Feature Requests
Jim Conley Multi-variable takeoffs - Measurement Units and Calculated Inputs
1. Measurement Units - Would it be possible to choose measurement units for Multi-variable items (i.e. Point count with diameter and depth)? For example (I'm a Metric user) If I'm measuring a manhole I typically reference it as a 1050mm diameter rather than a 1.05m diameter. This would also let me use the diameter in the formula title (which doesn't allow calculations).
2. Calculated Inputs - using the example of a manhole again, Depth = [Rim Elevation] - [Invert Elevation]. Being able to make depth a calculated field would simplify formulas. I know I could do it with independent variables but it gets unwieldy...
Example for excavation and backfill gravel using .3m of working room for shoring cage:
Excavation (m3) = ([Diameter] + .6)^2 * [Depth]
Gravel = (([Diameter] + .6)^2 * [Depth]) - [Volume]
Independent variables:
Excavation (m3) = ([Diameter] + .6)^2 * ([Rim]-[Invert])
Gravel = (([Width] + .6)^2 * ([Rim]-[Invert])) - ([Width]/2)^2 * 3.141 * ([Rim] - [Invert]))
In a perfect world, temp variables would keep things cleaner:
Excavation = ([Diameter] + .6)^2 * [Depth]
Gravel = [Excavation] - [Volume]
Spoil = [Excavation]
Import = [Gravel]
Hi Jim,
If you select a Count with Measurement Type Count with Diameter and Depth
You can then add an Item to it Called Gravel which pulls from the The Inputs
Then you add an item to the Takeoff by Right Clicking on the excavation and add a New Item as Material
You were on the right Track with the formula however there are some small consideration:
1. in the formula pi needs to appear, and it needs to be in lower case
2.To achieve Radius Squared you need to add 0.6 to the Diameter and Divide it by 2 to get a radius with the additional 0.3m
3. All of it needs to be squared
4. The Diameter and the Depth is pulled from the Measurement Type (refer Point One above in the first image)
Here is a sample of the formula:
At the moment you can only enter in Meters, I will refer you suggestion to the developers to enable input as mm.
I would imagine you would want the results to be in m³ (Cubic Metres)
Hey Sam, my apologies for the borked formula and appreciate the repair but what I’m suggesting is the ability to use the result of a calculation in another calculation by making the result a named variable. For instance, if I calculate the volume of trench excavation and subtract the volume of the pipe and the volume of bedding gravel surrounding it the remainder is the volume of import trench fill I need.
I know I can calculate that value from the original inputs but the formula becomes more convoluted and harder to follow (as my above example demonstrates).
Jim,
Thank you for the clarification. The "Item" variables and custom properties are continuously being reviewed and updated. The developers have currently completed about 30% of the work needed to achieve the full capabilities planned for these variables and properties. Additionally, the formulas used in the variables and custom properties are also under review.
The constant changes keep things interesting. Wanting conditional logic is what inspired my feature request and Heber’s offhand mention this morning about logical operators for formulas in the last feature update led me to your in progress page about advanced formulas. Turns out If is implemented already, I just needed to read through the docs a little deeper.