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Auto-Trad
Auto-trad menuAuto-trad is a complete suite of traditional taking-off routines. They are accessed from the Calculix contract menu - via the Measurement option. The options operate in an identical way to the other Delete, List etc options within the Calculix menu system, except for the Add/Edit option which is dealt with below. After selecting Add/Edit Take-Off Sheets you are prompted to enter the Auto-Trad File name. This name or code is user definable. Having entered the code press RETURN.
Back to TopAuto-Trad FileEach take-off section or collection of dimension sheets is referred to as an Auto-trad File. The file name must be unique. Back to TopMoving around the Worksheet in Auto-tradThe <RETURN> or <DOWN> key will take you from one field to another in the work sheet. To save the sheet use the <END> key. Back to TopAuthor in Auto-tradThe login name will automatically appear as 'author' in all new files. This will protect your sheets from other system users not using the same login. They will be unable to add, edit or delete data to or from the file. A special user 'chiefqs' has been set up who can work on any file. If a 'chiefqs' login does not exist on your system, please consult your system manager. If all users employ one common login or if the author field is left 'blank', then the security features will not be used.
Back to TopDescription of Take off in Auto-tradEnter a brief description of this section of Take-off. Back to TopUnit in Auto-tradThe UNIT code XXXX refers to the relevant building of an estate and all rooms in the same building will have the same UNIT code. The UNIT code field is three characters long and each character can be any of the ASCII range. For a project with only one building an arbitrary Unit code like "1" should be used.
Back to TopLevel in Auto-tradThe LEVEL code XX identifies the floor level which the room is on. In Auto-trad entry codes for Level, Area and Room are optional. If you choose to enter references then the Analysis reports will be able to report quantities for each and every room. The system adopts default values for Level=gr, Area=1 and Room= r000 and so only the Unit must be entered.
Back to TopArea in Auto-tradThe AREA code XXXX allows a floor level to be sub-divided eg into flat types, circulation areas, office areas etc. It is a mandatory Field and when not specifically required an arbitrary value such as "1"should be used.
Back to TopRoom Code in Auto-tradThe ROOM NUMBER code XXXX identifies the room itself. The code can be in any format but it is suggested that the first two characters be a mnemonic letter code for the type of room (e.g. br = bedroom) and the last two characters be numbers corresponding to the room number. This field allows the Take-off to be associated with a room of the building. The room codes are the same as those used in other parts of the Calculix system and will be used for processing valuations etc. The room does not have to "exist" but at the very least a UNIT code must be entered because the take-off will be processed by UNIT.
Back to TopReference Element in Auto-tradThe Reference Element is an ordinary Calculix element that has been set up as a prototype take-off containing items that are usually encountered in a typical section of Take-off. The elements themselves can be created and edited to suit the needs of the practice. Back to TopReference Take-Off in Auto-tradWhen taking off it is sometimes useful to be able to access a previous batch of Take-off and this field references an Auto-trad file that has been previously created on this project. This entry can be changed from the Work-sheet during the editing session to give you access to all existing take-offs.
Back to TopReference Bill in Auto-tradFor post contract purposes it is sometimes necessary to measure a variation which will Add or Omit items from a Bill. The Bill can be referenced here and the items can then be called up onto the worksheet be item reference.
Back to TopValuation Column Number in Auto-tradThis field contains the column number to which the costs of the items in this take-off will be added on the Valuation Chart. This defaults to '1'. Having completed the details of the display press the <END> key and you will be prompted for the sheet number. Enter the appropriate number and press <END>. If you want to Add a new sheet you need not enter the next available number, simply leave the Sheet Number field BLANK and press <END> and the next unused sheet will be displayed.
Back to TopDelete Take-off Sheets in Auto-tradThis option enables take-off sheets to be deleted from the file. Select the file and then select the appropriate sheet and press <RETURN>. The screen will ask for confirmation of the instruction to ensure that the record is not accidentally deleted. Press the <END> key to confirm the deletion instruction.
Back to TopCopy Take-off Sheets in Auto-tradIt is frequently convenient to copy some existing data and then edit this to suit the current requirements. You must enter the name of the file to be 'copied from' followed by <RETURN> then the sheet number, repeat for the destination. The message "Edit New Take-Off Sheet?" then appears, press 'y' to edit or 'n' not to edit.
Back to TopList Take-off Sheets in Auto-tradThis option will print on the screen all of the record codes together with abbreviated details of each record to enable the user to find a particular record. The user can enter the sheet number that he wishes to list and the list will commence from that code on. Pressing <RETURN> will display more screens until the end of the file. When the end of the file is encountered the cursor moves back to the record code field for re-input. Leaving the record code blank and pressing <RETURN> will display the file from the beginning. The option can be cancelled at any time by pressing the <ESC> key.
Back to TopPrint Take-off Sheets in Auto-tradA full print out of the take-off sheets together with side calculations can be obtained by selecting the print options.
Back to TopSearch Through Take-off Sheets in Auto-tradAt the Edit stage of bill production, the ability to search for one or more specific items can be particularly useful. The Search option does this. For more detail please refer to Element Search. The routines are very similar except that this option searches auto-trad files, not elements.
Back to TopEdit Side-calculations in Auto-tradTo edit a side-calculation, enter this option and make whatever changes are necessary. These changes will not automatically update your take-off.
Back to TopSide Calculations in Auto-tradThe C command for calculations instigates Side Calculation Mode. Each side calculation can be named by the user and then called up later in the same sheet or a different sheet but only within the same file. To create a side-calculation, press C then enter your chosen name and <RETURN> or simply press <RETURN> if you wish to use the default. To enter the results of a previously named side-calc, type C and then enter the name followed by <END>. This will put the result of that side-calculation into the dimension field. Once into the calculation mode one can enter dimensions followed by a <RETURN> or press F for factor if timesing factors are needed. When the side-calculation has been completed press <END> to return to the take-off sheet and <END> again to carry the side-calculation total to the dimension column.
Back to TopAuto-trad UtilitiesThese utilities provide additional functionality to Auto-trad.
Back to TopAdd/Edit in Auto-trad UtilitiesThis option performs identically to that on the Auto-trad menu.
Back to TopCopy in Auto-trad UtilitiesThis option is more extensive than that on the Auto-trad menu, giving the added ability to copy a range of sheets to the same or a different file keeping the same sheet numbers or changing the destination start sheet number.
Back to TopReverse in Auto-trad UtilitiesThis option reverses the Sign of a range of take-off sheets ie all 'adds' become omits and all 'omits' become adds.
Back to TopZero in Auto-trad UtilitiesThis option zeros all of the dimensions in a range of take-off sheets. This is very useful when remeasuring a section of work post contract. Simply make a copy of the original take-off then 'zero' it and remeasure against the original descriptions.
Back to TopTake-off worksheets in Auto-tradEach Sheet of Take-off corresponds to an individual measurement item. Each item may use some or all of the following fields:
There are many ways of selecting an Item Code and it's associated description. Enter the appropriate code in the Item Code field. Use Autocode <HOME> to build up an item description from scratch.
Back to TopSelect an item from elsewhere in the current Take-offThe <F7> function key will display a list of items already measured in this file and the <UP> and <DOWN> keys will move to the appropriate item. If you find the item you want press <RETURN> and the appropriate code will be copied into the current record. To move to the next page press <HOME>.
Back to TopSelect and item from the Reference Element - by ListingIf a Reference Element is specified then these items are displayed by pressing <F7>. The items already taken off are displayed first and then follows the items in the Reference Element which are identified by a double asterisk (**).
Back to TopSelect an item from the Reference Element-by Short codeEnter the Item short code in the Description field and press <F8> and the appropriate item will be copied into the current record.
Back to TopSelect an item from another Auto-trad fileItems can also be obtained from another Take-off (Auto-trad file) on the current project. Bill items in the Reference Take-off will be displayed in the same way as the Reference Element ie by pressing the F7 function key. If Both Reference Element and Reference Take-off fields are entered the Element will be displayed first followed by the Take-off.
Back to TopSelect an item from a Bill of Quantities (Auto-trad)Bill items can be accessed from a Bill of Quantities. The Bill must have been created already and the items are selected by Page number and Reference letter. The Bill name must be entered in the Reference Bill field in the auto-trad header to identify the relevant Bill. The Item Reference must be entered in the Description field with the first character in column 1. Pressing function key <F8> will then locate the item and copy the details into the appropriate fields. All data following the Item Reference is ignored so it isn't necessary to delete following text. The item reference letter can be entered in either upper or lower case.
Back to TopDynamic changes to the Reference files in Auto-tradThe Reference Element and Reference Take-off can be changed in the middle of the take-off process. Pressing <F6> will display the two fields and the entries can be changed as required giving access to virtually all available data. The stored values are not, however, written away to file until the Auto-trad file is closed so if you want to store the latest settings be sure to <END> at the end of the session otherwise they will remain the same as at the start.
Back to TopUnits of Measurement in Auto-tradThe unit of measurement is linked to the number of dimension. ie by selecting m, m` or m{, the maximum number of dimensions is also set. m =1, m` =2, m{ =3. Therefore, after the third dimension of a cubic item, pressing <RETURN>, automatically extends the set of dimensions. After completing the description, units, adder etc. press <END> to move on to the dimension entering phase.
Back to TopAdd or Omit sign in Auto-tradThe default is + (plus). Should you wish all dimensions on the sheet to be negative, change the sign to - (minus). Individual deductions or omissions of dimensions can be made by simply entering a minus sign before typing the actual dimension(s).
Back to TopAdders q;a999 (a/999) in Auto-trad
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