Save Bluebeam!
I have used Bluebeam to convert my CAD drawings to PDF and to share them with engineers, builders, suppliers, and clients.
Starting at $240 per year per user
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What is Bluebeam?
Bluebeam Revu is a PDF management, control, and editing tool. It enables collaboration and markup within shared documents across projects’ life cycles and has takeoff and bid creation capabilities.
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Popular Features
- Plan markups & sharing (50)9.191%
- Plan distribution & viewing (48)9.090%
- Document sharing (44)9.090%
- As-built drawings (42)9.090%
Reviewer Pros & Cons
Pricing
Revu Standard
$349
On Premise
per seat
Revu CAD
$449
On Premise
per seat
Revu eXtreme
$599
On Premise
per seat
Entry-level set up fee?
- No setup fee
For the latest information on pricing, visithttps://www.bluebeam.com/pricing
Offerings
- Free Trial
- Free/Freemium Version
- Premium Consulting/Integration Services
Starting price (does not include set up fee)
- $240 per year per user
Product Demos
Veebinar "Bluebeam Revu 20 versiooni uued võimalused " 29. märts 2021
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Bluebeam Revu
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Bluebeam Revu Make it easy - Takeoff
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COMMERCIAL PAINTING Takeoffs demo - fast version
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ALL CAD Northwest - Bluebeam Revu 12 Feature Demo
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Bluebeam Revu AEC Demo
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Features
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Product Details
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- Competitors
- Tech Details
- FAQs
What is Bluebeam?
Bluebeam develops technology solutions that according to the vendor support project efficiency and collaboration for over two million design and construction professionals worldwide. Bluebeam Revu and Bluebeam Cloud aim to give teams the flexibility to work together anywhere through design, build and handover. And with Bluebeam's desktop and cloud collaboration solutions built on open standards, documents and data can be accessed on any web or iOS device, onsite or off.
Bluebeam Revu®
Revu offers customizable document management, markup and automation tools with a built-in collaboration space, Studio.
• Log in to any desktop with Revu installed and access projects and tool sets
• Mark up and measure together with teammates in real time using Studio
• Share the latest drawings and documents with teams in the field using Bluebeam Cloud
• Increase security and simplify user login with single sign-on (SSO)
Bluebeam Cloud (Web & Mobile)
Connect office and field and complete workflows on the go with Bluebeam Cloud, a suite of web and mobile solutions that connects with documents and tool sets in Revu.
• Work from anywhere via web or iOS device — no set-up or installation required
• Access tool sets and Studio Project files from Revu
• Invite team members to markup and collaborate in real time with the Markup Editor
• Manage punch, RFIs and submittals on the go with Field Tools
Services
Get more out of Revu and Bluebeam Cloud with Bluebeam services designed to help finish the job faster.
• Unlimited centralized cloud storage
• Access to technology partner integrations to support custom workflows
• Access to Bluebeam University training courses at no additional cost
• Technical support via email and phone
• Geolocational insights to help visualize, connect and organize data
Bluebeam Features
Construction Project & Field Management Features
- Supported: Plan distribution & viewing
- Supported: Plan markups & sharing
- Supported: Document sharing
- Supported: Issue tracking & punchlists
- Supported: Photo documentation
- Supported: Jobsite reports
- Supported: RFI tools
- Supported: Collaboration & approvals
- Supported: As-built drawings
- Supported: Mobile app
- Supported: Submittal design and management
- Supported: Checklists
- Supported: Change orders
Estimating Features
- Supported: Takeoff tools
- Supported: Bid creation
Reporting & Analytics Features
- Supported: Dashboards
- Supported: Standard reports
- Supported: Custom reports
- Supported: Data exportability
Additional Features
- Supported: Digital stamps and signatures
Bluebeam Screenshots
Bluebeam Videos
What Does Bluebeam Do?
Comparing Bluebeam Revu to Procore and e-builder by Trimble
Bluebeam Competitors
Bluebeam Technical Details
| Deployment Types | On-premise, Software as a Service (SaaS), Cloud, or Web-Based |
|---|---|
| Operating Systems | Windows |
| Mobile Application | Apple iOS, Mobile Web |
| Supported Countries | USA, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, Australia |
| Supported Languages | English, German, French, Spanish, Italian, Danish, Dutch, Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish, Japanese, Korean |
Frequently Asked Questions
Bluebeam Revu is a PDF management, control, and editing tool. It enables collaboration and markup within shared documents across projects’ life cycles and has takeoff and bid creation capabilities.
Bluebeam starts at $240.
Reviewers rate Plan markups & sharing and Collaboration & approvals highest, with a score of 9.1.
The most common users of Bluebeam are from Mid-sized Companies (51-1,000 employees).
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Community Insights
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- Business Problems Solved
- Pros
- Cons
- Recommendations
Bluebeam Revu is a widely accessible tool for the construction industry, enabling users to transform paper-based workflows to electronic formats. It has been widely adopted by project managers, estimators, safety managers, and accounting staff for various purposes such as takeoffs, markups, form building, electronic signatures, and stamp approvals. Users have found Bluebeam Revu to be a user-friendly tool for tasks like takeoff quantities, PDF manipulation, detail markups, phasing plans, invoice billing, change orders, and creating illustrations for presentations. The software's markup tools are highly valued for expediting the design process and building punch lists from site visits. Additionally, Bluebeam's Studio feature facilitates real-time collaboration and markups on the same document by multiple users, preventing duplication of work. Overall, Bluebeam Revu addresses the business problem of communicating issues using visual aids and provides a centralized location for updating and maintaining construction documents.
Efficiency in Batch Processes: Several users have praised Bluebeam Revu for its efficiency in batch processes, saving significant time compared to manual alternatives. This has been highlighted by reviewers who found the software to be a powerful tool for streamlining tasks and improving productivity.
Seamless Collaboration with Bluebeam Studio: Many reviewers have commended Bluebeam Revu's cloud-based collaboration feature, Bluebeam Studio, for its ease of use and effectiveness in facilitating collaboration among team members. Users appreciate the seamless collaboration capabilities provided by Bluebeam Revu, which enhance teamwork even when working from different locations or offices.
User-Friendly Markup Tools: The intuitive markup tools in Bluebeam Revu have received positive feedback from multiple users. They find it easy to annotate and mark up PDF documents using the software's user-friendly interface. This feature allows for efficient document editing and enhances the overall user experience.
Difficulties with Typewriter and Textbox Tools: Some users have found the typewriter and textbox tools in Bluebeam to be functional but not user-friendly, stating that they could be easier to use and more precise. Aligning text with specific areas on a form using the typewriter tool can be frustrating for some users.
Laborious Flattening Process: Users have expressed frustration with the process of flattening documents before sharing them in Bluebeam. They believe it could benefit from a default setting that automates this process, as manually flattening documents is time-consuming.
Complexity of Stamp Creation: The creation of stamps in Bluebeam involves several steps and can be confusing for some users. They feel that the process could be streamlined or macro automated to save time, creating a bottleneck for stamp creation.
Users recommend reaching out to other users and utilizing the support team for tricks and tips. They also suggest customizing the interface and exploring tutorials to fully utilize Bluebeam Revu's capabilities. Users highly recommend taking training to learn how to use the software effectively. Additionally, users recommend trying the free trial before purchasing to determine if Bluebeam Revu meets their needs.
Overall, these recommendations highlight the importance of seeking assistance from other users and the support team, as well as investing time in learning how to customize and optimize Bluebeam Revu through tutorials and training. The free trial option is also suggested as a way to evaluate the software before making a purchase decision.
Attribute Ratings
Reviews
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November 20, 2023
Save Bluebeam!
I have used Bluebeam to convert my CAD drawings to PDF and to share them with engineers, builders, suppliers, and clients.
- It used to convert my drawings to PDF easily
- Mark-ups and collaboration were efficient
- Sharing drawings was easier than with Adobe.
- Customer service
- Technical support
- Updating and upgrading software
November 22, 2022
Simple and easy to use Project Management Software
Score 9 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User
We use Bluebeam Revu in our organization to keep our Project Managers, Installation team as well as our end-user clients all on the same page. This allows us to make changes and have a central platform for communication between all parties. We are able to share these documents and project plans without others needing licensing.
- Project Review In depth
- Document and Data sharing
- Available on Web, iOS onsite and off site.
- Subscription base creates issues for remote users
- Not available on Mac
- Takes too long to print or open files
January 10, 2022
A Fantastic PDF Markup & Sharing Tool
Bluebeam Revu is one of the best PDF markup softwares. It allows for quick edits with a wide range of tools to achieve your desired markup and collaborative editing where multiple people can work together at the same time on the same document. It manages large document sets, such as construction drawings, exceptionally.
- PDF markup
- Multiple users of the same file
- Cloud document management
- More advanced drawing tools - the pencil is rather rudimentary
- Easier to pick up for first time users
July 23, 2021
Better bang for your buck!
I would say about 90% of the company has upgraded from Adobe to Bluebeam. I have the basic program and there are definitely some pros and cons when in comparison to Adobe.
- When I have different tabs open, it reverts back to the main or first tab which is helpful when I am moving documents around.
- There are for sure a ton of more options even on the basic version.
- Exporting to folders is super easy and separates the documents in order.
- If you have several tabs open and you try to drag one out for a side by side view then you do not have all the modification options and you have to combine them back together.
- There is a lag time when hitting the print option.
- There is also a lag time when opening files, sometimes I think the window is frozen.
- I wish the basic version also had basic file editing, as in editing a document as Adobe does.
May 06, 2021
Markup Majesty - Bluebeam Rules
Bluebeam is used across the our whole company most particularly though it is used by the project management teams. Bluebeam is our go-to PDF viewer and editor and it is used for RFIs and submittals as well as contract viewing and marking up. I have never used a PDF viewer and editor that does as much as Bluebeam or does what it does half as well.
- Clear and easy viewing of project plans.
- In depth and extremely detailed mark up tools and sketching tools.
- Excellent help and support services.
- The sketch to scale tools are minimal and could be expanded.
- The group editing and selection is not the easiest to use.
- I think drawing tools could be improved in placing and editing line dimensions.
April 08, 2021
Bluebeam Revu for project QA&QC is great!
We use Bluebeam to make markups in PDFs, plot from project software to Bluebeam PDF, and most importantly use Bluebeam for quality control sessions. This facilitates collaboration and coordination between design team members.
- Ease of use
- Wide range of tools
- Clean and clear results
- Lacks PDF editing tools seen in other vector based softwares.
- Newer version changed a lot from the previous version.
- Can at times be slow.
March 09, 2021
Bluebeam in a nutshell
It's being used by a couple people within our company as an alternative to Adobe. There are many more options with Bluebeam which is used to markup submittals and is extremely easy to use. At any given time I can have up to 15 PDF files open and Bluebeam has instant access to them with the recent tab.
- Recent and recall of PDFs that you had open so you can easily flip back in forth between files all within the same window.
- Instant access to a list of tools and setting of the defaults.
- At times it is difficult to find out where a certain function is.
- Some secure files won't open in Bluebeam and must be used in Adobe.
- The comparisons feature has difficulties with scanned documents.
January 24, 2020
All the bang for the buck
Most of our whole organization uses Bluebeam Revu. Our main use is to review and edit documents such as plans for construction. It offers us much more flexibility and clarity versus other programs that we have used int the past. Additionally, its ease of sharing between users is definitely a plus because we can all be looking at the same documents in a much more timely manner.
- Ease of use.
- Speed. It allows the user to access and edit documents much faster.
- At first it might be intimidating if you have never used it.
- Sometimes too many options.
January 24, 2020
Great for scaled markups
We use Bluebeam Revu to add and track comments and markups on architectural drawing sets and other documents. We use Bluebeam Studio / Sessions to review documents with our consultants and clients. We also use Bluebeam drawing tools to create basic diagrams and other illustrations. We don't typically use more advanced features like conditional formatting, or exporting markups.
- Great fast PDF viewer with better editing tools than Adobe Acrobat.
- Useful feature set for architects, such as setting drawing scale, distance and area measurement tools.
- I wish the drawing tools had 'snapping' options.
- There should be more control over dimming backgrounds and flattening/unflattening markups so you can be sure your recipient is seeing the same thing.
January 23, 2020
Great for architects and designers
Bluebeam Revu is used widely throughout our organization. I recommended it to my boss when I started at this job about 6 years ago and we've been using it ever since. My boss loves it and is so happy I introduced it to him. We mostly use the program to "redline" or mark up drawings, either our in house drawings or outside drawings. It has great marking up features that seem much quicker and easier than Acrobat. I also use Bluebeam as my basic PDF reader. I use it to move sheets around, add or remove sheets, and fill out forms.
- Marking up drawings to communicate quick revisions.
- Moving around, adding or deleting sheets.
- Could have even more editing things, more shapes, symbols, etc.
January 23, 2020
A must-have PDF software!
Bluebeam Revu is currently used across the whole organization for viewing PDF files, marking up, and also for Bluebeam Studio file sharing and reviewing purposes. It also solves the problem of editing and marking PDF files. Bluebeam Revu is easy to open and it rarely crashes. Plus, the user interface is user-friendly and easy to understand. Creating PDF files, replacing pages, and cropping pages are additional benefits provided by Bluebeam Revu.
- Bluebeam Studio is number one for PDF sharing.
- Cropping pages and inserting PDF files is really easy.
- Making PDF sharing more faster than it is right now.
- Opening multiple PDF files and viewing them is a little difficult.
January 15, 2020
reduce risk by automating your QA\QC process
Bluebeam is used across our entire organization for many different functions. Of course, it is used daily to mark up and review plan sets. Our estimators perform take-off Revu. We utilize Studio sessions to collaborate across offices, companies, vendors, and clients. It saves us significant time and risk by allowing all parties to perform QA\QC tasks in one source of truth.
- It makes estimating take-offs a breeze by allowing for the simple creation of groups and automating counting and take off.
- Revu is the best tool in the AEC space for marking up plan sets. It is the tool that simulates pen and paper the best.
- Bluebeam needs to integrate with more systems. The few they have are great, but they need to expand.
- Revu is lacking in PDF forms. They often do not support newer forms of technology for multiple release cycles.
January 15, 2020
Revu can handle all PDF related tasks with ease.
We use Revu in several different ways. First, it's a great tool both in the office and when on job sites to document existing conditions with both markups and photos, which are embedded in the PDF. We use it in the office for redlining progress drawings, as well as reviewing and marking up contractor drawings, submittals, RFIs, and other project-related documents. Using the studio feature, we can collaborate with other members of the design team directly inside Revu. Revu is also used to document ongoing progress site visits. We use the iPad app for the fieldwork, and the desktop application while in the office. Using Revu allows for concise and legible markups, as well as the ability to generate summary reports of markups.
- General PDF viewing: it seems to have the best PDF engine for speed and accuracy.
- Redlining PDFs: it's simple to use and can create custom stamps easily.
- REVU for ipad is not as easy to use as the desktop application.
- The recent change of the user interface when going to the 2018 version was somewhat confusing. We have users on both older and newer versions.
January 14, 2020
Making Markups Easy
It is utilized to put together presentation pdfs for clients, meetings, etc. We also use it to aid in space planning and laying out schematic floor plans at the block level.
- Marking up PDFs with preloaded stamps.
- Easy to use line/rectangle tools.
- Can't select pixels by color.
- Hard to find bookmark tool.
December 13, 2019
Great for the price
Bluebeam Revu is a PDF reader and editor tool. It also does measurements and other markups. Right now only a handful of staff has this software and this is on a specifically needed basis. This is a great software to use as it is designed specifically for the architecture, engineering, and construction industries.
- Customizing tools and interface.
- Measuring and markups.
- High price tag.
- Updates should be easier.
December 07, 2019
Bluebeam Gets It Done
Currently, we use Bluebeam as a management staff—all project managers, estimators and safety managers. It is particularly implemented in our estimating department to use for takeoffs and minor drafting. PM's use it to complete markups and sketch details. Safety uses it as a powerful PDF editor and form builder. Accounting uses it for electronic signatures and stamp approvals on invoices. Bluebeam solves a lot of needs in many departments, mainly as a drawing and PDF editor tool.
- Easy surface-level use but can become a deep and powerful tool if you invest in learning all its features.
- Perfect for editing PDFs, stamping, markups and creating templates.
- Well equipped for simple or complex take-off methods.
- Lots of customization for layout and tool ribbons.
- I would like to see better Excel integration and exporting.
- Id like to see a web app and cloud version to use on Chrome and also a Chrome preview extension
- It would be nice to see integration into Microsoft Office
October 24, 2019
Bluebeam - One stop for PDF collaboration
Bluebeam is being used across our organization to manage and edit PDF documents. Our project teams use it to edit complex payment proposals for projects. Our planning teams use it to mark up blue prints and arrange complex schedules for trades. Our finance team uses tools like stamps to provide vital data on invoices, to combine separate documents into one and to insert digital signatures.
- It is relatively easy to use - without formal instruction.
- It easily allows you to grab PDF documents and edit them.
- It allows you create canned tools, like stamps, so data editing can be standard.
- Although it is relatively easy to use, the editing tools do not exist in drop down menus. I wish the interface were more similar to other Windows programs.
July 14, 2019
Bluebeam, how construction uses PDFs
We use Bluebeam every day. It started off as being used in our BIM department, but quickly was adopted by our PMs who also do their own estimating. Bluebeam allows us to scale drawings, make accurate markups, sign documents digitally, overlay drawings to compare changes, share files with our field workers via Bluebeam studio, do takeoffs, and a host of other things that I am sure that I am forgetting.
- Scaling drawings to get accurate measurements from drawings.
- Cloud sharing via Bluebeam Studio.
- The markup tools.
- Bookmarking pages to make pages easier to find.
- Creating hyperlinks within a document.
- Comparing document changers with their compare tool.
- I would like to see Bluebeam Studio be able to see document change dates for files that are not PDFs.
- Every now and then the program gets a little glitchy.
June 05, 2019
Powerful tool for A-E-C industry
Bluebeam Revu is used by certain individuals who need the additional CAD drawing/review components offered by Bluebeam. It is more powerful and streamlined than the traditional Adobe PDF products and geared towards the A-E-C industry.
- Markups
- Takeoffs
- Drawing comparisons
- Rendering speed is a bit slow at times
- View and scrolling preferences (e.g. full page vs. scrolling view vs. zoom w/ scroll wheel) could be executed better
- Multi-document or side by side viewing
- Cost
May 15, 2019
Bluebeam leaves Adobe in the dust!
We use Bluebeam as an alternative to an Adobe product. Our joint venture company was using it and had noted the simplicity of marking up documents. We bought the program and most people use it as their default program to modify/edit documents. In addition to modifying documents, it allows you to almost create a document with all of the tools at its disposal.
- Adding text
- Marking up a document
- Doing take-offs for estimating purposes
- It launches slowly (which is why I personally don't have it as my default launcher for PDFs that I view only).
May 15, 2019
Bluebeam rocks
We have used project as document control for projects and used studio for collaboration and submittal review. I also use the markup tools almost daily. Colorado state university has adopted our processes for document control for all their construction projects.
- Dimensioning scaled PDF documents is one of the things I use the most. I can get an accurate measurement where one has not been provided
- Editing PDF documents- there are documents that are automatically created through systems software that may need to be edited to me to the specific needs of a particular project. With Bluebeam, you could do this with ease.
- Document control is a major strength of Bluebeam. I have used Bluebeam on a project that had over 18,000 drawings. We also used the link feature to hyperlink each page that had a fallout.
- The iPad is where Bluebeam has the most room to improve upon. I have used Bluebeam to record punch list as it is easy to create punch items but is not as simple to update the punch list status.
- Creating reports is also not a strength of Bluebeam. You cannot create a report to tell you what items are linked to each other.
- Storage, editing, and navigation are strengths of Bluebeam. But tracking document status is not a strength of Bluebeam.
Bluebeam is being used by parts of my organization. Certain users prefer to use Adobe Acrobat, but I think Bluebeam is much easier at manipulating sheets. It enables me to mark-up drawings from the architect, stamp invoices with my approval, and prepare documents for submitting. It's a fast way of drawing on top of PDFs, editing PDFs when necessary, and including relevant information before submitting to other parties (in our case, that is usually subcontractors).
- Draw on PDFs. No other software I've ever used is better at this, and I've used Photoshop, Illustrator, and Adobe Acrobat. Revu molds together the best features in CAD (powerful drawing capabilities, point snap abilities, extreme accuracy) with a great PDF viewer. Very much worth it.
- Mark up / annotate PDFs. Typing on Revu is very easy via the text box tool or the typewriter tool. You can choose from a variety of fonts, opaque or transparent backgrounds, any color--the possibilities are endless.
- Combining and rearranging PDFs. You can easily move pages around, combine separate files, and flatten files.
- A feature I would add -- a command line. The shortcuts are good, and in the latest version of Revu you can create your own which makes things easier. But I have used CAD and I find the command line much faster than dropdown menus.
- Something that could be better -- PDF compression. Revu files, when marked-up, can be massive, and there's not a clear enough way to shrink the file down by reducing clarity, etc. I understand this is a vector program--not rasterized--and vectors can be far more complex, especially with patterns and such. But compression would be nice.
- Features I'd like--enhanced vector abilities. Feathering lines, precise arc drawing, etc. Similar to Illustrator.
April 07, 2019
Bluebeam: Best PDF Document Management tool.
Our company has fully adopted Bluebeam as our document management systems (DMS) for all construction document related files used on the job site and in the home office. We particularly utilize the Studio Project feature, to allow file access with various permission levels for different user types. It is a great way to always have the latest set of drawings.
- Drawing markup. There are multiple ways to markup files from revision clouds, hyperlink tools, various shapes, and lines. All of these markups can also be counted and sorted for estimating takeoff style markups.
- Compiling and organizing. Bluebeam Revu also is a PDF authoring tool. You can create and export PDFs from anywhere there is a 'print' feature, or even convert filetypes directly to PDF. Multiple different PDFs can easily be combined, split apart, or rearranged.
- File distribution. The Studio Project and Studio Session feature allow for teams to have a cloud storage resource to share files with various permission and viewing abilities.
- It really is a great product and there really isn't a con that I can think of. Sometimes very large files struggle to refresh on a screen, but that is to be expected.
Bluebeam Revu is being used by 5+ users at our office. It is used to edit and modify PDFs produced from Revit and AutoCAD. We also used it to organize/re-organize and edit PDF specifications. One of the features that is very useful in my line of work is the overlay feature to show the difference between two like or updated PDFs.
- The drawing editing tools are more advanced than those of similar products.
- Batch tools make processes like plotting, file rotation, or reduction of file size save countless hours.
- Being able to calibrate PDFs to a scale allows me to quickly show missing dimensions in the field without opening a model editing it printing it and sending out the file.
- Sometimes when I'm plotting multiple files to PDF, Bluebeam will start rotating them 90 degrees during the plot process. Not sure why.
- As you select text to highlight for some reason it will sometimes automatically select all the text in the drawing which will have to be undone if that was not your intention.
February 26, 2019
TIME SAVER!
I'm a quantity surveyor and I used to do takeoff quantities using AutoCAD. I used AutoCAD for almost two years and I realized it was time for a change. I've used different software such as Planswiftm AutoCAD, Quantity Takeoff, Bluebeam Revu, etc. After giving them all a try, I decided to go with Bluebeam Revu. I suggested that my manager purchase Bluebeam Revu. It is very easy to use with no complications. You can do takeoff quantities of each item by assigning a name under the subject. I've been using Bluebeam Revu for the past year and would past recommend Bluebeam Revu to everyone.
- Easy to use. No need to convert files. You can work on a PDF file directly.
- You can directly export the quantity to MS Excel.
- You can write comments in the drawings.
- I want a Keyboard shortcut to reuse the previous command as I use the same few commands repeatedly. I didn't find any shortcuts online. In AutoCAD, by pressing enter or space bar you are allowed to use the previous command.