Frequently Asked Questions


A guide to some of the most common questions

Please find below a list of questions and answers to the most common issues.

How to use Planswift on Apple based products

Planswift doesn’t work natively on Apple products, however utilising software called Parallels it is possible to run Planswift on a Mac.

Parallels will run a virtual Windows operating system on your Mac that can then have Planswift installed and running properly.

Maintenance

Having a Maintenance plan in place means that you will enjoy the optimum performance resulting from all minor improvements which are continuously made and any new major Update versions that are introduced. This particularly important if you have more than one User so that you all operate on the same basis.

You can Upgrade from any previous version.

Please contact us for pricing information.

What is new in Planswift?

Moving Data files to another PC

To move PlanSwift data files to a different computer, start by uninstalling PlanSwift. Uninstalling PlanSwift does not remove the PlanSwift directory, and it also does not delete your data, templates, and other files. An example of the files and directories remaining in the PlanSwift directory after an uninstall is shown in the figure below. 

View the full tutorial here

Removing and Reactivating Planswift

From within the Software License Options section you can remove or activate your PlanSwift software license.

To uninstall Planswift please read the following tutorial.

For further information regarding activing your license please read the full tutorial here.

How to set the scale for your drawings

A plan image must be scaled before any digitizing can be done. If a plan image needs rotating or leveling, this needs to be done before the image is scaled. 

View the full tutorial here.

Creating your own cost data base

From within the Templates tab, you can create assemblies for use in estimating and takeoff before you need them, and you can export or import them into jobs. Assemblies allow you to pre-build all of the materials and tools you will need for a specific item, such as concrete slabs.

View the full tutorial here.

How to view plans in 3D

PlanSwift has created a plugin called PlanSwift 3D Viewer that is used for viewing 3D area, 3D linear, 3D segment, and 3D count items in three dimensions. To be viewed in 3D, takeoffs must be performed using the PlanSwift 3D Viewer takeoff tools.

The PlanSwift 3D Viewer Plugin User Guide is available to guide you in its use. Plugins can be purchased from the PlanSwift Plugin Store.

View the full tutorial here.

Overlays

The New Overlay tool allows you to place, or overlay, a separate page from your plans onto the page that you are currently viewing.

View the full tutorial here.

Network Storage

Helpful for colleagues who need to access other colleagues files and as a backup

View the full tutorial here

How to Backup files A MUST DO

Having a backup for any program is essential for keeping your information safe and secure. This is no different in PlanSwift. There are two main ways to backup your work on PlanSwift. One using data storage and the other using folders inside of PlanSwift.

Read the full tutorial to ensure your backups are in place here.

Navigating Planswift Pages

The Navigation Buttons allow you to move backward and forward in the Pages you are working on.

Back will move you to the page previous to the current page.

Forward will move you to the next page.

For more information on navigation Planswift Pages click here

Activation Errors

There are a variety of issues that could cause your activation to fail.

Read the following tutorial to find the issue that is preventing activation and how to resolve it.

View the full tutorial here

Error notifications – Opening Planswift

There are two main PlanSwift errors that can cause PlanSwift not to open where you will need to read the following document to correct.

Read the full tutorial here

 

Activation

A step by step guide to making sure that Planswift is properly activated.

Read the full step by step guide here

User Manual

This guide will teach you how to use the tools and features found within PlanSwift® Takeoff and Estimating Software. All users must agree to accept and abide by the End User License Agreement, which can be found at www.PlanSwift.com. This guide is not meant to be a step-by-step “walk through” document, although it can be used as a reference for getting the work done.

This guide consists of four sections. The first section is Key Features, which covers managing jobs and pages, creating takeoffs and annotations, using shortcuts and hotkeys, and integrating with Excel. The second section is Customizing PlanSwift, which covers using templates, parts, and assemblies, estimating, creating reports, installing plugins, and using some of the advanced features.

Download the user manual here

Quick Start Guide

Download the full quick start guide PDF here

My Account

Enables the licence holder to manage the licence in terms of reviewing the version, access levels and authority of users ( particularly helpful in the case of employees moving to other companies/retiring) and changing Passwords. Also lists Plug-Ins purchased and enables a redownload of the version that they are entitled to.

Read the full tutorial here