Collaboration is key to success in the construction industry, but it can be difficult to manage when working with complex documents like PDFs. That’s where Bluebeam Studio comes in. Bluebeam Studio is a cloud-based collaboration tool that allows teams to work together on PDF documents in real-time. In this blog post, we’ll discuss how to use Bluebeam Studio and its benefits for collaboration.
In Bluebeam Studio, there are two main types of collaboration: Studio Projects and Studio Sessions. While both involve working with PDF documents in a cloud-based environment, they have some key differences.
A Studio Project is a long-term collaboration space where multiple users can access and work on a collection of PDF documents over an extended period of time. Think of it as a virtual filing cabinet or project folder that can be accessed by multiple users from different locations. Each project has a unique name and ID number, which helps to identify and distinguish it from other projects. Users can upload and download documents using a function called “checking in” & “checking out” (similar to checking out a book in a library). Users can also leave comments and mark up the files in real-time. A document cannot be edited unless it is checked out. Once a user is done editing a checked out document, they can check the document back in for all users to review. The great part about Studio Projects is that it will track and keep a record of all edited versions from the beginning. It does not matter if you are looking for Revision 1 of a PDF or Revision 1,000; it will be available for you in Projects.
A Studio Session is a shorter-term collaboration space that allows multiple users to collaborate on a single PDF document in real-time. Think of it as a virtual meeting room where users can join a session to discuss a particular document or topic. Unlike Projects, Sessions do not require the user to check in or check out files. Instead, all users have access to the same document simultaneously and can make edits, annotations, or comments in real-time. Once the Session is over, users can save their changes and export the document to their local device. Sessions are ideal for quick meetings, review sessions, or brainstorming sessions.
Both Studio Projects and Sessions allow team members to collaborate and share ideas, feedback, and suggestions without the need for constant email communication or physical meetings.
To get started with Bluebeam Studio, you’ll need to create a Bluebeam account if you don’t already have one. Once you have an account, you can log in to Bluebeam Revu and access Studio from the toolbar. Once you are logged in, you can choose to create a studio project highlighted by the first tab on the top of the window, or start a Studio Session highlighted by the second tab.
From there, users can begin to upload files/folders from their local drive to begin collaboration. Bluebeam Cloud has NO LIMIT to the amount that can be stored within Studio so users have the ability to run a project or session with just one document or they can use their entire local drive consisting of every job and document they have!
In conclusion, Bluebeam Studio is an incredibly useful tool for collaboration on PDF documents. Its real-time editing, revision control, markup tools, secure sharing, and mobile access make it an essential tool for teams working with complex documents. By using Bluebeam Studio, teams can work together more efficiently and effectively, leading to better outcomes and increased productivity. If you would like to learn more about Bluebeam Studio and all its awesome tools and features, please reach out to us at ZenTek Consultants where we can provide you with in depth training for all things Bluebeam related.
