Count Square Footage, WIndows, etc....

[Andre24]

I am new to autocad. I am working right now as an estimator. Basically, we receive plans and we are supposed to count how many squares of siding, windows, doors, balconies, etc. We have to do this by hand now. I am sure, or at least I am hoping, that there is a way to do this with autocad if you have the plans file. Is this true? Can someone expand on the subject please??

THANKS A LOT AND CHEERS!!

 

[Volk359]

I can't speak for the newer versions but if windows, doors, etc. are set up as blocks and if they're attributed properly then the data can be extracted to a text file which can then be imported into Excel to build a BOM.

Data to include could be size, color, manufacturer, model numer, price, just about whatever you wanted.

I'm sure there's third party software that can do more but if nothing is blocked you may be SOL.

 

[Andre24]

ok.... thanks a lot for your reply. It helped a lot. At least I know now it can be done. Now I need a site, a tutorial, or something to help extract that to a file. I am a programmer so I am hoping I will grasp the idea quick. What version of autocad do I need for this?

Thanks a bunch!!

 

[borgunit]

If you know VB, then AutoCAD 2000 and up support it (VB5 in ACAD 2K and VB6 in 2002 and 2004). LISP is a possibility in all versions. Check the AfraLISP site to get started with programming in AutoCAD.