How Bluebeam Transforms Workflows, Collaboration, and Project Efficiency w/ Doug McLean
On this episode of Verify In Field: The Millwork Podcast, host Jacob Edmond is joined by special guest Doug McLean, an experienced professional in the millwork industry. Doug shares his insights on the customization options available in wall paneling using takeoff software, the importance of skilled mill workers, and the integration of technology like Bluebeam for collaborative markups and real-time collaboration. Get ready to dive into the world of architectural millwork and explore the potential of 3D design in this informative and engaging episode.
About Our Guest:
Doug McLean is a former construction worker who took a leap of faith and transitioned into the role of an estimator. Tired of the physical toll that his job was taking on his body, Doug decided to seize an opportunity that presented itself in his town. He joined the community as an estimator eight and a half years ago, leaving behind the painstaking work of crawling around and building drywalls. Doug's determination and willingness to embrace change have led him to where he is today, grateful for the chance to be part of a new community and excited to explore new opportunities.
Listen to the Full Episode:
Key Takeaways:
The millwork industry is undergoing a transformation, thanks to advancements in technology and changing market demands. In a candid conversation, Doug McLean and Jacob Edmond discuss the future of the industry, the role of technology, and the importance of collaboration and continuous learning.
The Importance of Collaboration
Bluebeam Studio: A Game-Changer
Doug McLean emphasizes the importance of using Bluebeam Studio, a tool that comes with your subscription and facilitates collaboration. He suggests:
Getting your architect and general contractor on board: "Let's get everybody collaborating on this. Let's not just email a copy off somewhere and then forget to upload the markups."
The Power of Real-Time Collaboration
Jacob Edmond adds that Bluebeam Studio is invaluable for their core business of drafting and staffing. He outlines:
Projects and Sessions: "Projects will allow us to create a project per client with folder structures, and we can push files to sessions and pull them back and update them."
Virtual Table Review: "A session is a virtual version of that. So it is a literal instance where, hey, I can specifically control the permissions, invite people to it, upload documents to it, multiple documents, and mark them up."
The Role of Technology in Millwork
The 3D Revolution
Doug McLean talks about the growing importance of 3D aspects in the industry. Bluebeam allows you to create and share 3D PDFs, which can be viewed without needing specialized software like Revit. This is particularly useful for:
Complex Projects: "It's a mall here in Vancouver that's got some. Really crazy things in it."
Quick and Easy Visualization: "And the best thing is you don't need to have Revit installed in your computer to view this. Drawing in 3D."
Data Management and Analysis
Jacob Edmond emphasizes the role of data in their operations. Bluebeam Studio allows them to:
Track Changes: "And you have an entire history of who has done what, when you can actually follow people virtually."
Quality Control: "So the way we use it internally. We have internal QC where. As we're completing drawings, so we might have a huge five-floor hospital, right?"
The Future of the Millwork Industry
Lifelong Learning
Doug McLean advises anyone entering the trade to be a continuous learner. The industry is evolving, with new materials and techniques coming into play.
Continuous Learning: "Learn, try and be a constant continuous learner if you're going into this trade."
Trends to Watch
3D Printing: "Now we're doing, you name it, right? So you gotta have that background to go, how do we do this? What's this?"
New Materials: "We're actually testing. Metal veneer, a spray on metal veneer. It's called Vero Metal."
Final Thoughts
What Will Change
Doug believes that the industry will increasingly rely on data and 3D technology.
Data's Role: "That's gonna be the whole construction industry. And that's big."
What Will Remain the Same
The people and the skill sets will continue to be the industry's backbone, according to Doug.
People Matter: "The people, we've got a good, a great group in this whole community."
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