The purpose of this guide is to provide you with step-by-step instructions on to how to setup your SmartBuild software. This guide is designed to get you up and running as quickly and efficiently as possible. The more accurate and detailed the information you provide during this setup process, the more accurate your quotes, diagrams and other outputs will be.
There are six specific tasks to be accomplished during the setup process:
STEP 1*: Define Systems and Colors – Define the colors to be made available for all your steel sheathing, trim and fasteners. Product Systems can also be defined at this step.
STEP 2*: Setup Material Databases – Import detailed information about all of your building materials into the SmartBuild materials database.
STEP 3: Define Framing Rules – Assign one or more usages for each of the different materials in your SmartBuild materials database.
STEP 4: Configure Packages – Create associations between materials used in conjunction with one another to fulfill a single function. (For example: a door, threshold and hardware.)
STEP 5: Setup Model Templates Library – Create a library of models to use as templates when starting a new design. (Only needed in SMARTBUILD FOR POST FRAME.)
STEP 6: Customize Outputs – Customize your quotes, material takeoffs, 2-D and 3-D diagrams, and other outputs to display your company’s logo and desired content.
*UPDATE: SmartBuild has been enhanced with a SETUP WIZARD that will make Steps 1 and 2 easier than the initial process. This document describes the original process to complete Steps 1 and 2. However, we suggest you use the SETUP WIZARD to accomplish those two steps. Instructions on how to use the SETUP WIZARD are actually located in the Software itself.
Follow this link to the SmartBuild Getting Started Document (you can either view online or download the file).