Bluebeam Revu Security Floorplan Estimation App Test

By: Brian Rhodes, Published on Jun 15, 2017

Bluebeam Revu is a construction design markup tool that claims it is "used by 94% of top US contractors", but what role does it have for physical security professionals?

In this report, we share our tested findings of Bluebeam Revu, including 2 video screencasts explaining key applications and contrasting it to AutoCAD and IPVM's Camera Calculator to analyze its strengths and weaknesses.

******** ****** * ************ ****** markup **** **** ****** it ** "**** ** 94% ** *** ** contractors", *** **** **** does ** **** *** physical ******** *************?

** **** ******, ** share *** ****** ******** ** Bluebeam ****, ********* * video *********** ********** *** applications *** *********** ** to**************'* ****** ************ ******* *** ********* *** weaknesses.

[***************]

Key **** ********

*** *** **** ******** of **** ***:

  • **** *** ******** *** estimation ****, ** **** makes ******* ****** ******* *** schedule ******** ********** *******.
  • ******* ** * ***** surveillance ****** ****, ******* camera *******, ***** ** view *********, ** *** details.
  • ******* *****, **** ******** collaborative ******, ******** *******, and **-***** ***° ********.
  • ******* ** ********, ****'* interface ** **** **** a *** ******* **** a **** ********* ** .pdf ******, *** **** controls *** ******* ***** based.
  • **** ********* **** *******, but **** ********* **** general .*** ******* *** IPVM's ****** **********

Revu ** * ************ ******** *** ******

*************, **** ** * .pdf ****** **** ** customized *** ********* *** floorplan *******. ***********, **** general ************ ******, ***** need ** *******, ****, or **** ******* ****** details **** *** **** of ************ ******** *** building ********* *******. 

** ****-********* ******** ********, decreasing *** **** *** effort ****** ** ****** changes ** ********** ************* has *** *****. ****** than ***** ********* ** licensing *** ******** *** a ******** ******** *************** **** *********** ********* and ******* *******, ******** Revu ****** ************, **** integrators, ** **** **** and ****** .**** **** can ** ************ **** existing **** ***** *** building ********* *** ****** **** with ******, **** *******.

Security ******** ******** *** ********

**** ****** ******* ******** with ******** **** **** outside *** ***** ** traditional ******** **********.  ** tested ****'* *** ****** and ******* *******,  ******* management ******** ***********, *** project ********** *** ******* management ********.

** *** ***** *****, we **** * **** at ****'* ****** *** core ******** **** ********** to ***** ************ ******:

**** ** **-***** **** at ****'* ************* ******** and ******* ************* ********* in *** *********** ************ ******** ****.

Security ****** *********

** *******, ******** ****** several ***** '****** *********' for ******* *** ******** calls '**** ****' [**** no ****** *********]. *** test ***** *** ********* most ****** ** *********** include:

  • ********/****: ***** ***** ************ symbols ********* ******* *** recorders
  • **** *** **** ******: A ***** ** ********* alarm ****** *******, ********* fire, *********, *** **** notification
  • **********: * ******* ******* of ****** ********** ******, including ******** *****, ******* callouts, *** ******* **********
  • ******* *** **********: ******** basic ***, ********, ****, trunked *****, *** ***** misc ********** *******

Revu *** * ***** ****** ****

** *******, *** **** shows **** ** *** granular ** ******** ****** on *** ****** **** for ******** ***** ****** planning. *** *******, *** 'Tool ***' ****** ********* contain ***** ******* ***** for **** *********** ** plans *** *** *********** design ***. *** ********/**** group ***** **** ****:

**** *** **** ** FoV ******* ** ********** details ** *** ******, and ********* ******* **** model/types, ******** ** ******** heights, ** *** ****** are *** ********.

** ****, ******** **** may **** *** *** basic *******, *** ** will *** ** ****** as * ******** ************ design **** ****** *********** manual **** ** ***** to **** ****** ** every *******.

Takeoff *** ********** ********

*******, ** ***** ******* are '**** ** ******' or ********** ***** **** a *** ** *****, Revu ***** ***** * big ********* ** **** estimation ****.  ** *** video *****, ** ******* the ****** '******' ******** and *** ** *** speed ** *** ******* process *** ******** ******:

***** *** ****** ***** are ***** ******** *********, a ****-***** ******* *** a ***** ******* *** be **** ** *******, rather **** ***** ** searching ****** ********* *** details ********.

Embedded ***° ********

*** ****** ****** ** Revu *** ********* ** AutoCAD ** ******* .*** editors ** *** ******* to ****** *** ***** 360° ********* ****** ******** into * ****** ***. The ***** ***** ***** off **** *******:

*** ***********, ***** **** to **** ** *** such ****** *** ** a *** **** ** confirm '**-*****' *******, ******** site ********** *** ********, or **** ******** *** progress ********. ****'* ***** viewer ** **** ** the **** ****** *** allows ****** ************* ** managing *** ******* ** view ****.

Version ******* *** ******** ***********

******** **** ** ******* in ***** ********:

  • **** ******** *** ~$*** per *******, ***** ******** all *** ****** *** takeoff/estimation ******** *** ******* will ***** **** ******** integrators *** ******** **** are ******* ***.
  • **** ***, ***** *** all *** '********' ******** but **** *** **** support *** ******** ******** plugins *** ***** *** platforms *** ~$*** *** license.
  • **** *******, ***** *** all ** *** *** version ********, *** ******** OCR, ********* ***** ***** and **** ******* *** ~$500 *** *******.

*** '***' *** '*******' versions ****** **** ** companies ******** **** ******* of ******** *********** ** Revu, ** ***** ****** with ************** ***** '****** of ******', *** *** trades ** ******* ******** copies **** ****** ** integration ****.

****** *********** **** ** $100 *** ********, *** both ******* *** **** apps *** *********, ******** they *** ** ******* limited ******** ** ******* versions. *********** ********* *** offered *** ****** *********.

Revu's ******* ********: ******* *********

******* ***** ***** **** offers **** *** ********** advantages *** ******** ****** features, ***** **** ***** time ** *****.  ****** finding **** ** * crowded ******* ********* *** take **** ** ********. While **** .*** ******* are ***** ** *********'* Office/Ribbon ************, ******** **** takes *** ****** **** from * *** *******, and *** *** ******** work *** *** ****** follow ***** ****** *** use ******** *****.

Versus *******

** *** ******** ** cases, **** ** * functional '**** ********' **** AutoCAD, *** ** ** integrator ******* ** ***** it *** *** ***** trained ** *** **, they **** *** ****** abandon ** *** ****.

*************-****, **** ****** *** features, *** **** ** not * ************ ******** and ******** ****** *******, nor **** ** ***** the ***** ** ****** tools *** ******* ********* to ***** *****.

*******, **** ****** *********** markup *** ***-**** ***** for .*** *****, ***** AutoCAD ********* ****** ** proprietary .*** ********* ******* files ** ******** ********** format *********** *******.

** ***** ** ****, Revu ** *** **** expensive **** ******* ** nearly * ** ******, as * ****** **** of******* **** ~$*,*** *** year**********'* ***-**** **** ** $350 **** ~$*** ****** maintenance*** *** ***** *******.

Versus ****'* ****** **********

****'* ********** **** *** have *** ******** ****** and ************* ***** *** Revu ***, *** ***** the ****** ****** *******, titleblock *********, *** *******, and ********* ********* ********* in ********.  *** **** the **** ********** **** CAD ***** ***********, ********, or ******* '******' ********. The **** ** *** features ***** ***** ****'* Calculator ** *********** ****** and ******** ****, *** not ************** *** ************.

*******, ** ***** ** a ****** ****, **** lacks *** ******** ******** of ****** ***** *********, FoV *** *** **********, and **** ******* **** camera ****** *** ***** preview **** *** ********* ****** ******************. ****, *** ******** to ******* ********** ******* in ****'* ********** ** minimal, **** * *****, single ***** ****** ********* compared ** ****'* ******** function ******** *** ******** control ********.

** ********* *****, ****'* Calc ******** *** **** basic .*** **** ****** and ******** ******* *** IPVM ****** ******** *** be **** ** *********** with **** **** ** extra ******.

Comments (20)

Avatar

Jon Klieman

06/15/17 03:28pm

Bluebeam is awesome!

Avatar

Michael Ventiere

06/15/17 03:34pm

I use Bluebeam a lot. As a consultant, as opposed to engineer, it helps me do mark-ups for engineers. I use it for CA to mark-up submissions, and use it with PPT to improve a lot of programmatic and schematic design presentations. Not knowing how to use ACAD means that Bluebeam is one of the most important tools in my toolbox. I didn't know about the security toolboxes though. I am really excited to learn about that!

Avatar

Mark Rindy

06/15/17 03:47pm

Been using it for several years and strongly recommend it.  Learning curve is quick, cost is reasonable, and the support is fantastic.

Avatar

John Jenkins

| 06/15/17 05:00pm

I actually use IPVM's calculator tool to derive our FOVs and PPF estimations, and then export to PDF, and then use bluebeam to track changes and share with my co workers and partners. 

Avatar

Jon Klieman

06/15/17 05:01pm

Solid!

Michael Miller

06/15/17 05:31pm

I made my own Symbols/tools using JPEG images of the cameras, switches, servers, clients, APs and accessories.   I then added the part numbers to all of these tools.  Now when I do a design I just drag the symbols on the plans and completely design the system with all parts.  I can then use the list feature on the bottom to give a detailed list of all the parts of the project.   I can do very detailed design very fast and since we use Blue Beam Studio we can share all the designs with everyone on my team. Once I built my tools out I then shared them with everyone on my team so now we have consistency across all our designs. Plus then techs and add notes to the plans for as-builts. 

I also love the 360 camera option as my sales team all have 360 cameras and use them at every walkthrough.  

Revu has helped us design systems faster with fewer mistakes than any other options market and everyone on the team has access to the info they need.  Revu is awsome!  

Avatar

Brian Rhodes

IPVMU Certified | In reply to Michael Miller | 06/15/17 05:35pm

I also love the 360 camera option as all my sales team all have 360 cameras and use them at every walkthrough.

Thanks for the feedback.  The 360 image feature struck me as pretty useful too.  That cliche' about 'one picture is worth 1000 words' rings true especially in walk-throughs.

Michael Miller

In reply to Brian Rhodes | 06/15/17 05:39pm

360 cameras are perfect for walkthroughs but we were missing how to show them in a "google street view" way.  Now Revu lets us do that so we can send anyone out to look at a site with a 360 camera and now we can all "walk through" the project virtually back at our office.  

Avatar

Kyle Folger

IPVMU Certified | In reply to Michael Miller | 06/17/17 11:16am

What have you been using for a 360 camera? We have been using PlanGrid for most walkthroughs and while that doesn't support 360 camera views, it would be interesting to try out. 

Avatar

Jon Klieman

06/15/17 05:43pm

The 360 camera tool is really fun.  Used it at ISC west this year to take some good pics!  The use on job walk is awesome.

Avatar

Boris Bronstein

CCTV.Net | 06/15/17 05:54pm

Is anybody in a position to compare Revu with JVSG?

Among those of our dealers who use any design software, both IPVM and JVSG are popular.

Avatar

Robert Summers

IPVMU Certified | 06/15/17 06:26pm

IPVM's review was right on the money.  As a consultant, I have been using it for years for the following:

+ Preliminary security symbol device layout of architectural plans in schematic and design development plan phases.  You may also create your own symbols as well as import them.  I request the architect convert CAD files to PDF.

+ For existing facility projects, I am able to attach an applicable photo adjacent to the security device on the plans to show the desired FOV, device location and existing conditions of that particular area on the plan.

+ Use for device counts to prepare preliminary cost estimates as well as verify device counts on integrator shop drawings.

+  Modify/create/markup existing pdf/submittals.

+  Combine multiple pdf files into a single file or group them together as a single attachment.

I do use IPVM's camera calculator for all of the features Brian accurately mentioned are not available in Bluebeam.  Both programs are considered an asset and productive design tools for preliminary designs and design / submittal reviews.

Brian Mattson

06/19/17 02:47pm

One feature that you did not mention that I use all the time is the Legend tool.  When using Bluebeam for a design, you can drop a legend on the drawing to keep track of the symbols (cameras) you are using.  I've made my own symbols for different camera types so once I'm done placing everything, I don't have to go back and count them them all, there is an accurate tally done for me by the program.

Michael Miller

In reply to Brian Mattson | 06/19/17 03:44pm

Yes this feature is super helpful.  I have only been able to get the Legion to total per page and not for the total document.  Have you seen the same thing?

Another nice feature is the ability to share links to the design directly from Revu without having to download and attach to an email. 

Brian Mattson

In reply to Michael Miller | 06/20/17 03:52pm

Highlight the Legend and go to the properties/appearance section.  There is a pull-down where you can change this.  This is also where you can change the appearance of the title and fonts to make it look a bit better. 

The one limit I have found is an object can only "belong" to 1 legend at a time so if you do a total document tally, you cannot also do page totals.  One way to sort of get around this is there is another feature to insert a static picture of the legend on the page.  I'll do this for each page and then set up one for the whole document.  Obviously it doesn't track changes at that point but I've found it an OK workaround. 

Avatar

Matthew Fox

03/23/18 07:50pm

Another decent app that i have been using on and off for about a year is System Survyor (https://systemsurveyor.com).  It is an Ipad app, and web client, that allows for site walks and floorplans and layouts.

Michael Miller

In reply to Matthew Fox | 03/23/18 08:13pm

Can you export a parts list as a CSV when your done with a design?

Avatar

Matthew Fox

In reply to Michael Miller | 03/23/18 09:56pm

Yes, you can.  It has a fairly robust exporting feature that allows for many different reports.

Avatar

Matthew Fox

03/23/18 09:55pm

Yes, you can.  It has a fairly robust exporting feature that allows for many different reports.

Avatar

Robert Batten

02/07/20 04:00pm

Has anyone figured out how to convert Axis Coverage Shapes to Bluebeam Tools by chance?! I would gladly pay for a toolset as switching between IPVM, Visio and Bluebeam is a bit nerve-racking!

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