Revit & WinEst

[adegnan]

I received this message this week:


]
Currently we use CAD translation tables to connect with Revit. This involves a one time set-up in which you map Revit objects with WinEstimator line item database. Once you have done this it means a file created in Revit can be brought in to WinEstimator resulting in instant take-off quantification of costs! Basically it is an instant cost estimate based on a Revit file. The one time set-up is rather easy and we can do it for you if you do not have time. The following link leads to a quick demo showing the how the process works:

http://www.winest.com/repnet/varflash/Revit.html

Taking it a step further later this year we will have direct integration with Revit via its API. This means as you build a file in Revit it is automatically compiling a cost estimate in WinEstimator (which is running in the back ground), meaning zero set up time.
We are in the early stages of development on the API, I can show it to you as soon as more information is available.



Please use me as a resource for any questions you may have.


The video shown looks pretty cool. Very simplified product although it might get a little tedious to create all those schedules, export them, and import them into WinEst.

But note that they are developing with the API???!!! How long? How Soon?

YMan, can ARCOMANS do this?

Is anyone out there using WinEst?

[Scott D Davis]

Very promising looking product, can't wait to see more, especially with the API.


Very simplified product although it might get a little tedious to create all those schedules, export them, and import them into WinEst.
Not so tedious if they have a template file with the schedules built, and we cut-n-paste into our template or an active project. The export would be the only manual part once the schedules were part of your project template.

[Arnel Aguel]

Yeah indeed its a very promising program. Wow API....really Revit is going somewhere and those non-believers will soon believe.

[BillyGrey]

Sweet...:)

[ChristinaB]

What exactly is API(automated programming interface)? Will WinEstimator be included in the Revit package or will it be a separate program to be purchased separately? This sounds very exciting!

[adegnan]

It will be a separate package. A separate program that will "hook in" to the data within Revit.

I got a reply email today. Here is what it says:


Mr. Degnan-



There are many factors that can contribute to WinEst implementation (number of licenses, network configuration, integration, database etc) but it is really meant to be an out of the box solution. Meaning you can install it yourself and be up and running in no time. However if you wish to use some of the more advanced features (like Revit integration) you can expect to spend some additional time on set-up (dependent on your knowledge level); you may even want to consider having us do some additional programming. Either way the good news is once you have, say a CAD translation table, set up you don’t have to worry about it, it is a one time set-up. Basically you are mapping objects from Revit to a line item database via the WinEst application. The data in the table includes code, quantity and work breakdown structure. You open this in WinEst and add description and other detail. Pretty straight forward, but you would need to multiply it by total line items. The typical database has 10,000 to 20,000 items. I would suggest an RS Means database because Revit employs the same codes as Means and it would give you a good running start. The idea behind all of this is once the table is set up WinEst will recognize the objects coming in and generate an instant quantity take-off (eliminating much work).



Based on your past emails it sounds like your key interest is CAD integration, our basic hourly charge for additional development, database creation and other related services, is $150 per hour. The program itself sells for $1495 for the Pro, $3990 for the ProPlus. This is per licenses there are multi license discount available depending on what you purchase. I can quote more exact pricing if you can give me an idea of number of licenses, database type, database format (if you want us to convert data or create the CAD translation table) and how you plan to implement it (server, standalone, TCP/IP etc). There are other options like accounting integration (MasterBuilder, QB etc), Scheduling and Project Management (Primavera and MS Project) and digitizers (GTCO etc) and on screen take-off. Once I have a clearer picture of what you hope to accomplish I can make recommendations on these other options.



WinEst comes with an excellent report writer that utilizes MicroSoft Word. We have built some excellent reports right out of the box and a PO is one of them. The basic rule of thumb is: if it’s in the estimate you can create a report that isolates just the information you need.



Yes we are working with AutoCad on utilizing their API. We are excited, it is very complex technology but we hope to at least have a beta in the next 4 months.

Basically WinEst will run in the background when you have Revit open. The two applications will ‘talk’ to each other, basically sharing the information mentioned above. However WinEst will have the built in logic (no more building translation tables) to understand what Revit is ‘calling out’ and generate a cost estimate on the fly. You simply open WinEst and, viola, the pre-named cost estimate is generated. Very exciting stuff! We are committed to continued work with our partners at making WinEst even easier to use!



In my opinion we are a more flexible and open application than the ones you name below. Timberline is primarily focused on accounting (that’s where they dump most of their development dollars) and they are pretty insistent on using there accounting with estimating. On the other hand our specialty is, and will always be, cost estimating. We stick with what we know and leave the accounting to the pros, and then we partner with them. That means you can connect to any accounting package that fits your needs (and all your eggs are not in one basket). We even do have some rebel Timberline accounting users that use WinEst! Hometech is fine for residential, but not commercial work. In my mind Hometech’s biggest selling point (at least on the surface) is its regular database cost downloads. However with the volatility of the materials market they cannot even keep up! While WinEst (and RS Means) cost updates are less frequent we do give you superior tools to keep you costs up to date. I am not familiar with Take-off Plus, so I do not think they are exactly in our space. Actually my number one competitor is Excel, however as Architects and GC’s demand more sophisticated tools it is falling by the wayside.



We integrate with QB very nicely. We have worked closely with Intuit at creating ‘one-button’ between WinEst and QB. Basically you set up your QB cost codes (once again a one time set-p) in WinEst and click a button. A customer is then created in QB along with the associates costs. There are other configurations that are beyond my knowledge but accounting types love them!



If you like to see what I am talking about I’d love to schedule an on-line interactive demo. It’s a great way to see what WinEst can do for you and way to get questions answered in real-time. Let me know if you’d like to schedule a demo.



Please use me as a resource for any questions you may have.

[Scott D Davis]

Abe,

Can you get an online demo scheduled with WinEst that is open to the members of AUGI? If you remember, I did something similar with E-Specs awhile back, and it seemed to go over pretty well. In fact, it's probably time to have another E-specs webinar....

Let me know if you can set up a time with WinEst, and if they can host a web seminar for multiple participants.

[adegnan]

I sent the request... I'll let you know. Keep an eye out here!

[Yman]

That is where I was planning on heading to with our program also. They are a little ahead of us. We are doing a lot of other things with our program besides just estimates from Revit. We'll just keep working hard and plugging away.

Thanks for the info Abe.

Y

[adegnan]

It looks like I'm going to be scheduling an online demo with them. We are looking at Weds, Thurs, or Fri this week with a goal of Wed 10:00 AM CST.

I'll post here when the time is confirmed and let you know how to contact me or Kevin @ WinEst when I know what to do.

[adegnan]

Webinar scheduled: Limit 20, 1st come 1st serve. Hopefully recorded. I have a conflict so I'll look at something next week. Meanwhile, anyone who wants to attend the Milwaukee LUG they'll be watching the webinar there.




Please share with AUGI
Learn how the industries top cost estimating software integrates with the industries leading CAD solution!

Presented by:

Philip D. Larson CCE CPE PMP

Sr. Vice President

WinEstimator, Inc.

For further information call:

Kevin Roche at 1-800-950-2374 x 134

Or plan on joining us! (first come first serve):

At the time of the meeting, click on the following link to attend.

http://www.placeware.com/cc/pro10nu_340/join?id=87ZBBX&role=attend&pw=7598QT (http://www.placeware.com/cc/pro10nu_340/join?id=87ZBBX&role=attend&pw=7598QT)

Subject: WinEstimator Demo -RM 2

When: Thursday Feb 10th 11:45AM central

Scheduled to Occur: Once

Duration: 1 hour

Audio Information: call 1-888-311-9051 (when prompted enter 65487#)

[adegnan]

CANCELLED TODAY!

Sorry, something came up with the Milwaukee LUG so they have decided to postpone the entire webinar until another date.

[hdjohnson]

Is this going to be recorded? I would be nice to have this available so that other members of our firm could take a look at it.

[fww84855]

Thanks for all the info. I have been wondering for a while how to incorporate drawing files with estimating. I have always used Autocad and see from reading in these forums Revit is something to look into. I am new to this and wondering where to go to get some info on using Revit or the differences between Revit and Autocad. Right now I'm using Autocad 2005. Is Revit a seperate program or an add on to Autocad. Is there much transition to learn Revit from Autocad?

Thanks for the help.

Frank

[Haden]

Thanks for all the info. I have been wondering for a while how to incorporate drawing files with estimating. I have always used Autocad and see from reading in these forums Revit is something to look into. I am new to this and wondering where to go to get some info on using Revit or the differences between Revit and Autocad. Right now I'm using Autocad 2005. Is Revit a seperate program or an add on to Autocad. Is there much transition to learn Revit from Autocad?

You've come to the right place for that! I'll sit back and let the waterfall of responses pour your way from some of the big guns here, but suffice it to say that Revit really is a complete paradigm shift ahead of AutoCAD. Where AutoCAD is a drafting tool to put lines on paper, Revit is really a full architectural application to design and "construct" a building model from which a live set of presentation drawings and construction documents (including true schedules) are continually extracted.

While Architectural Desktop attempts to add this kind of functionality to AutoCAD, and awkwardly I might add, Revit created this functionality from the ground up!

Even though it takes some re-learning, it is on a much larger scale like the process of weaning yourself off of the icons for the AutoCAD zoom commands and learning to rely on your scroll-wheel mouse for zooming and panning. (Those who may have only recently made this transition should be able to appreciate what I'm talking about!)

Please take the time to follow up and read the responses which you will be getting to this question. I promise that if you're an architect and you want to do your work in an efficient, appropriate, and FUN way on the computer, give it a try and follow through with the transition to Revit from AutoCAD, and even though it may take you a few months in total, you'll be VERY glad you did!

[archjake]

Is ayone useing this program yet? Or other cost estimating programs? Whats a seat of this cost?

[muttlieb]

I received an email from WinEstimator, Inc. this morning announcing an upcoming demo of their new version of WinEst that integrates with Revit. I spoke with a representative from WinEst and he said that it's still a month or two away from release, but they are starting to do online demos of the new software. The next demo is Tuesday, April 19th, 8:30am PST. You can sign up by going to www.winest.com (http://www.winest.com) click on the Free Software Demonstration link and sign up for the DesignEst Pro seminar for April 19th. They have 25 spots available for each demo, but will add demos as needed, and there will be more demos in the future. Here is a description of DesignEst Pro from their website:


DesignEst Pro

WinEstimator is introducing an exciting new product, WinEst DesignEst Pro. Attend the webinar to see how the product leverages the detailed design information contained in projects created with either Revit Building or Autodesk's Architectural Desktop (ADT) to quickly produce both conceptual budgets and detailed cost estimates.

With DesignEst Pro, it's now possible to explore design "what-ifs" and immediately see the impact on the project budget. Since DesignEst Pro runs within ADT or Revit Building, you're able to view the cost of your objects without having to leave the application.