Rather than a snapshot of a Revit view, the dwf maintains the material and geometric information key to the quantity takeoff. The key is preservation: the dwf preserves the intelligence of the BIM model by storing the element properties with each of the objects, as seen in Figure 1. One of dwf’s many advantages is highlighted by QTO’s methods of data extraction. To everyday users such as project managers and scientists, the line between dwf and pdf is blurred, and I am often asked why designers have an affinity to the dwf file type. In terms of the BIM workflow, what makes QTO so powerful is its utilization of the dwf format. Projects can be received in a number of formats, and the estimator has a single tool to accurately and efficiently account for the materials required to construct each project.

This flexibility provides the possibility for an all-encompassing tool in the estimator’s toolbox. QTO offers flexibility with traditional 2D project functionality, as well as 3D BIM projects. The stepping stone is Autodesk QTO, which can translate 3D BIM elements to a series of descriptors and quantities in the takeoff. Fortunately, there is a workflow that promotes this beneficial sharing of information. To avoid these potential errors and omissions, designers have wondered whether this newly formed BIM model in software such as Revit Structure can translate to Timberline, popular spreadsheet-based estimating software from Sage. This method is necessary to form a bid, yet it is inherently prone to human error. Traditionally, the estimating process has required a familiarization and accounting of the proposed building, as well as the materials required by the field staff to construct the project. One of the many possibilities relates to utilizing the BIM model in estimating practices. Although I have seen the light, the next question is: How can others in the design and construction community also utilize BIM to improve their workflow? I have personally experienced immense time savings in project design utilizing the RISA 3D exporter and contract document generation. The adoption of BIM into the workflow of the modern structural designer has changed the norm. This article investigates the translation from Revit Structure to the estimating software Timberline by way of Autodesk® Quantity Takeoff (QTO). One avenue of interest is sharing the Autodesk® Revit® Structure model with the construction estimator for bidding purposes. The Building Information Modeling (BIM) community is expanding to embrace the concept of total project delivery. Back March 5th, 2012 How Revit Structure Benefits the Construction Estimator

Autodesk quantity takeoff catalogs