Tips to master schedules

Schedules are spreadsheets connected to the model and considered as one of the advanced BIM features.
Our goal in this article is to create and place a wall schedule sorted by levels and thicknesses.

In ARCHLine.XP schedules are linked to the elements in the model. Changes will be updated in the schedule and the other way around.

CREATE SCHEDULE - TYPES AND PROPERTIES
The Create Schedule dialog is separated into three columns. The first column displays the disciplines such as Architectural elements, Interior, Site and MEP design.
Select the type you are going to assign the new schedule.

The second column displays the General properties, the calculated values and BIM parameter groups.
Select a property from the list and click on the right arrow button to add it to the schedule template.
You can also add picture of the element to the schedule template.

The third column in the dialog displays the current schedule template.
HOW TO CREATE A SCHEDULE?
1. Select the appropriate type of element to create a new schedule (such as a wall schedule).
2. Select a category from the Group.
3. Select a property from the list. Click on the right arrow to place it into the schedule.
4. Repeat step no. 2 to add more properties to the schedule.
5. Optionally, sort the schedule template with Up and Down button or Delete the property placed by mistake.
6. Optionally, format the schedule with Calculate Total, Visible, Prefix, Postfix options.
HOW TO CREATE A SECOND SCHEDULE?
1. In the Define Schedule dialog click on the New button.
2. Specify the name of the new schedule

3. Follow the preceding point 2-6 to fill the schedule template with properties.

HOW TO SELECT A SCHEDULE?
1. Select the discipline and the appropriate type of element (such as a wall schedule).
2. Select a Schedule from the Schedules Group.

3. Optionally you can change the fields for schedule parameters: Calculate total, Visibility, Prefix and Suffix.
4. Press Ok to close the dialog

USE CALCULATED VALUES
You can choose calculated values and if you activate the Calculate total checkbox, the schedule will display the sum value of the grouped elements, e.g the total wall surface on a floor.

USING IMAGES IN SCHEDULE
Some element types allow you to add an image to schedules, e.g. doors, windows, objects, cabinets.

Choose Image or Image with dimensions and add to the schedule template.
Later in the formatting dialog you can specify the image size and dimensions style.
Furthermore you can display door, window, cabinet opening direction with its color and linetype.

FORMATTING A SCHEDULE
The program offers the Formatting schedule dialog before placing.

1. Check itemize every instance By default, every element is visible in a schedule. That means if you create a wall schedule, all walls appear in the schedule.
2. Group these walls. Go to Sort by and choose Floor. Walls will be grouped together by the selected Sort category. In this example, walls are grouped by Floor in ascending order.
3. You may add another sorting criteria by wall thickness. Walls will be grouped within floors by wall thicknesses.

CALCULATE GRAND TOTALS
To calculate summary, make sure Grand Totals and Footer fields are activated in the Formatting dialog.
SEPARATE BY PHASES
You can filter elements by Phases to display only walls with Existing, Demolished or New phase properties.

USE TEXT STYLES IN SCHEDULES
You can assign different text styles to cells, header and column names. Different colors and fonts help to visualize better the long schedules.

HIGHLIGHT ELEMENT IN MODEL
Sometimes, it is hard to find where an element in the schedule is located in the model. Click on schedule then click on any magnifier icon.
A blue line points to the selected item.

CHANGES WITH SCHEDULE
You can edit some cells in a schedule by clicking in them.
The properties of the elements (e.g. width, height, length, etc.), texts and materials (marked with paint bucket) can be edited.
To finish editing in a cell, press Enter.
The changes are applied to the appropriate element.
Example:
If you wish to change the Finish Face Exterior Material of a wall, click on the paint bucket and select a new material from the Material dialog.

EXPORT TO EXCEL TO GET PRICE
You can export the schedule to Excel where you can assign price to each calculated value. Choose Save to Excel command and select a schedule or
choose Save All to Excel to export all schedules into Excel in one step.
Add Price Euro and Total Euro as new columns in Excel. Fill the price from your catalogue and go to Total field. Select the QTY and Price Euro field in the formula and put * between them.

It cannot be said that schedules are easy to use.
Follow these tips and experiment. You may be soon the master of the Schedules.