Bluebeam's new redesigned interface. Courtesy of Bluebeam
Bluebeam Revu is a very popular PDF markup and collaboration tool for the construction industry. Each year, the technology company updates its flagship program to adapt to how their customers currently use the program and makes changes to increase their productivity. Bluebeam recently announced the launch of Revu 2018 and we have a breakdown of all of the changes.
Customizable Keyboard Shortcuts
In the company’s release day webinar, they stated this was the productivity enhancement they believed their users would be most excited about, because of how often it’s requested. Users of every major software that is used on a daily basis rely heavily on keyboard shortcuts to speed up their processes and construction companies should be no different. In Revu 2018, users can see a full list of current keyboard shortcuts and choose to apply customizable shortcuts to their most used tools. Every company has their own visual preferences, so this should be a game changer for many.
Responsive Properties Toolbar
Reducing the necessary amount of clicks is the easiest way to boost productivity on the computer, so you can get back out in the field and make an impact. Revu 2018’s new dynamic Properties Toolbar automatically presents the most commonly used features, like sizing, color, and shapes, when you select an input. Check out the image below to see what it looks like.
Improved Panel Views
Getting the right view is an important part of reviewing drawings, so if you’re toolbar panels are in the way, that can make your life more difficult. The improved toolbar in 2018 allows you to hide the panel out of the way when you don’t need it, giving you a larger area to review your documents. Sub menus will also pop up for an enhanced view when a tool is selected, as shown in the picture below:
courtesy of Bluebeam
Bluebeam Studio Updates
Studio allows users to collaborate on construction documents in real-time and add markups and notes as needed. In Revu 2018, Studio has a redesigned interface with thumbnail views and better visibility for the most popular actions. You’ll also have the ability to quickly switch between two or more studio projects and manage files separately by creating separate project tabs.
Integrated Video Tutorials
Lastly, one of the most important parts of a new rollout of updates is making sure your team knows that new productivity enhancements exist and that they learn how to use them. Revu 2018 has a series of interactive video tutorials, complete with sample drawings to get your team up to speed quickly. Revu tutorials will include 6 different tutorials: markup tools, quantity takeoff, collaborative review, document management, drawing management, and field issues.
“Revu 2018 builds upon everything we’ve learned by working together closely with our customers over the past 15 years” said Jon Elliott, CEO of Bluebeam, in a press release. “With this release, Revu adds top-requested functionality and streamlines the interface to make workflows more efficient than ever. Revu 2018’s new interface shortens paths, increases screen real estate, reduces clicks and uses dynamic toolbars to keep the focus exactly where it belongs: on getting the job done.”
More info: Bluebeam Revu 2018 | Bluebeam
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