ExtrAXION. Extracting Drawing data. Benefits.

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1 ExtrAXION Extracting Drawing data ExtrAXION is the simplest and most complete quantity takeoff software tool for construction plans. It has the ability to measure on vector files CAD (dwg, dxf, dgn, emf, wmf), as well as on image files scanned drawings (bmp, gif, jpeg, tif, ico, png). ExtrAXION makes possible the speedy and precise measurement of length, area, volume, and the counting of objects, in many ways (on the drawing's level, perpendicular to the drawings, having fixed or variable measurement parameter values, etc.). Using ExtrAXION, the complex procedure of construction cost estimation is simplified and the chances of mistake are minimized, as measurement results are automatically linked to Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) work items. Measurement results are extracted in MS Excel-like tables. ExtrAXION is an essential aid for: construction companies, contractors, construction design companies, cost estimators, etc. relating to government or private projects. Benefits ExtrAXION can accomplish: Quantity surveying using different ways of measuring thus offering a time-saving and efficient approach. Excellent organization of the whole quantity take off procedure. Linking of measurement results to one or more budget work items with immediate presentation of each item's quantity by plan or in whole. Locating a measurement, selecting and modifying it, can be done directly by double clicking on it in the WBS tree. Great accuracy, using integrated zooming tools, magnifier, object snaps, etc. Arranging each plan's measurements in distinct layers, so that they are clear and visible and that each element is neither forgotten nor taken into account more than once. Integration of all work measurement data in one project file. This way, different files of plans, measurements, plan photocopies etc. are substituted by an electronic file that's easy to use and access. Considerable conservation of resources, as a result of minimizing the time needed to perform the whole procedure, and of avoiding the printing and reproduction of a multitude of plans usually used during the measuring procedure. Decreasing the time needed for measurement completion, using an array of tools that significantly accelerate the procedure, such as selective copying of measurements from

2 one drawing to another, measurement reproduction, library with parameters, creation of new, user-defined measurement types, etc. Non-drawing measurements can be incorporated in a project so that its complete WBS and measurement results can be extracted. Minimizing the time needed to review the measurement results. They are accompanied by their corresponding data, such as their analysis, comments, plans with which they are affiliated, etc. General characteristics User interface-ease of use ExtrAXION offers a flexible and user-friendly user interface, based on the latest standards. The measuring procedure can be easily comprehended, even by nonspecialized users, making it easy to learn and allowing it to be used widely. Among other features: Toolbar buttons are small in size, allowing for a larger plan workspace. Data is organized in tabs with bookmarks. The use of each button appears as a hint every time the mouse pointer remains over it. This way, the user can adapt to the user interface and learn the program more quickly and there is no need for the user to have any kind of specialization. Measurement data can be extracted, and data can be imported from excel into the WBS, thus saving time in all stages of the program's use. The snap and zoom tools, as well as the select, move, and print functions are identical with design software (such as AUTOCAD). There are special keyboard shortcuts to help and speed up the procedure. Filtering-Organizing-Grouping Choose between various adjustment options of how a list is shown, by right-clicking on the title line and the corresponding option from the popup menu.

3 Choose Increasing/Decreasing order by clicking on the corresponding list title. Choose Group by this Column, in which case the list is grouped based on the appropriate column. Use Column choice, in which case it is possible to choose which columns will show or hide. Choose Best Fit, in which case the width of each column is automatically adjusted in the best possible way based on the content of the corresponding cells. Apply Custom filter and customize it using Filter customization to chart content, applying additive or disjunctive criteria. Use predetermined criteria types, such as greater than, greater than or equal to, etc.

4 Temporarily enable and disable applied filters. Temporarily save and display recently applied filters (complex or not) until exiting the program.

5 Ability to search table text. The search criteria are automatically highlighted. Show the Auto filter line, so that the table content is filtered by column based on the criteria entered.

6 Work Items-Budget The budget has a tree layout.

7 Expandable and collapsible groups, subgroups, etc. Ability to move work items, groups, etc. to another position either on the same level or on a higher or lower categorization level. Unlimited depth of analysis of the WBS (regarding the number of levels), such as groups, subgroups, etc. Unlimited number of work items, groups, and work items. Quick WBS Entry Special keyboard shortcuts for picking a choice directly from the menu. Ability to import the WBS from MS Excel files. Ability to move different columns around simply by clicking and dragging. Measurements appear just underneath the work items with which they are affiliated. In each line of measurements, the following is displayed: the drawing from which it was taken, the quantity, the mathematical analysis of the result, the category to which it belongs, comments, etc. Every time a measurement is selected by double clicking, the corresponding plan is automatically opened, with only the layers of the job affiliated with this particular measurement visible. Thus, there is a dynamic connection of the WBS quantities with the corresponding measurements on the plans from which they were taken.

8 Plans-Measurements ExtrAXION has the ability to measure on plans from image files (bmp, gif, jpg, tif, ico, png), as well as from vector files (dwg, dxf, dgn, emf, wmf).

9 It is not necessary to have any kind of design software installed on the computer that runs ExtrAXION. It is a stand-alone program, like AutoCAD. Library The library contains general data that can be used in any project. Library parameters The user can set general library parameters, which can be used in the expressions that are utilized in the calculation of measurement results and apply to all projects, such as floor height. That concerns constant values which are frequently used in measurements, and might need to be changed. Their default values may differ from project to project.

10 Custom measurements It is possible to create custom types of measurement, which are freely set by the user. They can be used in special cases, which cannot be covered by the four basic types of measurements. By setting appropriate parameters and expressions, it is possible to link the measurements with more than one WBS work items, such as: Wall area and perimeter length can be calculated from the measurement of the floor area. The insulation and total metal weight of an air duct can be calculated from the measurement of the duct length. The surface coating can be calculated from the measurement of beam concrete volume. The total weight of slab reinforcement bars can be calculated from the measurement of slab iron length.

11 Categories and ways of measurement Length Measurement Linear parts of united (polyline), single, straight or curved lines by marking on the drawing or by selecting CAD objects).

12 Area Measurement On the drawing's level or Vertically to the drawing by marking the length on the drawing and entering the height (constant or different at every marking point, i.e. measurement of wall under angled roof on floor plan).

13 By marking objects on the drawing, of the same or different area, as well as by automatic measurement of similar blocks.

14 Volume Measurement From surfaces that appear on the drawing's level inputting the height.

15 From linear elements, marking their length on the drawing and then inputting the other two dimensions (width, height), i.e. measurement of excavation pit for a pipe. By marking objects on the drawing that have the same, or even different, volume, as well as by automatic measurement of identical blocks.

16 Counting Items By marking them on the drawing. By selecting CAD objects. By automatic measurement of similar blocks.

17 The shape used to mark the counted items can be selected by the user.

18 That is, besides the use of different colors, different marking shapes can also be used, to further differentiate between the items that are counted. Measuring directly from the WBS: It is possible to start a new item, length, area, or volume measurement directly from the WBS, even before opening a drawing. Non-drawing measurement It is possible to enter a non-drawing measurement; that is, a measurement that cannot be marked on the drawing because it is not visible or its result is already known, but nevertheless must be taken into account in the WBS quantities. Custom measurements These measurements are created by the user in the Library.

19 The values of parameters that are utilized in special measurements can be typed in (such as in the case of measuring reinforcement bars, the user can type in the distance between each bar), or alternatively their values can be calculated by marking them on the drawing (in the same example, measuring slab width). In addition, initial parameter values can be changed when continuing a measurement (by adding or subtracting). Measurement Tools-Capabilities Unlimited number of measurements for each job and project. The primary measurement result can be altered, with the use of mathematical expressions. These expressions can be complex, including parentheses etc., as well as Excel functions, using the same names and syntax, such as ROUND, TRUNC, SQRT, etc. Each measurement can be linked to more than one WBS work items. This can be done either by direct use of the measurement s primary result, or by the use of an appropriate expression for the manipulation of this result, depending on the work item to which it relates.

20 Selected measurements can be copied from one drawing all together and pasted to another. This way, even if a drawing is altered after the measurements have begun, the new version of the drawing can be added, and all performed measurements can be pasted in their correct position (by setting the reference point (0,0) in case it differs from the one of the original drawing). Therefore, only the affected measurements need to be corrected. This ability also helps greatly in the case when certain measurements are similar in a number of drawings- such as per floor. Direct link of the measurement results to the WBS work items. It is possible to measure and extract a single, unified result, even when different ways of measuring are used in combination (such as on the drawing's level or perpendicular to it, i.e. the case of measuring wall tile area of a bathroom). Stopping a measurement and then continuing it by adding to or subtracting from it (i.e. for subtracting openings from a wall area measurement).

21 Incorporation of additional length, by node, in length measurement, i.e. adding the length of parts that are perpendicular to the drawing's level to the horizontal path of a pipe on a floor plan. Input of correction factor for each measurement to directly enlarge or reduce the result. This correction factor can be used for converting the units of a measurement s result. (i.e. converting unit weight to lbs). Measurement recalculation (i.e. in case of entering a correction factor after the measurement is performed). Ability to duplicate a measurement, in case the same result can be used for more than one work items (i.e. measurement of ceiling area can be used for the floor area as well). Selective copy of measurements and paste to another drawing. Measurement recalculation and automatic update of their results, so that the results are correct even if the values of certain data are changed at a later time, such a general parameter, the drawing s scale, etc. This way, just by changing a general parameter, i.e. floor height, different cost scenarios can be created. It is possible to enter non-drawing measurements, so that the complete project WBS and all its measurements are taken into account Checking tools Addition of comments to each measurement which are visible in the measurements table for further explanation of the results.

22 Each measurement can be marked using a different color (random default color selection) so there is better oversight and easier control of the measurements. In measurements of the same job, their default color is that of the previous measurement; however, it is possible to change it. Ability to additionally group a project s measurements by freely specifying the grouping category, regardless of the WBS structure. Measurements appear under the WBS work items with which they are affiliated along with all of their components (drawing, quantity, analysis, color, etc.), to enhance result presentation. This helps greatly in checking measurements. Measurement analysis

23 It is possible to view each measurement s analysis in a special window. In the case of a temporary pause of a measurement, distinct parts are created, that are separated using parentheses. In case a measurement is continued (by addition or subtraction), a new submeasurement is created, which is added in the measurement analysis window as a new line. The parameters of each sub-measurement, which might differ, appear in a separate column if they exist. Tools-Capabilities Setting the scale in image files, so that measurement results are in accordance with the drawing's true dimensions. By setting the scale, any distortions from photocopying or scanning are also eliminated. Setting the number of decimal points of measurements and calculations. Xref folders. Marking a reference point which is used to correctly paste copied measurements to a different copy of the drawing. Background color. Rotation or leveling of image files which are not correctly aligned.

24 Ability to select different kinds of snaps. Ability to activate, deactivate, or customize the snap settings as many times as is needed during the course of a measurement. Ability to use linear and curved line segments during the course of length and area measurements interchangeably.

25 Processing-modifying general measurement parameters even after their completion, i.e. changing the associated work item, even link with more than one work items, modifying their label, color, unit of measurement, correction factor. Adding, subtracting, or moving nodes to alter the shape or dimensions of a measurement polyline, automatically updating the measurement result.

26 Magnifier and zoom tools (magnifier, zoom in, zoom out, zoom window, zoom extends etc.) for higher accuracy and ease during the measuring procedure. Direct correction (undo) of wrong actions during the course of a measurement.

27 Marking of already measured areas using a special layer, to help create oversight of the areas where measurements have been completed.

28 Drawing-measurement-WBS exporting Drawings can be extracted and saved, including their measurement layers, into different file types (dwg, dxf, dgn, emf, wmf, bmp, gif, jpg, tif, ico, png, svg, dwf, pdf). There is the ability to extract the WBS that has been created along with the measurement quantities into excel. Also, it is possible to extract the detailed or compact project measurements to excel. Finally, there is the ability of selective extraction of WBS data and measurements to excel, according to the user's choice. Using advanced filter, grouping, and categorization tools, the multitude of data to be extracted as well as their degree of analysis is set (i.e. extracting the WBS with or without the measurements). Connectivity-Communication with other programs An interactive connection with Excel is supported, which enables the insertion of the work break down structure from.xls or.xlsx files, as well as the extraction of data into Excel for further processing. The program can open image files (bmp, gif, jpg, tif, ico, png) as well as vector files (dwg, dxf, dgn, emf, wmf).

29 There is the ability to extract drawings including the measurement layers into different types of files such as: dxf, dwg, dgn, wmf, bmp, gif, jpg, tif, png, ico, svg, dwf, pdf. Thus, it is possible to process these drawings along with the measurements after having performed them, using CAD software, or to process the drawings on another computer, i.e. for check. Result presentation-printing Ability to publish files in any of the following forms: PDF, HTML, EXCEL, RTF, ΜΗΤ, ΤΧΤ etc. Ability of automatically ing data in the form of PDF, EXCEL, RTF, ΜΗΤ, ΤΧΤ etc.

30 Ability to customize the form and content of the printout before finally forwarding it to the printer. Printing of drawings with selectively showing or hiding measurement layers so that measurements can stand out and be substantiated. Development environment ExtrAXION is based on the Microsoft.net framework.

31 System Requirements-Running environment Windows XP or Windows 7 or Vista Professional Operating System Microsoft.net Framework 4 Pentium IV or better processor 1GB ram 1GB of free disc space Screen resolution 1024X768 Inkjet or laser printer For ExtrAXION to run, it is not necessary to have any design software installed (such as AutoCAD). Obtaining a license 1. Obtaining a license for specific computers (per machine) Acquiring ExtrAXION for use either in local configurations-work stations, or on laptops for use inside and away from the office (i.e. on site). 2. Obtaining a license for a specific number of users, who will use the program simultaneously (concurrent users) This refers to network configuration and applies only in the case when you are using ExtrAXION with SQL server. In this case, the computers that are connected to the company network, and the maximum number of users that can work simultaneously is limited by the number of licenses of ExtrAXION that have been obtained. The following are provided: In-depth user manual On screen help Training videos To help speed up the program learning process, the following are also provided: Technical support services Training services