smartspec blog

Duplicate Project

In addition to the new Project Templates we’re delighted to release the new Duplicate Project feature, which as the name suggests, enables you to duplicate an existing project..!

Using this feature will copy everything from a previous project, including clause selections, notes, appendix files, related parties, etc.

To duplicate a project:

1. Open a project
2. In Project Actions select Duplicate Project
3. Enter a name for the new project

You can then edit the project address, scope, related parties, etc. to suit the new project.

Enjoy!

- Team Smartspec

Project Templates

You can now create reusable Project Templates from existing projects!

This great feature means you don’t have to build a project from scratch each time, instead you can opt to use one of your Project Templates which will pre-populate your project with specifications.

To create a Project Template:

1. Open an existing project
2. In Project Actions, select Create Project Template
3. Enter a name for this new Project Template

To set up a new project using a template:

1. Go to Projects > New Project > Add Project from Template
2. Select the relevant Project Template
3. Enter the project details

When you set up a new project based on an template you’ll get the latest versions of every specification though the actual selections within specifications are not included.

If you wish to copy a project in it’s entirety (including selections) then use the Duplicate Project feature.

- Team Smartspec

You can now export your project with or without the Appendix.

If you export the spec with the Appendix you’ll see ‘Appendix’ in the main Table of Contents plus a special ‘Appendix Table of Contents’ just in front of the appendix section.

Note, appendix documents must be in PDF format when uploading them to Smartspec - remember, you can easily ‘save as PDF’ within Word® or Excel® if required.

The Appendix feature means you can easily manage all the spec-related documents within Smartspec, saving you time.

When you export your project with the appendix you’ll see that Smartspec automatically merges your spec with the appendix PDF’s, creating one single PDF that you can easily email to other project stakeholders.

Enjoy..!

- Team Smartspec

Note (Feb 2013) - this blog entry relates to the previous version of Smartspec.

Need additional Sections for your project..?  Just click the ‘Manage Sections’ button under the Sections list to select additional sections to include in your project.

We’ve added a few Sections that have been requested so if there are additional Sections that you require just let us know and we’ll add them.

The concept is to keep the Sections as simple as possible, hence the default list which appears when you set up a project.  There may be occasion where you need a specialist Section (e.g., Coolroom) - this is when you would add an additional Section.

Want to quickly review a spec or section that you’re working on..?  Just click the ‘Preview’ button and you can now easily review your work without having to export the entire Project Specification.

You’ll see this Preview button when you’re editing a spec and when you’re in a Section.

Note (Feb 2013) - this blog entry relates to the previous version of Smartspec.

You can now upload any specs to Smartspec..!  This means you are not limited to the generic or branded specs that are currently in Smartspec and enables you to upload content from any number of MS Word (.doc) or PDF specifications that you have in your office.

Uploading specs is easy - you can add them to multiple projects and when you export your Project Specification all the page and clause numbering / formatting is handled automatically.

Click on the new ‘Spec Library’ button in the Smartspec menu to upload/edit your specs.

When you upload a spec you will see that you are asked to select a Section, spec name etc.

You can then easily copy/paste the spec content clause by clause.

We have a suggested clause sequence (Scope, Preparation, Workmanship, etc.) though this is a guideline only.  Feel free to follow the sequence of the spec that you are uploading.

Once you have copy/pasted the first clause, click Save.  You can then select ‘Add a Clause’ to add the next clause.

Uploading a spec will take just a minute or two.

Once you have uploaded a spec you’ll be able to use it repeatedly on any projects.

Go to the Section to which you have associated the uploaded spec, click the ‘Add Specification’ button, then select ‘Spec Library’.

You’ll see your spec in the lower drop-down menu - select this spec and edit it as per usual.

Easy..!