Added to the 2.7 Pipe program is a new ability to import EastCoast XML exports. This process will allow you to import a single zone or an entire job without having to do any takeoff yourself. After importing, you can export the labor and material costs for each item imported back into the XML file to be re-imported into the EastCoast drawing.

Prerequisites

1. QuoteSoft Pipe version 2.7 r1 or newer
2. Purchase CAD Connect Module for EC CAD
3. XML file from EC CAD

Things to Keep in Mind

Harrison Codes

Currently the import process matches Harrison codes from EC CAD to QuoteSoft objects. Consequently, the items brought in are standard database items and are not dependent on a particular spec. We will look to add a spec driven import in the future, but for the time being you do not need to worry about specifying a spec when importing the items into a particular job or zone.

File Connect Process

There are two different processes that allow the importing of EC CAD XML files. Each process also allows labor and material cost to be “pushed” back out to the same XML file. This gives contractors the ability to be 5D BIM compatible where the coordination process requires pipe and fittings to contain time and cost information. The first process requires a user to create a job and a zone. The second process will create the job and subsequent zone(s) based on information in the XML file. Each process explanation will use the OfficeComplexEA.xml located in \QServer\EC-Tutorial.

Connect Process 1 – Used to map accessory items

1. Create a Job named EastCoast Import Tutorial
   1. The rest of the job fields do not matter to this tutorial and can be ignored
2. Create a Zone named EastCoast1
   1. The rest of the zone fields do not matter to this tutorial and can be ignored
   2. Use your standard setup
3. Go to Tools->Import EastCoast CAD/CAM
   1. You will notice options in the top right and bottom corners of this dialog box
   2. Include Item Types gives you the ability to decide which items to import
   3. Other Options gives you the ability to store the import file with job via the attachments folder as well as export cost information back into the EC CAD XML.
4. Click “Scan Import File” button and follow the Mapping Accessory Items steps above
5. Click “Import East Coast CAD” button
6. Browse to location of your XML file and import the file
7. On the first import you will need to map the pressure class files
   
   The title bar will show the EC CAD pressure file you are importing.
   
   1. You will only need to map the EC CAD Pressure Class once and the program will remember in the future
   2. If an import recognizes a pressure class you have previously mapped you will be prompted to either use the previous mapping or to re-map the file.
8. QuoteSoft will now import the items
   1. If there are errors with the import you will be prompted to view the import log which will list any item that did not import correctly. Any EC item in this list that does not have a map to a corresponding QuoteSoft item will get a placeholder and allow you to plug in a cost for the item.
   2. In this tutorial I do not have Rooftop Downblast Fans mapped to an appropriate accessory item. However the item was still brought in and given a placeholder with the same name as the item
      
   3. I can now manually put in a cost for this item if I wish
9. At this point the import process is complete. If you chose to export cost data back into the XML file the program will do so after all items have been brought in and processed.

Connect Process 2 – Automatically creates zones

1. Use the Job named EastCoast Import Tutorial we created above
2. Go to Tools->Import EastCoast CAD
   1. Do not worry about creating a zone. This process will create your zone(s) automatically from the file
   2. You do not have the option to Scan a file as we did above. If you would like to scan a file for accessory items will need to follow the steps under Mapping Accessory Items
3. Turn on Import Multiple Files
4. Click “Import East Coast CAD” button
5. Browse to \QServer\EC-Tutorial and then click OK
6. The files in this tutorial contain the same pressure class data as the tutorial above and introduce new ones. You will first be prompted to keep the previous mapping or to re-map; choose Use Previous. You will then be prompted to map the new pressure class files it does not recognize.
7. QuoteSoft will now import the items
   1. If there are errors with the import you will be prompted to view the import log which will list any item that did not import correctly. Any EC item in this list that does not have a map to a corresponding QuoteSoft item will get a placeholder and allow you to plug in a cost for the item.
8. At this point the import process is complete. If you chose to export cost data back into the XML file the program will do so after all items have been brought in and processed.

For more information on this process please call 800-813-7020 and speak with Chris Blair, or email him at chris.blair@quotesoft.com.