BUG Buzz

Bluebeam User Groups (BUGs) meet regularly to unite regional AEC professionals and discuss industry-related best practices, trends, and tips and tricks. Members include regional users of all levels from companies of all sizes who convene to share information, lead tutorials, explore workflows and drive efficiencies within their organizations via the use of Bluebeam Revu.

Notable Themes:

• The Construction Progress Coalition and PDF Standards and Guidelines
• Taking Revu from the Office to the Field – Utilizing Studio Projects and iPad
• Best Practices in Revu

Standards and Guidelines

The Construction Progression Coalition (CPC) is a nonprofit organization uniting AEC professionals, technology solution providers and their governing organizations around a shared language to define project interoperability standards. CPC Thought Leadership Committee Chair and Chicago BUG Steering Committee member Dan Smolilo of the Walsh Group gave an overview on the organization and how BUG members can become involved.

The CPC’s influence was also felt at Sydney BUG, as CPC Executive Director Nathan Wood presented the coalition’s support and ideas for industry standards, while the Orlando BUG’s Tim Milcich hosted a joint meeting with the Central Florida Contractors’ BIM User Group and gave an overview on the CPC and how to get involved.

Taking Revu from the Office to the Field – Utilizing Studio Projects and iPad

Arming the field with the most relevant and current information is crucial for project success. This theme was not lost on the BUGs in San Diego, Kansas City and New York City, which all focused on workflows in Revu that empower the field. The Raymond Group’s Rob Meredith gave San Diego attendees insight into Studio and Studio Projects tool importation workflows, while Kansas City BUG’s Vanessa Taylor, Sarah Garcia and Laura Adkins with P1 Group demonstrated how to create and deploy a Studio Project and generate reports to hundreds of iPads. Skanska VDC Engineer Samiha Shakil shared a behind-the-scenes look at how SkanskaWalsh are utilizing Revu on the LGA CTB Terminal Replacement project.

Best Practices in Revu

Mark Decker with Jacobsen Construction unveiled JavaScript, Stamps and Folder Structures to the Salt Lake City BUG members who expressed a desire to learn more about using JavaScript in Revu.

Bay Area BUG Champions DJ Phipps, Mike Jakes and Trevor Johnston hosted a hands-on knowledge-sharing meeting where members brought their best practices and favorite Revu tips and tricks, while Barton Malow’s Steffanie Schrader shared various features of Revu such as custom toolsets, profiles and dashboards with the attendees at Orlando BUG. She also shared how Barton Malow created a standardization technical guide for employees. The Atlanta BUG gathered to hear Amy Baker with Dixie Electric share the benefits of utilizing sets. Baker defined sets as “a dynamic drawing index in the left or right pane, which eliminates the need for a bulky, single file containing every drawing.”

Overheard at BUGs

Orange County BUG Champion Amrita Bajwa invited Los Angeles BUG Champion Gautam Shenoy to be the guest speaker for the group’s meeting. Overheard quotes included:

“I was trying to do my work faster, but I got stuck so I went to the LA BUG meeting.” 

“Went to the BUG and had an epiphany!” 

“64 Bluebeam tips in 60 minutes. Wow, what a presentation!”

If these quotes resonate with you, Bluebeam User Groups are your best option to exchange knowledge and bounce ideas off other AEC professionals. Attend a BUG to broaden your possibilities!