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online planroom help

The VCE Online Planroom (OPR) is a valuable tool,
even more so when you take full advantage of what it has to offer.
Here you will find PDF versions of "Online Planroom Tips & Tidbits" that have been sent out by E-mail and in the Weekly Newsline.

When you have questions about the Online Planroom, check here or feel free to stop by the Planroom or give us a call.

The VCE and the OPR are here to help you succeed!
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Click on the title to open it in PDF (Adobe) format.
(topics will be added periodically)

"FAQ - Common Technical Errors and Questions" -- this Q&A addresses many of the recurring questions regarding the Online Planroom, On-Screen Takeoff software and Adobe Acrobat.

General Online Planroom (OPR)

" "Pending" Projects Listing" -- keep 'tabs' on projects even before they are received at the Exchange by watching the "Pending" tab in the Online Planroom.

"Finding Projects In The Online Planroom" -- learn to best utilize the two options available for finding project in the OPR - "Browse Projects" and "Project Info Search".

"Looking For A Specific Project In The Online Planroom?" -- a more detailed 'how to' for the "Project Info Search" function.

"A quick & easy way to see what other projects a bidder is listed on" -- you're looking at the bidders list for 'XYZ School' and see John Smith Construction and you want to know what else they're bidding on - the OPR can show you.

"VCE Online Planroom can help you bid to and get bids from everyone. Are you taking advantage of all it has to offer?" -- highlights the "View Activity" and "Bidders" lists available.

"Rate Project Interest (and filter based on those ratings)" -- an easy way to filter down the large list of projects based on your interest level.

"Purchase Online Projects with "Pay Per Project" " -- an easy and affordable way to view docs from another Exchange without having an annual crossover account.

On-Screen Takeoff (OST) estimating software

Installation Instructions -- steps showing how to install the free takeoff software, OST.

"Get Started With On-Screen Takeoff" -- shows the basics on how to open a plan or spec file using OST.

"Understanding What Happens When You Open A Project In On-Screen Takeoff" -- learn where files are saved when you view docs using OST and why it matters to you.

"Estimating Using On-Screen Takeoff" -- see how to use the estimating tools available within OST: setting scale, measuring lines and areas, zoom.

"The "Named View" / "Hot Link" Combo in On-Screen Takeoff" -- the combination of these two OST tools allows you to take a quick peek at a section you define on one plan while you're on another plan. (ie. Pull up a detail shown on page 5 while you're on page 10).

Other Software Available in the Online Planroom (OPR)

"Easily Download Document Files For A Project" -- another tool, besides OST, available to help you download docs from the OPR to your computer for saving to CD, E-mailing to others, etc.

"Java Viewer" -- learn how to open docs using the Java Viewer. Not as many bells & whistles as OST but it's good to have options.