delete a match record, you will be prompted for a match on the next import.

After reviewing items from the Item Data Match screen, select Save to save the matches and continue.
Select Cancel to exit the screen without saving your changes.

Select Exit when you are finished reviewing your matches. You will return to the Takeoff screen.