Cubit Estimating
Complete user guide for Cubit Estimating software.
© 2026 Valsoft Ireland. All rights reserved.
Job Manager
From the Job Manager, you can organise Jobs, Price Lists, data libraries and access Cubit Help and options.
Fig 1. Job Manager layout
You can customise the Jobs List with the Column Chooser. The column chooser is a menu of columns that can be displayed in the Jobs List, and can be changed at any time.
Fig 2. Column Chooser
To add columns to the Jobs List:
- 1Right-mouse-click on the Name title bar in the Job List.
- 2Select Column Chooser from the drop-down menu.
- 3From the Customization menu, double left mouse click any column name to add it to your Job List.
- 4When you're finished, click the X button on the top right of the Customisation menu. Removing a column To remove columns from the Jobs List:
- 1Use your mouse to click and hold the Column Heading for the column you want to remove.
- 2Drag the column from the Jobs List menu. An "X" will appear next to cursor to let you know that the column will be removed.
You can use the License Manager to view license information or deactivate your license. You can access the License Manager from the Application Button from the Job Manager, an open Job or an open Price List.
To deactivate your License:
- 1From the Job Manager, click the Application button.
- 2From the Cubit menu, click Deactivate License. You can click More Info to see more information about Cubit Licenses.
- 3Cubit License Manager will open, click Deactivate.
- 4Cubit will confirm.
Fig 3. License Manager
Projects are the top level of organisation for your information and data in Cubit. Projects contain other Folders and Jobs. Projects are customisable and can be used to sort your information how you use it. You can name your Projects after clients, suburbs, months or any way that suits. Example: You could name a Project "TEMPLATES" and collect any Job Templates here.
Projects are created in the Job Manager screen. To create a new Project:
- 1From the ribbon, click New Project from the List group.
- 2The New Project window will open; enter the name of your Project. You can name or renamea Project anything, you might want to create Projects by clients, construction types, or suburbs.
- 3Click Ok to create the Project.
Fig 4. Selecting New Project from the ribbon
Fig 5. Naming a New Project window
Projects are renamed in the Job Manager. To rename a Project: Fig 6.
- 1Select the Project you want to rename.
- 2Click Rename in the Ribbon.
- 3Type the name you want for that Project. Rename
- 4Hit Enter on your keyboard. Deleting a Project Projects are deleted in the Job Manager. To delete a Project:
- 1Select the Project you want to delete.
- 2Click Delete in the Ribbon.
- 3If the Project contains any Folder(s) or Job(s), you will be asked to confirm whether you want to delete the Project by entering DELETE into a text box.
- 4Click Continue
Fig 7. Fig 8.
Once deleted, a Project can not be retrieved.
Every Project saves metadata details, which can be accessed by clicking on the Job. Project Details are divided into Project and Site Address. Project Fig 9. The Project segment collects information specifically about the Project. When you enter Project details, these will set a default for any Jobs created in that
entering a new name in the Name box. You can type a Description for the Job and enter the name of the Builder. A date is automatically generated in Start date when you create that Project, but it can be changed. When you migrate a Job into Cubit, the
in. automatically. The Use as template check box will set any Jobs created in the Project as as a
drop down menus are used to lock down parts of aby Jobs created in that Project.
You can type the address of the construction site in Project Details. This information is divided up into Street, Suburb, State, Postcode and Country.
You can save client details for each Project from Client Details. Client Details are divided into Company and Contact, which can be added and edited from the same screen.
Fig 10.
From the Company segment you can search for, create and edit a Company. A Company is universal in Cubit, so making changes to a Company from one Job will also change the same Company if it is used in any another Job. Company details are divided into Name, Street, Suburb, State, Postcode, and Company.
From the Contact segment you can search for, create and edit a Company. A Contact is universal in Cubit, so making changes to a Contact from one Job will also change the same Contact if it is used in any another Job. Contact details are divided into Name, Mobile, Phone, and Email.
Companies and Contacts can be assigned, edited and cleared for a Project from the Client Details group of the Job Manager. To assign a Company or Contact to a Project:
- 1Use your mouse to select any Project you want to set Client Details for.
- 2Select the Name box for either the Company group or Contact group.
- 3Type the name of the Company or Contact you want to assign. If the Company or Contact exist in your Client database, you can select them. If the Company or Contact don't exist in your Client database, you can select the Create New option. If you assign a Company, the Primary Contact for that Company will be assigned as the Contact. If you assign a Contact, any attached Company to that Contact will be assigned as the Contact.
Fig 11.
When you have assigned a Client to a Project, click Edit or Clear to edit or remove the assigned Company or Contact.
Fig 12.
A Job is where your estimating and take off are done. In a Job your Estimate is saved, and any plans you have loaded are also kept. From a Job you generate your quotes and reports. Jobs are flexible, they are used to build Templates and can be easily copied within your Job Manager or exported (and imported) to (and from) another Cubit user.
Jobs are created in the Job Manager. To create a new Job:
- 1Select the Project where you want your Job to be stored.
- 2Click the arrow under the New Job button.
- 3Select Job .
- 4Name your Job in the New Job window.
- 5You can select a Template from the Template list if you want to use one.
- 6If using a Template you can check Remove Quantities if you want any included quantities stripped from the Job.
- 7Click Ok.
Fig 13. Fig 14.
he Filtering row will help you find a specific Job, by displaying only Jobs which fit the criteria you enter. The Filtering row sits at the top of the Job List. The Filtering row enables you to filter not just by name, but also by any column displayed in your Job List. To filter, just enter the text you want to filter by.
Fig 15.
Jobs are renamed in the Job Manager. To rename a Job:
- 1Select the Job you want to rename.
- 2Click Rename in the Ribbon.
- 3Type the name you want for that Job.
- 4Hit Enter on your keyboard.
Fig 16.
Jobs can be copied and pasted in the Job Manager. To copy and paste a Job: Fig 17.
- 1Select the Job or Jobs you want to copy.
- 2Right mouse click your selection.
- 3From the drop down menu select Copy.
- 4Right mouse click the Project or Folder you want to copy the job to.
- 5From the drop down menu select Paste. Rename Deleting a Job Jobs are deleted in the Job Manager. To delete a Job:
- 1Select the Job you want to delete.
- 2Click Delete in the Ribbon.
- 3To confirm you wish to 'delete the selected job', click Delete.
Fig 18.
Every Job saves metadata details, which can be accessed by clicking on the Job. Job Details are divided into Job and Site Address. Job Fig 19. The Job segment collects information specifically about the Job. You can rename the Job by entering a new name in the
name of the Builder. A date is automatically generated in Start date when you create that job, but it can be changed. When you migrate a Job into Cubit, the
in. automatically with the information about the Job from Global or Offsider Estimating. The Use as template check box will allow you to use any Job as a Template for creating a new Job or Price List. The
menus are used to lock down parts of your estimate.
You can type the address of the construction site in Job Details. This information is divided up into Street, Suburb, State, Postcode and Country.
You can save client details for each Job from Client Details. Client Details are divided into Company and Contact, which can be added and edited from the same screen.
Fig 20.
From the Company segment you can search for, create and edit a Company. A Company is universal in Cubit, so making changes to a Company from one Job will also change the same Company if it is used in any another Job. Company details are divided into Name, Street, Suburb, State, Postcode, and Company.
From the Contact segment you can search for, create and edit a Company. A Contact is universal in Cubit, so making changes to a Contact from one Job will also change the same Contact if it is used in any another Job. Contact details are divided into Name, Mobile, Phone, and Email.
Companies and Contacts can be assigned, edited and cleared for a Job from the Client Details group of the Job Manager. To assign a Company or Contact to a Job:
- 1Use your mouse to select any Job you want to set Client Details for.
- 2Select the Name box for either the Company group or Contact group.
- 3Type the name of the Company or Contact you want to assign. If the Company or Contact exist in your Client database, you can select them. If the Company or Contact don't exist in your Client database, you can select the Create New option. If you assign a Company, the Primary Contact for that Company will be assigned as the Contact. If you assign a Contact, any attached Company to that Contact will be assigned as the Contact.
Fig 21.
When you have assigned a Client to a Job, click Edit or Clear to edit or remove the assigned Company or Contact.
Fig 22.
You can export a Job from the Job Manager. To export a Job:
- 1Select the Job tab.
- 2Select the Job that you wish to export or select multiple by holding control and left mouse clicking each job you want to export.
- 3Click Export on the ribbon .
Fig 23. Export from the ribbon
- 4Browse your computer to the location where you want to save your Job(s).
- 5Check which components of your Job you want to export. When exporting you can include your Calculation Sheet, Rate Sheet, Option Set and attached Plans. By default all options are included, uncheck the boxes beside each description to remove them.
- 6Click Export.
Fig 24. Export Job window
You can import a Job from the Job Manager. To import a Job:
- 1Select the Job tab.
- 2Select the Project that you wish to import the Job into.
- 3Click Import on the ribbon.
Fig 25. Import from the ribbon
- 4Browse your computer to the location of the Job you want to import.
- 5Click Ok.
- 6From the Import Job(s) window select the Job you want to import.
- 7Click Import.
Fig 26. Importing a Job
When Importing a Job, you can also see information about any attached plans and in the instance of missing drawings you can search your computer for them. Search for missing plans by clicking ... beside the Look for missing drawings in folder: and search your computer for the appropriate plan.
You can import Jobs saved from Global Estimating into Cubit. To import a Global Job:
- 1From the ribbon, click Import Global Job from the Data group.
- 2An Open window will appear. Browse your computer to the location of the Global Job you want to import, select the file and click Open. Global Jobs use the extension .E0X. By default, the Open window will filter to display only computer folders and E0X files.
- 3The Global Job will be imported into Cubit, and appear as a new Job.
- 4The New Project window will open, enter a name of the your Project. You can name a Project anything, you might want to create Projects by clients, construction types, or suburbs.
- 5Click Ok to create the Project.
Fig 27. Import Global Job from the ribbon
The Totals of the Global Job may differ slightly, depending on the rounding options used in Global Estimating.
Folders allow you to manage and organise Jobs in your Projects. You create Folders to break up large Projects into smaller sections and categories.
Folders are created in the Job Manager: To create a new Folder: Fig 28.
- 1Right mouse click the Project where you want the Folder created.
- 2Select New Folder from the drop down menu.
- 3Name the Folder in the New Folder window.
- 4Click OK. New Folder menu Moving Jobs into Folders Even if a Job is not created in a Folder, it can be moved there. To move a Job into a Folder:
- 1Left mouse click and hold the Job you want to move
- 2While still holding the Job, drag it into the new Folder or project you want the Job in.
Folders are renamed in the Job Manager. To rename a Folder: Fig 29.
- 1Select the Folder you want to rename.
- 2Click Rename in the Ribbon.
- 3Type the name you want for that Folder Rename
- 4Hit Enter on your keyboard. Deleting a Folder Folders are deleted in the Job Manager. To delete a Folder:
- 1Select the Folder you want to delete.
- 2Click Delete in the Ribbon.
- 3If the Folder contains any Folder(s) or Job(s), you will be asked to confirm whether you want to delete the Folder by entering DELETE into a text box.
- 4Click Continue.
Fig 30. Fig 31.
Once deleted, a Folder can not be retrieved.
Price Lists are used to simplify and organise pricing a job. Price Lists use the same pricing structure of a Job, with trades, headings and items, but have no quantities. Price Lists can be used in many ways; master file Price Lists, supplier price lists, construction type price lists or a number of other examples. Price Lists are created in the Job Manager and can be accessed from the Price List tab.
Price List are created in the Job Manager. To create a new Price List:
- 1Click the arrow under the New Job button.
- 2Select Price List.
- 3Name your Price List in the New Price List window.
- 4You can select a Template from the Template list if you want to use one.
- 5Click Ok.
Fig 32. Fig 33.
Price Lists are renamed in the Job Manager. To rename a Price List: Fig 34.
- 1Select the Price List you want to rename.
- 2Click Rename in the Ribbon.
- 3Type the name you want for that Price List. Rename
- 4Hit Enter on your keyboard. Copying a Price List Price Lists can be copied and pasted in the Job Manager. To copy and paste a Price List: Fig 35.
- 1Select the Price List(s) you want to copy.
- 2Right mouse click the Price List(s).
- 3From the drop down menu select Copy.
- 4Right mouse click any Price List..
- 5From the drop down menu select Paste. Price List Copy Deleting a Price List Price Lists are deleted in the Job Manager. To delete a Price List: Fig 36.
- 1Select the Price List you want to delete.
- 2Click Delete in the Ribbon.
- 3To confirm you wish to 'delete the selected Price List(s)', click Delete. Price List Delete
You can export a Price List from the Job Manager. To export a Price List:
- 1Select the Price List tab.
- 2Select the Price List that you wish to export or select multiple by holding control as you left mouse click each Price List you want to export.
- 3Click Export on the ribbon .
- 4Browse your computer to the location you want the Price List saved to.
- 5Click Export.
Fig 37.
You can import a Price List from the Job Manager. To import a Price List:
- 1Select the Price List tab.
- 2Click Import on the ribbon.
- 3Browse your computer to the location of the Price List you want to import, it will have an file extension of PLX.
- 4Click Ok.
- 5From the Import Job(s) window select the Price List you want to import.
- 6Click Import. If the Price List(s) you import already exists you will be able to choose between two options:Import as new Price List or Replace existing Price List.
Fig 38.
Templates can be used to make creating a Job or Price List easier, by preloading them with estimating information.
A Template can be made from a Job in the Job Manager. To create a Template from a Job: Fig 39.
- 1Select the Job you want to make into a Template.
- 2In the Job Details check Use as template. Use as template Any Job can be made into a Template. To help identify and organise Templates you can create a new Project named "Templates" and copy any applicable Jobs into there. Turning a Price List into a Template By default, when you create a new Price List, you also create a Template . You can change any Price List that is not a Template into one from the Price List tab. To create a Template from a Price List: Fig 40.
- 1Select the Price List you want to make into a Template.
- 2In the Price List Details check Use as template. Use a template
From the Client Manager you can create and manage Companies and Contacts. You can set a name, phone number, and address for a Company, as well as assign a Primary Contact. You can set a name, phone and e-mail details for a Contact. Once created, you can edit a Company or Client at any time. You can also Archive and Merge both Companies and Contacts. You can open the Client Manager from the Job Manager.
Fig 41. Client Manager
You can open the Client Manager from the Job Manager. To open the Client Manager:
- 1From the Job Manager, click Manage from the Client group in the ribbon.
- 2The Client Manager window will open.
Fig 42.
Companies are created in the Client Manager. To create a new Company:
- 1Click Manage from the Client group in the ribbon on the Job Manager.
- 2The Client Manager window will open.
- 3Click Create Company button from the Client Management group.
Fig 43.
- 4The Create Company window will open.
- 5Type a Name for the Company, then fill in any other applicable details. Only a name is required, phone number, code and address are not.
- 6Click Create to create a Company.
Fig 44.
Companies can be merged in Client Manager. Fig 45. To merge Companies together:
- 1Click Manage from the Client group in the ribbon from the Job Manager.
- 2The Client Manager window will open.
- 3Hold Ctrl and use your mouse to select the two (or more) Companies you want to merge together.
- 4Click Merge in the ribbon. Merge Companies A Company can only be merged with another Company.
- 5A new window will open asking Are you sure you want to merge these Companies?
- 6Click Merge to merge the Companies together.
You can change the name of the Code field used for a Company in the Client Manager. For example, you can change Code to be called ABN or Customer Code. You can change the name of a Code for a Company in Cubit Options. To rename the Code field:
- 1From the Job Manager, click the Application button.
- 2Click Options from the Application menu.
- 3The Cubit Options menu will open.
- 4Enter a new name from the field beside Company code name.
- 5Click OK.
Fig 46. Cubit Options
Contacts are created in the Client Manager. To create a new Contact:
- 1Click Manage from the Client group in the ribbon from the Job Manager.
- 2The Client Manager window will open.
- 3Click Create Contact button from the Client Management group.
Fig 47.
- 4The Create Contact window will open.
- 5Type a Name for the Contact, then any contact details. A name is required to create a Contact, however the mobile, phone and email are not.
- 6Select a Company you want to associate the Contact to.
- 7Click Create to create a Contact.
Fig 48.
Contacts can be merged in Client Manager. Fig 49. To merge Contacts together:
- 1Click Manage from the Client group in the ribbon from the Job Manager.
- 2The Client Manager window will open.
- 3Hold Ctrl and use your mouse to select the two (or more) Contacts you want to merge together.
- 4Click Merge in the ribbon. Merge Contacts A Contact can only be merged with another Contact using the same Company.
- 5A new window will open asking Are you sure you want to merge these Contacts?
- 6Click Merge to merge the Contacts together. Setting a Primary Contact By default, the first Contact you create for a Company will be the primary Contact. If you have more than one contact, you can change the Primary Contact for that particular Company. You can set a Primary Contact from the Client Manager. To create a new Company:
- 1Click Manage from the Client group in the ribbon on the Job Manager.
- 2The Client Manager window will open.
- 3Use your mouse to select a Contact that is not set as the Primary Contact. Primary Contacts are marked by blue icons beside them, all other Contacts are grey. You can also change the Primary Contact by clicking on a grey icon.
- 4Check Use as Primary Contact.
Fig 50. Create Company window
Job Merge lets you merge multiple Jobs together into a new Job. There is no limit to the amount of Jobs you can merge.
You can Merge Jobs in the Job Manager. To merge Jobs:
- 1Select the Jobs you want to merge by holding Ctrl and left mouse clicking each Job.
- 2Click Merge on the ribbon.
- 3Name the New Job in the Merge Jobs window. You can pick the order of the Jobs by selecting any Job and moving it up the list with the blue up arrow, or down by pushing the blue down arrow.
- 4Check Include Plans if you want the Plans from each Job to be included in the merge.
- 5Click OK to merge the Jobs into a new one.
Fig 51. Merge Jobs window
You can set a Status for a Job, which will lock parts of that Job from being able to be edited.
Job Statuses reflect real world restrictions, different statuses lock different components of a Job. You can only select one status per Job, but you can change this at any time. By default, Jobs are created with an Open status which have no locks or restrictions.
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You can apply a Status from the Job Manager. To apply a Status to a Job:
- 1Click the Job you wish to apply a status to from the Job List in the Job Manager.
- 2In the Job Details of that Job, click the Status drop down menu.
- 3Select the status you wish to apply from the list.
Fig 52. Select the Status of a Job
You can lock one or more parts of a Job from being edited, by freezing parts of a Job.
Freeze States lock specific components of a Job. You can select more than one Freeze State option at any one time. Freeze States can also work with Statuses and can apply additional restrictions as selected. By default, Jobs are created with a Freeze State of None.
new Items
You can apply a Freeze State from the Job Manager. To apply a Freeze State to a Job:
- 1Click the Job you wish to apply a freeze state to from the Job List in the Job Manager.
- 2In the Job Details of that Job, click the Freeze state drop down menu.
- 3Select the freeze state you wish to apply from the list.
Fig 53. Selected a Freeze State
You can use Job Update and Price List Update to update values in Jobs and Price Lists from a source Job or Price List.
Job Update will update any Job from a source Job or Price List, and can affect multiple Jobs at any one time. For example, you create an Item in Job A, insert that Item into Job B, then insert the same Item from Job B into Job C. If you Update Job A, both Job B and Job C will be updated. Job Update does not work in reverse, it can only update any source Job or Price List. Continuing with the same example, if you changed the Item in Job B, then Updated from that Job, only Job C would update, not Job A. Job Update will not delete items from an Estimate, however it can delete items from a Rate Sheet. You can also update across multiple estimating levels, so Items in the Item Sheet can be inserted into a Rate Sheet and still be updated.
Fig 54. Update Jobs
Description will Update any Descriptions that have been changed in the Price List in the Estimate Sheet, Rate Sheet or Calculation Sheet.
Unit will Update any Units that have been changed in the Estimate Sheet, Rate Sheet or Calculation Sheet.
Quantity will Update any Quantities that have been changed in the Estimate Sheet, Rate Sheet or Calculations Sheet. The Factor column in the Estimate Sheet and Calculation Sheet are also updated.
Rate will Update any Rates that have been changed in the Estimate Sheet or Rate Sheet.
Grouping Codes will Update any Grouping Codes applied to the Job that have been changed in the Estimate Sheet, Rate Sheet or Calculations Sheet.
Options will Update any Options that have been changed in the Estimate Sheet, Rate Sheet or Calculations Sheet.
When you Add Rate to an Item with a simple Rate, you create a built up Composite Rate. The Rate Sheet will include the original Item Rate and the newly inserted Rate. When Update built up rate is selected you will maintain the original Item Rate in the built up Rate, and any Items inserted with Add Rate will remain unaffected. For example, you have priced a door in Cubit, then use Add Rate to add a handle to that Item, that Item's Rate sheet will now include the original door and its Rate and the handle. If you use change the Rate of the Handle Item, then Update from that source, with Update Built Up Rate selected, only the handle Rate will be updated. If Update built up rate is unchecked, your Rate Sheet will be completely replaced to match the Rate of the source Job or Price List.
When Add missing items is selected any Items new to the source Job or Price List will be added to the Job. If you move an Item from within a Job, but the Item remains unmoved in source Job or Price List, when you Update with Add missing items checked, you will have duplicate Items added in the original position of the Items in the Estimate. If Add missing items is unselected, newly created items will not be added to your Job, only existing Items will be updated.
Price List Update will update any Price List from a source Job or Price List, and can affect multiple Price Lists at any one time. For example, you create an Item in Price List A, insert that Item into Price List B, then insert the same Item from Price List B into Job X. If you Update Price List A, both Price List B and Job X will be updated. Price List Update does not work in reverse, it can only update any source Job or Price List.
Continuing with the same example, if you changed the Item in Price List B, then Updated from that Price List, only Job X would update, not Price List A. Price ListUpdate will not delete items from an Estimate, however, it can delete items from a Rate Sheet. You can also update across multiple estimating levels, so Items in the Item Sheet can be inserted into a Rate Sheet and still be updated.
Fig 55. Update Price Lists
Description will Update any Descriptions that have been changed in the Price List in the Estimate Sheet or Rate Sheet.
Unit will Update any Units that have been changed in the Estimate Sheet or Rate Sheet.
Quantity will Update any Quantities that have been changed in the Rate Sheet.
Rate will Update any Rates that have been changed in the Estimate Sheet or Rate Sheet.
Grouping Codes will Update any Grouping Codes applied to the Job that have been changed in the Estimate Sheet or Rate Sheet.
Options will Update any Options that have been changed in the Estimate Sheet or Rate Sheet.
When Add missing items is selected any Items new to the source Job or Price List will be added to the Job. If you move an Item from within a Job, but the Item remains unmoved in source Job or Price List, when you Update with Add missing items checked, you will have duplicate Items added in the original position of the Items in the Estimate. If Add missing items is unselected, newly created items will not be added to your Job, only existing Items will be updated.
When you Add Rate to an Item with a simple Rate, you create a built up Composite Rate. The Rate Sheet will include the original Item Rate and the newly inserted Rate. When Update built up rate is selected you will maintain the original Item Rate in the built up Rate, and any Items inserted with Add Rate will remain unaffected. For example, you have priced a door in Cubit, then use Add Rate to add a handle to that Item, that Item's Rate sheet will now include the original door and its Rate and the handle. If you use change the Rate of the Handle Item, then Update from that source, with Update Built Up Rate selected, only the handle Rate will be updated.
If Update built up rate is unchecked, your Rate Sheet will be completely replaced to match the Rate of the source Job or Price List.
Price Lists
Price List are created in the Job Manager. To create a new Price List:
- 1Click the arrow under the New Job button.
- 2Select Price List.
- 3Name your Price List in the New Price List window.
- 4You can select a Template from the Template list if you want to use one.
- 5Click Ok.
Fig 56. Fig 57.
There are a number of ways of entering items into Price Lists. You can if you like build up a new price list from scratch entering in all the items and prices yourself. Alternatively you can transfer an existing price list. Cubit allows you to transfer Pricelists from: Global Estimating, Microsoft Excel and Cordell Direct.
Fig 58.
Make the selected row(s) a heading.
and/or pricing.
Unindent the selected row(s).
Indent the selected row(s).
Insert a new item before the current row.
Add a new item to the end of the current heading.
To import a CSV file:
Click CSV in the Insert tab on the Home ribbon. Left click the mouse on the File: field.
- 1Locate the CSV file in your computer and click Open. One of the following options need to be checked: Header in first row, Skip rows with no description, or Skip empty rows.
- 2Source column fields can be one of the following: ‘Description’, ‘Unit’, ‘Rate’, ‘Markup’,’ ‘Code’, or ‘Heading’.
- 3Click either Insert to convert a new price list or Update to update an existing price list.
Fig 60.
In the Insert from Price List window, click on the Price List name you wish to use. There are a number of options for how to select your items and it is quick and easy to copy across individual items, hierarchies or multiple trades.
Fig 61.
As well as directly clicking the checkbox next to each item you want to bring into the Job you can control how Cubit interprets your selection with the Cascade selection dropdown. There are four possible values as outlined below.
under headings. For every heading or trade you
select, Cubit will bring across all of the Items contained in that heading.
selected Items to be brought into the new Job. This allows you to select only the Items you want but still
ensures the heading hierarchy you enter is carried across into the new Job without you having to explicitly select those headings. Both of the options applied together. All child Items Up and Down will be brought into the Job and all heading hierarchies are maintained.
brought into the Job.
Once you have the selection you want to use you can choose to use that selection in a number of ways: The selected rows will be inserted as new Items at
estimate sheet. The selected Rate will update the currently active
row Rate. The selected Rows will be added to the Rate sheet
for the currently active Row.
The majority of the time you will want to insert a rate only from the Price List. To add a rate click Add Rate on the Insert from Price List window. The Cascade Selection should be set to None.
Fig 62.
Estimating
The Quick Access toolbar provides immediate commands that are commonly used through the estimating process. They are accessible regardless of the tab that is selected in the ribbon or the pane you are looking at. Click the arrow to expand the toolbar and uncheck whichever commands you want to hide. At the top of the application window, the Quick Access toolbar displays frequently used tools. Tools that extend past the maximum length of the toolbar are displayed in a drop-down button. You can add unlimited tools to the Quick Access toolbar. One command button is available to you initially on the Quick Access Tool Bar.
This button will bring forward the Job Manager. The job you have open will stay open. It allows you to open a second job at the same time. If you wish to return to the original job, highlight the job again in the Job Manager and choose Open. To add a ribbon button to the Quick Access toolbar:
- 1Locate the group that contains the button you want to add to the Quick Access toolbar.
- 2Right-click the button on the ribbon and select Add to Quick Access Toolbar. To remove a ribbon button from the Quick Access toolbar right-click the button on the Quick Access toolbar and select Remove from Quick Access Toolbar.
Fig 63.
Panes are designed to simplify and specify the data you see and interact with, they are moveable and you can control how they are organised. In the Layout group in the View tab on the ribbon you can manage how your screen(s) organisation. To arrange the panes with a focus on takeoff click on Takeoff, to arrange the panes with a focus on estimating click Estimating. For users with two monitors click Dual screen to adjust the panes for optimal view. To set your own preference, arrange the panes to your own liking then use Custom to save your preference. Multiple Custom layouts can be saved.
The Estimate Pane defaults to the left of the screen under the ribbon, and breaks down in the Estimate takeoff data, broken down by trade. This window allows you to interact directly with the takeoff by choosing how you measure your shapes and lines. The upper window is also is where you can adjust your rate per trade and view your totals. The lower window of the Estimate Pane is dedicated to the Calculation sheet and Rate sheet, which gives you even more specific details and control over calculations and rates.
Fig 64.
Make the selected row(s) a heading.
and/or pricing.
Unindent the selected row(s).
Indent the selected row(s).
Insert a new item before the current row.
Add a new item to the end of the current heading.
The Viewport pane is the main window you will use for your takeoff, inside this window you will draw shapes, create openings and view your 3D plan. The Viewport pane defaults to the middle of the screen, if you use dual screens it is advised to give this pane its own screen. At the footer of the Viewport pane will also display tabs for the various plans you have imported, allowing you to easily switch between plans.
Fig 65.
The Plans Pane is an extension of the Viewport pane. In this pane you will be view all the plans you have inserted into the job, have the ability to turn on/off layers off in appropriate Vector file plans. Hide or displays plans in the Viewport. The right mouse button will display a list of all the plan commands possible in this window.
Fig 66.
The Details pane is the window that offers more detailed information about any selected shape or line used in your takeoff. In the Details tab you can edit information like shape description, wall height, trench width and volume depth, among others. To view the details of a shape or line, highlight the item in the Estimate pane then highlight the shape you want to edit in the Calculation Sheet. The Details Pane will then display the detail of the shape. The result type selected for the shape when it was drawn will govern what will be displayed for editing in the Details pane. Area results can have a pitch applied Fig 67. e.g. a vaulted ceiling
Length results can have the slope ° and factor Fig 68. applied or altered e.g. roof members, rafters.
Volume results can have a depth applied or Fig 69. altered e.g. a slab depth
Volume by Length results can have a trench Fig 70. width, depth, slope ° and factor applied.
Vertical results can have a wall height at each Fig 71. end of the line e.g. raking wall and a factor applied.
The Navigation Window Pane allows you highlight a zoomed in section of the drawing and navigate around the drawing whilst zoomed in. Hold down the mouse button to move the highlighted section around the plan in the navigation pane.
Fig 72.
The Viewport Pane is the main window you will use for your takeoff, inside this window you will draw lines, shapes and create openings.
The Viewport Pane is navigated with the mouse. To move the plan in any direction, push and hold the centre scroll wheel then move your mouse to move your plan. To zoom in, scroll the wheel forward. To zoom out, scroll the wheel backwards.
The Viewport toolbar is a selection of tools that hover at the top of the plan. Zoom Selected zooms to any selected shapes. Zoom Window lets you select a box on your plan and zooms to fit that box. Zoom allows you to zoom into and out of the plan. Pan allows you to drag the plan in any direction. Rotate allows you to move around a plan when it is in 3D. Zoom Fit snaps fit your plan into the Viewport, whether you are zoomed in or zoomed out.
Fig 73.
There are two main ways to interact with your Viewport pane, drawing and selection. To enable selection, on the Home tab click Select.
There are two main ways to interact with your Viewport pane drawing and selection. To enable drawing, on the Home tab ensure one of the takeoff methods is selected.
The Polyline tool is how you will perform most drawing. To draw a line:
- 1Left click where you want to start your line. If you are drawing on an applicable vector plan, before you click to draw, if you hover over the end of already drawn line an orange box appears around your cursor indicating that you’re taking off from the exact point on the plan.
- 2Left click when you want to end your line. An orange box will appear again if using an applicable vector plan.
- 3Right click to finish the task. Drawing a Line with a Polyline The Polyline tool is how you will perform most drawing. To draw a shape:
- 1Left click where you want to start your line. If you are drawing on an applicable vector plan, before you click to draw, if you hover over the end of already drawn line an orange box appears around your cursor indicating that you’re taking off from the exact point on the plan.
- 2Left click when you want to line to change direction, such as a corner. An orange box will appear if using an applicable vector plan.
- 3Repeat Step 2 for every corner or direction change.
- 4To complete your shape left click at the beginning point of the shape. An orange box will appear if using an applicable vector plan. Using Grids and Lists Not all grids and lists behave the same. Some have been customised to provide a more helpful user experience. However the following interaction mechanisms will be applicable to many grids and lists in Cubit. Most columns in the grids are expandable, so you can expand the information that is important and applicable to the job that you’re on and minimise the fields where you need to view less. By right mouse clicking the title bar of a grid you can access the Column Chooser where you can customise, to some degree, the columns that are shown. Some of the default columns are un- removable. Most columns and lists are expandable. To expand a list or column click the triangle next to the item you wish to see. Application menu To access the Application menu click Job in the ribbon. Through the Application menu you can access the Job Manager, close the program or access Cubit Options. Options Window Then Cubit Options Window is where you control properties of Cubit that affect the entire program. The tabs are General, Viewport, Dimensions, and Reports.
The options in the General Tab concern mainly the defaults that affect the program. The Plans group sets the options for when opening a plan, here you can check Prompt for scaling after insert and select the default file type when Import PDFs as:. The Panes group allows you to check whether you want your panes to be Movable or Collapsible. The Default adjustment and sales tax does exactly as it describes, setting the default adjustment and tax for your plan.
The options in the Viewport tab concern mainly colouring for the viewport pane and other interactive elements. The Viewport group allows you to check whether you want snapping on or off.
The Dimensions tab is where the default dimensions are set and changed, and where you select your Default measurement units. The Default metric dimensions group is where you enter the dimensions in mm of what you want your Vertical area height, Volume depth, Width, and Depth. The Count Results group allows you to set your Default count unit.
The Reports tab is where you control the options for your reporting.
The Logo group allows you to select an image you would like to use as your logo in your reporting. The Storage group allows you to locate a folder where you’d like your reports to be exported to. Clicking the System BOQ Settings button in the BOQ Settings group is where you access the setting for your Bill of Quantities reporting.
The ribbon organises all the commands needed to complete a job. The commands on the ribbon will change depending on which tab is selected. The default tab is Home, the other tabs are Plans, View, and Data.
The default tab is Home, and where you will do most of your takeoff, it houses your drawing and shape tools, openings library and where you insert price lists and templates.
Fig 74.
The Plans tab is where you control the elements of your plan, specifically scaling and rotating your plan and managing your revisions.
Fig 75.
The Viewtab is where you control the layout of your screen, what information is displayed and whether you’re looking at your plan in 2D or 3D.
Fig 76.
The Datatab is where you will find your reporting information, and where you can integrate other programs, rates and codes into your plan.
Fig 77.
The Item Sheet is where your Estimate Items are displayed. You can have as many rows as you need for a Job, these rows are divided into Trades, Headings, and Items. There are multiple columns that can be configed to provide additional insight for an Item and Job, but the essentail components are the Description, Quantity, Rate, and Total. You can still utilise other columns for more detail, or to affect the rates and quantities and totals in different ways. You can enter rates and quantities directly, or use formulas or references. Alternatively, for more detail, you can utilise the Calculation sheet and Rate sheet to build up your Quantities or Rates, respectively.
Fig 78.
Your estimate should be divided into Trades to simplify and organise an estimate. To create a Trade:
- 1In your Estimatedouble left mouse click the most left text box.
- 2Enter the trade you would like to create. eg. Concrete, Brickwork, Painter.
- 3Press Enter on your keyboard.
- 4Select the line trade line you just created
- 5Click Heading on the Estimate toolbar.
To organise each trade even further you can have additional headings within each trade, this process is very similar to creating trades. To create a heading:
- 1In your Estimatedouble left mouse click the most left text box underneath your trade.
- 2Enter the trade you would like to create. eg. Feature Wall, Rompus, Ensuite.
- 3Press Enter on your keyboard.
- 4Select the line trade line you just created
- 5Click Heading on the Estimate toolbar. Columns Bill Reference The Bill Reference column will display the numbers of each Trade Heading and Trade Item. The Bill Reference numbers are specifically visible as a preview to the Bill of Quantities.
The Description column allows you to identify each line in a Calculation Sheet. Be specific to make referring to your estimate is easier. e.g. “less window area”, “Waste 10%” etc.
The Quantity column reflects the total number of items in the Description. This value can be typed or calculated using a formula, or returned from its Calculation Sheet. If a value is returned from the Calculation Sheet it will be written in blue text and cannot be changed on this sheet. To change this value you need to go directly to its Calculation Sheet or remove the value.
The Unit column displays the unit of the item in the Description field. There is not set unit, and the column will accept any short description that is required. A default unit is setup for each Result Type as described in the takeoff section but these do not need to be used.
The Rate column contains the cost of the item named in the Description field. Like quantity, the rate can be typed directly or calculated from a formula. However the rate will not return a value from a calculation sheet, it uses a Rate Sheet. If a value is returned from the Rate Sheet it will be written in blue text and cannot be changed directly in this sheet. Instead you will have to go into the Rate Sheet to alter the values.
The Rel column adjusts the description of an Item in the Estimate to include a specific calculation. The Rel column is useful to include specific details that you might need for completing an estimate or construction, but don’t want to apply a cost from that calculation. The Rel column is a drop down menu that allows you to select Number of, Length, Area, Timber Len or Description. Each option specifically refers to Calculation Sheet, and the shapes that comprise it.
%Job The %Job column displays a percentage in each Trade Heading that reflects how much of that trade comprises of the Total Cost of the Job. The percentage won’t show if a trade has no quantities. If the percentage is coloured orange, the trade has items that are unpriced, if the percentage is coloured black then all items in the trade are accounted for.
The Cost/m2 column displays a cost against each Trade Heading that reflects the average cost of that trade over the Gross Floor Area. The GFA will need to be set for Cost/m2 to display, as it calculates from this.
The Factor column is a multiplier for the Quantity column. This column adjusts the Total in real- time, but is not reflected in the Quantity column in the Estimate. When Reporting a job, the quantities displayed will reflect the Factor entered in the Estimate.
The Markup column is used to add a mark-up to the cost of an item or trade heading. It can be used to designate either a markup or a discount. If a markup is applied to a heading, this percentage compounds on any markups applied on the items in this heading.
The Total column shows the total cost of the item. Although this column is automatically calculated by Cubit from your takeoff, you can also set a manual total by typing over the total.
The Conversion column is only available in the Material/Labour Estimate Configuration, and also referred to as Labour Conversion. Labour Conversion is used to generate a labour quantity from the material quantity.
The Calculation Sheet allows you to calculate complex quantities for every item in a Job. This sheet replaces your notepad and calculator and allows you to work out quantities in an easily auditable way. Every Item in a Job can have a Calculation sheet and the total value is returned into the quantity for that Item.
Fig 80.
The Description column allows you to identify each line in a Calculation Sheet. Be specific to make referring to your estimate is easier. e.g. “less window area”, “Waste 10%” etc.
The Factor column is a multiplier for the Length, Width and Depth columns. You are able to directly type numbers and formulas into this cell as well as drag and drop takeoff shape results from the Shape pane.
Length, Width and Depth columns define the dimensions of an item or part of an item. You do not need to use all of the columns and which columns are visible are dependent upon the Result Type of the current item.
The Markup applies a percentage factor to the current result before populating the total. This can be useful for applying wastage and other factors to your measurements.
The Rel column adjusts the description of a Shape in the Estimate Sheet to include a specific calculation. The Rel column is useful specifically to include details that you might need for completing an estimate or construction, but don’t want to apply a cost from that calculation. The Rel column is a drop down menu that allows you to select Number of, Length, Area, Timber Len or Description. Each option specifically refers to Shape that the Rel column is selected on.
Displays the total for each calculation item. This value cannot be changed directly, it is calculated based on the other columns in the sheet. The sum of the Total column is displayed at the bottom of the Calculation sheet.
The Rate Sheet is the sheet where the cost of an assembly can be built up from the separate components, e.g. an internal door assembly, a concrete slab, a wardrobe, or anything that is made up of more than a single component. If an item is made up of only one component, consider entering the rate directly into the Estimate sheet. The Rate sheet is sometimes called a Composite rate sheet, as it is composed of multiple item. Rates can be built up from a mixture of materials and labour or materials only.
Fig 81.
The Description of the item to be included in the composite rate. There is no need to type in the full description of an item, but you might not be the only person to read this information. This description can be copied from the price list. The + % column If you click on the + sign the total of the quantity column will be divided into the total of the line total column, this will give the resulting composite rate. A common use of this +% column is for calculating a rate per m2 of flooring. Build up a rate of all the items that would be used in a 50m2 area of flooring, then by adding a + sign and a quantity of 50 the Composite Rate will be displayed for 1m2 of flooring. If you click on the % sign the line
item will calculate as a percentage of the line directly above. Such that if the Total of line 1 is 50 and line 2 has a value of 10 in the Qty field then the total would be 5.
This adds a markup to the cost of the item. This can be used to give a discount to one item by typing a negative number. This field will be blank if no markup or discount is required for an item. This markup is applied before subsequent markups and adjustments in the Estimate sheet and for the overall Job.
You can mark the working status of an item with a flag when estimating. This feature can be accessed in the Estimate window and Flags pane. There is also a Flags section in Job Manager showing a summary of flag statuses within a job.
Flagged items will be marked with a flag icon, and its corresponding background colour, to the entire row in the Estimate window.
Fig 82.
You have to enable the Flag column through Column Chooser in the Item sheet, Calculation sheet or Rate sheet to use flags in the Estimate window. Click on the Flag cell and you will be able to set or edit flags in the drop-down menu.
Fig 83.
Choose one of the following flags in the drop-down menu to set a flag for an item:
You may also find a grey flag marked for items with Flagged Subitems in the Rate sheet or Calculation sheet.
Click Resolved in the drop-down menu to mark an item as Resolved ( ) when the flagged issue no longer exists. Resolved items in the Rate sheet or Calculation sheet is NOT considered Flagged Subitems for items in the Item sheet.
Click Advanced in the drop-down menu or press Ctrl+M to add comments for an item flag in the Edit Flag window. You can also change your flag and resolved status directly from this dialogue.
Fig 84.
Click Clear Flag in the drop-down menu to remove the active flag for an item.
Flag and Resolved icons will be shown in front of item descriptions by default, even if the Flag column is turned off.
Fig 85.
You can choose to turn on/off the Show Flag in First Column option:
- 1Click Cubit in Job manager or click Job in job view, choose Options to open the Cubit Options window.
- 2In Jobs tab, scroll down to find section Estimate Flag and tick/untick the checkbox for Show Flag in First Column.
Fig 86.
The Go to Previous / Next Flagged Item buttons ( / ) in Item sheet allow you to navigate through all flagged items. The progression will go from an Item sheet Flag, to its Rate sheet Flags, to its Calculation sheet Flags, to the next Item sheet Flag, and so on.
Fig 87.
Go to Previous and Next Flagged Item in Estimate Window Button Bar
The Flags pane can be opened by clicking the Flags button on the View tab. It shows all of the flags within the job and allows you to edit flags and comments directly from this pane.
Fig 88.
Fig 89.
Click on the Flag cell in the Flags pane to open the same drop down editor as the one shown in the flags column within Item sheet, Calculation sheet and Rate sheet.
Double click the Comment cell in the Flags pane to open the Edit Flag dialogue to add or change comment texts. This is the same dialogue for Advanced in the flag cell drop down editor.
Click the Go to Item button ( ) to select the associated flagged item in the Item sheet, Calculation sheet or Rate sheet.
Click the toggle ( ) to show/hide items that are marked as Resolved within the Flags pane.
Sort flags within the Flags pane by clicking column titles or the Restore Estimate Order button ( ). The Estimate Order in Flags pane will be placing Rate sheet and Calculation sheet flags directly below each Item sheet flag, for example:
Summary of all Attention, Follow Up, Incomplete and Review flags set in the Estimate window within a job will be presented in the Job Manager screen.
Fig 91.
The total of an item or heading in the Estimate window can be excluded from the total of their parent when estimating. Italic text style will be used for items and headings set to Exclude from Total.
Fig 92.
You can set an item or heading to Exclude from Total using the Exclude from Total column and Result Type column.
Use Column Chooser to add Exclude from Total column to the Item sheet, Rate sheet or Calculation sheet.
Fig 93.
You can see icons representing that the items or headings are included ( ) /excluded ( ) from their parent’s total. Click the icon to switch between states.
Fig 94.
Items and headings with result types set to Exclude from Total will be shown with the icon checked ( ) and can not be changed in this column.
Go to Result Type drop down list, choose Exclude from Total result type to exclude an item or heading from its parent's total.
Fig 95.
If you want to change a result type to Exclude from Total for an item with Shapes Results in its Calculation sheet, all Shapes Results will be unlinked from their source shapes and will NOT update automatically when the source shape changes.
Excluded items and headings can be shown in grouped jobs, exported job files and related reports.
Excluded items and headings can be viewed in Grouped Jobs but will NOT be shown in Grouped View within a job.
Excluded items and headings are included when exporting CBX files but will NOT be exported when transferring to a Global job or exporting to Excel.
Excluded items or headings can be included and displayed in italic font in related reports but will NOT be affected by applying a job adjustment. You can choose Hide Rows Excluded from Total in Parameters when generating reports.
Fig 96.
You can create formulas with mathematical operations and functions. The result of a formula will always be a value. Formulas can be created using entered values, constants and references. Formulas follow the normal mathematical rules: ● Operations are performed from left to right. ● The value between parentheses will be calculated first. ● Multiplication and division are performed before addition and subtraction.
The following mathematical operations are available in Cubit:
+ Addition - Subtraction * Multiplication / Division ( ) Parenthesis
The following mathematical functions are available in Cubit:
ABS Absolute Value Always shows the number as a positive value
number*
number
Calculates an angle on a right triangle, which is the adjacent
side divided by the hypotenuse Calculates an angle on a right triangle, which is the opposite
side divided by the hypotenuse Calculates an angle on a right triangle, which is the opposite
side divided by the adjacent side
origin and to the coordinate axes
origin and to the coordinate axes
* The number e, also called Euler's number, is an important number in mathematics. The first few digits are: 2.718281.
The following rounding functions are available in Cubit:
place if specified)
if specified)
place if specified)
place if specified)
decimal place if specified)
decimal place if specified) 1 Decimal Place Round to the nearest 1 decimal places
2 Decimal Places Round to the nearest 2 decimal places
RUP05 Round Up by 0.5 Round up to the nearest multiple of 0.5
Default values can be setup for these in the Options window in the General tab. However they can also be overridden for each Job. These will apply factors or add values onto the overall value for a Job and can be shown or be hidden in your reports. How to open the Adjustment and sales tax window inside a Job:
- 1Open your Job from the Job list in the Job Manager window.
- 2In the status bar of the Opened Job click on the number next to the Adjustment or Total after tax label.
- 3Make any changes then click OK to confirm or Cancel to restore the previous value. The Job Adjustment can be set as markup or discount by entering a positive or negative number as the Amount. You can also choose the type of adjustment and calculate the total value using a Percent or a Fixed value. The Sales tax is set as a percentage of the total Job value you are even able to give the Sales tax a custom Name that will appear in the interface and on reports.
Fig 97.
Variations allows you to apply a change to an otherwise completed estimate. Variations are performed after an estimate is done, and a customer has agreed with the costs of the job. Each Variation can generate a report for a client’s signature to sign off on any changes to the Estimate. Variations are Job specific, and can only be set up exclusively in each job when needed.
To build a set of variation items into your estimate, you will need to enable the Variations pane and the Variations column. The Variations pane is hidden by default, to enable it click Variations in the Panes group on the View tab in the ribbon.
Fig 98.
The Variations column is also hidden by default, to enable it right mouse click on the Description heading of your estimate and click Column Chooser. Double left mouse click Variations to enable the column.
Fig 99.
Your Variation Codes are built in your Variations pane. From here you can create new Variation Codes and Variation Containers. A Variation Container allows you to create mutually exclusive Variations, where by approving one item from that container, automatically rejects the others.
Fig 100.
You can create a new Variation code by typing in the Description of the first blank item. A Code is automatically created, but can be changed. To create a set of mutually exclusive variation codes:
- 1Create a container by selecting a blank line in the Variations pane.
- 2Click Add Container.
- 3Ensure the check box in Mutual column is marked if you wish the container to be mutually exclusive.
- 4Select the container and then click Add Item to add items in the container.
If your Job is marked with a Status of Won, any item you add to your Estimate will be a Variation Item. To add a Variation item:
- 1Click Add Variation Item in the Insert group of the Home tab.
- 2Select the Variation code: drop down menu, and select which code you wish to apply to the item.
- 3The Description, Status and Details will load as per your Variation Code.
- 4Enter the Description you wish the Item in the Estimate to have.
- 5Select where you want the Item to appear, by default Append is selected. Select if the item you are creating Is Heading or not.
- 6Click Add.
Fig 103.
To finalise a Variation, select a Status from the Variations Pane depending on whether you want to approve or reject the Variation.
Fig 104.
Constants are universal values that can be used across all Jobs and Price Lists. By default, the Constants library includes factors to convert measurements between Metric and Imperial measurements and a wide range of steel weight tables. You can manage your Constants library from the Job Manager. From the Constants window you can create, edit, and delete Constants. You can import Constants and export your entire Constants library, too. From a Job or Price List, you can use the Insert Constants window to insert Constants into your Job or Price List.
Fig 105.
You can create a new Constants from the Job Manager. To create a Constant:
- 1From the Job Manager, click Constants from the Data group in the ribbon.
- 2The Constants window will open.
- 3Use your mouse to select a Constants heading from the right pane, or selecting the bottom empty row and typing a new Constants heading.
- 4Use your mouse to select an empty row from the right pane. You can also use theInsert New or Add New buttons. Insert New will insert a new item before the currently selected row. Add New will add a new item at the bottom of the currently opened heading.
- 5Type a Code, Description and Value for your Constant.
- 6There is no limit You can create as many Constants for a heading as you want. There is no limit to how many Constants that can be in a Constants heading.
- 7Click Close to finish.
Fig 106.
You can delete Constants from the Constants management window. To delete a Constant:
- 1From the Job Manager, click Constants from the Data group in the ribbon.
- 2The Constants window will open.
- 3Use your mouse to select a Constants heading from the left pane.
- 4Use your mouse to select the Constant from the right pane that you want to delete.
- 5Click Delete to remove the Constant. Deleting a Constant is permanent and can't be undone.
- 6Click Close to finish. You can delete a Constant heading by right clicking a heading.
Fig 107.
Constants can be inserted from an open Job or Price List. To insert a Constant:
- 1Using the mouse, selece the cell you want to insert a Constant in.
- 2Click Constants from the Insert group in the ribbon.
Fig 108.
- 3The Insert Constants window will open. You can't add or edit to the Constants library from the Insert Constants window.
- 4Enter the Description or Code in the Find bar for the Constant you want to use, or navigate through the Library.
- 5Using the mouse, click the Constant you want to use.
- 6Click Insert. Insert will be unavailable if you haven't selected a cell to insert a Constant into.
Fig 109.
Constants are saved in a CSV file, and can be edited outside Cubit. You can export your Constants library from the Constants window. To export your Constants library:
- 1From the Job Manager, click Constants from the Data group in the ribbon.
- 2The Constants window will open.
- 3Click Export.
- 4Browse to the location on your computer you want to save your Constants library.
- 5Type a File name.
- 6Click Save.
Fig 110.
Constants are saved in a CSV file, and can be edited outside Cubit. You can import a Constants library from the Constants window. To import a Constants library:
- 1From the Job Manager, click Constants from the Data group in the ribbon.
- 2The Constants window will open.
- 3Click Import.
- 4Click the File field.
- 5Browse your computer for the CSV you wish to import, then click to select it.
- 6Click Open. Any detected duplicate Constants will be ignored.
- 7Click Close.
Fig 111.
There are two options to organise your estimate: Simple and Material/Labour. A Simple Estimate is the traditional Buildsoft view, where items are built from a single rate. In Simple mode to distinguish between material and labour costs, you use the Rate Sheet to build this separate elements up. A Material/Labour Estimate displays divides your estimate into two sections, one for material costs and the other for labour costs. The material costs can be constructed with a Rate Sheet, however the Labour costs can only be built from the Estimate.
Fig 112.
You can not use Referencing on any Jobs using the Material/Labour Configuration Mode.
You can set your default Estimate Configuration through the Cubit Options. To change your default Estimate Configuration:
- 1Access the Cubit Options by clicking Cubit application button in the top left of the Job Manager.
- 2Click Options.
- 3Select the Jobs tab.
- 4Click the drop down menu beside Estimate Configuration: and select Simple or Material/Labour to set the default configuration when creating new jobs.
Fig 113.
You can convert Jobs between Estimate Configurations in the Job Manager. To convert between Estimate Configurations:
- 1Right mouse click the Job you wish to convert.
- 2From the menu, select Convert.
- 3Select either To Simple or To Material/Labour. The current Configuration ofthe job will be greyed out.
- 4The Job will be duplicated, and the new Job will now be the Configuration you selected
Fig 114.
Referencing
You can create a reference between different cells or rows in Cubit. If you change the source cell, then the cell referencing it will update in real time. There are two types of referencing: Cell Referencing and Row Referencing. Cell Referencing is used to reference a single cell or by using a formula, you can calculate a new value from multiple cells. Row Referencing is used to reference an entire row, creating multiple Cell References. A reference is distinguishable in the estimate by colour; Cell References and Row References are orange.
Fig 115. A Job using References
Reference Codes are unique identifiers used throughout a Job and assigned to every Trade, Heading and Item. Using Reference Codes is one of the most efficient ways to create references. Reference Codes are created automatically as you build an estimate. You can also edit Reference Codes at any point. You can create references between the Item sheet, Rate sheet, and Calculation sheet of your Job; you can also assign External Jobs and External Price Lists so they can also be referenced. The Reference List will be displayed whenever you are creating a reference and will display some available options and prompt you with suggestions. The Formula Bar can also be used to create references, specifically for references using formulas.
You can reference most columns, with the exception of Options, Grouping Codes, and Variations. References can't be created in a Job using Material/Labour Configuration. You can assign other Jobs and Price Lists to be used as External References, although some limitations exist depending on your Cubit Licence. External References are managed from the Referencing pane, which gives you additional drag and drop functionality. Much like creating a reference from the Referencing pane, you can drag and drop Shape Results from the Shapes pane.
Reference includes up to three parts; location, Reference Code and Column. Each part of the Reference is divided by a fullstop. The structure of a Cell Reference would look like the following: For example, that strucure being used for a Cell Reference might look like the following: Row References only use location and Reference Code. For example, a Row Reference might look like the following: External References will use the Location part to point to an assigned source. An example of this might might look like the following:
You can start a reference with the location of the Item you are trying to Reference. When referencing within a Job you would specify a sheet; such as Item sheet, Rate sheet, or Calculation sheet. To reference an assigned Price List or Job, you can would reference the specific Price List or Job. For example, if you wanted to create a reference to a door that was in a Rate sheet, you could initiate a reference with "@RS.door" and the Reference List would show only results of Items from a Rate sheet.
Fig 116. Example filtering with Abbreviation
You can reference a location by typing the name of the sheet or Price list you are using a Description or using the Referencing Abbreviations that follow:
Every row in the Item sheet, Rate sheet, and Calculation sheet has a unique code assigned to it. These are called Reference Codes, or Ref Codes, which are used to make referencing easier and more efficient, so you can specify exactly which row you are referencing. You can change the Reference Code for any Trade, Heading, or Item. By default, the Reference Code prefix for a Job is CB and for a Price List is PL. You can see Reference Codes in the Formula bar, which can be quick copied by clicking the Reference Code. You can edit Reference Codes from the Details pane of a selected Item or by right clicking an Item and selecting Edit Ref Code.
Fig 117. Formula Bar
You can enable the Ref column from the Column Chooser, and see Reference Codes in the Item sheet, Calculation sheet, and Rate sheet. You can also edit Reference Codes from the Ref column.
Fig 118. Ref column
You can specify a column when creating a reference. When creating a reference, after using an Reference Code or Description to specify a row, you can use an Abbreviation to specify a column. For example, if you wanted to create a reference to the Factor column from an Item, you could initiate a reference with its Reference Code "@CB12.fac" and you will create a reference to the factor column of that Item. You can reference a column by typing its Description or using its Abbreviation.
The Reference List The Reference List will help you create references and functions. After initialising a reference with the at sign, the Reference List will appear. The Reference List is divided into three groups: Recently Used, Reference Codes, and External References. Recently Used will show up to the 5 most recently created references. Reference Codes show the Item types in an Estimate (Item sheet, Calculation sheet, and Rate sheet) and Constants. External References show external Jobs and Price Lists. When entering a Reference Code or Decription after you have initiated a reference with the at sign, the Reference List will display filtered options to be referenced. From Cubit Options, on the General tab, you can choose how many items are shown on the Reference List. By default, 20 items will be displayed. Autocomplete will help build formulas by automatically completing any reference to the correct format. From Cubit Options, you can choose what autocomplete options are selected. By default, Operations, Comma, and Bracket are checked, while Space is unchecked. You can also see Reference Codes in the Code column, or from the Details pane of an Item. You can change a Reference Code, but every code must be unique.
Fig 119. Reference List
The Formula bar will show you not only the Reference Code for an Item, but also the value or description of a selected Item with a full width of Cubit, where you can more easilly edit large volumes of text or formulas. After selecting a cell from your Estimate, the Formula bar will show that make up of the cell. If the selected cell was created using a formula or Reference, the formula or reference will be shown. Editing any cells from the Formula bar will update the cell in real time.
Fig 120. Formula Bar
You can copy the Reference Code for an Item by clicking the Reference Code.
Fig 121. Copying a Reference Code
Let's have a closer look at some examples of Referencing in use. For our first example, you might have a completed Estimate, but before submitting your Job you need to calculate your contingency. You would create a new Item and name it Contingency. You can enter into the Total column directly using the TSUM function. Specify the starting total by entering an Reference Code or Description and then the ending total and complete the TSUM function with a closed bracket. To calculate 5%, multiple the result by 0.05.
Fig 122. Completed TSUM Function using References
For a second example, you might want to calculate the area you need in a Paint Trade for a two storey house. You can create a reference using a formula adding together the quantities for internal walls and external walls. Your reference will create a new value that will update if either the internal walls or external walls are changed.
Fig 123. Using References to calculate a new Quantity
Cell References are created from a cell to reference a single cell or a new value calculated from a series of cells. Cell References can be made from an Item sheet, Calculation sheet, or Rate sheet and can reference any other sheet. You can reference multiple cells from different columns and sheets using mathematical Operations or Functions. SUM and TSUM can only use the same column from the same sheet. For example, you could create a Cell Reference that multiplies the Factor from one row to the Quantities from another row. Another example, you can calculate the contingency for a job by using TSUM to calculate several totals and then multiply the new total by a percentage. A Cell Reference can be overridden at any time by entering a new value, or a new reference, into the Cell.
Fig 124. Cell Referencing
You can't create an Invalid Circular Reference, which is where two (or more) cells are referencing each other, either directly or through another reference. For example, inside the Rate Sheet of Concrete Slab, you can't create a reference to Concrete Slab's Rate column in the Item sheet. Another example, in the Item Sheet, the Rate column and Quantities column for a single Item can't reference each other. An error message will be displayed whenever you try to create an Invalid Circular Reference.
You can create a Cell Reference from an open Job or Price List. Cell References can be created from the Item sheet, Calculation sheet, or Rate sheet. To create a Cell Reference:
- 1Using the mouse, click the cell you want to create a reference in.
- 2Press the at sign (@) to initiate your reference.
Fig 125. Initiating a Reference
- 3Type the Reference Code or Description of the Item you are referencing. By default, if you enter only an Reference Code or Description without specifying a column, you will create a reference to the same column that you are referencing from or no reference will be created.
- 4To specify a different column to reference, type full stop (.) then type the Abbreviation or Description of the column you are referencing. The Reference List will display some Codes and Descriptions of the columns that can be referenced.
- 5Press Enter to complete the reference.
Fig 126. Creating a Cell Reference
You can create formulas in a Cell Reference from an open Job or Price List. Formulas in a Cell Reference can be created from the Item sheet, Calculation sheet, or Rate sheet. Formulas follow the normal mathematical rules: ● Operations are performed from left to right. ● The value between parentheses will be calculated first. ● Multiplication and division are performed before addition and subtraction. To create a Cell Reference with a formula:
- 1Using the mouse, click the cell you want to create a reference in.
- 2Press the at sign (@) to initiate your reference.
Fig 127. Initiating a Reference
- 3Type the Reference Code or Description of the Item you are referencing.
- 4To specify a different column to reference, type full stop (.) then type the Abbreviation or Description of the column you are referencing. The Reference List will display some Codes and Descriptions of the columns that can be referenced.
- 5Press the mathematical operation you want to use. For example, use the plus sign for addition, or the asterisk for multiplication.
Fig 128. Cell Reference with a basic formula
- 6Press the at sign (@) to initiate another reference.
- 7Type the Reference Code or Description of the Item you are referencing.
- 8To specify a different column to reference, type full stop (.) then type the Abbreviation or Description of the column you are referencing.
- 9Press Enter to complete the reference with the formula. You can build up a formula with multiple Operators and References.
Fig 129. Cell Reference with a detailed formula
The following mathematical operations are available in Cubit:
+ Addition - Subtraction * Multiplication / Division ( ) Parenthesis
The format for using mathematical functions with a reference is CODE (REF). Modulus is the exception to the standard format and is calculated using (REF)CODE(REF). When using the modulus formula, you can use an entered number or constant in place of either one of the references. For example, if you were to calculate the square root using a reference within the same column, your entered formula might look like: sqrt(@CB2). For another example, when calculating modulus using only one reference, your entered formula might look like: (@CB27.rate)mod(4). You can create a Cell Reference with a function from the Item sheet, Calculation sheet, or Rate sheet. To create a Cell Reference with a function:
- 1Using the mouse, click the cell you want to create a reference in. You can only select a cell which uses numbers, such as Factor or Quantity.
- 2Type the function code that you want to use. The Reference List will filter the functions as you type.
Fig 130. Entering a Function
- 3Press Enter to confirm you function selection. Opening brackets will be created automatically for you.
- 4Press the at sign (@) to initiate your reference.
- 5Type the Reference Code or Description of the Item you are referencing.
- 6To specify a different column to reference, type full stop (.) then type the Abbreviation or Description of the column you are referencing.
The Reference List will display some Codes and Descriptions of the columns that can be referenced.
- 7Press close bracket to complete the function. A reference using a function can also be used in a formula other functions.
- 8Press Enter to complete the reference.
Fig 131. Completed Cell Reference using COS Function
The following mathematical functions are available in Cubit:
ABS Absolute Value Always shows the number as a positive value
number*
number
Calculates an angle on a right triangle, which is the adjacent
side divided by the hypotenuse Calculates an angle on a right triangle, which is the opposite
side divided by the hypotenuse Calculates an angle on a right triangle, which is the opposite
side divided by the adjacent side
origin and to the coordinate axes
origin and to the coordinate axes
hyperbolic sine using e*
another * The number e, also called Euler's number, is an important number in mathematics. The first few digits are: 2.718281.
The format for using rounding functions with a reference is CODE (REF). In the instances where you can specify an additional value, such as a multiplier or decimal place, the format would be CODE (REF,REF). When using multiple values in a formula you can use an entered number or constant in place of one of the references. For example, if you were to reference another rate, but want to round to the nearest whole number, your entered formula might look like: near(@CB36). For another example, if you wanted to reference a quantity and round down within a single decimal, your entered formula might look like: rounddown(@CB27.rate, 1). You can create a Cell Reference with a rounding function from the Item sheet, Calculation sheet, or Rate sheet. To create a Cell Reference with a rounding function:
- 1Using the mouse, click the cell you want to create a reference in.
You can only select a cell which uses numbers, such as Factor or Rate.
- 2Type the function code you want to use. The Reference List will filter the functions as you type.
Fig 132. Entering a Rounding Function
- 3Press Enter to confirm your function selection.
- 4Enter the at sign (@) to initiate your reference.
- 5Type the Reference Code or Description of the Item you are referencing.
- 6To specify a different column to reference, type full stop (.) then type the AbbreviatIon or Description of the column you are referencing. The Reference List will display some Codes and Descriptions of the columns that can be referenced.
- 7Press close bracket to complete the function. A function reference can be used in a formula with additional operators and functions.
- 8Press Enter to complete the reference.
Fig 133. Completed Cell Reference using NEAR Function
The following rounding functions are available in Cubit:
place if specified)
if specified)
place if specified)
place if specified)
decimal place if specified)
decimal place if specified) 1 Decimal Place Round to the nearest 1 decimal places
2 Decimal Places Round to the nearest 2 decimal places
RUP05 Round Up by 0.5 Round up to the nearest multiple of 0.5
SUM Function adds multiple Cells together, and can be used with other Operations and Functions. You can create a Cell Reference using SUM Function from an open Job or Price List. Sum Functions in a Cell Reference can be created from the Item sheet, Calculation sheet, or Rate sheet. SUM Function can only reference a single column within a Trade or Heading. To create a Cell Reference using SUM Function:
- 1Using the mouse, click the cell you want to create the reference in.
- 2Type sum to initiate your reference, then press Enter. Opening brackets will be created automatically for you.
- 3Press the at sign (@) to initiate your first reference.
- 4Type the Reference Code or Description of the first Item you want to use for the SUM function.
Fig 134. Beginning the SUM Function
- 5To specify a different column to reference, type full stop (.) then type the AbbreviatIon or Description of the column you are referencing. The Reference List will display all the Codes and Descriptions of the columns that can be referenced.
- 6Press comma to separate the first Item to the last Item of the SUM Function.
- 7Press the at sign (@) to initiate your second reference.
- 8Type the Reference Code or Description of the last Item you want to use for the SUM function.
- 9To specify a different column to reference, type full stop (.) then type the AbbreviatIon or Description of the column you are referencing. If you specified a column for the start of the SUM Function, you will need to specify the same column for the end of the SUM Function.
- 10Press close bracket to complete the SUM Function formula.
- 11Press Enter to complete the reference using SUM Function.
Fig 135. Completed SUM Function with Referencing
TSUM Function adds multiple totals together, and can be used with other Operations and Functions. You can create a Cell Reference using TSUM Function from an open Job. TSUM Functions in a Cell Reference can be created from the Item sheet, Calculation sheet, or Rate sheet. TSUM Function can only reference the Total column. To create a Cell Reference using TSUM Function:
- 1Using the mouse, click the cell you want to create the reference in.
- 2Type tsum to initiate your reference, then press Enter. Opening brackets will be created automatically for you.
- 3Press the at sign (@) to initiate your first reference.
Fig 136. Beginning TSUM Function
- 4Type the Reference Code or Description of the first Item you want to use for the TSUM function.
- 5Press comma (,) to separate the first Item to the last Item of the TSUM Function.
- 6Type the at sign (@) to initiate your second reference.
- 7Type the Reference Code or Description of the last Item you want to use for the TSUM Function.
- 8Press to complete the TSUM Function formula.
- 9Press Enter to complete the reference using SUM Function.
Fig 137. Completed TSUM Function using References
Row Referencing is used to reference an entire row. Row References are created in the Description column from either the Item sheet, Calculation sheet, or Rate sheet. A Row Reference will create a reference for any identical columns. For example, you calculate a Row Reference in the Item sheet referencing an Item in the Calculation sheet. You will create a reference for Description, Factor and Total but not for Length, Width and Subtotal because the Item sheet doesn't contain these items. Once you have created a Row Reference, each cell in that row will act like individual Cell References. If you change any cell from the Row Reference that cell will no longer be referenced, however the other references in the row will remain intact.
Fig 138. Row Reference
You can create a Row Reference from an open Job or Price List. Row References can be created from the Item sheet, Calculation sheet, or Rate sheet. To create a Row Reference:
- 1Using the mouse, click the Description cell in the row you want to create a reference in.
- 2Press the at sign (@) to initiate your reference.
Fig 139. Creating a Row Reference
- 3Type the Reference Code or Description of the Item you are referencing. The Reference List will display some Codes and Descriptions of the columns that can be referenced.
- 4Press Enter to complete the reference. If you have referenced a Row from a different sheet, only identical columns will be referenced.
Fig 140. Row Reference
Relative References are pasted references that maintain references within the pasted selection, instead of referring to the references that were copied. Relative References are most useful when copying a Calculation sheet or Rate sheet that has been built up with references within their own sheets. When pasting with Relative References, any References external to the selection being pasted will be pasted as values only. For example, you could build up a Rate Sheet for a window; with multiple Items within the sheet referencing to window widths, heights and glass area. If you wanted to reuse that Rate Sheet, and maintain the referencing relationship within that sheet you can copy the Items and paste them with Relative References.
Fig 141. Paste with Relative Reference
You can paste with Relative References within an open Job or Price List. To paste with Relative References:
- 1Using the mouse, select and copy the rows you want to paste with relative references.
- 2Go to the sheet where you want to paste the Items.
- 3Right click anywhere on the row you want your Items inserted.
- 4From the drop down menu, click Paste Special, then select Paste with relative references. If one of more of your Items are referencing a Cell outside the selection being pasted, you will be notified that these references will be pasted as values only.
- 5Your Items will be pasted with all Items as Relative References, or as values.
Fig 142. Pasting as Relative Reference
You can create a reference using Shape results, this includes the Count, Height, and Width of windows and doors.
Fig 143. Shape results from the Shapes pane
You can create a cell reference using a Shape result from the Shapes pane. To create a Cell Reference using a Shape result:
- 1Using the mouse, click the arrow beside any Shape in the Shapes pane.
- 2All Shape results will show indented under the Shape.
- 3While holding Shift, click and drag a Shape result to any cell where you want the Shape result to be referenced.
Fig 144. Inserting Row Reference as a New Line
You can create a row reference using a Shape result from the Shapes pane. To create a Row Reference using a Shape result:
- 1Using the mouse, click the arrow beside any Shape in the Shapes pane.
- 2All Shape results will show indented under the Shape.
- 3Click and drag a Shape result to any row where you want the Shape result to be referenced.
Fig 145. Inserting Row Reference as a New Line
External Referencing is used to reference a cell or row from another Job or Price List. From an External Reference you can only reference an Item sheet. Rate sheets and Calculation sheets can't be referenced. From the Referencing pane you can drag and drop Items to create a Row Reference or cells to create a Cell Reference. You can also create a reference from a cell by entering the at sign.
Fig 146. Drag and Drop
Jobs and Price Lists can't be assigned to each other as an external reference source. For example, if you assign Price List 1 to Job A, then Job A can't be assigned to Price List 1. In Cubit Pro, there are no limitations on how many Jobs and Price Lists you can assign for External Referencing. In Cubit Standard, you can assign a single Price List and no Jobs. Referencing is unavailable in Cubit Lite.
Fig 147. Drag and Drop
The References pane is used to manage assigned External References. Using the Price List and Job icons, you can switch between displaying assigned External Price Lists and External Jobs. The Find bar can help you navigate larger References.
Fig 148. References Pane
You can enable the References pane from an open Job or Price List. To enable the References pane:
- 1On the ribbon, click the View tab.
- 2In the View tab, in the Panes group, click References.
- 3The References pane will open.
Fig 149. Panes group
Cached References are created when a Job or Price List is unable to connect with its assigned External References. Cached References can occur when a Job or Price List (that was assigned as an External Reference) is deleted or when importing a Job where its External Reference source isn't available. Cached References will show the last value they displayed when the External Reference source was availble. You can't edit a Cached Reference without removing the Reference.
From Cubit Options, you can set a Default Assigned Price List. Any Price Lists added to Default Assigned Price List will by assigned as an External Price List when you create a new Job. In Cubit Pro, you can assign multiple Price Lists. From Cubit Standard you can assign one.
Fig 150. Default Assigned Price Lists
You can assign a Price List as an External Reference from an open Job or Price List. To assign an External Price List:
- 1On the ribbon, click the Data tab.
- 2In the Data tab, in the References group, click Assign Price Lists.
Fig 151. Assign Price Lists
- 3The Assign Price List window will open. By default, "Only Show Templates" is checked in the bottom right of the Assign Price Lists window, uncheck to see all Price Lists.
- 4Using the mouse, click the Price List you want to assign from the Price List pane on the left. Hold down Control while clicking the left mouse button to select multiple Price Lists.
- 5Click the right facing arrow and the selected Price List will move into the Assigned pane.
- 6Click OK to assign the Price List.
Fig 152. Assign Price Lists
You can unassign a Price List as an External Reference from an open Job or Price List. To unassign an External Price List:
- 1On the ribbon, click the Data tab.
- 2In the Data tab, in the References group, click Assign Price Lists.
Fig 153. Assign Price Lists
- 3The Assign Price Lists window will open.
- 4Using the mouse, click the Price List you want to assign from the Assigned pane on the right. Hold down Control while clicking the left mouse button to select multiple Price Lists.
- 5Click the left facing arrow and the selected Price List will move into the Price List pane.
- 6Click OK to unassign the Price List.
Fig 154. Unassign Price Lists
You can assign a Job as an External Reference from an open Job. To create a Row Reference:
- 1On the ribbon, click the Data tab.
- 2In the Data tab, in the References group, click Assign Jobs.
Fig 155. Assign Jobs
- 3The Assign Jobs window will open. By default, "Only Show Templates" is checked in the bottom right of the Assign Jobs window, uncheck to see all Price Lists.
- 4Using the mouse, click the Job you want to assign from the Job pane on the left. Hold down Control while clicking the left mouse button to select multiple Jobs.
- 5Click the right facing arrow and the selected Job will move into the Assigned pane. You can't assign a Project or Folder.
- 6Click OK to assign the Job.
Fig 156. Assign Jobs
You can unassign a Job as an External Reference from an open Job. To unassign an External Job:
- 1On the ribbon, click the Data tab.
- 2In the Data tab, in the References group, click Assign Jobs.
Fig 157. Assign Jobs
- 3The Assign Jobs window will open.
- 4Using the mouse, click the Job you want to assign from the Assigned pane on the right. Hold down Control while clicking the left mouse button to select multiple Jobs.
- 5Click the left facing arrow and the selected Job will move into the Jobs pane.
- 6Click OK to unassign the Job.
Fig 158. Unassign Jobs
You can create a cell reference from an External Job or Price List from an open Job or Price List. To create a Cell Reference from an External Job or Price List:
- 1Using the mouse, click either the Price List or Job icon from the References pane.
- 2Click and drag a cell from an assigned Job or Price List from the References pane into a cell of your Estimate. Be careful not to drag a cell into a Description column from your Estimate because it will create a Row Reference instead of a Cell Reference.
Fig 159. Inserting Row Reference as a New Line
You can create a row reference from an External Job or Price List from an open Job or Price List. To create a Row Reference from an External Job or Price List:
- 1Using the mouse, click either the Price List or Job icon from the References pane.
- 2Click and drag a cell from an assigned Job or Price List from the References pane into a Description cell of your Estimate. You can create Row References by dragging and dropping into the Item sheet, Rate sheet and Calculation sheet.
Fig 160. Inserting Row Reference as a New Line
You can create a row reference on a newly created line from an External Job or Price List from an open Job or Price List. To create a Row Reference from an External Job or Price List on a new line:
- 1Using the mouse, click either the Price List or Job icon from the References pane.
- 2While holding Shift, click and drag a cell from the an assigned Job or Price List in the References pane into a Description of your Estimate. You can create Row References by dragging and dropping into the Item sheet, Rate sheet and Calculation sheet.
Fig 161. Inserting Row Reference as a New Line
Plans
Cubit allows you to insert different files to extract quantities from, including 2D vector-based plans and raster-based plans, as well as some BIM files. Supported 2D vector files include PDF, DWG and DXF. These can be exported from applications like AutoCAD™ and Microstation™.
TIFF, these can be taken from plan files. Supported BIM files include IFC. Cubit prefers CAD plans (DWG, DXF) as they typically have both better layer data and more accurate lines. Vector PDFs are the next best, as they are typically created from CAD document. Vector-based plans are preferred as they have additional functionality that is specifically geared towards accuracy.
In most cases, CAD plans will automatically scalethemselves. By default, for all non CAD files you will be prompted to scale your Plan when importing it into Cubit for the first time. The Scale Plan window should open automatically, and multiple scaling options. You can change your scale at any time by clicking Scale from the Plans tab in the ribbon. From the Scale Plan window you will see the name of the Active Plan you are scaling and the Current scale for that Plan. You will be able to select between three ways to scale your Plan, and the units that will be used from Scaling Method. You can also choose to apple the scale to other Plans from Apply Scale to.
Fig 162. Scale Plan window
You can draw a Scale from the Scale Plan windowin an open Job To draw a scale from a reference line:
- 1If the Scale Plan window doesn't open automatically, use your mouse to click Scale in the Plans tab in the ribbon.
- 2The Scale Plan window will open.
- 3By default, Draw scale and the Single horizontal OR vertical line options are selected. You can change the draw type to Single diagonal line or Single horizontal AND vertical line.
- 4In the Viewport, use your mouse to click the start of your reference point, then click the end. If you make a mistake you can redraw your line.
- 5Type the length of the line you drew in Length field. If you are using Single horizontal AND vertical line, you will need to enter Horizontal length and Vertical length. By default the Preset unit is set to mm, but this can be changed to m.
- 6Click Scale. Using a Scale from an existing Plan You can scale a Plan from another previously scaled Plan. From the Scale Plan window, select From Plan and pick the Plan you want to scale from. Entering a Manual Scale You can use the Manual scale option from the Scale Plan window. Type the scale you want to use from the Overall Scale option.
You can rotate your Plans from the Plans tab in the ribbon. To rotate your Plan to the left, click Rotate 90° Left. To rotate your plan to the right, click Rotate 90° Right.
Fig 163.
For any other rotation click Custom. A new window will open and allow you to rotate your plan 90° left or right, or select a rotation percentage.
Fig 164.
When importing a plan which may have missing or unexpected graphical elements, you can control optimise the layers of one or all plans. You can use the different tools to maximise the visual accuracy of your Plans. If the shapes in a plan is displaying incorrectly, you can use Flatten PDF. If only your text is showing incorrectly, you can Rasterise Text. If you have a multi-coloured Plan, you can use Single Colour to simplify your Plan.
If your plan looks like it’s missing details, or displaying unexpected graphical elements, you can enable Flatten PDF. You can do this for a plan at any time, and it won’t affect your Estimate. Flattening a PDF will collate all layers into a single vector layer, so you can still snap to points and utilise Auto Select. You can change enable and disable Flatten PDF at any time. If Flatten PDF is useful for the plans you’re importing into Cubit, you can set set Flatten PDF as a default for importing new Plans from Cubit Options. Note: When you flatten a PDF, Rasterise Text will also be enabled. To optimise plan layers:
- 1Select the plan you want to simplify the colours for from the Plans pane.
- 2From the Plans tab in the ribbon, click Flatten PDF.
- 3The Flatten PDF window will open, which will let you know that your plans will need to be refreshed to continue.
- 4Click Refresh to flatten the PDF. Optimising Text If your plan is displaying correctly, but the text labels and details appear jumbled or incorrect, you can enable Rasterise Text. Rasterising the text for a PDF, will flatten most text layers into a single vector layer.
Note: Depending on how the plan was created, you might need to also Flattten PDF for optimal results. To rasterise Text:
- 1Select the plan you want to simplify the colours for from the Plans pane.
- 2From the Plans tab in the ribbon, click Rasterise Text.
- 3The Raster window will open, which will let you know that your plans will need to be refreshed to continue.
- 4Click Refresh to flatten the PDF. Optimising Colours If a plan is displaying incorrect or hard to see colours or some lines appear to be hidden, you can enable Single Colour. With Single Colour enabled, all the lines on a plan will appear as a single colour. To simplfy colours:
- 1Select the plan you want to simplify the colours for from the Plans pane.
- 2From the Plans tab in the ribbon, click Single Colour.
To open a plan through the Viewport:
- 1Click Insert.
- 2In the Open window that appears, search for the plan you want to use.
- 3Select your plan and then click Open. Viewing Multiple Plans at once You can view more than a single plan at any one time. By default you can view up to 2 plans, but through Cubit Options General tab you can change this figure. The default option is set to cater to standard computers, only change this for more powerful machines. Layers Vector plans can store layer information, including outlines, text, walls, room names, etc. You can access the various layers, and chose the ones you wish you view inside the Viewport pane by clicking the arrow beside the plan name. Beside each layer is an eye, clicking an eye will turn the layer off, clicking the eye again will turn it back on Legend The Legend is a tool in the Viewport that displays the takeoff elements that are used in the Estimate. The Legend displays the colour of a takeoff, the Item Description, the Result Type, and the quantity Total. The Legend can be turned on and off by accessing the Legend icon in the Display group of the View tab.
The ‘Plans’ pane is a snapshot of the plans you have imported and it allows you to choose what layers of that plan you view.
Fig 165.
Takeoff
What are Result Types? Result Types in Cubit define what result an Item uses from a Shape that created during takeoff. A Shape can have multiple Items drawing different results from it. You assign Result Types to Items from the Result column in the Item sheet.
You assign Result Types to Items from the Result column in the Item sheet. To assign a Result Type to an Item:
- 1Using the mouse, click the Item you want to assign a Result Type to. You can select multiple Items from the Item sheet and assign a Result Type to them all at the same time.
- 2Click the Result column, and a list of Result Types will appear.
- 3Select a Result Type from the list. You can select the empty line at the bottom of the list to clear the Result Type.
Fig 166. Assigning Result Types
There are a total of twelve Result Types. Eight Result Types require Shapes to generate a result, three use Counts and Notes are only used for taking Notes.
Length calculates the length of a line or a shape. Length is useful for guttering, pipes, corners and edge from concrete, and so often used by plumbers, concreters and roofers among others.
Area calculates the top down projection of a shape. It is useful for calculating the area of floors, ceilings, roofs and gardens and so useful often by tilers, carpenters, painters, landscapers, among others.
Length less openings calculates the length of a line or shape, minus any openings that intersect. It is useful for measuring skirting and useful for carpenters among others.
Length by centre calculates the multiple lengths within a shape. It is useful for measuring reinforcement, bearers, joists and rafters. Length by centre can calculate lengths parallel or perpindicular to the first line drawn, or calculate both in a grid.
Volume calculates the volume of a shape. Volume is useful for concrete slabs and concreting pilings among others.
Volume by length calculates the volume based off the shape length. It is used for calculating trenching, strip footings and beams, and useful for concreters and excavators among others.
Vertical area calculates the vertical area of a shape or line. It is a very common result type used for walls, and often used by carpenters, brick layers and plasterers among many.
Vertical area less openings calculates the vertical area of a shape or line, taking out any openings on that area space, such as doors or windows. It is used for getting specific wall areas and used by painters, carpenters and many others.
Count is used for counting specific objects used on a plan. It is used for counting objects such as lighting fixtures, power points, taps and toilets and useful for any trade that has a desire to count a number of objects.
Window Counts and Door Counts calculate the number of windows or doors inserted in the plan.
Note is a custom field, where you can insert any information you want that isn’t listed in any other result type.
There are two main types of quantity takeoff:
- 1Drawing is the process where you trace or create shapes that define elements of your Job.
- 2Counting is the process where you are able to calculate how many times an item is in your Job. In Cubit you can get quantities from BIM files, and from other applications. Drawing Tools We have a variety of drawing tools that can be used in your take off.
Fig 167. Shapes group in the ribbon
The Polyline Tool allows you to draw lines (straight or curved) and create shapes that can be used to extract quantities from. When using the Polyline tool ensure:
- 1Your plan is scaled off.
- 2That an estimate item with a valid result type is active.
- 3That you are in Polyline mode, Polyline tool will be highlighted in the Shapes group in the Home tab of the ribbon.
Straight lines are done by left mouse clicking to start the line and left mouse clicking to finish the line. You can complete the shape at any time by right mouse clicking after completing a line or bringing your shape to close with a left mouse click to the starting point.
Arcs are drawn by left mouse clicking to start the line and when finishing the line clicking and holding down left mouse button, then (while holding the mouse button down) moving the mouse cursor where you want the line to curve.
The Pick lines tool allows you to select lines from a plan for any DWG and PDF vector with layer information. This tool is used by clicking on a line from the plan and transforming that line into a shape or line.
The Rectangle tool is selected by clicking Rectangle in the Shapes group on the Home tab in the ribbon. This tool is used by left clicking at one corner and dragging the shape to the opposite corner and left mouse click again.
The Ellipse tool is used for making complete circles or ovals. To use it click Ellipse in the Shapes group on the Home tab in the ribbon. Left mouse click to start the shape, move your cursor to generate the shape you need and left mouse click to complete.
The Line tool is used to draw just a line. To use, click Line in the Shapes group on the Home tab in the ribbon. When selected left mouse click to start the line and left mouse click to finish the
line.
Although most of your calculations will be pulled from shapes and lines you create and control, when you need to count specific items you would use the Count tool. This tool is used by clicking Count in the Shapes group on the Home tab in the ribbon. On raster plans or any plans without layer and object information, you would start by picking the line which you need to calculate the counts for that has the Result type of Count and then click on every applicable The Count tool requires even less effort on any CAD file or intelligent PDF. When you select objects on one of these applicable plans, your count will automatically select all the objects.
The Ruler tool allows you to create measurement lines on currently opened plans. Lines created with the ruler tool will not contribute towards any take off values. The Ruler button is found under the home ribbon in the drawing section.
Fig 168.
To use the Ruler tool:
- 1Click on the Ruler button to select the tool.
- 2Start measuring by single click on the plan. A line will be created from the starting point to the current cursor location. The length of the line will be represented by a number displayed under the line.
- 3Click on the plan again to complete the drawing of the ruler line.
Fig 169.
You can annotate on your plans by clicking Text in the Shapes group on the Home tab of the ribbon. This creates a new shape that is grouped as Text. By double clicking into the shape you can change the text you type.
Before you draw your takeoff setup the dimensions you want to use for the shapes you are drawing. These values control the results that are created. Selecting this information is done in the Plans pane in the New task tab. Information on the New task tab will only be accessible if you have a takeoff tool selected (ie, Polyline, Rectangle, etc) and if you have selected an item from the Estimate pane that you are taking off.
Fig 170.
There are multiple values that you can enter into the New Shapes pane, many of these have default information, many is changeable in the Cubit Options.
By checking the Deduction check box option, the next shape will be drawn as a deduction this will mean that values returned from the Shape will default to negative. After you have
completed your shape you can change whether a shape result is a deduction or not by clicking the relevant Deduction check box in the Calculation Sheet.
For drawing shape results that don’t require a closed area like Length, Length less openings and Volume by length you can click this checkbox to either allow an open shape or force a closed shape.
The description is applied as the default description for any created Shape results. The values for shape results can be modified at any time in the relevant Calculation Sheet. To change the shape description for an already created Shape:
- 1Select your Shape(s).
- 2In the Viewport right click that Shape(s).
- 3Click Rename.
- 4Enter a new name.
- 5Click OK. Factor Factor can be used if you want to draw a single shape to represent a number of entities or if you want to introduce some form of wastage factor. Factors used in the Shape can be overridden for individual Shape results. Area pitch Area Pitch sets the angle that an area is tilted at and affects the value returned for the Area result type and will return the true area rather than the projected top-down one.
Volume depth is the depth to use when using the volume result type.
Changing the Height value will change the individual heights of the corners of any shapes that are yet to be drawn. For any corners you have already drawn it is assumed that they were entered at the correct height and so are not changed. To modify the height used in a shape result that is already entered requires going to the relevant Calculation sheet to select the shape result then modifying the values in the Details pane.
You can control not only the values of the shape but you can control specific elements of the next line.
Start / End Height calculates the height details for the next line drawn, this doesn’t affect any completed line.
To calculate the gross floor area, select a Shape and drag the shape to the GFA calculation at the bottom of the estimate. You can drag multiple shapes to the GFA box, in this case the GFA will total all the shapes entered in here. The GFA will display the total cost of the job calculated divided by the total area(s) entered in GFA.
Job Grouping
What is Job Grouping? Job Grouping is assigning Codes to Items, Rates, or Quantities, to reorganise a Job or integrate a Job into an accounting or project management software. Grouping a Job is done with Quantity Codes and Rate Codes. When Grouping by Rate, you can create a Grouped View in your Job. When Grouping by Rate or Quantity, you can create a new Grouped Job. In Cubit Pro you can use up to 20 Grouping Columns, so you can Group a Job in multiple ways. In Cubit Standard however, you can only use 1 Grouping Column per Job. You can apply Code Groups at any time. They can be applied before a Job is opened, while a Job is being estimated or after a Job is completed. Unassigning Group Codes can likewise be done at any time.
Quantity Codes are used to specifically calculate the quantities of Trades or Items in your Job. For example, you will subcontract your Concrete work for a particular job, and so you will want to extract the Concrete quantity information from that estimate. When estimating, you would assign all concrete Items in the Item sheet the same Code from the Quantity Code Group, let this be COS. After you have completed estimating the job, you can Group your Job by the Quantity Code Group you assigned. All the Items that were assigned the COS code will be collected together and can be provided to the subcontractor to quote.
Fig 171. Quantity Code Group Example
For another example, you might be estimating a multistorey site and you are asked specifically to include a break up of the costs per floor. As you estimate, you would assign each of the different Quantity Items or Shapes from the Calculation sheet the same Code from a Quantity Code Group, this could look like BASE, GRND, FL1, FL2, etc. After you have completed estimating the job, you can Group the Job by the Quantity Code Group you assigned. Your estimate would be sorted into the different levels of the site instead of by Trade.
Fig 172. Quantity Code Group Example
Rate Codes are used to specifically calculate the costs of Trades or Items in your Job. For example, you might want to move your Estimate into your accounting software. Before you start, you would Import any Codes from your accounting software. When estimating, you would assign these Codes against the appropriate Items in the Item sheet. You would then use the Excel Exporter to save your Job into a Microsoft Excel file for importing into your accounting software.
Fig 173. Rate Code Group Example
For another example, you want to organise your job into materials and labour. When estimating, you would assign Codes to the different Items from the Rate Sheet and for Items without a composite rate, you would assign a code in the Item sheet. For a timber door, you might add different codes for the door, hinges, lock and labour. This could look like 820DR, DRHIN, DRLCK and CARLB. Even if you have six different door types, you might only have one type of hinge and two locks. When the estimating is finished, you could Group the Job by the Rate Code Group so you can more easily order the materials you need for the job and manage the labour costs easier.
Fig 174. Rate Code Group Example
Job Grouping is accomplished by assigning Codes Groups to a Job, then assigning Codes to individual Items in your Estimate. There are two types of Code Groups: Quantity Codes and Rate Codes. Quantity Codes are used for Quantities, and are applied in the Item Sheet and the Calculation Sheet. For example, you might Group a Job by Quantities to reorganise that Job by the Quantities needed for each floor. Rate codes are used for Rates, and are used in the Item Sheet and the Rate Sheet. For example, you might Group a Job by Rates to break your costs up and see labour, material or subcontractor prices. Rate Codes can be saved in a Price List or a Template, and are accessible if that Code Group is assigned to the Job. Quantity Codes can be assigned to a Template if it includes Quantities. Every code has a 25 character limit, but there is no limitation on the description of each code.
Fig 175. Grouping Codes
From the Grouping Codes window you can create and edit Grouping Codes. You can open the Grouping Codes window in the Job Manager, from an open Job, or from an open Price List. To open Grouping Codes from the Job Manager: ● Click Codes in the ribbon.
Fig 176. Job Manager ribbon
To open Grouping Codes from a Job or Price List: ● Click Manage from the Configurations tab in the ribbon.
Fig 177. Job ribbon
Code Constraints let you set limitations on your Code Groups so that any Job using that code can migrated into Buildsoft Global Estimating or other software which uses limited character codes. No Code Constraints are set by default, but there is a 25 character limitation for a Code.
You can create a new Code Group from the Job Manager, from an open Job or from a Price List. To create a Code Group:
- 1From the Job Manager, click Codes in the ribbon. From a Job or Price List, click Manage from the Configurations tab in the ribbon.
- 2Click the Quantity or Rate tab, depending on what type of Code Group you want to create.
- 3In the left pane, click the bottom empty row.
- 4Type a name in the Code column. There is a 10 character limit for the name of a Code Group.
- 5Type a description in the Description column. There is a 500 character limit for the Description of a Code Group.
- 6Type a code in the Code column. You can edit a Code Group at any time from the Grouping Codes window.
Fig 178. Grouping Codes
You can archive a Code Group from the Grouping Codes window. Archiving will hide a Grouping Code, but not delete it. To archive a Code Group:
- 1From the Job Manager, click Codes in the ribbon. From a Job or Price List, click Manage from the Configurations tab in the ribbon.
- 2Click the Quantity or Rate tab, depending on what type of Code Group you want to archive.
- 3In the left pane, right-click the Code Group, and then click Archive. You can view any archived Code Groups by repeating the above steps, but selecting Show Archived Groups instead of Archive from the context menu.
Fig 179. Grouping Codes
You can create Codes from the Job Manager, from an open Job or from a Price List. To create a Code:
- 1From the Job Manager, click Codes in the ribbon. From a Job or Price List, click Manage from the Configurations tab in the ribbon.
- 2Click the Quantity or Rate tab, depending on what type of Code you are creating.
- 3From the left pane click a Code Group, then in the right pane, click the first empty row.
- 4Type a code in the Code column. Unless a Code constraint is checked, the default character limit is 25.
- 5Type a description in the Description column.
- 6Repeat the above two steps for each Code you want to create.
- 7Click Close when finished.
Fig 180. Grouping Codes
You can delete Codes from the Job Manager, from an open Job or from a Price List. To create a heading:
- 1From the Job Manager, click Codes in the ribbon. From a Job or Price List, click Manage from the Configurations tab in the ribbon.
- 2Click the Quantity or Rate tab.
- 3Click a Code Group from the left pane to select it.
- 4Right-click any Code from the right pane, then click Delete. You can select multiple Codes by holding Ctrl + left clicking each Code or holding Shift + left clicking the first and last Code.
Fig 181. Grouping Codes
You can use Headings to better organise your Codes, especially when you have over a hundred Codes in a Group. Headings can be built from the Job Manager. To create a heading:
- 1From the Job Manager, click Codes in the ribbon. From a Job or Price List, click Manage from the Configurations tab in the ribbon.
- 2Click the Quantity or Rate tab.
- 3Click a Code Group from the left pane to select it.
- 4Click any Code from the right pane, and click the Indent button. Your code will indent and a new line will be created above it.
- 5Type a heading name in the Description column. Headings can not have Codes, the Code column will be empty for each Heading. You can remove a Heading using the Unindent button. Indent and Unindent are also available by right clicking any Code.
Fig 182. Grouping Codes
Code Groups are saved as a CSV file, and can be edited outside Cubit. You can export a Code Group from the Grouping Codes window. To export a Code Group:
- 1From the Job Manager, click Codes in the ribbon. From an open Job or open Price List, click Manage from the Configurations tab in the ribbon.
- 2Click either the Quantity or Rate tab, depending on what type of Code Group you want to export.
- 3Click the Code Group you want to export.
- 4Click Export.
- 5Browse to the location on your computer you want to save the Code Group.
- 6Type a File name.
- 7Click Save.
Fig 183. Exporting Grouping Codes
Code Groups are saved as a CSV file, and can be edited outside Cubit. You can import a Code Group from the Grouping Codes window. To import a Code Group:
- 1From the Job Manager, click Codes in the ribbon. From a Job or Price List, click Manage from the Configurations tab in the ribbon.
- 2Click Import.
- 3Click the File field.
- 4Browse your compauter for the CSV you wish to import, then click to select it.
- 5Click Open.
- 6Select the Category using the Category Filed.
- 7Type a Name and Description of the Group.
- 8Click a Category to select one. The Category will automatically be assigned if the CSV was previously exported from Cubit.
- 9Type a name for the Group.
- 10Type a Description.
- 11Click Import.
Fig 184. Import Grouping Codes
In Cubit Pro, you can assign up to 20 Code Groups any Job or Price List. In Cubit Standard, you can only assign 1 Code Group to any Job or Price List. Grouping is unavailable in Cubit Lite. If there are any Code Groups set as default, these will appear in any new Jobs, otherwise you will need to assign Code Groups from any open Job or Price List.
You can add a Code Group in a Job or Template. To add a Code Group to Job:
- 1From an open Job, click Edit Columns from the Data tab in the ribbon.
- 2Click the Quantity or Rate tab, depending on the Code Group you want to add.
- 3Check the box to the right for any Code Group you want to add to your Job.
- 4You can select a Group by selecting an option from Account group, this will be limited to any Rate Code Groups you have checked for the Job.
- 5Click Ok.
Fig 185. Group mapping
You can add aCode Group in a Price List. Although you can assign Quantity Codes to a Price List, because there are no Calculation sheets in a Price List you can only assign Quantity Codes to the Item sheet. To add a Code Group to Price List:
- 1From an open Price List, click Edit Columns from the Configuration tab in the ribbon.
- 2Click the Quantity or Rate tab, depending on what type of Code Group you want to add.Check the box to the right for any Code Group you want to add to your Job.
- 3You can select a Group by selecting an option from Account group, this will be limited to any Rate Code Groups you have checked for the Job.
- 4Click Ok. The Codes of Items inserted from a Price List will not be disabled by default. To see the Codes from a Price List you will have to assign the same Code Group to the Job, Template or Price List.
Fig 186. Group mapping
Quantity Codes can be assigned to Items in the Item sheet and Calculation sheet. Rate Codes can be assigned to Items in the Item sheet and Rate sheet. To add a Code to an Item:
- 1From the Item sheet, Calculation Sheet or Rate sheet, click the Code Group column for the Item you want to assign the Code to. Double click to bring up the Code drop down list.
- 2Type the Code or Description of the Code you wish you use. The Code List drop down will filter as you type.
- 3Press Enter once the Code you want to use is at the top of the Code drop down list.
Fig 187. Codes in Item sheet
Fig 188. Codes in Rate sheet
You can set one or more default Code Groups from the Cubit Options menu. Any default Code Groups will be assigned to any new Jobs. To set a default Code Group:
- 1From the Job Manager, click the Cubit application button. From a Job or Price List, click the Job application button.
- 2Click the Jobs tab.
- 3Click Customise next to Assigned code groups.
- 4Click the Quantity or Rate tab.
- 5Check any Code Group you want to assign as a default.
- 6Click Ok to close Group mapping.
- 7Click Ok to save your changes.
Fig 189. Grouping Codes
If you have assigned Rate Codes to your Estimate, you can create Grouped Views within your Job. Your Grouped Views will show your re-sorted Job, and although you can not edit the Grouped Views directly, any changes to your Estimate will be reflected in real-time, including creating new Items, changing assigned Codes and deleting Items. Grouped Views can be created at any time of the estimating process, and because they will update in real time, will always reflect your Estimate. From the Grouped Views Manager you will be able to rename, delete and create new Grouped Views. At any time, you can also easilly change the source of your Reports and Excel Export to use a Grouped View instead of your Estimate. There is no limit to how many Grouped Views you can create, however you can only Group a Job with 1 Code Group for Cubit and up to 20 Code Groups for Cubit Pro.
Fig 190. An example of a Grouped View
You can add a Grouped View in a Job. To create a Grouped View:
- 1From an open Job, click the Grouped Views tab from the pane.
- 2Click the Plus icon.
- 3The Group on Rate code window will open.
- 4Select a Code Group from the Group by drop down menu.
- 5Enter a name for your new Grouped Job under Estimate name. By default, the name of your Code Group will be entered as your Group name.
- 6Choose what level you will Inspect down to, whether you want to Group your Job from Codes only at the Item Sheet level or include those from the Rate Sheet level. If you're Grouping from the Rate Sheet level, you can also choose to ignore an Item's Rate Sheet if the Item has been coded.
- 7Select want you want to Transfer into your new Grouped View, you can include Calculation sheets and Rate sheets. By default, none are checked.
- 8Select the Description to use for your Items, you can select Item sheet Description, Rate sheet Description, or Combined Description. You can also check Include Trade reference to include them in your Description. By default Item sheet Description is selected, and Include Trade reference is unchecked.
- 9By default, Accumulate Trade Qty is unchecked. If checked this will display totals in the newly formed Trades and headings.
- 10By default, Minimise rounding errors is checked, this will automatically recalculate any Rounding done to the Job to keep the totals of Rates and Quantities as close to the original Job as possible.
- 11Click Group to finish.
Fig 191. Creating a Grouped View
There are different configurations you can use when creating a Grouped View, including what information is transferred to a new Job and how the Grouped Job interprets the codes.
Inspecting at the Item Sheet level will only Group your Job from the Item sheet, and ignore any Codes applied at the Rate Sheet. Inspecting at the Rate sheet level will prioritise codes applied to the Rate sheet. Inspecting at this level will still resort Items coded in the Item sheet, if no Codes are applied at the Rate sheet. If you inspect at the Rate sheet level, you can select Ignorerate if item coded. This will prioritise any Items with Codes applied at the Item sheet and ignore their Rate sheets.
When creating a Grouped View, you can choose to include the Calculation sheets and Rate sheets of your Items. You might include Calculation sheets and Rate sheets if you want to be able to access additional information in your View.
When creating a Grouped View that is inspected down to the Rate sheet level, you can choose to include additional details in the Item Description. If you select Item sheet Description, any Items from the Rate sheet will use the Description of the Item from the Item sheet. If you select Rate sheet Description, any Items from the Rate sheet will use their own Descriptions. If you select Combined Description, any Items from the Rate sheet will use the Description of the Item from the Rate sheet, separated by a colon and then use the Description from the Item sheet.
A Grouped View will typically not display Trade and sub Totals by default. If you check Accumulate Trade Qty when grouping, these totals will be displayed. All jobs use rounding to simplify the Rates of an Estimate. You can also apply additional rounding to individual Items, Rates or Quantities. Minimise rounding errors is checked by default, and ensures the Rates and Quantities in the Grouped View are as close to the original as possible.
You can change the source of your Reports from the Estimate to a Grouped View from within a Job. To change the source of your Reports:
- 1From an open Job, click the arrow under Select from the Views group in the Data tab in the ribbon.
- 2Select the Grouped View you wish to report on.
- 3The Grouped View Name will replace Select and that View will now be used as the source for any Reports or Excel Exports.
To use the Estimate as the source for your Reports and Excel Exports, click Estimate from the Views group in the ribbon.
Fig 192. Selected a Grouped View for Reports and Excel Export
After a Code has been assigned and applied to a Job, you can reorganise that Job by the assigned Codes; this is called Job Grouping. Job Grouping is done from the Job Manager and creates a new resorted Job, leaving the original Job unchanged. Job Grouping will automatically create a new Folder in the Job Manager for your Job and the Grouped Job. Jobs can be grouped by either Quantities, Rates or Price List. You can Group a single Job multiple times and from Cubit Pro, you can Group a Job for each assigned Code Group.
There are different configurations when you Group a Job, including what information is transferred to a new Job and how the Grouped Job interprets the codes.
Inspecting at the Item Sheet level will only Group your Job from the Item Sheet, and ignore any Codes applied at the Calculation Sheet or Rate Sheet. Inspecting at the Calculation Sheet level or Rate Sheet level will prioritise codes applied to the Calculation Sheet or Rate Sheet. Inspecting at this level will still resort Items coded in the Item Sheet, if no Codes are applied at the Calculation Sheet or Rate Sheet. If you inspect at the Calculation Sheet level or Rate Sheet level, you can select Ignore calc or rate if item coded. This will prioritise any Items with Codes applied at the Item Sheet and ignore their Calculation Sheets and Rate Sheets.
When Grouping a Job, you can choose to include the Calculation Sheets and Rate Sheets of your Items. You might include Calculation Sheets and Rate Sheets if you want to be able to access additional information in your Job or are intending to Group that Job with other Codes. You can also transfer Trade References, which will let you refer to the original estimate easier.
A Grouped Job will typically not display Trade and sub Totals by default. If you check Accumulate Trade Qty when grouping, these totals will be displayed.
All jobs use rounding to simplify the Rates and Quantities of an Estimate. You can also apply additional rounding to individual Items, Rates or Quantities. Minimise rounding errors is checked by default, and ensures the Rates and Quantities in the Grouped Job are as close to the original as possible.
You can Group a Job from the Job Manager. To Group a Job on Quantity:
- 1Click Group Job, from the ribbon.
- 2Select On Quantity from the drop down menu.
- 3Select a Code Group using the drop down menu under Group by. If you only have one Code Group applied to the Job, this will automatically be filled.
- 4Enter a name for your new Grouped Job under Estimate name.
- 5Choose what level you will Inspect down to, whether you want to Group your Job from Codes only at the Item Sheet level or include those from the Calculation Sheet level. If you're Grouping from the Calculation Sheet level, you can also choose to ignore an Item's Calculation Sheet if the Item has been coded.
- 6Select want you want to Transfer into your new Grouped Job from Calc sheets, Rate sheets and Trade references to the new Grouped Job.
- 7By default Accumulate Trade Qty is unchecked. If checked this will display totals in the newly formed Trades and headings.
- 8By default Minimise rounding errors is checked, this will automatically recalculate any Rounding done to the Job to keep the totals of Rates and Quantities as close to the original Job as possible.
- 9Click Group to finish.
Fig 193. Grouping on Quantity
You can Group a Job from the Job Manager. To Group a Job on Rate:
- 1Click Group Job, from the ribbon.
- 2Select On Rate from the drop down menu.
- 3Select a Code Group using the drop down menu under Group by. If you only have one Code Group applied to the Job, this will automatically be filled.
- 4Enter a name for your new Grouped Job under Estimate name.
- 5Choose what level you will Inspect down to, whether you want to Group your Job from Codes only at the Item Sheet level or include those from the Rate Sheet level.
If you're Grouping from the Rate Sheet level, you can also choose to ignore an Item's Rate Sheet if the Item has been coded.
- 6Select want you want to Transfer into your new Grouped Job from Calc sheets, Rate sheets and Trade references to the new Grouped Job.
- 7By default Accumulate Trade Qty is unchecked. If checked this will display totals in the newly formed Trades and headings.
- 8By default Minimise rounding errors is checked, this will automatically recalculate any Rounding done to the Job to keep the totals of Rates and Quantities as close to the original Job as possible.
- 9Click Group to finish.
Fig 194. Grouping on Rate
You can Group a Job from the Job Manager. To Group a Job on Price List:
- 1Click Group Job, from the ribbon.
- 2Select On Price List from the drop down menu.
- 3Enter a name for your new Grouped Job under Estimate name.
- 4Choose what level you will Inspect down to, whether you want to Group your Job from Codes only at the Item Sheet level or include those from the Rate Sheet level. If you're Grouping from the Rate Sheet level, you can also choose to ignore an Item's Rate Sheet if the Item has been coded.
- 5Select want you want to Transfer into your new Grouped Job from Calc sheets, Rate sheets and Trade references to the new Grouped Job.
- 6By default Accumulate Trade Qty is unchecked. If checked this will display totals in the newly formed Trades and headings.
- 7By default Minimise rounding errors is checked, this will automatically recalculate any Rounding done to the Job to keep the totals of Rates and Quantities as close to the original Job as possible.
- 8Click Group to finish.
Fig 195. Grouping on Price List
You can enter your estimate into a Job Revision, which not only provides you with a comparison point to compare your revision to your initial Job, but also lets you manage Plan Changes. You can insert revised Plans and easilly compare those Plans to the initial ones.
At any stage, you can enter your Job into a Job Revision. When your estimate is in Job Revision, you will be able to insert revised Plans, including revised BIM models. When using BIM models in a Job Revision, your takeoff will automatically be updated to reflect the changes to the elements in the BIM Model. You can use the BIM Inspection tools to manage the changes to your estimate. Job Revisions gives you the flexibility to experiment with your Job safely, with the ability to revert to a previously saved state. When you’ve completed a revision, you can finalise your estimate and continue, or you can cancel your Job Revision by reverting to the previously saved version. The Revision Workflow The Revision Workflow in Cubit is designed so that you can more easilly manage plan changes and estimate changes. The Revisions Workflow takes into account 3 primary streams of change; BIM file change, Revised plan and Estimate changes.
You can begin a Job Revision at any time. When you begin a Job Revision, your Job will be saved so you can compare any changes you make to your Job to that job prior to Revisions, or it can be used as a revert point. To begin a Job Revision:
- 1Click Begin Revision from the Home tab in the ribbon.
- 2The Begin Job Revision window will open.
- 3Enter a name your Revision in the Revision name field.
- 4Click Create Job Revision to begin.
Fig 196.
If your Job is in Revision, it will be marked with an icon and will show its revision name from the Job Manager screen.
Once a Job is in Job Revision, you can insert revision plans, including supported BIM files.
To add a plan revision:
- 1From the Plans pane, click the Plan that you want to add a revision for.
- 2In the ribbon, from the Revisions contextual tab, click Add.
- 3From the Open window, browse your computer for the Plan you want to insert.
- 4Click Open.
Fig 197.
Any revised plans will use the scale of the original plan. The new plan will overlay ontop of the original plan in the Viewport. For BIM files, the new model will render in the Viewport and any Quantities linked to your estimate will update immediately.
When a revised plan is imported into your estimate, you can see a comparison between the original and revised plans in the Viewport. Plans in Revision, are coloured differelty so you can estimate better and appear on a black background so you can easily identify these differences.
These colours can be changed in Cubit Options, from the Viewport tab.
You can remove a plan you have inserted for revision. Removing a Plan will not affect your Estimate, any changes made to that Plan will remain. To revert your Estimate, you will need to Revert the Job Revision. To remove a revised Plan:
- 1From the Revisions context tab in the ribbon, click Remove.
- 2A warning message will display, letting you know that removing a Plan will revert to the previous plan, but all changes to your Estimate will remain.
- 3Click Remove Plan.
Fig 198.
When you are ready to complete a Revision, you will have two options available; to accept all the changes and continue, or cancel all changes and revert the job to before the Job Revision started.
When you have completed the Revision of a Job, and you’re happy with your new estimate, you can accept the changes you’ve made and finalise your Revision. Finalising your Revision, will remove any original plans when a revised plan has been inserted, and will remove the previous saved milestone of the Job. Accepting a Job cannot be undone. To accept and finalise a Revision:
- 1In the ribbon, from the Revisions contextual tab, click Finalise.
- 2A message box will appear, indicating when the current Job Revision was started and will let you know that all changes made will be kept.
- 3Click Finalise Anyway to accept your Revision.
Fig 199.
At any point during a Revision, you can cancel the Revision, and revert any changes made to the Job since entering the Revision. Reverting your Revision will remove any revised plans and remove any takeoff and estimating changes made since entering Job Revision. Reverting a Job cannot be undone. To cancel and revert a Revision:
- 1In the ribbon, from the Revisions contextual tab, click Revert.
- 2A message box will appear, indicating when the current Job Revision was started and will let you know that all changes made will be undone.
- 3Type “REVERT” in all capitals to confirm you want to revert the Revision.
- 4Click Continue to revert your Revision.
Fig 200.
Options
What are Options? Options are a way to pre-build templates with complete estimating data by applying Option Codes, similar to Grouping Codes. Each and every Estimate Item can have Options Codes assigned to it, and there are no limits to the codes that can be applied to each estimate. Option Configurations provide pre-set Option Codes, and there can be hundreds of configurations for each job. Configurations can be made at any time, and during an estimate you can still stray from pre-set Configurations. Options are managed outside of a Job, and can be accessed from the Job Manager.
A Project Home Builder, for example, might pre-build a job from a residential plan and have Configurations in the Options for the house with a one car or two car garage, a small patio or an extended patio, or even the inclusion of an optional Granny Flat. Depending on what the client is after, the Project Home Builder could provide a detailed and accurate Estimate for one customer wanting a two car garage, a small patio and a Granny flat and a second customer with a one car garage, an extended patio and no Granny flat. The Project Home Builder’s customers would each get their own custom quote.
New Option Groups are created at the Job Manager window. You can build up multiple Option Groups here. To create a new Option Group:
- 1Click Option Groups in the Options tab on the ribbon.
- 2Type a code file name in the Code column.
- 3Type a code file description in the Description column.
- 4In the right window pane, build your Options up.
Fig 201.
Option Containers are built in the Option Groups menu from the Job Manager window. To create new Options:
- 1Click the Add Container button. Fig 202.
- 2Name the Container in the Description. Add Container
- 3Select whether the items in the container will be exclusive of each other by selecting Mutual.
- 4A Container has no codes assigned to it. Creating an Option Item Option Items are built in the Option Groups menu from the Job Manager window. To create new Options: If you wish for an Item to be added inside a Container, ensure the container is selected, otherwise select a blank line
- 1Click the Add Item button.
- 2Name the Item in the Description.
- 3A code will automatically get assigned, you can create your own by changing the value in Code.
You can Create Option Configurations in the Option Groups menu from the Job Manager window. To create new Configurations:
- 1Ensure the final box on the right is selected for any item you wish to include in the configuration.
- 2Access the Configuration drop down menu and select the blank line
- 3Enter a description for your Configuration
The Options pane is hidden by default, to enable it click Options in the Panes group on the View tab in the ribbon.
Fig 205.
The Options column is also hidden by default, to enable it right mouse click on the Description heading of your estimate and click Column Chooser. Double left mouse click Options to enable the column.
Fig 206.
To assign an Option Group to your estimate:
- 1Open the Job you want to assign your Options Group to
- 2Click Assign in the Options group on the Data tab.
- 3Choose the Option Group you wish to assign.
- 4Click Ok.
Fig 207.
Option Codes can be assigned to items built into the Estimate Sheet, Calculation Sheet or Rate Sheet. Click the Option column and select from the drop down menu the option you wish that item to be assigned, or type the Option Code. You can apply multiple options codes to each item, using AND, OR and NOT, so that each item can be applicable in various and specific circumstances.
Reports
Cubit contains default reports for many different levels of an estimate, and tailored to Trades and Items, Rate Sheets, Calc Sheets and takeoff. All different categories of reports come with a number of present options with the option to include professional charting and images of the Viewport.
Fig 208.
All reports To see all the reports that are in the system click the All Reports button from the Data tab in the ribbon. Here you can Preview, Print or Customise the inbuilt reports and set which of your customised reports you want to have directly accessible in your ribbon.
From the All Reports window in the list of reports click on the Checkbox in the Show in ribbon column so that it is showing a checkmark for the report you want to access directly in the ribbon.
To open a Preview of a standard report in the Data tab from the Reports group in the ribbon click on one of the Report categories.
You will get a view of what your report will look like once printed. From here you can set a number of different options and are able to export, print or directly email in a variety of formats including PDF and Microsoft Excel. From the report preview you can qucikly modify the parameters of the report. Customising your reports with the Parameters is called Parametric Reporting.
Parametric Reporting is the perfect solution for customising your Reports without using the advanced and complete Custom Report Builder. Parametic Reporting is done inside Report Preview, and can be accessed for every standard Report.
You can define a number of customised headers and footers for your reports and can use different templates for your different reports should you wish.
To modify the header:
- 1From within a Job click the Job tab in the ribbon
- 2In the Cubit Options window click Reports
- 3In the Logo group click Select… to find the file you want to use on your reports.
- 4Click OK to close the Cubit Options window.
- 5Click All Reports in the Reports group on the Data tab of the ribbon.
- 6Choose a Default header template to use. The header templates that come prelFoaded are setup to position your logo on different sides of the report. You can use one of these or create your own. Creating a new Header Template To create your own Header template:
- 1From the All Reports window click … to open the Report headers window.
- 2Click on the Header template in the list that you wish to customise.
- 3Click Customise.
- 4Make your changes in the Report designer, and save the template with a new name.
- 5Click Close in the Reports header window.
- 6Assign the header template that you have created. This can be as the default header, or you can override the default header by selecting a new value in the Header column for one of the listed reports. Modifying or creating your own custom footer template follows the same process.
Each of the inbuilt reports can be customised with our report designer. To edit a report:
- 1Click All Reports in the Data tab in the ribbon.
- 2In the Reports window click on the report you want to edit then click the Customise button
- 3After making changes in the report designer you can save the report or save the changes as a new report. If you make a mistake with a report, you can select the report in the All Reports window and click Restore default. For further information on the Custom Report Builder, refer to the Custom Report Builder - User Guide.
Fig 209.
In specific situations, Cubit lets you compare two Jobs to each other. There are two types of Comparison Reports you can generate: a Job Comparison Report and a Revision Comparison Report. For a Job Comparison Report you can select two Jobs to compare from the Job Manager. For a Revision Comparison Report, during a Job Revision, you can compare the current Job to the initial Job before the Revision was started.
Comparison Reports show you the differences between two different Jobs. This report specifically will show you changes that affect the following: • Description • Quantity • Unit • Rate • Markup • Total The report is formatted so Trades and all Headings of the changed Items will be listed to provide context. Unlike other Reports, Comparison Reports offer less customisation; you can only edit the title, page colour and watermark. You can compare any two Jobs from the Job Manager however, both Jobs will need to be using the same measurement units, so you cannot compare a metric Job to an imperial Job. NOTE: You cannot compare Material/Labour Jobs.
Comparison Reports offer a lot of information, so here are a few tips on reading a Comparison Report. • An Item’s Line Number or Description will only show once in the Report, unless that Description or Line Number has changed. A changed Description will be shown in italics. • Numbers in the Report will be shown ontop of each other. • Unchanged Item and Heading values will be shown in grey. • Changed Item and Heading values will be shown black and bold. • Negative total differences will be shown in orange. • Three dashes indicate that data is removed or deleted. • Changed negative value changes will show in orange. • Like Cubit’s other reports, Exclude from Total Items will be shown in blue and italics.
Unlike most reports, the Job Comparison Report is not accessible from within a Job, you generate a this report from the Job Manager. To generate a Job Comparison Report:
- 1From the Job Manager, select the Job you want to use as your Base Job, then while holding Ctrl, click another Job to use as your Compared Job.
- 2Click Job Comparison, in the ribbon.
- 3The Job Comparison window will open and the two Jobs you selected will be shown in the Base Job field Compared Job field.
- 4You can swap these Jobs around with the swap button inbetween these two fields.
- 5To change one of these Jobs to another, click the ellipsis button on the right of the Job you want to change.
- 6Click Preview.
- 7Your report will be generated, and you can preview the report.
NOTE: Unlike regular reports, only the Report title, Page Colour, and Watermark are customisable.
- 8Click Export To from the ribbon and select a format to generate your Comparison Report for. Some of the formats you can export to are PDF, DOCX, XLSX, and CSV. Generate a Revision Comparison Report Unlike most reports, the Revision Comparison Report is not accessible from the Data tab. To generate a Revision Comparison Report:
- 1In the ribbon, from the Revisions contextual tab, click Revision Comparison.
- 2Your report will be generated, and you can preview the report. NOTE: Unlike regular reports, only the Report title, Page Colour, and Watermark are customisable.
- 3Click Export To from the ribbon and select a format to generate your Comparison Report for. Some of the formats you can export to are PDF, DOCX, XLSX, and CSV.
specially formatted report which generates unique bill A reference numbers for items in your estimate. The reference will depend on a number of configurable options that control how a bill is presented.
Due to the special nature of Bill Of Quantities reporting it has its own extensive range of customisation options. These can be set for all new Jobs in the Cubit Options window or modified on a Job by Job basis from within a Job. To set default options for your Bills:
- 1In the Job Manager click the Cubit application button.
- 2Click Options
- 3Select the Reports tab
- 4Click System BOQ Settings You can also change options for only a specified Job by clicking the Options from the BOQ drop down menu in Data ribbon.
Fig 211. Page tab
You can adjust the page numbering in the footer of the BOQ Report. You can choose a prefix option and select the separator between Trade and Page. By default Number sequence 1/1 is selected. This will use numbers for the Trades and pages. For example, for the second page of the third Trade, the page number would appear 3/2. You can select Character sequence, which will use characters for Trades. For example, for the second page of the third Trade, the page number would be C/2. You can also select Constant Character. Which by default is set to BQ with a starting page of 1. Using Constant Character will ignore Trades when setting page numbers. For example, on page 150, your page would be BQ/150. You can change the Separator character, which by default is “/”.
You can use the Print in grid drop down menu to control how the Trade name is displayed in the Description. You can select Once at start of Trade, which will put the Trade name in the description column once, at start of each Trade. This will be set by default in Cubit. Alternatively, you can select Every Page to print the Trade name within the description column on every page or you can select Don’t Print to exclude the Trade name. By default, Print trade name in page header is checked and will include the Trade name in the BOQ page header. When unchecked the Trade name will not show in the header.
By default Print “NIL” for page totals with no value is checked, which will use NIL instead for any BOQ page which has no totals. When unchecked, nothing would be shown.
You can edit the top and left margins. The margin from the top is determined by rows, and by default Top (lines) is set to “3”. The margin from the left is determined by character spacing, and by default Left (chars) is set to “3”.
By default, Show Company Name is checked, and your Company name will be shown in the header BOQ report . If you have entered a Description in the Job Manager for a Job, it can appear in the BOQ Header or Footer. By default, this Description would appear in the Footer, you can select Header instead. If you don’t enter anything into the Description on the Job Manager, you can enter details in the Custom text field, where you have 3 lines where you can enter your Description.
By default, Show date of printing will be checked. This option will displayed the date in the footer. By default, Leave space before footer will be unchecked. You can check this to add an additional blank line before the BOQ footer.
Fig 212. Special Pages tab
By default, Use collection pages will be checked. Collection pages are displayed at the end of each Trade. You can customise some of the field names in the collection pages. By default, the Collection field will show “COLLECTION”. This label appears in the Description column of the collection page, you can enter a new label for this.
By default, the To collection field will show “To Collection $”. This label appears to the left of the page total on every page. By default, the To summary field will show “Carried to Summary”. This label appears in the Description column underneath the Trade on the collection page.
Summary pages will appear at the end of the BOQ Report. You can edit the Numbering of the Summary pages. By default, the Label Prefix is set to “Summary”. You can also select a Numbering Style drop down menu, to use a different numbering format for the page numbers. By default, Roman numerals is selected, but you can select Numeric and Characters. You can edit Custom text that appears on the Summary page. By default, the Summary field will show “SUMMARY”. This text appears in the Description column above the Trade names. By default, the Page number field will show “Page No.”. This text appears in the Quantity column above the Trade names. By default, the Tender – field will display “TOTAL AMOUNT TO FORM OF TENDER”, which appears with the Total. Insert page numbers between Closing text A and B will be checked by default, which works with the default text shown in these fields. By default, Closing Text A will display “Note: This Bill of Quantities contains pages numbered” and Closing Text B will display “The Sub-Contractor shoulder ensure that…”
Fig 213. Grid tab
You can check Show Column Captions to include the column labels. You can also check Shade captions, so the labels appear in a shaded row. There are two Ordering options for your Unit, Quantity, and Rate columns. By default Unit - Quantity - Rate is selected, but you can change this to Quantity - Unit - Rate. You can select an option for Amount column formatting. By default, Show amount as single value is selected. If you’d rather display dollars and cents in separate columns you can select Split amount into Dollars and Cents. You can control the formatting of the BOQ Report columns. You can edit the name of a column and the currency symbols from the Display column. You can change the width of each column by editing the Size column and effect the decimal points shown from the DP column. For the Unit row, you can edit the Alignment column, to pick between Left, Centre, and Right. From the Format column you can affect how large numbers are
displayed in the Rate, Amount, and Dollar columns; selecting between With Comma or Number. When you select With Comma, a comma will be used after every third digit from right to left You can also check Use coloured headings and borders, which would print the BOQ in a red border.
Fig 214. Items tab
You can pick one of three options for your Trade Prefix. By default this is set to None, so no prefix is applied. You can select Number to prefix a Trade by the line number from the Item sheet, or select Trade Ref to prefix a Trade by the first two characters the Trade name. By default, the Separator is a full stop, but you can enter a new character to use a a Seperator.
There are two options you can select from for your Item Sequence: By default, Character is used, which uses alphabetic characters as the Bill Reference. Alternatively, you can change this option to Number, and use numers as the Bill Reference. If you’d rather set your own Bill References, you can check User Defined BOQ Numbering System. You can check this at any time, so if you need the Bill References to match an existing Bill of Quantities Report or you just want specific numbering applied you can do so. Bills of Quantities avoids using the characters I and O as Bill References due to their similarity on the printed page to the numbers. If Include I and O are checked, these characters will be used for Bill References.
You can enter a value in Description Indent (chars) field to indent the Descriptions from the left margin of the BOQ. By default, this value is 0. By default, Enable justification is checked, which will justify text in the report. You can check Include ‘PSCUM’ and ‘PSUM’ in page total. By default this is unchecked an if PSCUM or PSUM appears in the Unit column for an Item, these values would be excluded from the page Total. You can check Show number (0.00) for item without totals, so that a value appears in the Total column, even when a Quantity or Rate are absent from an Item. You can check Hide quantity and rate when quantity is 1, so that only the Description and Totals are shown for an Item if the Quantity for that Item is 1. By default, Underline Extra Over is checked, this option will underline the text “Extra Over” whenever it is used in the first line of a row. You can check Unindent all rows with No Bill Reference selected, to ignore any indentations when No Bill Reference is selected from the BOQ Format controls column. You can check Indent Extra Over rows by 2 additional spaces, which will indent rows with Extra Over in the first line by an additional 2 spaces.
You can check Print (Continued) text tag at end of description if Descriptions are too large and are continued on the next page. By default (Cont) will be used at the end of a page, but this can be changed. By default, Print continued headings from previous page is checked. This will continue headings over onto another page. When Print continued headings is checked, you will also have the option to Print blank line between continuing headings and Continue heading wrap in Description column, this later option is checked by default.
You can check how Markups are applied for the BOQ Reports, by default Items and Job are checked. There is also an option to apply markups for Headings. When checking Item, if a percentage markup is applied to an Item in the Item sheet it will be calculated into the rate. When Headings is checked, if a percentage markup is applied to a Trade or heading, it will be calculated into the Trade or heading. When Job is checked, any Job Adjustments will be calculated into the report.
Fig 215. Style tab
You can select a logo image to be included in the BOQ header by clicking Select… or you can clear the current logo by clicking Clear. You can also access a drop down menu from Location, which will let you pick the justification of the logo. By default Left is selected, but you can change this to pick Centre or Right. You can control the height of the logo from the Height (lines) field. By default, logos will be shown at 3 lines tall, but you can decrease of increase this value by entering a new number of using the arrows to change it.
By default, your BOQ reports will use the traditional Courier New font for BOQ Reports. BOQ font. You can change this to Arial, Calibri, Century Gothic, Times New Roman, or Verdana.
Note: The non-default fonts all use special character spacing so they present better, but the Bill References will likely be different when changing to these fonts. However, changing between these fonts won’t impact the Bill References.
You can preview the BOQ for the currently opened Job, and modify the options for that job within the preview.
Fig 216. Print Preview
To open a preview:
- 1Click BOQ from the Data tab in the ribbon.
- 2Click Print to output the report to your printer, or other output device. Once a BOQ preview has been opened, bill references will be generated for all of your items. These are visible in the details pane for each selected item. Alternatively you can turn the Bill reference column on so it is visible.
integration with Xero, MudShark Earthworks, and
with Microsoft Excel, BuilderTREND and Xero. The integration is designed to simplify moving estimate data from and to Cubit, without compromising the information.
Microsoft Excel is the most widely used spreadsheet software in the world and is part of the Microsoft Office software suite. You can export a Cubit Job into Microsoft Excel, and import Microsoft Excel files into Cubit as part of a Job or Price List.
Fig 217. A Cubit Job in Microsoft Excel
You can export an entire Job into Microsoft Excel. When you select Export All, you will create an xlxs or xls file. Your Microsoft Excel file will include three tabs (containing three version of your Estimate): Trade Breakup, Trade Breakup Showing Markup and Trade Summary. You can export an Estimate from an open Job. To Export All your Estimate:
- 1Click Excel from the Export group on the Data tab in the ribbon.
- 2Select Export All from the list.
- 3A Save As window will open.
- 4You can browse your Computer to select where you want to save your Microsoft Excel file, type a new name and select the filetype. Excel Workbook(*xlsx) is the default filetype that will be created, you can change this to Excel97-2003(*.xls).
- 5Click Save. Microsoft Excel will open automatically with the Trade Breakup tab selected.
Fig 218. Trade Breakup in Microsoft Excel
You can export a selection of a Job into Microsoft Excel. When you select Export Selected, you will create an xlxs or xls file. Your Microsoft Excel file will include three tabs (containing three version of your Estimate): Trade Breakup, Trade Breakup Showing Markup and Trade Summary. You can export an Estimate from an open Job. To Export a selection of your Estimate:
- 1Select the Trades, Headings or Items you want to Export into Excel. Selecting a Trade or Heading will automatically select the Items within it. While holding Ctrl, you can click on multiple Trades, Headings, and Items to select.
- 2Click Excel from the Export group on the Data tab in the ribbon.
- 3Select Export Selected from the list.
- 4A Save As window will open.
- 5You can browse your Computer to select where you want to save your Microsoft Excel file, type a new name and select the filetype. Excel Workbook(*xlsx) is the default filetype that will be created, you can change this to Excel97-2003(*.xls).
- 6Click Save. Microsoft Excel will open automatically with the Trade Breakup tab selected.
Fig 219. Trade Breakup in Microsoft Excel
You can create a Template when exporting to Microsoft Excel. You can customise the columns that are exported and their headings. To create an Excel Template:
- 1Using your mouse, click Excel from the Data tab in the ribbon.
- 2Select New Template.
- 3The Excel Exporter window will open. By default, the following columns are included: Description, Quantity, Unit, Marked up Rate * Factor and Total.
- 4Select what information to export by clicking any row in the Estimate Column.
- 5Name any column by clicking any row in Header Name and typing a description. Use the Insert new Excel Column to add a Column above any selected row, or use Add new Excel Column to add a Column in the final row.
- 6You can change the order of your exported columns by select the row and using the Arrow buttons to move the columns up or down. The letters on the left of each Header Name will signify which column that row is exported as. The A row will be the A column, which will be first column on the left.
- 7By default, Include trade headings and Include Excel header are checked . You can uncheck these if you do not want them to be exported.
- 8By default, Export all is checked; this will export the entire Job. You can select Export selected to only export any Trades, Headings or Items you have highlighted in your Estimate.
- 9Click Save Template to save your Excel Exporter Template.
- 10Enter a Namefor your Template.
- 11Click Export to export the Job.
Fig 220. Excel Exporter
You can use a Template when exporting to Microsoft Excel. You can use any Template customise the columns that are exported and their headings. To use an Excel Template:
- 1Using your mouse, click Excel from the Data tab in the ribbon.
- 2Under New Template, any availble Template will be shown. Click the Template you want to use.
- 3The Excel Exporter window will open and you can make any changes to the Template.
- 4Click Export to export the Job.
- 5A Save As window will open and you can browse through to computer to where you want to save the Excel file and name it. Excel Workbook(*xlsx) is the default filetype that will be created, you can change this to Excel97-2003(*.xls).
- 6Click Save. Microsoft Excel will open automatically with the Trade Breakup tab selected.
Fig 221. Example Template
You can create new, delete and edit Templates from the Template manager. You can manage Templates from the Job Manager. To open the Excel Template manager:
- 1Using your mouse, click Excel Templates from the Data tab in the ribbon.
- 2The Excel Templates window will open.
All Templates you've created will be listed on the left, with three columns of information: Name, Description and Estimate Config.
- 3From the list on the left, click on the Template you want to edit or right mouse click to delete. You can create a new Template by typing in the empty row at the bottom of the list of Templates. After you have customised the Template, click Save Template.
Fig 222. Excel Templates
Integrations
MudShark is next generation onscreen takeoff software for delivering precise earthwork estimates in record time. You can import your MudShark calcualtions into Cubit. Importing your MudShark results will create a new Trade divided headings which can include Overall, Excavation, Spread & level fill, and any trench or building information. Your results will show with the appropriate Result Types: Area, Volume or Length. You will only import into the following columns: Descriptions, Result Type, Quantity and Unit. No rate information will be imported.
Fig 223. MudShark Results in Cubit
You will need to export your MudShark results as an xml file to import it into Cubit. To import MudShark results int your Estimate:
- 1Click MudShark Results from Import group the Data tab in the ribbon.
- 2Browse your computer to find the xml file that contains your MudShark results. The Open window will automatically filter to show only folders and xml files on your computer.
- 3Use your mouse to select the xml file then click Open.
- 4Your MudShark Results will load into your Estmate.
Fig 224. Import MudShark Results
Xero is one of the fastest growing cloud-based accounting software in the world. Connecting your Xero account to Cubit will let you import Xero Codes to Cubit, map existing Codes to Xero, export to a Purcahse Order or export to an Invoice.
Once you connect your Xero account to Cubit you can create a Purchase Order or Invoice from a Job. You can only connect to a single Xero account at any one time. You can connect to Xero from Cubit Options. To connect Xero to Cubit:
- 1From the Job Manager or an open Job or Price List, click the Application button.
- 2Click Options from the bottom right corner of the Application menu.
- 3Cubit Options window will open.
- 4Select the Integrations tab.
Fig 225. Connect to Xero
- 5Click Connect from the Xero group.
- 6An Authentication window will open.
- 7Enter the Email and Password for your Xero account, then click Login.
- 8The Authentication window will close.
- 9The Account status will change to Connected, and the organisation associated with your Xero account will be displayed. Removing your Xero Account You can remove your Xero account from Cubit after you have connected to it. You can remove your Xero account from Cubit Options. To remove your Xero account:
- 1From the Job Manager or an open Job or Price List, click the Application button.
- 2Click Options from the bottom right corner of the Application menu.
- 3Cubit Options window will open.
- 4Select the Integrations tab. The Account status will be "Connected" and the organisation associated to the Xero account will be displayed if a current Xero account is connected.
- 5Click Remove from the Xero group.
- 6You will be asked if you want to remove your Xero account, click Ok to remove it.
Fig 226. Disconnect from Xero
To Export a selection of your Estimate to create a Purchase Order in Xero:
- 1Select the Trades, Headings or Items you want to Export into Xero. Selecting a Trade or Heading will automatically select the Items within it. While holding Ctrl, you can click on multiple Trades, Headings, and Items to select.
- 2In the ribbon, from the Export group in the Data tab, click the downwards arrow on the Xero button.
- 3From the Xero menu, click Export Selected to Purchase Order.
Fig 227. Export Selected to Purchase Order
- 4The Export to Xero as Purchase Order window will open.
- 5You can enter a Contact for the Purchase Order, or use the drop down menu to select an existing Contact from Xero. Entering a Contact will create a Contact in Xero.
- 6By default, Separate by Trade is checked and will create separate Purchase Orders for each Trade.
- 7If you have mapped a Code Group to Xero, you can select that from Code group to export.
- 8By default, Use tax rate will populate with the default tax rate. You can change the default tax rate from Cubit Options menu.
- 9Click Export to export all Items or click Export Balance, which will only send Items which have nothing entered in the PO# column.
To Export all of your Estimate to create a Purchase Order in Xero:
- 1In the ribbon, from the Export group in the Data tab, click the downwards arrow on the Xero button.
- 2From the Xero menu, click Export All to Purchase Order.
Fig 228. Export Selected to Purchase Order
- 3The Export to Xero as Purchase Order window will open.
- 4You can enter a Contact for the Purchase Order, or use the drop down menu to select an existing Contact from Xero. Entering a Contact will create a Contact in Xero.
- 5By default, Separate by Trade is checked and will create separate Purchase Orders for each Trade.
- 6If you have mapped a Code Group to Xero, you can select that from Code group to export.
- 7By default, Use tax rate will populate with the default tax rate. You can change the default tax rate from Cubit Options menu.
- 8Click Export to export all the Items you've selected or click Export Balance, which will only send Items which have nothing entered in the PO# column.
BuilderTREND is the most widely used construction software in the cloud. It is project management software designed to manage a construction job. You can export a Cubit Job into BuilderTREND, the following 5 columns are exported: Accounting Code, Description, Quantity, Unit Price, and Amount (Total).
Fig 229. BuilderTREND example data
Exporting to BuilderTREND generates a tailored Microsoft Excel file. When exporting your Estimate to BuilderTREND, only Trade Items are exported. Trade Headings, Trade Mark Ups or Estimate Adjustments are not exported. When exporting, only five columns of information are included.
Quantity Will include total quantity with any applied factors
The prerequisite to exporting your Job to BuilderTREND is that you must have accounting codes applied to your job. To apply Accounting Codes to your Estimate:
- 1Click Edit Columns from the Data tab in the ribbon.
- 2Go to the Rate tab and check any box for the Rate Codes you wish to use
- 3Select the drop down menu beside Account group: and select the Rate Code you enabled
- 4Click Ok. In your Estimate, for every item you wish to export, double left mouse click in your Rate Code column and select or type a code.
Fig 230. Group Mapping
Once the Account group is assigned, click BuilderTREND on the Data tab in the ribbon.
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