Introduction

This guide provides best practices for using Revu for iPad. These best practices come from our customer-facing teams, and are based on experiences helping customers like you.

Please note, this is not an introductory guide that explains how Revu for iPad works. To learn about the tools in Revu for iPad or how to navigate the interface, see the Revu for iPad Help Guide.

Launching Revu for iPad

Before launching Revu for iPad, it’s a good idea to check the status of a few things on your device.

Update your Revu app

App updates include important security and bug fixes, which keep Revu for iPad running smoothly while you’re working in the field. You can turn on automatic updates­ in your iOS Settings, or manually install them from the App Store.

Update iOS or iPadOS

In addition to keeping Revu for iPad up to date, you should regularly update iOS or iPad iOS. While newer iOS versions are set to install by default, you can also manually update.

To check for updates:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPad.
2. Go to General > Software Update.

View available storage

When working in Revu for iPad, you can save files locally to your device or a Project. If you’re planning to save files locally, it’s a good idea to check the available storage on your iPad first.

To check storage on your iPad:

1. Open the Settings app.
2. Go to General > iPad Storage.

If the available storage is low, you can save your files to a Studio Project or Session instead. Studio gives you unlimited cloud storage and the option to work offline, making for a great document management system.

Check your internet connection

When collaborating in Studio Sessions, your iPad exchanges data with Bluebeam servers through an internet connection; it’s important to have a strong connection so that your markups are added in real-time. Before joining a Session, check the strength of your internet connection.

If you have a poor internet connection or if you plan to work offline, see the Working Offline section.

Working with large files

In general, large files can take longer to load—especially on mobile devices. Load times depend on several factors, such as file size and markup content. If your file is over 10 pages long, you can improve Studio performance by taking these actions.

Minimize file size

Before uploading files to a Project or Session, remove any non-essential content from each file, such as layers, file attachments, SHX text, and more.

Split up multi-page files

Similar to large files, the more pages in a file, the longer the load time is. If you’re experiencing longer load times than normal, try reducing the number of pages to 10 or less. Instead, you can also work on one page at a time.

If your project has more than 10 pages, you can split up a longer file into 10-page sections with Extract and Email.

To split up a file:

1. Open the file in Revu for iPad.
2. In the left panel, select Thumbnail View.
3. Select Multi-page mode.
4. Press-and-hold the thumbnail for the page. You can select multiple pages.
5. In the pop-up menu, select Extract and Email.
6. Enter your email. The page will be pre-attached to the email draft.
7. Open your email, then download and save the file.

Now you can work on individual pages and close any files you’re not currently working on.

Feature Differences

Unsupported by Revu for iPad

Since Revu for iPad is intended for use out in the field, there are some key functionalities that are exclusive to Revu for Windows. The following features aren’t available on the iPad:

• Digital signatures
• Angle measurements
• Polygon cutouts
• Ellipse cutouts
• Dynamic fill
• Creating forms
• Filling out XFA forms
  Revu for iPad only supports AcroForms.
• Finishing Studio Sessions
• Changing Studio Permissions mid-Session
• Automatic PDF caching
  On Revu for iPad, you can set up automatic caching for a specified number of Session documents within Studio Preferences.

Set up in Revu for Windows

Even though Revu for iPad supports many of the same functions when it comes to markups, tool sets, and the markups list, there are certain workflows and customizations that can be set up more efficiently from the desktop version of Revu. These include:

• Custom columns (Markups List)
  Revu for Windows Tip: To successfully upload custom columns to your PDFs in Revu for iPad, you must first export them as an XML file on your desktop before uploading them to your cloud account.
• Custom statuses (Markups List)
• Shareable tool sets
  Revu for Windows Tip: Before you can access shared tool sets on Revu for iPad, they must be exported from the desktop version. You can either upload the file(s) associated with your tool set(s) to a cloud account (Studio Project, Dropbox, etc.) or email as an attachment. Opening the file(s) on your iPad will automatically import the tool set(s).
• Grouped markups
• Hyperlinks
• Spaces

Working Offline

Studio Sessions

While internet access is ideal for working in Sessions, that’s not always possible when you’re working on a job site. With Revu for iPad, you can edit Session files offline and sync the changes when you reconnect to the internet. Follow these practices if you plan to work offline in a Session.

Open files before going offline

When you upload files to Studio, Revu stores them in the cloud. To open the most recent version of a Session file, you’ll need an internet connection. Before going offline, connect to a Studio Session and open the files you plan to work with. This will ensure that you have the most recent versions.

Once you’ve opened your files, you can go offline. Your markups will upload automatically when you reconnect to the internet.

Set initial Session files to download

If you turn on Initial Session Files to Download, Revu for iPad will automatically download files as soon as you join a Session.

To activate:

1. In Revu for iPad, go to Preferences > Studio.
2. In the Initial Session Files to Download section, enter the number of files you want to download automatically.
3. Exit Preferences.

Revu for iPad will automatically download the specified number of files when a Session is opened.

Studio Projects

While internet access is ideal for working in Projects, that’s not always possible when you’re working on a job site. With Revu, you can edit Project files offline, and then sync the changes when you reconnect to the internet. Follow these practices if you plan to work offline in a Project.

Sync your Project files

To ensure you are viewing the most recent version of a Project file on your iPad, you’ll need to sync it to the cloud. To open the most recent version of a Project file on your iPad, first you’ll need to sync it to the cloud. It’s important to do this step before going offline, since files can’t be synced without an internet connection.

To sync a file in Revu for iPad:

1. Select the File Manager .
   If you don’t see it at the top of the dialog box, select it to get to the Home screen (if you don’t see it, you’re already there).
2. Select a Project or cloud account.
3. Select Sync .

When you see a green check mark, your files have finished syncing. Your markups will upload automatically when you go back online.

Check out Project files before going offline

Before going offline, it’s important to check out your Project files. This way you’ll have the latest version of a Project file to work on, while letting your colleagues know you’re currently editing the file.

To check out a Project file:

1. Open the Project and locate the file you want to check out.
2. Tap the lock in the upper-right corner. A red check will appear when the file is checked out.
3. Open the file.

Check in files to upload markups

Once you’re finished working on a Project file, your markups still need to sync with the Bluebeam Studio servers. When you’re back online, check your files into the Project; this ensures your latest markups are on the Project file.

Images and videos

Using the iPad camera

The Capture tool lets you take photos and videos with your iPad camera and add them to your files. If this is your first time using Capture, a dialog should appear in Revu for iPad.

Apps can only request camera access when they’ve attempted to use your iPad camera at least once. If the Capture tool still isn’t working, you may need to adjust your iPad camera permissions.

To allow Revu to access your iPad camera:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPad.
2. Go to Privacy > Camera.
3. Locate Revu on the list.
4. Turn the switch ON to give permission.

Adjust image quality

In general, files with high resolution images or videos will take longer to load. If you’re experiencing longer load times than normal, try adjusting the image or video quality to a lower resolution.

To adjust image quality:

1. In Revu for iPad, go to Preferences > Photo
2. Set Image Quality to Low.

All photos you take from now on will be adjusted for quality. You can also save these images on your iPad instead of a Studio file.

Flatten images

Does your file contain a lot of images that are all critical to your project? Try flattening them with the Flatten tool. When you flatten an image, it moves the image from the markup layer to the content layer, allowing your file to load faster.

To flatten an image:

1. Tap Flatten in your Markups toolbar. You may have to confirm your edits.
2. In the dialog, tap Flatten.

A flattened copy of your file will open in a new tab.

Troubleshooting

These best practices can help you quickly troubleshoot common issues in Revu for iPad.

Revu for iPad isn’t responding

When the app doesn’t respond or won’t close, do a force-quit; then re-open. If possible, save your work before force-quitting to avoid data loss.

To force-quit Revu for iPad:

1. Open your recently used apps. In iOS 12 or later, swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause slightly in the middle.
2. Swipe left or right to find Revu.
3. Swipe up on the Revu preview to close it.
4. Open Revu.

Connectivity issues

An incorrect system time, date or time zone on your iPad could result in error messages or other connectivity issues when communicating with the servers. If you’re experiencing these issues, verify that the system time and date are correct. You can do this by looking at the time on the lock screen or title bar at the top of the screen.

If your system time is incorrect, click here for instructions on how to set the correct time, date, and time zone.

Third-party cloud accounts

Are you having issues with third-party cloud accounts in Revu for iPad, such as Dropbox? Try removing the account from Revu and then re-adding it.

To remove the account:

1. In Revu for iPad, open the File Manager.
2. Tap and hold the account that isn’t responding.
3. On the lower right, tap Delete.
   All files will be removed from the iPad when you delete the account.
4. Confirm the deletion in the dialog.

Now, re-add the account:

1. Open the Document Manager.
2. Tap Add Account.
3. Select the third-party account.
4. Enter your credentials.
5. Tap Login.

Restart your iPad

Sometimes issues can be resolved by restarting your iPad.

To restart your iPad:

1. Press and hold the top button until the power slide appears.
2. Drag the slider to turn your iPad off.
3. After your iPad turns off, press and hold the top button until you see the Apple logo

Capture tool

Are you trying to use the Capture tool, but your camera isn’t responding? Revu may not have permission to access your iPad camera.

To allow Revu to use your iPad camera:

1. Open the Settings app on your iPad.
2. Go to Privacy > Camera.
3. Locate Revu on the list.
4. Toggle the switch to give permission.

Offload Revu for iPad

Beginning with iOS 11, you can offload an app and remove it from your iPad, while retaining all of your settings and data. Offloading should be used as a last resort option if no other troubleshooting methods worked.

To offload your Revu for iPad app:

1. Close Revu.
2. Open the Settings app on your iPad.
3. Go to General > iPad Storage.
4. From the list of installed apps, locate Revu.
5. Tap Offload App.
6. Confirm by tapping Offload App in the dialog.

Once you’ve offloaded Revu for iPad, reinstall it from the App store.

Submit log files

If none of these troubleshooting methods resolved the issue, you can submit your log files to Bluebeam. This opens a case with our Technical Support team.

1. In Revu for iPad, go to Preferences > Logging.
2. Tap Send Log to Bluebeam. This opens a blank message in the iOS Mail app with your attached Log files.
3. In the body of the email, write a detailed description about the issue you’re experiencing.
4. Tap Send.

You will receive an email from Technical Support shortly.

How-To

Revu for iPad

Getting Started