PDF editing & markup on the go with collaboration built-in
4.8/5 (219 review)Pluspunten
There is no PDF program out there to my knowledge that comes anywhere close to this program when it comes to the construction industry. We have been using this program for 6 years now, and the advancements the developers have made have been fantastic. All of our estimators and project managers have at least Bluebeam Revu, some have Extreme. The text recognition for creating page labels/bookmarks is fantastic (has improved greatly over time). The Sets feature is top notch as well, particularly for keeping up with jobs that have numerous revised drawing sets. The takeoff module is quite powerful, although we do not really take advantage of it's full potential as we already had an on-screen takeoff program.
Minpunten
I honestly have not been a huge fan of the new look in the 2018 version, but that's probably just because I was used to the old look after years of use. Some of our users are overwhelmed with all of the options, buttons, and menus, but that's really just the nature of the beast with a program with so many tools.
Pluspunten
I can't say enough good things about this software using it in the construction industry. I have used multiple different PDF editors but nothing comes close to as how good BlueBeam is. There is not much of a learning curve and you can learn the basics very quickly. It goes about as advanced as you would need and can do almost anything.
Marking up blueprints is straightforward and easy to do. There are multiple different callout shapes and easily input the tag on it. You can have a favorite toolset on a window for the most frequently used items such as your stamp, signature, check mark, etc... Once you collaborate the blueprint you can measure dimensions, surface, and volume.
Bluebeam integrates into most other software such as browsers, Microsoft Excel, and word. It has a quick button in these programs to easily convert it into a PDF inside of Bluebeam. If it does not have integration with the software you can print something and use Bluebeam as a printer to convert it into a PDF inside Bluebeam. You can even set spaces and do punch lists as well.
Everyone I work with loves with the product and nobody has a bad thing to say about it.
Minpunten
The only complaint I have been able to come up with but I'm sure it is user error is that my customized toolbar keeps reverting back to the default. I have locked the toolbar and messed with it but randomly every now goes back. I am unsure why this happens and is pretty frustrating when it does. Other than this no complaints.
Like I said, I could not function on a daily basis without the use of Bluebeam. I have been a daily user for just about 3 years now and I couldn't say enough good things about this software solution and I know it isn't just the Construction Industry that utilizes this software. Anyone can!! Highly Recommend!!
Pluspunten
Bluebeam is not only a construction industry standard now, it is a necessity!! I use this software on a daily basis and could not function without it. Some people look at it as a replacement for Adobe Acrobat as just a simple PDF viewer but it is so much more than that. I use it to dimension drawings with it's calibration tool, you can extract specific pages from large document packages mark them up and send them out, their OCR feature is something that I know our Project Engineers and Project Managers use all the time as well and that is just a start of what it can do. Highly recommend!! Worth every penny!!
Minpunten
The cons is simply that there is a learning curve to know how to utilize all of the features it offers. I still learn something new everyday and I have been using it for 2-3 years now. They have great training videos on the website that walk you through Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced features that I would highly recommend.
It makes checking drawings and communicating changes a lot easier. The markup tools are much better than any other similar software I've tried.
Pluspunten
I'm constantly amazed by how many features bluebeam has packed in.
The markup tools themselves have a lot flexibility. Being able to scale drawings and generate dimensions and areas is a huge plus. Creating new elements and adding them to your tool chest for future use is also a nice feature to have.
The OCR tools are fantastic helping us create bookmarks and labels to navigate large PDFs. We also routinely use the hyperlink tool to create linkable details that make navigating a large drawing set even easier. (I believe this feature is available only in the "Extreme" version). There is also an option to take two versions of a document and compare changes between two versions.
Beyond that being able to use blue beam sessions to collaborate with your project team on common markups is a great bonus.
Minpunten
I would really like the software to have the ability to create preset profiles that automatically set defaults for markup styles and colors.
Overall my experience has been very good. This software basically adds a lot of technical components for PDFs. For example, if you want to sign off on documents, or stamp them with approvals, you can do that easily through Bluebeam.
Pluspunten
The number of functions and versatility of Bluebeam is very good. For my engineering job, Bluebeam is a godsend to be able to mark up documents, sign drawings, flatten documents, import/export other files, etc, etc, etc. I used to use Adobe, but functionality-wise, it is no comparison. If you are going to be working with a lot of PDF's and need technical functions, I think Bluebeam is the way to go.
Minpunten
I just switched to Bluebeam 2018 from 2016 and there seems to be some bugs. It crashed on me today which it never crashed on me in 2016. I'm hoping an updated can get 2018 working as smoothly as 2016.
Besides that, the only thing that I didn't like is that just like with other complex softwares, there are so many functions that it is easy for one to feel overwhelmed by the software. There is a learning curve but after repeated use you can't go back.
Bluebeam has increased office productivity tenfold over the years I have seen/implemented it. It really can do whatever you think up, you just need to figure out what you want done.
Pluspunten
EVERYTHING! This software is incredible and to say that you can use it to markup PDF's is just scratching the surface. You can use it as an estimating takeoff tool, estimating database, document control system, cloud document storage and more! Really the list goes on and on for the uses of this tool. I have never been so satisfied by any software as much as I am with Bluebeam Revu. You cant go wrong here, and if you ever do mess something up or think you can't do something, their customer support team is top notch, so you'll be saved by their graces! (Shout out to Amanda Wieting for the impeccable support over the years!)
Minpunten
Honestly the only thing I have ever not liked about Bluebeam Revu was the UI change they made when going to 2018. They changed the colors around and that's the worst thing that has ever happened with this program.
Pluspunten
What is there not to like about Bluebeam? I first started using it when I got in the construction industry in June 2016 and I have never used a PDF editing software that is as user friendly as Bluebeam. There is countless things you can use it for and more than anything, it is the editing options and capabilities that this program has what makes it simply unique. Being able to create a session and invite members to join is quite a unique feature too; I am glad my company uses it for basically everything!
Minpunten
This isn't a negative comment, as I truly don't have anything bad to say about it, but if anything I would say that I would like to have a bit more training on how to use the software as it updates from one version to the other; I wish there was either trainings or instructional videos that would show the users how it is that a new version of Bluebeam compares to the older one.
With that said above, it is by far, the best PDF viewer/editor there is out there!
I use it everyday, I am an architect and a Project manager por a General Contractor and Bluebeam makes my life easier !
Pluspunten
This software is simply awesome, I can edit, overlay, print, compare, navigate, rotate and do whatever I want in a PDF document, a really powerfull software.
Minpunten
I think it if the perfect software, it takes a while to get familiar with the menus when the software gets updated but nothing bad.
Bluebeam is helping us expedite the submittal process and helping us solve problems by allowing us to review multiple drawings simultaneously. This is a program that you take for granted because if one day, we no longer had it, we would be lost for awhile. I highly recommend this product.
Pluspunten
Bluebeam is used daily at my project site and without it, life would be much more difficult. We use it for marking up drawings, submittals, reviewing contracts and determining rough dimensions (Snapping dimensions makes it very easy) for our project. We have templates, stamps, and other features stored on the application that saves time. This program makes it easy to combine files/PDF's and to organize.
Minpunten
I think that the search option could be refined. Although I cannot provide helpful information on how to accomplish this, I just feel that it could be modified to make things easier. This could also just be me.
Viewing, marking up, and editing design drawings.
Pluspunten
Bluebeam is so much easier to mark up a PDF set than any other PDF software that I have used. It blows away Adobe Acrobat in terms of features, markup tools, and ease of use for design and construction related professionals.
You can even put together decent quick presentations with it in a pinch as a sort of poor man's InDesign for lack of a better term.
I'm constantly learning new helpful features of this program and highly recommend to anyone looking for an easy feature rich markup tool.
Minpunten
I occassionally have issues selecting objects because they seem to have a rather large invisible "selection zone" around them. This can at times make it very difficult to select markups that are small and in close proximity.
Pluspunten
I was first introduced to Bluebeam through my place of employment. I was amazed, right from the start, at how powerful it was and how many features it had that I never knew I needed! After seeing it I could not believe how lame Adobe Acrobat seemed in comparison. The overlay comparison feature is one of the most used features here at work. I manipulate documents within it continuously. The OCR is very powerful. And text manipulation is nothing short of amazing! Great piece of software! I recommend it to everyone that can afford it! Luckily, I can use my corporate computer for personal use, otherwise I'd have to pay full price for it.
Minpunten
The cost is rather prohibitive for normal users. But the features are plenty and well developed.
Hands down the best pdf review and editing software. Will chose this over adobe 100% of the time and have gotten all of my colleagues to switch over to this program and now they all use this as their exclusive pdf viewer.
Pluspunten
The versatility of bluebeam is amazing. From simple markups to layering and doing scaled take offs, this program can do it all. I use it for both personal and professional tasks on a daily basis. They also have great customer support and are always improving their software to keep up with the latest trends and customer needs.
Minpunten
Because there is so much data that can be stored on a single file, sometimes the files get very large and cumbersome to work with. Also if you add too many layers and information, the pages sometimes take a long time to load/buffer.
I highly recommend this software for all e-readers and construction industries. I also like to mention that there are many hidden features still to be utilized.
Pluspunten
As a consultant engineer i am using blue beam more than 4 years. It has become such an important software to carry out my projects. In the sense that i can easily review any document or shop drawings, and also i can easily comment on the documents. But the most amazing feature i like is i can overlay two drawings which helps to figure out the error. And also we can easily calibrate and measure the dimensions in a drawing. Last but not least this software is very eye friendly to work with.
Minpunten
There is no much cons in my opinion excepts for slow response to large files.
Revu is a fantastic resourse in the office for editing and marking up PDF drawings. It excelles where vectors are used in 3D PDFs. As construction begins bluebeam becomes less useful navigating drawing compared to something like PlanGrid. You can’t go wrong if you use both bluebeam for Pre-Con and PlanGrid for Construction. The cost savings compared to some other software is substantial.
Pluspunten
The interface is intuitive, the support and training is efficient. Updating documents on studio and controlling versions by checking in and checking out. Has all the features of any other PDF writer plus the ability to enter complex formulas similar to excel. If estimating it prints professional reports.
Minpunten
Adding tools, fortunately there is an incredible network of folks who make their tools available.
The collaboration between the project team is greatly enhanced with Bluebeam studio. It also makes it simple to update the project drawings with changes so that everyone is using the most up to date drawings.
Pluspunten
The software has great tools to collaborate with trades, architects, engineers, and other members of the project team. With bluebeam studio, it makes it simple to upload drawings for the team to access and to take on the go via the iPad app. The markup tools are also great for every day coordination, site planning, drawing mark-ups, shop drawing review, etc. The possibilities are endless!
Minpunten
The mobile app is a bit clunky and is slower than other PDF viewers I have seen in the field.
We use this software ALL THE TIME. This is probably, after Outlook and the internet browser, the most used software on my computer. Before upgrading to this software, I used multiple applications just to get to the same result. This has been a time saver.
Pluspunten
The ease of use; variety of editing and commenting tools,; Microsoft Outlook integration; inclusion of PDF printer plug-in; and document comparison tools. This is by far the easiest and most powerful PDF viewer/editor I've used. The tools are so easy to use, in a pinch, we've even used it as a drawing/sketching tool.
Minpunten
The cropping tool doesn't always work. There is not a way (I'm aware of) of changing the page size once it's already set.
This software is pretty great for us. It costs a lot which is the reason we hold on to the legacy versions. We use PDF escape free version for simple PDF needs like signing and combining. We also use adobe free for the fill and sign.
Pluspunten
This offer a lot of functionality when it comes to editing PDFs. Customer service is great when I need to free up licenses because we have versions going back to 8, 19 and 2016. We use it for editing text on our PDFs or cropping them for 4x6 shipping labels.
Minpunten
I am unable to free up legacy licenses without going through customer service. There is a portal for 2018 versions but anything 2016 below requires you to email or call in to free them up.
With the use of Bluebeam our BIM department can transfer files and mark ups faster back and forth to the field with out having to wait for email. We have mostly eliminated the need to print full size drawings for install. The field guys take the PDF's and put them on the app for the tablets. Making it more convinent.
Pluspunten
I really enjoy the measurement tools that are in the program. This allows me to easily help our field with take off for pipe and fittings. Also the ability to use the Bluebeam Studio giving my guy easy access to all files with out needing a different program to access.
Minpunten
The user interface with the new update at first was a little cumbersome but in time you get used to it.
Overall it's really a great software for those who have to update drawings or forms . I wouldn't use any other software but Bluebeam.
Pluspunten
This software is way better then Adobe reader and I feel it's much easier to navigate as well. I use bluebeam for everything. I can update drawings, forms, spreadsheets and much more. I really don't know what I would do without this program. There are so many functionalities it's endless. It took me a minute to learn the new version of bluebeam due to changes on the icons, but once I figured those out it was easy.
Minpunten
I really don't have anything negative to say about this software.
Bluebeam Revu has been a software we us daily at our firm. We do all of our shop drawings digitally and Bluebeam helps with that allowing us to have custom stamps and good work flow. Overall we have been very happy with this software and will most likely continue to use it.
Pluspunten
Ease of use and tools available to review drawings and make markups fast.
Minpunten
The new pricing for updates, until recently Bluebeam was reasonable cost and we had no problems just upgrading every year. But last year they changed the pricing structure and we elected to no upgrade. We still like the product and use it everyday. We will wait a few years and decide if we need to upgrade or not.
Every construction company should be using Bluebeam as their go to mark-up software. It creates a more efficient workplace and it saves so much time going through changes, which is great for time sensitive projects that cannot allow for so many costly meetings. It also makes it so everyone doesn't have to immediately travel to the job site since everything is digital and has real time updates enabled.
Pluspunten
So easy to use! As an architecture student, Bluebeam has been the easiest mark-up software I have used so far. The functions are similar to TurboCad, but the main use is to mark-up plans during the construction process on job sites. I works well on tablet devices as well as PCs. You can see the mark-ups done in real time so there is not a time delay when explaining changes in meetings on site and off site. It even has a dark theme option, which has been becoming popular in these types of programs!
Minpunten
This software does not have as many functions as TurboCad does, but it makes for that since this program is meant to be used by a variety of construction positions. Using the program on a tablet can slow down the live time functions if you are not in a good WiFi spot.
I have used this software for years, as has architectural firms I have worked for. It makes it easy to do post-production on documents and to incorporate other graphic formats into my finished documents.
Pluspunten
I use Bluebeam multiple times per day. It is a great software for processing and editing PDFs. I use it to notate and colorize drawings, create large documents and to create proposals. The functionality is good and intuitive and there are many ways you can customize the software to meet your needs
Minpunten
I would like the software to be compatible with platforms such as GBCI's LEED Online and others that require an Adobe interface.
Love it! When I have needed support, they have been very professional and knowledgeable. Bluebeam has increased productivity and helps me provide better documentation to the client.
Pluspunten
It is very intuitive and has well thought out templates. The features are great and make documentation much easier.
Minpunten
I haven't had any problems with blue beam yet and I have been using it since 2012. The only thing i would suggest improvements is the Take-Off portion of the software. At times my take-off can get a bit messy or overrun. I think i just need to take some time to learn this portion of the program a bit better.
We have had a good experience with Bluebeam Revu. the install went very easy and we moved our engineers over to it without much trouble. Some of the collaboration workflows took a bit to get set up but once up and running we have had few if any problems.
Pluspunten
We have used Adobe Acrobat Pro for years and still do, but when it comes to needing to work with our construction drawings and collaborating with our engineers or other companies Bluebeam has the features we need hands down better than Adobe.
Minpunten
While BlueBeam is a typical PDF document viewer and editor, and on the the surface works much like the Adobe products we have grown accustom too, many of the more advanced features work differently and there is a learning curve to trying to figure out how everything works.
This program allows us to get that much closer to becoming paper free. We can do most everything digitally and quickly with this program.
Pluspunten
Allows me as an architect to markup PDFs so that other people can make corrections to drawings. The studio is awesome and allows multiple people to access the software at once. Reviewing and stamping drawings digitally is a great feature also. Very intuitive.
Minpunten
There is definitely a learning curve, because it is not a simple software. The ipad app that comes with this doesn't work very well, especially if you are using large drawing sets.
Bluebeam compliments our takeoff program very well. It is very useful for generating individual files out of a large set that are uniquely named by the drawing number and name (or however you wish to name them), which then allows me to import those files into the program without the need for manually typing in the descriptions. Saves an inordinate amount of time at the start of a takeoff for each job.