Prepare your documents for Smart Overlay and Smart Review

Preview

Applies to:

  • Revu 21
These features are only available with a Bluebeam Max plan.
Bluebeam Max is currently in Limited Release. For more information on purchasing, please contact Bluebeam at sales@bluebeam.com. For the latest updates, click here.

Smart Overlay and Smart Review work best when your PDFs are organized and optimized before you start. Follow these guidelines to help ensure smooth processing and accurate results.

Use PDF files only

Smart Overlay and Smart Review work with PDFs exclusively. Convert your documents to PDF format before uploading.

Stay within size limits

Keep your total file size under 1.75 GB. This applies to both Version 1 and Version 2 in Smart Overlay, or the drawing set you're analyzing in Smart Review.

Manage page count

For Smart Review, limit your combined PDFs to 2,000 pages. For Smart Overlay, limit both versions of your PDFs to 2,000 pages for a combined total of 4,000 pages. If you're working with larger sets, split them into smaller batches and run separate analyses.

Match title blocks consistently

Smart Overlay uses title blocks to identify and match sheets between versions; Smart Review uses title blocks to compare to the index. For accurate matching, make sure of the following:

  • Each sheet number is unique within its set.
  • Sheet numbers are consistent across the versions you're comparing.
  • Title blocks are clearly visible and not covered by markups or annotations.

Keep scales consistent

When comparing drawings with Smart Overlay, use documents at the same scale. Differences in scale or alignment will appear as changes in the comparison.

Use floor plans for Smart Review

Smart Review currently works best for floor plans. You'll get the most accurate results with the following types of files:

  • Floor plans showing walls, doors, and windows
  • Documents using standard architectural conventions
  • Drawings that include gridlines, schedules, and sheet indexes

Civil drawings, site plans, and documents other than floor plans may produce less consistent results.

Flatten or remove markups before comparing versions

If you're using Smart Overlay to compare drawing versions, keep in mind that markups in one version will appear as differences. If you want to compare the base drawings only, flatten or remove markups before uploading.

Use unrestricted PDFs

Make sure that your PDFs are unrestricted and without password protection to allow Smart Review to work properly.

Resources

Revu 21

Max

Smart Overlay

Smart Review

Before you begin using Smart Overlay and Smart Review, we recommend you make sure your documents are optimized for processing.