Building a model

Building a model involves putting together all the components that will enable that model to obtain the required information during takeoff. The process usually includes several of the following tasks, not necessarily in the order shown:

• Planning the model. For more information see Planning a model.

• Creating the model. For more information see Setting up a new database model.

• Adding assemblies. For more information see Adding an assembly to a model.

• Adding items. For more information see Adding an item to a model.

• Creating questions. For more information see About questions.

• Entering default values for questions, items, and assemblies. For more information, see:

  • Entering default values using ad hoc formulas

  • Entering default values using question formulas

  • Entering default values using questions

• Using question formulas. For more information see About question formulas.

• Including or excluding lines for model takeoff. For more information see including or excluding lines for model takeoff.

• Improving the appearance of the model.

  • Add colorful separators or blank lines to divide a model into sections.

  • Add bitmap (*.bmp) or jpeg (*.jpg) images to a line in the model.

    For more information, see Adding an image to a model.

  • Include memos or headers.

    For more information, see Adding text to a model.

  • Format the text.

    Fore more information, see Changing the fonts used in the model.

  • Change the order of the lines.

    For more information ,see Moving lines in a model.

• Checking the integrity of the model. For more information see Checking model integrity.

• Printing the Model report. For more information see Printing standard database reports.