About using measurements and WBS codes from eTakeoff Dimension

When you work with eTakeoff Dimension and Sage Estimating together, it's important to understand how measurements, traces, and Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) codes are related. Although these objects often appear together during takeoff, they serve different purposes.

Traces, measurements, and breakdowns

Object	Purpose
Trace	Defines how a takeoff measurement is performed.
Measurement	Represents an actual takeoff performed on a drawing.
Breakdown Structures (eTakeoff)	Categorizes measurements within an eTakeoff Dimension project.
WBS Codes (Estimating)	Categorizes estimate items in Sage Estimating.

Traces

In eTakeoff Dimension, a trace is a reusable takeoff definition, similar to a standard database item or assembly. A trace defines the quantities and variables available for a type of work—for example, it might provide area, perimeter, count, or other measurement values. When you use a trace on a drawing, eTakeoff creates a measurement that stores the actual takeoff results.

Measurements

In eTakeoff Dimension, a measurement is an actual takeoff performed on a drawing. When you perform takeoff using a trace, Dimension creates a measurement and stores the resulting quantities.

Each measurement has a primary quantity, which is the default quantity returned to the estimate unless you select a different variable. Some measurements include additional quantities or variables, such as area, perimeter, count, or values defined by the trace. These values are available from the measurement's quantity list.

Work Breakdowns and WBS Codes

eTakeoff Dimension and Sage Estimating both provide ways to organize work using user-defined categories.

In eTakeoff Dimension, work breakdown categories are assigned to measurements. They can identify information such as:

• Building
• Floor
• Area
• Phase
• Estimator

In eTakeoff Dimension, breakdown categories are independent of traces. Their values are associated with measurements in Dimension. Changing or removing traces does not affect the breakdowns used in a project.

How WBS Information Flows to Sage Estimating

When you assign a Dimension measurement to an estimate item, Sage Estimating:

1. Links the item's Takeoff Quantity cell to the selected measurement.
2. Retrieves the quantity from the measurement.
3. Evaluates any breakdown values assigned to the measurement.
4. If a breakdown category in Dimension exactly matches a WBS code in the estimate, automatically assigns the corresponding breakdown value to the estimate item.

Requirements for Automatic Mapping

Automatic WBS assignment occurs only when corresponding values exist in both systems and the names match exactly. To improve consistency between takeoff and estimating data, use the same naming conventions for breakdown values in eTakeoff Dimension and WBS values in Sage Estimating.