User Guide

Copyright 2016 Buildsoft Pty Ltd. All rights reserved.

Information in this document is subject to change without notice. The software described in this document is furnished under a license

agreement or nondisclosure agreement. The software may be used or copied only in accordance with the terms of those agreements. No

part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or any means electronic or mechanical,

including photocopying and recording for any purpose other than the purchaser's personal use without the written permission of Buildsoft

Pty Ltd.

Buildsoft Pty Ltd

PO Box 708

Campbelltown, NSW, 2560

+612 4626 4909

 Job Manager 12
Getting Started 13
CONTENTS
User Interface 13
Licence 15
Projects 16
Creating a Project 16
Renaming a Project 17
Deleting a Project 17
Project Details 18
Client Details 19
Assigning a Client to a Project 20
Jobs 21
Creating a Job 21
Finding a Job using filtering 22
Renaming a Job 22
Copying a Job 23
Deleting a Job 23
Job Details 24
Client Details 25
Assigning a Client to a Job 26
Exporting a Job 27
Importing a Job 27
Folders 29
Creating a Folder 29
Moving Jobs into Folders 29
Renaming a Folder 30
Deleting a Folder 30
Price Lists 31
Creating a Price List 31
Renaming a Price List 32
 Copying a Price List 32
Deleting a Price List 32
Exporting a Price List 33
Importing a Price List 33
Templates 35
Turning a Job into a Template 35
Turning a Price List into a Template 35
Client Manager 36
Opening the Client Manager 36
Creating a Company 37
Archive a Company 38
Merging Companies 38
Setting a Code for a Company 39
Creating a Contact 40
Archive a Contact 41
Merging Contacts 41
Setting a Primary Contact 42
Job Merge 43
Merging Jobs 43
Job Statuses and Freeze States 44
Applying a Job Status 44
Applying a Freeze State 45
Update 46
Job Update 46
Price List Update 49
Price Lists 53
Creating a Price List 54
Building up a Price List 55
Price List Window Button Bar 55
Import a CSV file 55
Using a Price List in a Job 57
Add Rate 58
Estimating 59
Quick Access Toolbar 60
Job Manager 60
Panes 61
Estimate Pane 61
Viewport Pane 62
Plans Pane 62
Details Pane 63
Navigation Pane 64
Using Grids and Lists 67
Application menu 67
Options Window 67
Ribbon 70
Home Tab 70
Plans tab 70
View Tab 71
Data Tab 71
Creating Trades 72
Creating Headings 72
Columns 73
Bill Reference 73
Description 73
Quantity 73
Unit 73
Rate 73
Rel 74
%Job 74
Cost/m2 74
Factor 74
Markup % 74
Total 75
Conversion 75
Calculation Sheet 76
Description 76
 Factor 76
Length, Width and Depth 77
Markup 77
Rel 77
Total 77
Rate Breakup Sheet 78
Description 78
The + % column 78
Markup (%) 79
Formulas 80
Mathematical Operations 80
Mathematical Functions 80
Rounding Functions 82
Job Adjustment and Sales Tax 83
Variations 84
Enabling Variations 84
Building Variation Codes 85
Inserting Variation Items 85
Finalising a Variation 86
Constants 88
Creating Constants 89
Deleting Constants 90
Inserting Constants 91
Exporting Constants 92
Importing Constants 93
Estimate Configuration 94
Default Configuration 94
Converting between Configurations 95
Referencing 96
Referencing Overview 97
Anatomy of a Reference 98
Locations 99
Reference Codes 100
Columns 101
 The Reference List 102
Using the Formula Bar for Referencing 103
Referencing Examples 104
Cell Referencing 105
Understanding Cell Referencing 105
Invalid Circular References 105
Creating a Cell Reference 106
Creating a Cell Reference in a Formula 107
Creating a Cell Reference using a Function 109
Creating a Cell Reference using a Rounding Function 111
Creating a Cell Reference using SUM Function 114
Creating a Cell Reference using TSUM Function 115
Row Referencing 117
Understanding Row Referencing 117
Creating a Row Reference 117
Referencing Shape Results 119
Creating a Cell Reference Using a Shape Result 119
Insert a Row Reference Using a Shape Result 120
External Referencing 121
Understanding External Referencing 121
Assigning an External Price List 124
Unassigning an External Price List 125
Assigning an External Job 126
Unassigning an External Job 127
Creating a Cell Reference from an External Job or Price List 128
Creating a Row Reference from an External Job or Price List 128
Creating a Row Reference from an External Job or Price List
in a New Row 129
Plans 130
How to insert a Plan 131
Supported formats 131
Scaling your Plans 132
Drawing a Scale from a reference line 133
Using a Scale from an existing Plan 133
 Entering a Manual Scale 133
Rotating your Plan 134
Rotate Plan by any angle 134
Interacting with your Plans in a Job 135
Seeing a Plan in the Viewport 135
Viewing Multiple Plans at once 135
Layers 135
Legend 135
Plan pane 136
Plan Revisions 137
Adding a Revision 137
Managing Changes 137
Finalising your Revision 138
Takeoff 139
What are Result Types? 140
Assigning a Result Type to an Item 140
Result Types 141
Takeoff Tools 143
Drawing Takeoff 143
Counting Takeoff 145
Annotation 145
Define Shape Information 146
New Shape values 146
Next line values 148
Gross Floor Area 148
Job Grouping 149
What is Job Grouping? 150
Quantity Code Group Examples 150
Rate Code Group Examples 151
Code Groups 153
Managing Grouping Codes 154
Understanding Code Constraints 154
Creating a Code Group 155
 Archiving a Code Group 156
Creating Codes 157
Deleting a Code 158
Using Headings with Codes 159
Exporting a Code Group 160
Importing a Code Group 161
Assigning Codes 162
Adding a Code Group to a Job 162
Adding a Code Group to a Price List 163
Assigning a Code to an Item 164
Setting default Code Groups 165
Grouped Views 166
Creating a Grouped View 167
Configurations for Creating a View 168
Using a Grouped View for Reports 169
Grouping a Job 171
Configurations for Grouping 171
Sorting On Quantity 172
Sorting On Rate 173
Sorting On Price List 174
Options 176
What are Options? 177
Options Project Home Example 177
Creating Options 178
Creating New Options Group 178
Creating an Option Container 178
Creating an Option Item 179
Creating an Option Configuration 179
Enabling Options in a Job 181
Assigning an Option Group to a Job 182
Assign an Option to your Estimate 183
Reports 184
Standard Reports 185
 All reports 185
Change shown Reports 185
Report Preview 185
Parametric Reporting 187
Headers and Footers 188
Modifying a Header 188
Creating a new Header Template 188
Custom Reports 189
Bill of Quantities 190
Configuring Options 191
Preview 192
Integration 193
Microsoft Excel 194
Exporting all your Estimate 194
Exporting a selection of your Estimate 195
Creating a Template 196
Using a Template 197
Managing a Template 198
MudShark 200
Importing MudShark Results 201
Xero 202
Connecting to Xero 202
Exporting to a Purchase Order 204
BuilderTREND 206
Exporting your Estimate to BuilderTREND 206
BIM Reader 208
Understanding the BIM Reader 209
BIM Example 209
Opening the BIM Reader 210
Inserting a BIM File 211
Converting Results 212
Interacting with a BIM Model 213
Resetting a BIM Display 213
Editing Takeoff 214
Renaming Quantities 214
Picking Results 215
Adding a Revision 216
Importing Results to Cubit 217
JOB MANAGER
The Job Manager is the first window you see when
you open Cubit. From the Job Manager, you can
create, organise, backup and delete your Jobs.
Getting Started
Cubit is a comprehensive Estimating software package, with different screens for managing Jobs,
building Price Lists, taking off a Plan and working on a Job.

From Cubit Options, you can set and change software defaults to better suit your estimating and
takeoff process.

User Interface
The Job Manager is divided up into various elements. Most of the controls are found on the
ribbon, and most of the information is visible in the Job List and Job Details.

Job Manager layout

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 Column Chooser
You can customise the Job List with the Column Chooser. The column chooser is a menu of
columns that can be displayed in the Job List, and can be changed at any time.
Fig 1.

Column Chooser

Add a new column

To add columns to the Jobs List:

1. Right mouse click on the Name title bar in the Job List.

2. Select Column Chooser from the drop-down menu.

3. From the Customization menu double left mouse click any column name to add it to your
Job List.

4. When you're finished, click the X button on the top right of the Customization menu.

Remove a column
To remove columns from the Jobs List:

1. Right mouse click on the Name title bar in the Job List.

2. Select Column Chooser from the drop-down menu.

3. Left mouse click and hold the mouse button down on the name of the column you want
to remove.

4. Drag the column from the Job List into the Customization menu.

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Licence
You can use the Licence Manager to view licence information or deactivate your licence.

You can access the Licence Manager from the Application Button from the Job Manager, an
open Job or an open Price List.

Deactivating your Licence

To deactivate your Licence:

1. From the Job Manager, click the Application button.

2. From the Cubit menu, click Deactivate Licence.

You can click More Info to see more information about Cubit Licences.

3. Cubit Licence Manager will open, click Deactivate.

4. Cubit will confirm

Fig 2. Licence Manager

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Projects
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: Naming a Project "Templates" where you can copy your various Templates into.

Creating a Project
Projects are created in the Job Manager screen.

To create a new Project:

1. Click the arrow under the New Job button.

2. Select Project .

3. Name your Project in the New Project window.

4. Click Ok

Fig 3. Fig 4.

New Project window

New Job menu

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Renaming a Project
Projects are renamed in the Job Manager.

To rename a Project: Fig 5.

1. Select the Project you want to rename.

2. Click Rename in the Ribbon.

3. Type the name you want for that Project.

Rename
4. Hit Enter on your keyboard.

Deleting a Project
Projects are deleted in the Job Manager.

To delete a Project:

1. Select the Project you want to delete.

2. Click Delete in the Ribbon.

3. If 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.

4. Click Continue
Fig 6. Fig 7.

Delete Project
Confirm Delete

Once deleted, a Project can not be retrieved.

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Project Details
Every Project saves metadata details, which can be accessed by clicking on the Job.

Project Details are divided into Project and Site Address.

Fig 8.
Project
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
Project. You can rename the Project by
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

ESW Project and ESW Job fields get filled
in. automatically.

The Use as template check box will set

any Jobs created in the Project as as a
Template. The Status and Freeze State
drop down menus are used to lock down
parts of aby Jobs created in that Project.
Project Details

Site Address
You can type the address of the construction site in Project Details. This information is divided
up into Street, Suburb, State, Postcode and Country.

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Client Details
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 9.

Client Details

Company
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.

Contact
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.

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Assigning a Client to a Project
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:

1. Use your mouse to select any Project you want to set Client Details for.

2. Select the Name box for either the Company group or Contact group.

3. Type 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 10.

Assigning a Client to a Project

When you have assigned a Client to a Project, click Edit or Clear to edit or remove the assigned
Company or Contact.
Fig 11.

Client Details

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Jobs
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.

Creating a Job
Jobs are created in the Job Manager.

To create a new Job:

1. Select the Project where you want your Job to be stored.

2. Click the arrow under the New Job button.

3. Select Job .

4. Name your Job in the New Job window.

5. You can select a Template from the Template list if you want to use one.

6. If using a Template you can check Remove Quantities if you want any included quantities
stripped from the Job.

7. Click Ok.

Fig 12. Fig 13.

New Job menu

New Job window

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Finding a Job using filtering
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 14.

Filtering a Job List

Renaming a Job
Jobs are renamed in the Job Manager.

To rename a Job:

1. Select the Job you want to rename.

2. Click Rename in the Ribbon.

3. Type the name you want for that Job.

4. Hit Enter on your keyboard.

Fig 15.

Rename

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Copying a Job
Jobs can be copied and pasted in the Job Manager.

To copy and paste a Job: Fig 16.

1. Select the Job or Jobs you want to copy.

2. Right mouse click your selection.

3. From the drop down menu select Copy.

4. Right mouse click the Project or Folder you want to copy

the job to.

5. From the drop down menu select Paste.

Rename

Deleting a Job
Jobs are deleted in the Job Manager.

To delete a Job:

1. Select the Job you want to delete.

2. Click Delete in the Ribbon.

3. To confirm you wish to 'delete the selected job', click Delete.

Fig 17.

Job Delete

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Job Details
Every Job saves metadata details, which can be accessed by clicking on the Job.

Job Details are divided into Job and Site Address.

Fig 18.
Job
The Job segment collects information
specifically about the Job. You can rename
the Job by entering a new name in the
Job name field. 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 job, but it can be
changed.

When you migrate a Job into Cubit, the

ESW Project and ESW Job fields get filled
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
Status and Freeze State drop down
menus are used to lock down parts of
your estimate.
Job Details

Site Address
You can type the address of the construction site in Job Details. This information is divided up
into Street, Suburb, State, Postcode and Country.

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Client Details
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 19.

Client Details

Company
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.

Contact
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.

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Getting Started │25

Assigning a Client to a Job
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:

1. Use your mouse to select any Job you want to set Client Details for.

2. Select the Name box for either the Company group or Contact group.

3. Type 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 20.

Assigning a Client to a Job

When you have assigned a Client to a Job, click Edit or Clear to edit or remove the assigned
Company or Contact.
Fig 21.

Client Details

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Exporting a Job
You can export a Job from the Job Manager.

To export a Job:

1. Select the Job tab.

2. Select the Job that you wish to export or select multiple by holding control and left
mouse clicking each job you want to export.

3. Click Export on the ribbon .

4. Browse your computer to the location where you want to save your Job(s).

5. Check 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.

6. Click Export.
Fig 22.

Export Job

Importing a Job
You can import a Job from the Job Manager.

To import a Job:

1. Select the Job tab.

2. Select the Project that you wish to import the Job into.

3. Click Import on the ribbon .

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 4. Browse your computer to the location of the Job you want to import.

5. Click Ok.

6. From the Import Job(s) window select the Job you want to import.

7. Click Import.
Fig 23.

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.

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Folders
Folders allow you to manage and organise Jobs in your Projects. You create Folders to break up
large Projects into smaller sections and categories.

Creating a Folder
Folders are created in the Job Manager:

To create a new Folder: Fig 24.

1. Right mouse click the Project where you

want the Folder created.

2. Select New Folder from the drop down

menu.

3. Name the Folder in the New Folder

window.

4. Click 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:

1. Left mouse click and hold the Job you want to move

2. While still holding the Job, drag it into the new Folder or project you want the Job in.

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Renaming a Folder
Folders are renamed in the Job Manager.

To rename a Folder: Fig 25.

1. Select the Folder you want to rename.

2. Click Rename in the Ribbon.

3. Type the name you want for that Folder

Rename
4. Hit Enter on your keyboard.

Deleting a Folder
Folders are deleted in the Job Manager.

To delete a Folder:

1. Select the Folder you want to delete.

2. Click Delete in the Ribbon.

3. If 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.

4. Click Continue.
Fig 26. Fig 27.

Delete Folder
Confirm Delete

Once deleted, a Folder can not be retrieved.

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Price Lists
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.

Creating a Price List

Price List are created in the Job Manager.

To create a new Price List:

1. Click the arrow under the New Job button.

2. Select Price List.

3. Name your Price List in the New Price List window.

4. You can select a Template from the Template list if you want to use one.

5. Click Ok.

Fig 28. Fig 29.

New Job menu

New Price List window

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Renaming a Price List
Price Lists are renamed in the Job Manager.

To rename a Price List: Fig 30.

1. Select the Price List you want to rename.

2. Click Rename in the Ribbon.

3. Type the name you want for that Price List.

Rename
4. Hit 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 31.

1. Select the Price List(s) you want to copy.

2. Right mouse click the Price List(s).

3. From the drop down menu select Copy.

4. Right mouse click any Price List..

5. From 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 32.

1. Select the Price List you want to delete.

2. Click Delete in the Ribbon.

3. To confirm you wish to 'delete the selected Price List(s)', click

Delete. Price List Delete

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Exporting a Price List
You can export a Price List from the Job Manager.

To export a Price List:

1. Select the Price List tab.

2. Select 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.

3. Click Export on the ribbon .

4. Browse your computer to the location you want the Price List saved to.

5. Click Export.
Fig 33.

Exporting a Price List

Importing a Price List

You can import a Price List from the Job Manager.

To import a Price List:

1. Select the Price List tab.

2. Click Import on the ribbon.

3. Browse your computer to the location of the Price List you want to import, it will have an
file extension of PLX.

4. Click Ok.

5. From the Import Job(s) window select the Price List you want to import.

6. Click 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.

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Getting Started │33

 Fig 34.

Importing a Price List

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Templates
Templates can be used to make creating a Job or Price List easier, by preloading them with
estimating information.

Turning a Job into a Template

A Template can be made from a Job in the Job Manager.

To create a Template from a Job: Fig 35.

1. Select the Job you want to make into a Template.

2. In 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 36.

1. Select the Price List you want to make into a

Template.

2. In the Price List Details check Use as template.

Use a template

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Getting Started │35

Client Manager
From the Client Manager you can create and manage a Companies and Contacts.

You can set a name, phone number, code and address for a Company, as well as a Primary
Contact. You can set a name, phone and e-mail details for a Contact.

Once created, you can edit Companies and Clients at any time. Editing in the Client Manager is
saved automatically.

You can also Archive and Merge both Companies and Contacts.

You can open the Client Manager from the Job Manager.
Fig 37.

Client Manager

Opening the Client Manager

You can open the Client Manager from the Job Manager.

To open the Client Manager:

1. From the Job Manager, click Manage from the Client group in the ribbon.

2. The Client Manager window will open.

Fig 38.

Client Manager

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Creating a Company
Companies are created in the Client Manager.

To create a new Company:

1. Click Manage from the Client group in the ribbon on the Job Manager.

2. The Client Manager window will open.

3. Click Create Company button from the Client Management group.

Fig 39.

Create Company

4. The Create Company window will open.

5. Type a Name for the Company, then fill in any other applicible details.

Only a name is required, phone number, code and address are not.

6. Click Create to create a Company.

Fig 40.

Create Company window

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Archive a Company
Companies can be archived in Client Manager. Fig 41.

To archive a Company:

1. Click Manage from the Client group in the ribbon

from the Job Manager.

2. The Client Manager window will open.

3. Use the mouse to select the Company you want

to archive.

You can archive multiple Companies at once. Archive Companies

4. Click Archive in the ribbon.

5. A new window will open asking Are you sure you want to archive the Company?

6. Click Archive to archive the Company.

Merging Companies
Companies can be merged in Client Manager. Fig 42.

To merge Companies together:

1. Click Manage from the Client group in the ribbon

from the Job Manager.

2. The Client Manager window will open.

3. Hold Ctrl and use your mouse to select the two

(or more) Companies you want to merge together.

4. Click Merge in the ribbon. Merge Companies

A Company can only be merged with another Company.

5. A new window will open asking Are you sure you want to merge these Companies?

6. Click Merge to merge the Companies together.

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Setting a Code for a Company
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:

1. From the Job Manager, click the Application button.

2. Click Options from the Application menu.

3. The Cubit Options menu will open.

4. Enter a new name from the field beside Company code name.

5. Click OK.
Fig 43.

Cubit Options

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Getting Started │39

Creating a Contact
Contacts are created in the Client Manager.

To create a new Contact:

1. Click Manage from the Client group in the ribbon from the Job Manager.

2. The Client Manager window will open.

3. Click Create Contact button from the Client Management group.

Fig 44.

Create Contact

4. The Create Contact window will open.

5. Type 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.

6. Select a Company you want to associate the Contact to.

7. Click Create to create a Contact.

Fig 45.

Create Contact window

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Getting Started │40

Archive a Contact
Contacts can be archived in Client Manager. Fig 46.

To archive a Contact:

1. Click Manage from the Client group in the ribbon

from the Job Manager.

2. The Client Manager window will open.

3. Use the mouse to select the Contact you want to

archive.

You can archive multiple Contacts at once. Archive Contact

4. Click Archive in the ribbon.

5. A new window will open asking Are you sure you want to archive the Contact?

6. Click Archive to archive the Contact.

Merging Contacts
Contacts can be merged in Client Manager. Fig 47.

To merge Contacts together:

1. Click Manage from the Client group in the ribbon

from the Job Manager.

2. The Client Manager window will open.

3. Hold Ctrl and use your mouse to select the two

(or more) Contacts you want to merge together.

4. Click Merge in the ribbon. Merge Contacts

A Contact can only be merged with another Contact using the same Company.

5. A new window will open asking Are you sure you want to merge these Contacts?

6. Click Merge to merge the Contacts together.

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Getting Started │41

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:

1. Click Manage from the Client group in the ribbon on the Job Manager.

2. The Client Manager window will open.

3. Use 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.

4. Check Use as Primary Contact.

Fig 48.

Create Company window

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Getting Started │42

Job Merge
Job Merge is the multi-user solution, allowing multiple users to work on separated Jobs and
have those Jobs merged to create a new Job. There is no limit to the amount of Jobs you can
merge.

Merging Jobs
You can Merge Jobs in the Job Manager.

To merge Jobs:

1. Select the Jobs you want to merge by holding Ctrl and left mouse clicking each Job.

2. Click Merge on the ribbon.

3. Name 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.

4. Check Include Plans if you want the Plans from each Job to be included in the merge.

5. Click OK to merge the Jobs into a new one.

Fig 49. Fig 50.

Merge button

Merge Jobs window

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Getting Started │43

Job Statuses and Freeze States
You can lock all or part of a Job with a Status or Freeze State. Statuses and Freeze States can
work exclusive of each other or be combined for compounded lock effects.

Applying a Job Status

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.

New
Description Rates Quantities Variations Options
Items

Open

Draft Complete

Submitted

Won

Lost

Completed

Cancelled

To apply a Status to a Job: Fig 51.

1. Select the Job you wish to apply a status to

2. In the Job Details click the Status drop

down menu

3. Select the status you wish to apply from

the list
Status

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Getting Started │44

Applying a Freeze State
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.

State Effect

None None

Quantities Quantities

Rates Rates

Options All Options

Options applied to
Option Values
Estimate
Option Configurations of
Configurations Options

Estimate Estimate Pane

Creating / inserting
New Items
new Items
Job Entire Estimate

To apply a Freeze State to a Job: Fig 52.

1. Select the Job you wish to apply a Freeze State to.

2. In the Job Details click the Freeze State drop down

menu.

3. Check any state(s) you wish to apply.

Status

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Getting Started │45

Update
You can use Job Update and Price List Update to manage changes in Jobs and Price Lists from a
source Job or Price List.

Unlike Buildsoft Global Estimating and Offsider Estimating, Update in Cubit works by updating
from a source Job or Price List.

Job Update
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 have an Item in Job A called Concrete Slab and insert that Item into Job B,
then you insert Concrete Slab into Job C from Job B. If you Update Job A, the remaining
two Jobs are updated.

Job Update does not work in reverse, it can only update any source Job or Price List.

For example if you changed Concrete Slab in Job B then Updated the Job, then Job C would
update but Job A would not. If you only changed Concrete Slab in Job C, Job Update would
not update Job A or B.

Job Update will not delete items from an Estimate, however it can delete items from a Rate
Sheet.

You can update across multiple Estimating levels, so Items that were in the Estimate can be
inserted into a Rate Sheet and still be updated.

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Getting Started │46

 Fig 53.

Update Price Lists

Description
Description will Update any Descriptions that have been changed in the Price List in the
Estimate Sheet, Rate Sheet or Calculation Sheet.

Unit
Unit will Update any Units that have been changed in the Estimate Sheet, Rate Sheet or
Calculation Sheet.

Quantity
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
Rate will Update any Rates that have been changed in the Estimate Sheet or Rate Sheet.

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Getting Started │47

 Grouping Codes
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
Options will Update any Options that have been changed in the Estimate Sheet, Rate Sheet or
Calculations Sheet.

Update Configurations
Update Configurations are used to control specific instances where Update can have multiple
affects.

Update Built Up Rate

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 new inserted Rate(s).

When Update built up rate is selected you will maintain the original Item Rate in the built up
Rate, and any Item(s) inserted with Add Rate will remain unaffected.

For example, you are using Template 1 as a source for Job 1. Template 1 has an Item in
Carpentry called External Wall. In Job 1 you want to include Studs inside this item, instead
of in the Estimate Sheet. You can Insert your Studs Item from a Price List or another Job,
using Add Rate will insert that Item into the Rate Sheet. Your Rate Sheet will now include
the original Item Rate and the newly inserted Rate.

If you now change the cost of Ext Wall in Template 1 and Update Job with Update built up
Rate selected, your Rate Sheet will keep the Stud Item and change only the original Item
cost in the Rate Sheet.

If Update built up rate is unchecked, your Rate Sheet will be completely replaced to match the
Rate as the source Job or Price List.

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Getting Started │48

 Fig 54.

Built up Rate Example

Add Missing Items

When Add missing items is selected any items new to the source Job or Price List will be added
to the Job. If Add missing items is unselected, newly created items will not be added to your
Job, only existing Items will be updated.

If you move any Item(s) from within a Job, but the Item(s) remain 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.

Price List Update

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 have an Item in Price List A called Bathroom Tiles and insert that Item
into Price List B, then you insert Bathroom Tiles into Price List C from Price List B. If you
Update Price List A, the remaining two Price Lists are updated.

Price List Update does not work in reverse, it can only update any source Job or Price List.

For example if you changed Bathroom Tiles in Job B then Updated the Price List, then Price
List C would update but Price List A would not. If you only changed Bathroom Tiles in Price
List C, Price ListUpdate would not update Price List A or B.

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Getting Started │49

Price List Update will not delete items from an Estimate, however it can delete items from a
Rate Sheet.

You can Update can update across multiple Estimating levels, so Items that were in the Estimate
can be inserted into a Rate Sheet and still be updated.
Fig 55.

Update Price Lists

Description
Description will Update any Descriptions that have been changed in the Price List in the
Estimate Sheet or Rate Sheet.

Unit
Unit will Update any Units that have been changed in the Estimate Sheet or Rate Sheet.

Quantity
Quantity will Update any Quantities that have been changed in the Rate Sheet.

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Getting Started │50

 Rate
Rate will Update any Rates that have been changed in the Estimate Sheet or Rate Sheet.

Grouping Codes
Grouping Codes will Update any Grouping Codes applied to the Job that have been changed in
the Estimate Sheet or Rate Sheet.

Options
Options will Update any Options that have been changed in the Estimate Sheet or Rate Sheet.

Update Configurations
Update Configurations are used to control specific instances where Update can have multiple
affects.

Update Built Up Rate

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 new inserted Rate(s).

When Update built up rate is selected you will maintain the original Item Rate in the built up
Rate, and any Item(s) inserted with Add Rate will remain unaffected.

For example, you are using Template 1 as a source for Price List 1. Template 1 has an Item
in Carpentry called External Wall. In Price List 1 you want to include Studs inside this Item,
instead of in the Estimate Sheet. You can Insert your Studs Item from another Price List or
Job, using Add Rate will insert that Item into the Rate Sheet. Your Rate Sheet will now
include the original Item Rate and the newly inserted Rate.

If you now change the cost of Ext Wall in Template 1 and Update Job with Update built up
Rate selected, your Rate Sheet will keep the Stud Item and change only the original Item
cost in the Rate Sheet.

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Getting Started │51

If Update built up rate is unchecked, your Rate Sheet will be completely replaced to match the
Rate as the source Job or Price List.
Fig 56.

Built up Rate Example

Add Missing Items

When Add missing items is selected any items new to the source Job or Price List will be added
to the Price List. If Add missing items is unselected, newly created items will not be added to
your Price List, only existing Items will be updated.

If you move any Item(s) from within a Price List, but the Item(s) remain 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.

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Getting Started │52

PRICE LISTS
Price Lists contain a collection of cost information
collated together for use within one or more Jobs.
You can have as many Price Lists as you want. Price
Lists can then be nominated as Templates or called up
from within a Job to use the prices.
Creating a Price List
Price List are created in the Job Manager.

To create a new Price List:

1. Click the arrow under the New Job button.

2. Select Price List.

3. Name your Price List in the New Price List window.

4. You can select a Template from the Template list if you want to use one.

5. Click Ok.

Fig 57. Fig 58.

New Job menu

New Price List window

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Price Lists │54

Building up a Price List
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.

Price List Window Button Bar

Fig 59.

Price List Buttons

Fig 60.

Heading
Make the selected row(s) a heading.
Item
Make the selected row(s) an item for
measurement and/or pricing.
Unindent(CRTL + >)
Unindent the selected row(s).
Indent(CRTL + <)
Indent the selected row(s).
Insert New
Insert a new item before the current row.
Add New
Add a new item to the end of the current
heading.

Import a CSV file

To import a CSV file:

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Price Lists │55

Click CSV in the Insert tab on the Home ribbon. Left click the mouse on the File: field.

1. Locate 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.

2. Source column fields can be one of the following: ‘Description’, ‘Unit’, ‘Rate’, ‘Markup’,’
‘Code’, or ‘Heading’.

3. Click either Insert to convert a new price list or Update to update an existing price list.
Fig 61.

Organising Columns

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Price Lists │56

Using a Price List in a Job
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 62.

Insert from Price List

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.

Use this to bring across whole Trades or all the items

under headings. For every heading or trade you
Down
select, Cubit will bring across all of the Items
contained in that heading.

Use this option if you would like the headings of

selected Items to be brought into the new Job. This
allows you to select only the Items you want but still
Up
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.

Only the rows that you have selected yourself will be

None
brought into the Job.

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Price Lists │57

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

Insert the current position of the active row in the
estimate sheet.

The selected Rate will update the currently active

Replace
row Rate.

The selected Rows will be added to the Rate sheet

Add Rate
for the currently active Row.

Add Rate
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 63.

Insert Rate from Price List

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Price Lists │58

ESTIMATING
Cubit uses a single Estimate, which is made up of an
Item sheet, Calculation sheet and Rate sheet.

You can organise the parts of your estimate into

headings and Items, with headings also working like
subtotals for your Job.
Quick Access Toolbar
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.

Job Manager
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:

1. Locate the group that contains the button you want to add to the Quick Access toolbar.

2. Right-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 64.

Job Manager button

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Estimating │60

Panes
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.

Estimate Pane
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.

Estimate Window Button Bar

Heading Fig 65.
Make the selected row(s) a heading.
Item
Make the selected row(s) an item for
Estimate Window Buttons
measurement and/or pricing.
Unindent(CRTL + >)
Unindent the selected row(s).
Indent(CRTL + <)
Indent the selected row(s).
Insert New
Insert a new item before the current row.
Add New
Add a new item to the end of the current
heading.

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Estimating │61

Viewport Pane
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 66.

Viewport pane

Plans Pane
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 67.

Plans pane

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Estimating │62

Details Pane
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 68.

e.g. a vaulted ceiling

Details Pane - Area

Length results can have the slope ° and factor Fig 69.
applied or altered

e.g. roof members, rafters.

Details Pane - Length

Volume results can have a depth applied or Fig 70.

altered

e.g. a slab depth

Details Pane - Volume

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Estimating │63

 Volume by Length results can have a trench Fig 71.
width, depth, slope ° and factor applied.

Details Pane - Volume by Length

Vertical results can have a wall height at each Fig 72.

end of the line

e.g. raking wall and a factor applied.

Details Pane - Vertical

Navigation Pane
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.

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Estimating │64

 Fig 73.

Navigation Pane

Using the Viewport pane

The Viewport Pane is the main window you will use for your takeoff, inside this window you will
draw lines, shapes and create openings.

Navigation
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.

Viewport toolbar
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 74.

Figure 43 Viewport Toolbar

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Estimating │65

 Selection
There are two main ways to interact with your Viewport pane, drawing and selection. To enable
selection, on the Home tab click Select.

Drawing
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.

Drawing a Line with a Polyline

The Polyline tool is how you will perform most drawing.

To draw a line:

1. Left 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.

2. Left click when you want to end your line.

An orange box will appear again if using an applicable vector plan.

3. Right 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:

1. Left 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.

2. Left click when you want to line to change direction, such as a corner.

An orange box will appear if using an applicable vector plan.

3. Repeat Step 2 for every corner or direction change.

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Estimating │66

 4. To 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.

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Estimating │67

 General
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.

Viewport
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.

Dimensions
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.

Reports
The Reports tab is where you control the options for your reporting.

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Estimating │68

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.

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Estimating │69

Ribbon
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.

Home Tab
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 75.

Home Tab Ribbon

Plans tab
The Plans tab is where you control the elements of your plan, specifically scaling and rotating
your plan and managing your revisions.

Fig 76.

Plans tab

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Estimating │70

View Tab
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 77.

View tab

Data Tab
The Datatab is where you will find your reporting information, and where you can integrate
other programs, rates and codes into your plan.

Fig 78.

Data tab

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Estimating │71

Creating Trades
Your estimate should be divided into Trades to simplify and organise an estimate.

To create a Trade:

1. In your Estimatedouble left mouse click the most left text box.

2. Enter the trade you would like to create.

eg. Concrete, Brickwork, Painter.

3. Press Enter on your keyboard.

4. Select the line trade line you just created

5. Click Heading on the Estimate toolbar.

Fig 79.

Estimate toolbar

Creating Headings
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:

1. In your Estimatedouble left mouse click the most left text box underneath your trade.

2. Enter the trade you would like to create.

eg. Feature Wall, Rompus, Ensuite.

3. Press Enter on your keyboard.

4. Select the line trade line you just created

5. Click Heading on the Estimate toolbar.

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Estimating │72

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.

Description
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.

Quantity
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.

Unit
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.

Rate
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.

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Estimating │73

Rel
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.

Cost/m2
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.

Factor
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.

Markup %
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.

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Total
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.

Conversion
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.

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Calculation Sheet
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.

Calculation Sheet

Description
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.

Factor
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.

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Length, Width and Depth
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.

Markup
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.

Rel
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.

Total
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.

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Rate Breakup 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.

Rate sheet

Description
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

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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.

Markup (%)
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.

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Formulas
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.

Mathematical Operations
The following mathematical operations are available in Cubit:

Symbol Operation

+ Addition

- Subtraction

* Multiplication

/ Division

() Parenthesis

Mathematical Functions
The following mathematical functions are available in Cubit:

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 Code Function Description

ABS Absolute Value Always shows the number as a positive value

EXP Exponent Calculates e to the power of a number*

Calculates how many times e multiplies into another
LOG Logarithm
number*
Calculates how many times 10 multiplies into another
LOG10 Logarithm (Base 10)
number
SQRT Square Root Calculates the square root of a number
Calculates an angle on a right triangle, which is the adjacent
COS Cosine
side divided by the hypotenuse
Calculates an angle on a right triangle, which is the opposite
SIN Sine
side divided by the hypotenuse
Calculates an angle on a right triangle, which is the opposite
TAN Tangent
side divided by the adjacent side
ACOS Arccosine Calculates the inverse of cosine

ASIN Arcsine Calculates the inverse of sine

ATAN Arctangent Calculates the inverse of tangent

Calculates the distances of a point on a hyperbola to the
COSH Hyperbolic Cosine
origin and to the coordinate axes
Calculates the distances of a point on a hyperbola to the
SINH Hyperbolic Sine
origin and to the coordinate axes
Calculates the the ration between hyperbolic cosine and
TANH Hyperbolic Tangent
hyperbolic sine using e*
Calculates the remainder after division of one number by
MOD Modulus
another

* The number e, also called Euler's number, is an important number in mathematics. The
first few digits are: 2.718281.

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Rounding Functions
The following rounding functions are available in Cubit:

Code Function Description

Round to the nearest whole number (or decimal
ROUND Round
place if specified)
NEAR Nearest Round to the nearest whole number
Round up to the nearest number (or decimal place
ROUNDUP Round Up
if specified)
RND Round Up Round up to the nearest whole number
Round up to the nearest whole number (or decimal
CEILING Ceiling
place if specified)
Round down to the nearest number (or decimal
ROUNDDOWN Round Down
place if specified)
Round down to the nearest whole number (or
INT Integer
decimal place if specified)
Round down to the nearest whole number (or
FLOOR Floor
decimal place if specified)
DP1 1 Decimal Place Round to the nearest 1 decimal places

DP2 2 Decimal Places Round to the nearest 2 decimal places

RUP01 Round Up by 0.1 Round up to the nearest multiple of 0.1

RUP001 Round Up by 0.01 Round up to the nearest multiple of 0.01

RUP03 Round Up by 0.3 Round up to the nearest multiple of 0.3

RUP05 Round Up by 0.5 Round up to the nearest multiple of 0.5

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Job Adjustment and Sales Tax
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:

1. Open your Job from the Job list in the Job Manager window.

2. In the status bar of the Opened Job click on the number next to the Adjustment or Total
after tax label.

3. Make 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 82.

Adjustment and sales tax

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Variations
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.

Enabling Variations
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 83.

Panes Group

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 84.

Column Chooser Menu

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Building Variation Codes
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 85.

Variations Panes

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:

1. Create a container by selecting a blank line in the Variations pane.

2. Click Add Container.

3. Ensure the check box in Mutual column is marked if you wish the container to be
mutually exclusive.

4. Select the container and then click Add Item to add items in the container.
Fig 86. Fig 87.

Add Container Add Item

Inserting Variation Items

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:

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 1. Click Add Variation Item in the Insert group of the Home tab.

2. Select the Variation code: drop down menu, and select which code you wish to apply to
the item.

3. The Description, Status and Details will load as per your Variation Code.

4. Enter the Description you wish the Item in the Estimate to have.

5. Select where you want the Item to appear, by default Append is selected. Select if the
item you are creating Is Heading or not.

6. Click Add.
Fig 88.

Add Variation Item

Finalising a Variation
To finalise a Variation, select a Status from the Variations Pane depending on whether you want
to approve or reject the Variation.

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 Fig 89.
Status Effect

Proposed No effect

Submitted No Effect

Approved Adds to Estimate

Variation Status
Rejection No effect

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Constants
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 90.

Insert Constants window

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Creating Constants
You can create a new Constants from the Job Manager.

To create a Constant:

1. From the Job Manager, click Constants from the Data group in the ribbon.

2. The Constants window will open.

3. Use your mouse to select a Constants heading from the right pane, or selecting the
bottom empty row and typing a new Constants heading.

4. Use 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.

5. Type a Code, Description and Value for your Constant.

6. There 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.

7. Click Close to finish.

Fig 91.

Creating Constants

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Deleting Constants
You can delete Constants from the Constants management window.

To delete a Constant:

1. From the Job Manager, click Constants from the Data group in the ribbon.

2. The Constants window will open.

3. Use your mouse to select a Constants heading from the left pane.

4. Use your mouse to select the Constant from the right pane that you want to delete.

5. Click Delete to remove the Constant.

Deleting a Constant is permanent and can't be undone.

6. Click Close to finish.

You can delete a Constant heading by right clicking a heading.

Fig 92.

Deleting Constants

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Estimating │90

Inserting Constants
Constants can be inserted from an open Job or Price List.

To insert a Constant:

1. Using the mouse, selece the cell you want to insert a Constant in.

2. Click Constants from the Insert group in the ribbon.

Fig 93.

Constants from the Insert group

3. The Insert Constants window will open.

You can't add or edit to the Constants library from the Insert Constants window.

4. Enter the Description or Code in the Find bar for the Constant you want to use, or
navigate through the Library.

5. Using the mouse, click the Constant you want to use.

6. Click Insert.

Insert will be unavailable if you haven't selected a cell to insert a Constant into.
Fig 94.

Insert Constants window

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Exporting Constants
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:

1. From the Job Manager, click Constants from the Data group in the ribbon.

2. The Constants window will open.

3. Click Export.

4. Browse to the location on your computer you want to save your Constants library.

5. Type a File name.

6. Click Save.
Fig 95.

Exporting Constants Library

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Importing Constants
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:

1. From the Job Manager, click Constants from the Data group in the ribbon.

2. The Constants window will open.

3. Click Import.

4. Click the File field.

5. Browse your computer for the CSV you wish to import, then click to select it.

6. Click Open.

Any detected duplicate Constants will be ignored.

7. Click Close.
Fig 96.

Import Constants library

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Estimating │93

Estimate Configuration
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 97.

Material/Labour Mode

You can not use Referencing on any Jobs using the Material/Labour Configuration Mode.

Default Configuration
You can set your default Estimate Configuration through the Cubit Options.

To change your default Estimate Configuration:

1. Access the Cubit Options by clicking Cubit application button in the top left of the Job
Manager.

2. Click Options.

3. Select the Jobs tab.

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Estimating │94

 4. Click the drop down menu beside Estimate Configuration: and select Simple or
Material/Labour to set the default configuration when creating new jobs.
Fig 98.

Setting Configuration default in Cubit Options

Converting between Configurations

You can convert Jobs between Estimate Configurations in the Job Manager.

To convert between Estimate Configurations:

1. Right mouse click the Job you wish to convert.

2. From the menu, select Convert.

3. Select either To Simple or To Material/Labour.

The current Configuration ofthe job will be greyed out.

4. The Job will be duplicated, and the new Job will now be the Configuration you selected
Fig 99.

Converting between Configurations

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REFERENCING
From a cell or a row you can Reference other cells
and rows. Referencing. works inside a Job or Price List
and you can assign Templates, Price Lists, or another
Job to be referenced. You can also reference Shape
Results
Referencing Overview
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 100. 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.

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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.

Anatomy of a Reference
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:

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Locations
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 101. 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:

Abbreviation Description

ES Item Sheet

CS Calculation Sheet

RS Rate Sheet

PL Price List

SR Shape Results

XJB External Job

XPL External Price List

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Reference Codes
Every row in the Item sheet, Rate sheet, and Calculation sheet has a unique code assigned to it.
These are called Reference 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. You can edit Reference Codes by double
clicking or right clicking the Code.

Fig 102. 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 103. Ref column

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Columns
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.

Abbreviation Description

DES Description

QTY Quantity

RAT Rate

TOT Total

FAC Factor

MRK Markup

UNT Unit

RES Result

REL Rel

GFA Cost/m2

LEN Length

WID Width

DEP Depth

SUB Subtotal

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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 104. Reference List

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Using the Formula Bar for Referencing
The Formula bar can give show you more information for a cell than the cell itself can show and
give you more room for viewing and editing References and Reference Codes.

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 105. Formula Bar

You can edit your Reference by double clicking the Reference Code, this will open Edit Reference
Code window. You can change the Reference Code, but it can't be the same as an existing Code
in the Job or Price List.

Fig 106. Edit Reference Code

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Referencing Examples
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 107. 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 108. Using References to calculate a new Quantity

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Cell Referencing

Understanding Cell Referencing

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 109. Cell Referencing

Invalid Circular References

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.

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Creating a Cell 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:

1. Using the mouse, click the cell you want to create a reference in.

2. Press the at sign (@) to initiate your reference.

Fig 110. Initiating a Reference

3. Type 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.

4. To 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.

5. Press Enter to complete the reference.

Fig 111. Creating a Cell Reference

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Creating a Cell Reference in a Formula
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:

1. Using the mouse, click the cell you want to create a reference in.

2. Press the at sign (@) to initiate your reference.

Fig 112. Initiating a Reference

3. Type the Reference Code or Description of the Item you are referencing.

4. To 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.

5. Press the mathematical operation you want to use.

For example, use the plus sign for addition, or the asterisk for multiplication.

Fig 113. Cell Reference with a basic formula

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 6. Press the at sign (@) to initiate another reference.

7. Type the Reference Code or Description of the Item you are referencing.

8. To specify a different column to reference, type full stop (.) then type the Abbreviation or
Description of the column you are referencing.

9. Press Enter to complete the reference with the formula.

You can build up a formula with multiple Operators and References.

Fig 114. Cell Reference with a detailed formula

Mathematical Operations
The following mathematical operations are available in Cubit:

Symbol Operation

+ Addition

- Subtraction

* Multiplication

/ Division

() Parenthesis

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Creating a Cell Reference using a Function
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:

1. Using 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.

2. Type the function code that you want to use.

The Reference List will filter the functions as you type.

Fig 115. Entering a Function

3. Press Enter to confirm you function selection.

Opening brackets will be created automatically for you.

4. Press the at sign (@) to initiate your reference.

5. Type the Reference Code or Description of the Item you are referencing.

6. To specify a different column to reference, type full stop (.) then type the Abbreviation or
Description of the column you are referencing.

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 The Reference List will display some Codes and Descriptions of the columns that can be
referenced.

7. Press close bracket to complete the function.

A reference using a function can also be used in a formula other functions.

8. Press Enter to complete the reference.

Fig 116. Completed Cell Reference using COS Function

Mathematical Functions
The following mathematical functions are available in Cubit:

Code Function Description

ABS Absolute Value Always shows the number as a positive value

EXP Exponent Calculates e to the power of a number*

Calculates how many times e multiplies into another
LOG Logarithm
number*
Calculates how many times 10 multiplies into another
LOG10 Logarithm (Base 10)
number
SQRT Square Root Calculates the square root of a number
Calculates an angle on a right triangle, which is the adjacent
COS Cosine
side divided by the hypotenuse
Calculates an angle on a right triangle, which is the opposite
SIN Sine
side divided by the hypotenuse
Calculates an angle on a right triangle, which is the opposite
TAN Tangent
side divided by the adjacent side

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 Code Function Description

ACOS Arccosine Calculates the inverse of cosine

ASIN Arcsine Calculates the inverse of sine

ATAN Arctangent Calculates the inverse of tangent

Calculates the distances of a point on a hyperbola to the
COSH Hyperbolic Cosine
origin and to the coordinate axes
Calculates the distances of a point on a hyperbola to the
SINH Hyperbolic Sine
origin and to the coordinate axes
Calculates the the ration between hyperbolic cosine and
TANH Hyperbolic Tangent
hyperbolic sine using e*
Calculates the remainder after division of one number by
MOD Modulus
another

* The number e, also called Euler's number, is an important number in mathematics. The
first few digits are: 2.718281.

Creating a Cell Reference using a Rounding

Function
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:

1. Using the mouse, click the cell you want to create a reference in.

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 You can only select a cell which uses numbers, such as Factor or Rate.

2. Type the function code you want to use.

The Reference List will filter the functions as you type.

Fig 117. Entering a Rounding Function

3. Press Enter to confirm your function selection.

4. Enter the at sign (@) to initiate your reference.

5. Type the Reference Code or Description of the Item you are referencing.

6. To 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.

7. Press close bracket to complete the function.

A function reference can be used in a formula with additional operators and functions.

8. Press Enter to complete the reference.

Fig 118. Completed Cell Reference using NEAR Function

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 Rounding Functions
The following rounding functions are available in Cubit:

Code Function Description

Round to the nearest whole number (or decimal
ROUND Round
place if specified)
NEAR Nearest Round to the nearest whole number
Round up to the nearest number (or decimal place
ROUNDUP Round Up
if specified)
RND Round Up Round up to the nearest whole number
Round up to the nearest whole number (or decimal
CEILING Ceiling
place if specified)
Round down to the nearest number (or decimal
ROUNDDOWN Round Down
place if specified)
Round down to the nearest whole number (or
INT Integer
decimal place if specified)
Round down to the nearest whole number (or
FLOOR Floor
decimal place if specified)
DP1 1 Decimal Place Round to the nearest 1 decimal places

DP2 2 Decimal Places Round to the nearest 2 decimal places

RUP01 Round Up by 0.1 Round up to the nearest multiple of 0.1

RUP001 Round Up by 0.01 Round up to the nearest multiple of 0.01

RUP03 Round Up by 0.3 Round up to the nearest multiple of 0.3

RUP05 Round Up by 0.5 Round up to the nearest multiple of 0.5

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Creating a Cell Reference using SUM
Function
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:

1. Using the mouse, click the cell you want to create the reference in.

2. Type sum to initiate your reference, then press Enter.

Opening brackets will be created automatically for you.

3. Press the at sign (@) to initiate your first reference.

4. Type the Reference Code or Description of the first Item you want to use for the SUM
function.

Fig 119. Beginning the SUM Function

5. To 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.

6. Press comma to separate the first Item to the last Item of the SUM Function.

7. Press the at sign (@) to initiate your second reference.

8. Type the Reference Code or Description of the last Item you want to use for the SUM
function.

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 9. To 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.

10. Press close bracket to complete the SUM Function formula.

11. Press Enter to complete the reference using SUM Function.

Fig 120. Completed SUM Function with Referencing

Creating a Cell Reference using TSUM

Function
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:

1. Using the mouse, click the cell you want to create the reference in.

2. Type tsum to initiate your reference, then press Enter.

Opening brackets will be created automatically for you.

3. Press the at sign (@) to initiate your first reference.

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 Fig 121. Beginning TSUM Function

4. Type the Reference Code or Description of the first Item you want to use for the TSUM
function.

5. Press comma (,) to separate the first Item to the last Item of the TSUM Function.

6. Type the at sign (@) to initiate your second reference.

7. Type the Reference Code or Description of the last Item you want to use for the TSUM
Function.

8. Press to complete the TSUM Function formula.

9. Press Enter to complete the reference using SUM Function.

Fig 122. Completed TSUM Function using References

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Row Referencing

Understanding Row Referencing

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 123. Row Reference

Creating a 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:

1. Using the mouse, click the Description cell in the row you want to create a reference in.

2. Press the at sign (@) to initiate your reference.

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 Fig 124. Creating a Row Reference

3. Type 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.

4. Press Enter to complete the reference.

If you have referenced a Row from a different sheet, only identical columns will be
referenced.

Fig 125. Row Reference

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Referencing Shape Results
You can create a reference using Shape results, this includes the Count, Height, and Width of
windows and doors.

Fig 126. Shape results from the Shapes pane

Creating a Cell Reference Using a Shape

Result
You can create a cell reference using a Shape result from the Shapes pane.

To create a Cell Reference using a Shape result:

1. Using the mouse, click the arrow beside any Shape in the Shapes pane.

2. All Shape results will show indented under the Shape.

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 3. While holding Shift, click and drag a Shape result to any cell where you want the Shape
result to be referenced.

Fig 127. Inserting Row Reference as a New Line

Insert a Row Reference Using a Shape Result

You can create a row reference using a Shape result from the Shapes pane.

To create a Row Reference using a Shape result:

1. Using the mouse, click the arrow beside any Shape in the Shapes pane.

2. All Shape results will show indented under the Shape.

3. Click and drag a Shape result to any row where you want the Shape result to be
referenced.

Fig 128. Inserting Row Reference as a New Line

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External Referencing

Understanding External Referencing

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 129. 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 130. Drag and Drop

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 Using the References Pane
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 131. References Pane

You can enable the References pane from an open Job or Price List.

To enable the References pane:

1. On the ribbon, click the View tab.

2. In the View tab, in the Panes group, click References.

3. The References pane will open.

Fig 132. Panes group

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 Cached References
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.

Setting a Default Assigned Price List

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 133. Default Assigned Price Lists

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Assigning an External Price List
You can assign a Price List as an External Reference from an open Job or Price List.

To assign an External Price List:

1. On the ribbon, click the Data tab.

2. In the Data tab, in the References group, click Assign Price Lists.

Fig 134. Assign Price Lists

3. The 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.

4. Using 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.

5. Click the right facing arrow and the selected Price List will move into the Assigned pane.

6. Click OK to assign the Price List.

Fig 135. Assign Price Lists

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Unassigning an External Price List
You can unassign a Price List as an External Reference from an open Job or Price List.

To unassign an External Price List:

1. On the ribbon, click the Data tab.

2. In the Data tab, in the References group, click Assign Price Lists.

Fig 136. Assign Price Lists

3. The Assign Price Lists window will open.

4. Using 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.

5. Click the left facing arrow and the selected Price List will move into the Price List pane.

6. Click OK to unassign the Price List.

Fig 137. Unassign Price Lists

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Assigning an External Job
You can assign a Job as an External Reference from an open Job.

To create a Row Reference:

1. On the ribbon, click the Data tab.

2. In the Data tab, in the References group, click Assign Jobs.

Fig 138. Assign Jobs

3. The 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.

4. Using 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.

5. Click the right facing arrow and the selected Job will move into the Assigned pane.

You can't assign a Project or Folder.

6. Click OK to assign the Job.

Fig 139. Assign Jobs

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Unassigning an External Job
You can unassign a Job as an External Reference from an open Job.

To unassign an External Job:

1. On the ribbon, click the Data tab.

2. In the Data tab, in the References group, click Assign Jobs.

Fig 140. Assign Jobs

3. The Assign Jobs window will open.

4. Using 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.

5. Click the left facing arrow and the selected Job will move into the Jobs pane.

6. Click OK to unassign the Job.

Fig 141. Unassign Jobs

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Creating a Cell Reference from an External
Job or Price List
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:

1. Using the mouse, click either the Price List or Job icon from the References pane.

2. Click 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 142. Inserting Row Reference as a New Line

Creating a Row Reference from an External

Job or Price List
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:

1. Using the mouse, click either the Price List or Job icon from the References pane.

2. Click 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.

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 Fig 143. Inserting Row Reference as a New Line

Creating a Row Reference from an External

Job or Price List in a New Row
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:

1. Using the mouse, click either the Price List or Job icon from the References pane.

2. While 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 144. Inserting Row Reference as a New Line

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 Quantities in Cubit are easilly generated from Plans.
Cubit allows you to load multiple different types of
PLANS

Plans, from PDF to AutoCad and even image and BIM

files.
How to insert a Plan
You can insert a Plan from an open Job.

To insert a plan:

1. Click Insert, in the Plans tab in the ribbon.

2. In the Open window, search your computer for the plan you want to use.

3. With your mouse, select your plan.

4. Click Open.

Fig 145. Insert a Plan

Supported formats
Cubit allows you to extract quantities from Vector or Raster plans and drawings.

Supported Vector files include PDF, CAD (DWG, DXF) and BIM (DWFx) these can be exported
from applications like AutoCAD™ and Microstation™.

Supported Raster files include PDF, JPG, BMP, PNG and TIFF, these can be taken from plan files.

Cubit prefers CAD plans (DWG, DXF) as they typically have both better layer data and more
accurate lines when taking off. Vector PDFs are the next best, as they are typically created from
a CAD document. Vector based plans are preferred as they have additional functionality,
specifically around accuracy.

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Scaling your Plans
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 146. Scale Plan window

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Drawing a Scale from a reference line
You can draw a Scale from the Scale Plan windowin an open Job

To draw a scale from a reference line:

1. If the Scale Plan window doesn't open automatically, use your mouse to click Scale in the
Plans tab in the ribbon.

2. The Scale Plan window will open.

3. By 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.

4. In 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.

5. Type 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.

6. Click 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.

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Rotating your Plan
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 147.

Rotate Plan

Rotate Plan by any angle

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 148.

Rotate Plan Window

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Interacting with your Plans in a Job

Seeing a Plan in the Viewport

To open a plan through the Viewport:

1. Click Insert.

2. In the Open window that appears, search for the plan you want to use.

3. Select 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.

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Plan pane
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 149.

Plans Pane

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Plan Revisions
Plan Revisions allows you to import revised plans and compare the differences between the
plans. It makes viewing changes like walls, floor space or openings easy to do.

Adding a Revision
To add a plan revision:

1. Click Add Revisionsfrom the Plans tab in the ribbon.

2. In the Open window that appears, search for the plan you want to use.

3. Select your plan.

4. Click Open.
Fig 150.

Add Revision

Managing Changes
When the revised plan is imported into your estimate, the Viewport pane will highlight the
difference between the original and revised plan. Added elements not in the original plan will
appear in green, while removed elements will appear in red. Unchanged elements of takeoff will
appear in grey.

In the Plans pane you can manage both the original plan and revised plan, select the eye beside
either plan to toggle viewing it on the Viewport pane. Through the Revisions tab on the Plans
pane the plan is divided up into three categories which help to easily manage your job: new,
deleted or unchanged.

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 Fig 151.

Revisions Tab

Finalising your Revision

You can choose to keep or discard your changes. On the Plans tab on the ribbon, click Cancel
Revision to discard changes or Finish Revision to save them. If you discard your changes they will
be gone and irretrievable.
Fig 152.

Finish Revision

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TAKEOFF
'Takeoff' is the process of creating Shapes from a plan
to generate Quantities.

Takeoff is done in Cubit by assigning a Result Type to

an Item to specify how that Item calculates its
Quantities and drawing on a Plan to generate a
Shape.
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.

Assigning a Result Type to an Item

You assign Result Types to Items from the Result column in the Item sheet.

To assign a Result Type to an Item:

1. Using 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.

2. Click the Result column, and a list of Result Types will appear.

3. Select a Result Type from the list.

You can select the empty line at the bottom of the list to clear the Result Type.

Fig 153. Assigning Result Types

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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
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
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

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
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
Volume calculates the volume of a shape. Volume is useful for concrete slabs and concreting
pilings among others.

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 Volume by length
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
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

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
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 & Door Counts

Window Counts and Door Counts calculate the number of windows or doors inserted in the plan.

Note
Note is a custom field, where you can insert any information you want that isn’t listed in any
other result type.

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Takeoff Tools
There are two main types of quantity takeoff:

1. Drawing is the process where you trace or create shapes that define elements of your
Job.

2. Counting 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 Takeoff
We have a variety of drawing tools that can be used in your take off.
Fig 154.

Drawing Tools

Polyline
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:

1. Your plan is scaled off.

2. That an estimate item with a valid result type is active.

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 3. That you are in Polyline mode, Polyline tool will be highlighted in the Shapes group in the
Home tab of the ribbon.

Draw straight lines

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.

Draw arcs
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.

Pick lines
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.

Rectangle
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.

Ellipse
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.

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 Line
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.

Counting Takeoff
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.

Annotation
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.

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Define Shape Information
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 155.

New task

New Shape values

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.

Deduction
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

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Takeoff │146

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.

Close polyline
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.

Description
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:

1. Select your Shape(s).

2. In the Viewport right click that Shape(s).

3. Click Rename.

4. Enter a new name.

5. Click 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.

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 Volume depth
Volume depth is the depth to use when using the volume result type.

Height
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.

Next line values

You can control not only the values of the shape but you can control specific elements of the
next line.

Start and End height

Start / End Height calculates the height details for the next line drawn, this doesn’t affect any
completed line.

Gross Floor Area

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.

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JOB GROUPING
The way you first structure your Estimate is not
necessarily the only way you want to view your Job.
With Job Grouping you can group similar information
together using Quantity Codes or Rate Codes.

Job Grouping is a flexible solution for not only

modifying Jobs for presentation, but grouping like
items for project management or accounting
software.
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 Code Group Examples

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 156. Quantity Code Group Example

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Job Grouping │150

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 157. Quantity Code Group Example

Rate Code Group Examples

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.

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Job Grouping │151

 Fig 158. 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 159. Rate Code Group Example

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Job Grouping │152

Code Groups
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 160. Grouping Codes

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Managing 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 161. Job Manager ribbon

To open Grouping Codes from a Job or Price List:

● Click Manage from the Configurations tab in the

ribbon.

Fig 162. Job ribbon

Understanding Code Constraints

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.

Restraint Character Limit

Q 2

Q2 2

R 3

R2 6

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Creating a Code Group
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:

1. From the Job Manager, click Codes in the ribbon. From a Job or Price List, click Manage
from the Configurations tab in the ribbon.

2. Click the Quantity or Rate tab, depending on what type of Code Group you want to
create.

3. In the left pane, click the bottom empty row.

4. Type a name in the Code column.

There is a 10 character limit for the name of a Code Group.

5. Type a description in the Description column.

There is a 500 character limit for the Description of a Code Group.

6. Type a code in the Code column.

You can edit a Code Group at any time from the Grouping Codes window.

Fig 163. Grouping Codes

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Archiving a Code Group
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:

1. From the Job Manager, click Codes in the ribbon. From a Job or Price List, click Manage
from the Configurations tab in the ribbon.

2. Click the Quantity or Rate tab, depending on what type of Code Group you want to
archive.

3. In 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 164. Grouping Codes

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Job Grouping │156

Creating Codes
You can create Codes from the Job Manager, from an open Job or from a Price List.

To create a Code:

1. From the Job Manager, click Codes in the ribbon. From a Job or Price List, click Manage
from the Configurations tab in the ribbon.

2. Click the Quantity or Rate tab, depending on what type of Code you are creating.

3. From the left pane click a Code Group, then in the right pane, click the first empty row.

4. Type a code in the Code column.

Unless a Code constraint is checked, the default character limit is 25.

5. Type a description in the Description column.

6. Repeat the above two steps for each Code you want to create.

7. Click Close when finished.

Fig 165. Grouping Codes

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Job Grouping │157

Deleting a Code
You can delete Codes from the Job Manager, from an open Job or from a Price List.

To create a heading:

1. From the Job Manager, click Codes in the ribbon. From a Job or Price List, click Manage
from the Configurations tab in the ribbon.

2. Click the Quantity or Rate tab.

3. Click a Code Group from the left pane to select it.

4. Right-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 166. Grouping Codes

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Job Grouping │158

Using Headings with 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:

1. From the Job Manager, click Codes in the ribbon. From a Job or Price List, click Manage
from the Configurations tab in the ribbon.

2. Click the Quantity or Rate tab.

3. Click a Code Group from the left pane to select it.

4. Click any Code from the right pane, and click the Indent button.

Your code will indent and a new line will be created above it.

5. Type 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 167. Grouping Codes

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Exporting a Code Group
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:

1. From 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.

2. Click either the Quantity or Rate tab, depending on what type of Code Group you want to
export.

3. Click the Code Group you want to export.

4. Click Export.

5. Browse to the location on your computer you want to save the Code Group.

6. Type a File name.

7. Click Save.

Fig 168. Exporting Grouping Codes

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Job Grouping │160

Importing a Code Group
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:

1. From the Job Manager, click Codes in the ribbon. From a Job or Price List, click Manage
from the Configurations tab in the ribbon.

2. Click Import.

3. Click the File field.

4. Browse your compauter for the CSV you wish to import, then click to select it.

5. Click Open.

6. Select the Category using the Category Filed.

7. Type a Name and Description of the Group.

8. Click a Category to select one.

The Category will automatically be assigned if the CSV was previously exported from
Cubit.

9. Type a name for the Group.

10. Type a Description.

11. Click Import.

Fig 169. Import Grouping Codes

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Job Grouping │161

Assigning 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.

Adding a Code Group to a Job

You can add a Code Group in a Job or Template.

To add a Code Group to Job:

1. From an open Job, click Edit Columns from the Data tab in the ribbon.

2. Click the Quantity or Rate tab, depending on the Code Group you want to add.

3. Check the box to the right for any Code Group you want to add to your Job.

4. You 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.

5. Click Ok.

Fig 170. Group mapping

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Job Grouping │162

Adding a Code Group to a Price List
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:

1. From an open Price List, click Edit Columns from the Configuration tab in the ribbon.

2. Click 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.

3. You 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.

4. Click 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 171. Group mapping

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Assigning a Code to an Item
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:

1. From 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.

2. Type the Code or Description of the Code you wish you use.

The Code List drop down will filter as you type.

3. Press Enter once the Code you want to use is at the top of the Code drop down list.

Fig 172. Codes in Item sheet

Fig 173. Codes in Rate sheet

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Setting default Code Groups
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:

1. From the Job Manager, click the Cubit application button. From a Job or Price List, click
the Job application button.

2. Click the Jobs tab.

3. Click Customise next to Assigned code groups.

4. Click the Quantity or Rate tab.

5. Check any Code Group you want to assign as a default.

6. Click Ok to close Group mapping.

7. Click Ok to save your changes.

Fig 174. Grouping Codes

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Job Grouping │165

Grouped Views
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 175. An example of a Grouped View

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Job Grouping │166

Creating a Grouped View
You can add a Grouped View in a Job.

To create a Grouped View:

1. From an open Job, click the Grouped Views tab from the pane.

2. Click the Plus icon.

3. The Group on Rate code window will open.

4. Select a Code Group from the Group by drop down menu.

5. Enter 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.

6. Choose 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.

7. Select want you want to Transfer into your new Grouped View, you can include
Calculation sheets and Rate sheets.

By default, none are checked.

8. Select 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.

9. By default, Accumulate Trade Qty is unchecked. If checked this will display totals in the
newly formed Trades and headings.

10. By 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.

11. Click Group to finish.

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Job Grouping │167

 Fig 176. Creating a Grouped View

Configurations for Creating a 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.

Inspect down to
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.

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 Transfer
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.

Description to Use
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.

Options
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.

Using a Grouped View for Reports

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:

1. From an open Job, click the arrow under Select from the Views group in the Data tab in
the ribbon.

2. Select the Grouped View you wish to report on.

3. The Grouped View Name will replace Select and that View will now be used as the source
for any Reports or Excel Exports.

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 To use the Estimate as the source for your Reports and Excel Exports, click Estimate from
the Views group in the ribbon.

Fig 177. Selected a Grouped View for Reports and Excel Export

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Grouping a Job
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.

Configurations for Grouping

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.

Inspect down to
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.

Transfer
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.

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 Accumulate Trade Qty
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.

Minimise Rounding Errors

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.

Sorting On Quantity
You can Group a Job from the Job Manager.

To Group a Job on Quantity:

1. Click Group Job, from the ribbon.

2. Select On Quantity from the drop down menu.

3. Select 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.

4. Enter a name for your new Grouped Job under Estimate name.

5. Choose 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.

6. Select want you want to Transfer into your new Grouped Job from Calc sheets, Rate
sheets and Trade references to the new Grouped Job.

7. By default Accumulate Trade Qty is unchecked. If checked this will display totals in the
newly formed Trades and headings.

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Job Grouping │172

 8. By 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.

9. Click Group to finish.

Fig 178. Grouping on Quantity

Sorting On Rate
You can Group a Job from the Job Manager.

To Group a Job on Rate:

1. Click Group Job, from the ribbon.

2. Select On Rate from the drop down menu.

3. Select 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.

4. Enter a name for your new Grouped Job under Estimate name.

5. Choose 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.

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Job Grouping │173

 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.

6. Select want you want to Transfer into your new Grouped Job from Calc sheets, Rate
sheets and Trade references to the new Grouped Job.

7. By default Accumulate Trade Qty is unchecked. If checked this will display totals in the
newly formed Trades and headings.

8. By 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.

9. Click Group to finish.

Fig 179. Grouping on Rate

Sorting On Price List

You can Group a Job from the Job Manager.

To Group a Job on Price List:

1. Click Group Job, from the ribbon.

2. Select On Price List from the drop down menu.

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Job Grouping │174

 3. Enter a name for your new Grouped Job under Estimate name.

4. Choose 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.

5. Select want you want to Transfer into your new Grouped Job from Calc sheets, Rate
sheets and Trade references to the new Grouped Job.

6. By default Accumulate Trade Qty is unchecked. If checked this will display totals in the
newly formed Trades and headings.

7. By 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.

8. Click Group to finish.

Fig 180. Grouping on Price List

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OPTIONS
Options create dynamic Templates which allow you to
prebuild jobs with unlimited takeoff, quantities and
rates organised into various configurations. A single
plan could result in hundreds of estimates based of
the multitude of available, ranging from different
infrastructure to materials.
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.

Options Project Home Example

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.

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Options │177

Creating Options

Creating New Options Group

New Option Groups are created at the Job Manager window. You can build up multiple Option
Groups here.

To create a new Option Group:

1. Click Option Groups in the Options tab on the ribbon.

2. Type a code file name in the Code column.

3. Type a code file description in the Description column.

4. In the right window pane, build your Options up.

Fig 181.

Option Groups

Creating an Option Container

Option Containers are built in the Option Groups menu from the Job Manager window.

To create new Options:

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Options │178

 1. Click the Add Container button. Fig 182.

2. Name the Container in the Description.

Add Container
3. Select whether the items in the container will be exclusive of each
other by selecting Mutual.

4. A 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

1. Click the Add Item button.

2. Name the Item in the Description.

3. A code will automatically get assigned, you can create your own by changing the value in
Code.
Fig 183.

Add Item

Creating an Option Configuration

You can Create Option Configurations in the Option Groups menu from the Job Manager
window.

To create new Configurations:

1. Ensure the final box on the right is selected for any item you wish to include in the
configuration.

2. Access the Configuration drop down menu and select the blank line

3. Enter a description for your Configuration

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Options │179

 Fig 184.

Configuration Drop Down Menu

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Options │180

Enabling Options in a Job
The Options pane is hidden by default, to enable it click Options in the Panes group on the View
tab in the ribbon.
Fig 185.

Panes Group

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 186.

Column Chooser Menu

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Options │181

Assigning an Option Group to a Job
To assign an Option Group to your estimate:

1. Open the Job you want to assign your Options Group to

2. Click Assign in the Options group on the Data tab.

3. Choose the Option Group you wish to assign.

4. Click Ok.
Fig 187.

Assign Option Group

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Options │182

Assign an Option to your Estimate
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.

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Options │183

REPORTS
Cubit provides different ways for using data once you
have finished inputting your Job, including standard
and parametric reports.
Standard 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 188.

Reports Window

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.

Change shown Reports

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.

Report Preview
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.

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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.

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Reports │186

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.

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Reports │187

Headers and Footers
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.

Modifying a Header
To modify the header:

1. From within a Job click the Job tab in the ribbon

2. In the Cubit Options window click Reports

3. In the Logo group click Select… to find the file you want to use on your reports.

4. Click OK to close the Cubit Options window.

5. Click All Reports in the Reports group on the Data tab of the ribbon.

6. Choose a Default header template to use.

The header templates that come preloaded 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:

1. From the All Reports window click … to open the Report headers window.

2. Click on the Header template in the list that you wish to customise.

3. Click Customise.

4. Make your changes in the Report designer, and save the template with a new name.

5. Click Close in the Reports header window.

6. Assign 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.

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Reports │188

Custom Reports
Each of the inbuilt reports can be customised with our report designer.

To edit a report:

1. Click All Reports in the Data tab in the ribbon.

2. In the Reports window click on the report you want to edit then click the Customise
button

3. After 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 189.

Report Designer

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Reports │189

BILL OF QUANTITIES
Bill of Quantities (also known as 'the Bill' or 'BOQ') is a
specially formatted report which generates unique bill
reference numbers for items in your estimate. The
reference will depend on a number of configurable
options that control how a bill is presented.
Configuring Options
Due to the special nature of the 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:

1. In the Job Manager click the Cubit application button.

2. Click Options

3. Select the Reports tab

4. Click 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 190. BOQ Options

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Bill of Quantities │191

Preview
You can preview the BOQ for the currently opened Job, and modify the options for that job
within the preview.

Fig 191. Print Preview

To open a preview:

1. Click BOQ from the Data tab in the ribbon.

2. Click 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.

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Bill of Quantities │192

INTEGRATION
Cubit provides integration with popular software to
support the estimating process. Cubit supports import
integration with Xero, MudShark Earthworks, and
BuilderTREND. Cubit also supports export integration
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
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 192. A Cubit Job in Microsoft Excel

Exporting all your Estimate

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:

1. Click Excel from the Export group on the Data tab in the ribbon.

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Integration │194

 2. Select Export All from the list.

3. A Save As window will open.

4. You 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).

5. Click Save.

Microsoft Excel will open automatically with the Trade Breakup tab selected.

Fig 193. Trade Breakup in Microsoft Excel

Exporting a selection of your Estimate

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:

1. Select 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.

2. Click Excel from the Export group on the Data tab in the ribbon.

3. Select Export Selected from the list.

4. A Save As window will open.

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 5. You 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).

6. Click Save.

Microsoft Excel will open automatically with the Trade Breakup tab selected.

Fig 194. Trade Breakup in Microsoft Excel

Creating a Template
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:

1. Using your mouse, click Excel from the Data tab in the ribbon.

2. Select New Template.

3. The Excel Exporter window will open.

By default, the following columns are included: Description, Quantity, Unit, Marked up
Rate * Factor and Total.

4. Select what information to export by clicking any row in the Estimate Column.

5. Name 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.

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Integration │196

 6. You 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.

7. By default, Include trade headings and Include Excel header are checked . You can
uncheck these if you do not want them to be exported.

8. By 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.

9. Click Save Template to save your Excel Exporter Template.

10. Enter a Namefor your Template.

11. Click Export to export the Job.

Fig 195. Excel Exporter

Using a Template
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:

1. Using your mouse, click Excel from the Data tab in the ribbon.

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Integration │197

 2. Under New Template, any availble Template will be shown. Click the Template you want
to use.

3. The Excel Exporter window will open and you can make any changes to the Template.

4. Click Export to export the Job.

5. A 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).

6. Click Save.

Microsoft Excel will open automatically with the Trade Breakup tab selected.

Fig 196. Example Template

Managing a 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:

1. Using your mouse, click Excel Templates from the Data tab in the ribbon.

2. The Excel Templates window will open.

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Integration │198

 All Templates you've created will be listed on the left, with three columns of
information: Name, Description and Estimate Config.

3. From 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 197. Excel Templates

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Integration │199

MudShark
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 198. MudShark Results in Cubit

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Integration │200

Importing MudShark Results
You will need to export your MudShark results as an xml file to import it into Cubit.

To import MudShark results int your Estimate:

1. Click MudShark Results from Import group the Data tab in the ribbon.

2. Browse 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.

3. Use your mouse to select the xml file then click Open.

4. Your MudShark Results will load into your Estmate.

Fig 199. Import MudShark Results

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Integration │201

Xero
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.

Connecting to Xero
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:

1. From the Job Manager or an open Job or Price List, click the Application button.

2. Click Options from the bottom right corner of the Application menu.

3. Cubit Options window will open.

4. Select the Integrations tab.

Fig 200. Connect to Xero

5. Click Connect from the Xero group.

6. An Authentication window will open.

7. Enter the Email and Password for your Xero account, then click Login.

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Integration │202

 8. The Authentication window will close.

9. The 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:

1. From the Job Manager or an open Job or Price List, click the Application button.

2. Click Options from the bottom right corner of the Application menu.

3. Cubit Options window will open.

4. Select 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.

5. Click Remove from the Xero group.

6. You will be asked if you want to remove your Xero account, click Ok to remove it.

Fig 201. Disconnect from Xero

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Integration │203

Exporting to a Purchase Order

Exporting a Selection of your Estimate

To Export a selection of your Estimate to create a Purchase Order in Xero:

1. Select 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.

2. In the ribbon, from the Export group in the Data tab, click the downwards arrow on the
Xero button.

3. From the Xero menu, click Export Selected to Purchase Order.

Fig 202. Export Selected to Purchase Order

4. The Export to Xero as Purchase Order window will open.

5. You 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.

6. By default, Separate by Trade is checked and will create separate Purchase Orders for
each Trade.

7. If you have mapped a Code Group to Xero, you can select that from Code group to export.

8. By default, Use tax rate will populate with the default tax rate.

You can change the default tax rate from Cubit Options menu.

9. Click Export to export all Items or click Export Balance, which will only send Items which
have nothing entered in the PO# column.

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Integration │204

 Exporting all of your Estimate
To Export all of your Estimate to create a Purchase Order in Xero:

1. In the ribbon, from the Export group in the Data tab, click the downwards arrow on the
Xero button.

2. From the Xero menu, click Export All to Purchase Order.

Fig 203. Export Selected to Purchase Order

3. The Export to Xero as Purchase Order window will open.

4. You 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.

5. By default, Separate by Trade is checked and will create separate Purchase Orders for
each Trade.

6. If you have mapped a Code Group to Xero, you can select that from Code group to export.

7. By default, Use tax rate will populate with the default tax rate.

You can change the default tax rate from Cubit Options menu.

8. Click 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.

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Integration │205

BuilderTREND
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 204. BuilderTREND example data

Exporting your Estimate to BuilderTREND

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.

Column What is exported

Exported Item What is included

Accounting Code Based from Rate Code Group

Description As per Estimate

Quantity Will include total quantity with any applied factors

Unit Price Will include total price with markups applied

Amount Total

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Integration │206

 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:

1. Click Edit Columns from the Data tab in the ribbon.

2. Go to the Rate tab and check any box for the Rate Codes you wish to use

3. Select the drop down menu beside Account group: and select the Rate Code you enabled

4. Click 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 205. Group Mapping

Once the Account group is assigned, click BuilderTREND on the Data tab in the ribbon.

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│Integration │207

BIM READER
BIM Reader is a free standalone program that helps
you import quantity information from a BIM Project
File into a Cubit Job.
Understanding the BIM Reader
Building Information Modelling (BIM) is a process for digitally designing, constructing and
managing a site. Where a traditional project would use a series of 2D PDF plans, a project using
BIM would use a 3D or 4D model.

BIM Reader is a free standalone program that allows you to extract quantity information from
BIM files into Cubit. BIM Reader uses Autodesk software to render some BIM files, so you can
move and interact with a model.

BIM Reader offers functionality designed to improve moving quantity information into Cubit.
You can convert units across an entire BIM file, create aliases for Trades and Items so that
they're named to suit your estimate needs and create intersections so you can see specific
elements on the BIM model.

BIM Reader supports some .dwf and .dwfx BIM Project files. Typically, BIM Reader will open
most BIM files that were created with an Autodesk Revit Architecture from 2014 or earlier.
Some larger files may not render, but will still be readable and the quantity information can still
be imported into Cubit.

BIM Example
For example, you might be asked to estimate a small hospital, and instead of being provided
with 2D PDF plans you are given a Cubit compatible dwfx BIM model.

You would create a Job in Cubit, as you usually would, but instead of inserting a Plan you would
open the BIM Reader.

From the BIM Reader you can Insert your BIM model, selecting what quantities are imported
and renaming any Items

When you're ready, you can import your quantities into Cubit and continue with your Job.

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│BIM Reader │209

Opening the BIM Reader
You can open BIM Reader from an open Job.

To open BIM Reader:

1. On the ribbon, click the Data tab.

2. Use the mouse, click BIM Reader from the Import group on the Data tab.

3. BIM Reader will open in a new window.

You may be prompted to download and install Autodesk Design Review, a button will
link you to the Autodesk Design Review website.

Fig 206. BIM Reader

Fig 207. Prompt to download and install Autodesk Design Review

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│BIM Reader │210

Inserting a BIM File
You can insert a BIM Project from BIM Reader.

To insert a BIM File:

1. From the Quick Access tool bar, click the Add button.

2. From the Open window, navigate your computer to the BIM file you want to open.

3. When you have selected a .dwf or .dwfx, click Open.

4. You will be asked if you want to display the loaded BIM in Design Review. To see the
BIM model select Display in Design Review, alternatively select Don't display.

Not displaying the BIM model in Design Review is great for handling large BIM files or
less capable computers, while still allowing you to import quantity information to Cubit.

Fig 208. Insert BIM file

Fig 209. Displaying in Design Review

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│BIM Reader │211

Converting Results
The measurement units used in the BIM Reader might not suit the units required for
construction or estimating. You can convert units by attribute to suit what is required.

For example, your BIM file might be using a length set to millimetres, but you need to
change all lengths to be set as metres.

To access the Convert window, click Convert from the Data group in the ribbon.

Fig 210. Convert

Fig 211. Convert window

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│BIM Reader │212

Interacting with a BIM Model
You can interact with the BIM Model in the Viewport from BIM Reader.

You can change the direction that you're viewing the model by using the View Cube. The View
Cube appears in the top right corner of the Viewport when a model is displayed. Click and hold
on the ViewCube and move the mouse in the direction you want the model to work.

You can zoom and pan with the scroll wheel of a mouse. To zoom in, scroll the mouse wheel
forward. To zoom out, scroll the mouse wheel backwards. To pan across the model, push the
mouse wheel in and drag the model in the direction you want it to go.

Fig 212. A BIM Model in the Viewport

Resetting a BIM Display

You can reset a BIM display from the Viewport in BIM Reader by clicking Display from the
Design Review group in the ribbon. This will remove any intersections, zooms and rotations of
the 3D model.

Fig 213. Insert BIM file

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│BIM Reader │213

Editing Takeoff
Using the Takeoff pane, you control what information will be transferred to your Cubit Job. From
the Takeoff pane you can choose what quantities are transferred and also rename Trades, Items
and headings.

Renaming Quantities
Although BIM files are read only, you can rename Trades, Items and Headings before they are
imported Cubit by creating an Alias for them. You can create an alias in the Takeoff pane from
BIM Reader.

To create an alias:

1. Using the mouse, select a Trade, Item or Heading from the Model pane.

2. From the Takeoff pane enter a new description in the Alias dialogue box.

The Name dialogue box will remain unchanged.

Fig 215. Takeoff pane

Fig 214. Model pane

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│BIM Reader │214

Picking Results
You can choose what results are transferred into your Cubit Job in the Takeoff pane from
BIM Reader.

To pick the results to be transferred to Cubit:

1. Using the mouse, select an Item from the Model pane.

2. From the Takeoff pane select an Attribute from the Object takeoff pane.

3. Click the Display as column and the available Result Types will be displayed.

4. Click a Result Type to associate with the Attribute or select Not displayed to ignore that
attribute when transferring quantities to Cubit.

You can also change the Unit column, this will set the Unit column in Cubit for transferred
jobs.

Fig 217. Takeoff pane

Fig 216. Model pane

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│BIM Reader │215

Adding a Revision
You can add a revision to a BIM file from BIM Reader.

To add a revision:

1. Using the mouse, click Add Revision from Data group in the ribbon.

2. Browse your computer for your revision file.

3. Click the revision you want to use.

4. Click Open.

5. Changes will be displayed in the Model pane.

Anything Trade or Heading that contains a change will have a grey pen tip beside it. Any
Item that has been changed will have a black pen tip beside it. Any Trade, Heading or
Item that was added and not in the original has a black addition beside it.

Fig 218. Add Revision

Fig 219. Revision Example

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│BIM Reader │216

Importing Results to Cubit
When you're ready, you can import your Job to Cubit by clicking Return to Cubit from the Cubit
group in the ribbon.

If you have made changes to the BIM file - like setting an Alias or changing some Display
as columns - you will be asked to save changes or continue.

Fig 220. Return to Cubit

Buildsoft Pty Ltd Cubit User Guide│BIM Reader │217