Abstract:
A system, method, and computer product for taking installation information off areas of digital plans for estimating and evaluating with predetermined material, labor rates, and costs. The system incorporates typical areas and typical groups for repeating objects in applications such as office buildings and hotels. The system automatically sums individual inputs and facilitates sharing, bidding, and evaluation of areas. Drawings are color coded to communicate to the operator what status is. Areas and conditions can be duplicated, manipulated, copied, pasted, grouped, reassigned, and adjusted to reuse in other parts or plans.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Provisional application “Digital percent complete process” No. 60/496,405 filed on Aug. 20, 2003, Patent application “Digital percent complete process” Ser. No. 10/922,083 filed on Aug. 20, 2004, Provisional application “System and method for digital production control” filed Feb. 6, 2008, Provisional application “System and method for on screen takeoff” filed Feb. 6, 2008, 
     
    
     BACKGROUND  
       [0002]    1. Technical Field of Invention 705/32 
         [0003]    This invention relates to time and material accounting and more particularly to such an accounting system with creating takeoffs from digital and paper plans for material, labor, scheduling, and billing purposes with interface compatibility to bidding and tracking software. 
         [0004]    2. Background of the Invention 
         [0005]    Bidding of construction projects has evolved from very early versions of guessing and hand measuring to determine estimates for bidding. Some contractors through natural ability and perseverance were able to accurately measure drawings together with actual sites and guess at costing for implementing of the drawings while others were not. The ones that persevered and guessed well were possibly successful and the others went into other lines of work. Today professional construction projects are based on bids submitted by bid that contain a complete drawing plan with estimates of labor, time, materials, and a sequencing plan that allows equipment and material to be delivered and utilized. There is usually stiff competition for projects and the successful bidder must be very accurate and expect no tolerance from a contracting administrator (not paid) for bad guesses or miscalculations. Accuracy is especially critical on jobs that involve repeating areas, multiple floors, and wings were errors, when made are repeated and multiplied. Humans have always looked for ways to reduce repetition in their efforts with an eye towards improving productivity and reducing boredom. The term “cut and Paste” has derived from a historical practice in manuscript editing whereby editors would physically cut portions of text and affix them with paste to a different section saving editing time. With the advent of photocopiers new and innovative ways of manipulating text were employed further saving effort and time. In the mid-seventies a researcher (L. G. Tesler) at the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center implemented a computer metaphor that electronically implemented a computer interface version of “cut and paste” with simple keystroke combinations. This technique migrated into the widely used computer and personal computer operating systems. Typically text as well as graphical and information transferring currently greatly reduces repetitive operator inputs. The standard “cut and paste” functionality involved transfer of the properties, information, and representations but would not adjust to changes involving multilayer and scale. 
         [0006]    These legacy systems improve productivity but fail to fully improve the productivity of the operator for large complex building plans with repetition of objects. In many plans for high-rise, multi-floor, or multi-building complexes many objects (walls, ceilings, rooms, even entire floors are repeated. However, due to complexities in implementation (graphical, information, data base content, and scale differences) no system or method to date as offered the ability to capture and reuse an information rich takeoff representation through an operation as simple as any computer-based editing operation. 
         [0007]    In U.S. Pat. No. 5,032,907 by Isnardi titled “Video panning system for widescreen television”. Isnardi discloses a widescreen television system compatible with a lesser aspect ratio standard television system employs a panning operation using a circular-shift method. Isnardi has developed a method for handling manipulation of images but the methodology as disclosed has no digital drawing interface of data base integration capabilities. The combining of Isnardi methods with digital drawing capabilities would not be possible without complete redesign and rewriting of the methods disclosed by Isnardi. Furthermore incorporating additional processing and functionality would not have the necessary interface capabilities (mouse, keyboard, and printer hardware or software drivers). In U.S. Pat. No. 5,189,606 by Burns, et al. titled “Totally integrated construction cost estimating, analysis, and reporting system”. Burns discloses an integrated construction cost generator which may be used to develop costs for construction projects but the overall complexity and breath of Burns system would not be maintainable or sensible for combination with inclusion of typical areas functionality. Inclusion of additional functionality for takeoff costing and estimating would not be part of a system designed to review and monitor construction projects and would be a distraction for operators of Burn&#39;s system. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,324,437 by Frankel, et al. titled “System and method for managing the alteration of garments”. Frankel discloses a system and method for managing garment alterations. While Frankel has systems and methods for dealing with specific operational garment alterations adaptations there is no facility for interfacing and manipulating digital drawings and combing with these functions would be difficult and render the system incapable of operating for the original purpose of garment alterations. Inclusion of digital drawing manipulation and interfacing would not be useful for Frankel&#39;s system and would reduce the operator&#39;s ability to efficiently managing garment alterations. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,324,508 by Finney titled “Automated method for a takeoff estimate of construction drawings”. Finney discloses a method for performing a construction quantity takeoff estimate of a drawing representative of a construction project with voice recognition. While there may be usefulness in implementing voice recognition the critical problem in estimating large projects with repeating objects is not addressed and including these features would demand a complete re-architecture and code rewrite of the Finney system where the vocabulary could grow beyond the value to render the system useless. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,658,387 by Finney titled “Method for indexing an image during an automated takeoff estimate of a construction drawing”. Finney discloses a method for determining construction quantity takeoff information of a drawing representative of a construction project. Here Finney has furthered his manipulation of construction estimating and monitoring but still does not directly interface with digital drawings leaving a gap in project operations and making work for the operators he is trying to relieve of tasks. Inclusion of interfacing and manipulation of digital drawings would not be compatible with the methods of indexing as disclosed by Finney and confusion would reduce operator efficiency. In U.S. Pat. No. 7,178,098 by Bauchot et al. titled “Method and system in an electronic spreadsheet for handling user-defined options in a copy/cut-paste operation”, Bauchot discloses an example of a solution comprises defining one or more combinations of options, defining an operation to execute (e.g. copy and paste, or cut and paste), computing the content of each cell. These methods are useful on projects limited to spreadsheets only as there is no digital drawing interface capability and combining such capabilities would demand a re-structure and re-writing of operational code as a digital drawing interface and manipulation display code is considerably larger than Bauchot&#39;s code. Inclusion of digital drawing methods would not enhance handling of electronic spreadsheets and would slow operation leading away from the Bauchot disclosed intent. In U.S. Pat. No. 7,254,266 by Cotman et al. titled “Method and apparatus for generating special-purpose image analysis algorithms”, Cotman discloses providing quantitative data about a two or more dimensional image. While Cotman has disclosed an image manipulating method the techniques as disclosed are overly complex for operating with digital construction drawings. The complexity of Cotman would require processing power beyond that which is necessary and available for operator in situ computations. 
         [0008]    What is needed is a system that eliminates the manual take off process on digital drawing plans that captures selected images, automatically calculating precise quantities and costs with simple handling of repeated areas. The ability to instantly calculate multiple quantities for each condition with selectable formulas. The ability to create typical takeoff conditions for reuse on similar tasks. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    A system, method, and computer product for determining takeoff quantity information from areas of digital plans for estimating and evaluating project costs based on predetermined material, labor rates, and costs. Through a computer survey the system automatically sums individual inputs and facilitates sharing, bidding, and evaluation of items and areas from operator drawings on computer screens. Drawing objects are color coded to communicate to the operator what type of object and object status. Areas and conditions can be manipulated, copied, pasted, grouped, reassigned, and adjusted to reuse areas and conditions in other parts of the plan. Takeoff items and objects drawn in a site or project plan can be selected, duplicated, and/or assigned to entirely different assemblies or conditions and automatically placed on any desired page the quantity survey process will automatically adjust any scale differences that may exist between the source plan and the plan the object is to be reassigned. 
         [0010]    Typical areas can be designated and reused when plans have repetition. Typical area quantity survey process consists of the following; a specific process of system software quantity survey or takeoff of repeated assemblage of lines, objects, and conditions being collected and stored that speeds the cost estimator or engineers ability to quickly count (quantify) building conditions for large projects that have multiple typical areas both groups of conditions and repeating levels or floors. Additionally, typical areas is suited for a building project that has groups of conditions (Typical Groups) i.e. (a specific arrangement of walls, ceilings, electrical components, finishes or furnishings or any other group of mechanical, electrical or architectural building elements) or (repeating similar floors or levels) that repeat throughout a project. The most common of these are groups of building conditions that repeat throughout the project or a project with multiple repeating identical floors which many times are represented on separate pages and at different scales of measurement on the construction documents. The program control automatically converts scaling of items with different dimensions. The program correlates graphical information and database values. The typical areas quantity survey process allows the user to takeoff or count quantities that occur within a building project using a computer with electronic takeoff software and an image of the building project as a background for tracing to accurately count quantify the construction conditions that exist within a specific group of building conditions. Typical groups are defined as organized takeoffs collected as groups of takeoffs that can easily be pasted in a bid as single object. Typical pages are configured by marking a page as a repeating page and the processor does the takeoff math. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0011]      FIG. 1  shows a block diagram of an on screen takeoff overall system incorporating typical areas functionality. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  shows an operator interface device for an on screen takeoff system incorporating typical areas functionality. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  shows a program flow for an on screen takeoff system incorporating typical areas functionality. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4   a  shows a graphical screen presentation for an on screen takeoff system incorporating typical areas functionality. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4   b  shows an on screen data sheet presentation for an on screen takeoff system incorporating typical areas functionality. 
           [0016]      FIG. 5  shows a section of a screen with a calculation of an object to establish a condition for an on screen takeoff system incorporating typical areas functionality. 
           [0017]      FIG. 6  shows a sample data type format for an on screen takeoff system incorporating typical areas functionality in industry standard data format. 
           [0018]      FIG. 7  shows an on screen technique for reusing established conditions in an on screen takeoff system incorporating typical areas functionality. 
           [0019]      FIG. 8  shows an on screen technique for establishing a typical area condition in an on screen takeoff system incorporating typical areas functionality. 
           [0020]      FIG. 9  shows a screen presentation of an image and conditions of a building with repeating floors for a typical area condition in an on screen takeoff system incorporating typical areas functionality. 
           [0021]      FIG. 10  shows a screen with a portion of the image and conditions of a building with repeating floors, as in  FIG. 9 , displayed for designation as a typical group. 
           [0022]      FIG. 11  shows a screen with a notice from the system processor instructing the operator on procedures to initiate designation of a typical group function. 
           [0023]      FIG. 12  shows a screen with a typical group designated. 
           [0024]      FIG. 13  shows a screen with a designated typical group combined into an entire floor. 
           [0025]      FIG. 14  shows a data screen with a designated typical group assigned to multiple floors. 
           [0026]      FIG. 15   a  shows a pop up screen with typical page association instructions for operators. 
           [0027]      FIG. 15   b  shows a screen with a typical page banner to inform the operator that grouping and associations have been incorporated. 
           [0028]      FIG. 16  shows a screen displaying repeated typical groups on repeated floors. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0029]      FIG. 1  shows a block diagram of an on screen takeoff overall system incorporating typical areas functionality. The system is typically located in situ at the operator&#39;s location but could be anywhere the operator chooses to perform analysis of digital drawing plans through on screen takeoffs. A block  101  represents operator interface such as a screen that could be any type of display screen which may include touch input. A block  103  represents an input device such as a keyboard, voice, mouse, scanner, or other appropriate devices for inputting information into an on screen takeoff system. A block  105  represents a computer interface to an in situ processor  107  for running the on screen takeoff system software. The processor  107  has a storage  109  device where project data, system software, and information are kept in unique addresses and locations within the storage  109  wherein project data information is kept in unique locations, and output device  111  such as a printer or plotter produces reports, images, or documents. Although not shown the system can be connected to network devices such as the internet for data submission, submitting, upgrades, or other remote functions. 
         [0030]      FIG. 2  shows an operator interface device for an on screen takeoff system incorporating typical areas functionality. The block diagram of  FIG. 2  shows the block  101  operator interface with a video driver block  102  connected to processor  107  for data manipulation and number crunching with the storage  109  facilitating storing of costing databases, a memory block  107 M, and a transceiver radio block  111  with an antenna  113 . Although the network interface device is shown as a radio with antenna a hardwire network or similar configuration that connects the system to a network or world wide web type network is envisioned. 
         [0031]      FIG. 3  shows a program flow for an on screen takeoff system incorporating typical areas functionality. The program flow starts with a start block  121  and a computer (desktop or laptop) with operating system loaded and an object digital file drawing (loaded through digital input or scanned in from a paper drawing) and the area for operation selected on the display. A next block  123  is where the operator sets the basic conditions, scale, rates, and other support conditions. A next block  125  is where the operator enters selections onto the operator interface by drawing lines on a screen to graphically input the items or tasks to be taken off the drawing. A next block  127  is where the system calculations are performed by the system software through a computer survey of quantities, values, and labor rates where formulas are applied and calculations performed to determine quantity takeoff information and translate these data into a collection of materials, labor, and costs. A next block  129  is where the calculation results are displayed to the operator on the operator interface. A next block is a connector directing the program flow to the next sheet. On the next sheet (sheet 4 of 18) a block  133  accepts the operator adjustments, inputs, or other operations necessary to complete the task of taking off the items in the job necessary to accomplish the task. A next block  135  finalizes all the inputs and formulates information for a report for the analysis, takeoff, and bid information. A final block  137  accomplishes storing the takeoff product of the selected tasks and conditions and facilitates the operator to print, submit, transmit, bid, or collaborate with as necessary. Additional project information as assembled above can be called up, started or merged for other uses as the operator requires by again following the above sequence. 
         [0032]      FIG. 4   a  shows a graphical screen presentation for an on screen takeoff system incorporating typical areas functionality. A typical working screen  141  is shown with a floor plan to be acted upon by an operator by identifying and taking off the features to be estimated to determining the materials, labor, and costs associated with job accomplishment. The screen  141  features lines, objects, and conditions values represented in both graphical and tabular format. An area  142  features tabbing controls for quick navigation to bids, images, takeoffs, and worksheets. An area  143  shows the floor plan reference drawing page. An area  145  provides a powerful tool bar for viewing and operating on a digital drawing floor plan displayed in an area  149 . The image of the floor plan in area  149  can be loaded into the operators&#39; computer as a digital file or scanned from a paper drawing plan set. The floor plan displayed in area  149  has interactive capabilities wherein an operator can draw directly on the screen to select, modify, or enter material and labor costing to determine a job costing for a specific floor plan. Specific lines, objects, and conditions represent plans for walls, electrical, plumbing, and doors. Depending on the display medium an operator may draw takeoff lines directly to a screen with a mouse, pen, voice, selector or other appropriate device to inform the processor  107  in  FIG. 1  what feature (line, object, or condition) the operator desires to operate on. The computer through processor  107  will update the associated drawing lines, objects, and conditions and correlate the associated costing database with the operator input and determine a database value. Returning to  FIG. 4   a  an area  147  shows a companion tabular format column collection of specifics and values contained in the floor plan along side the graphics in area  149  as taken off by the operator with specifications, sizes, and costs. The area  147  features a series of color coded items keyed to the left of each entry for ease of identity with area  149  graphics. An objects status properties are indicated on the area  149  by color coding with corresponding values and percentages shown in area  147 . Default color coding schema are provided with samples shown in area  147 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 4   b  shows an on screen data sheet presentation for an on screen takeoff system incorporating typical areas functionality. A screen  161  shows the data presentation for an on screen takeoff system. An area  163  features tabbing controls for quick navigation to bids, images, takeoffs, and worksheets. A row  165  shows a heading for grouping of takeoff items such as interior walls, exterior walls, etc., rows are entered to separate items. A column  167  displays quantities and status of items to the right and color coding aides in identifying items on drawings. A column  169  displays the name of the item with status (when entered). A column  171  displays the height of the item. A column  173  displays the area and the corresponding quantity of the item. A column  175  displays the quantities and UOM&#39;s (units of measurements) of the item. A column  177  is an area for notes of installation operations. 
         [0034]      FIG. 5  shows a section of a screen with a calculation of an object to establish a condition for an on screen takeoff system incorporating typical areas functionality. A first graphic shows a digital drawing floor plan  181  that is a captured section from the floor plan of  FIG. 4   a.  The floor plan  181  can now be set as a condition and the tabular data  183  will be also captured and is available for operator use and assignments and can be reused by the operator to capture similar areas more quickly. 
         [0035]      FIG. 6  shows a sample data type format for an on screen takeoff system incorporating typical areas functionality in industry standard data format. The schema utilized shown in a format sample  185  in digital production control data manipulation and database storage is extensible markup language (XML). These data handling and storage formats allow digital information interaction, exchange, and compatibility with most major software programs that are used by digital production control users. This standard data format facilitates project analysis, bidding, tracking, monitoring, and digital information exchange in an industry that demands extensive data interchange that is accessible and updatable. 
         [0036]      FIG. 7  shows an on screen technique for reusing established conditions in an on screen takeoff system incorporating typical areas functionality. A set of conditions  191  is shown and represents a block or set of conditions that can be reused by an operator to capture large areas and entire floors of some work sites. A collection of tabular data  193  is shown and is typical of the data that would accompany reusing entire collections of conditions. 
         [0037]      FIG. 8  shows an on screen technique for establishing a typical area condition in an on screen takeoff system incorporating typical areas functionality. An entire typical area  201  is shown for discussion. The area  201  can be reused, adjusted, modified or mirrored as needed for an operator to quickly complete a takeoff of a building with items such as repeated floors or wings. The tabular data set  203  is transferred with the typical area and will calculate the typical area conditions when reused. 
         [0038]      FIG. 9  shows a screen presentation of an image and conditions of a building with repeating floors for a typical area condition in an on screen takeoff system incorporating typical areas functionality. A computer product generated by processor  107  in  FIG. 1  a screen  211  shown in  FIG. 9 . The screen  211  facilitates an operator speeding up the takeoff process by designating a typical area. The screen  211  has an image tab  213  selected in a tab area  215 . A drawing plan title  217  designates the drawing area on the screen  211 . A drawing plan navigation bar  219  informs the operator that the drawing plans have repeats for floors  8 - 29 . Associated with the tab  213  is an image  221  which is a digital representation of the floor plan as designated in title  217 , bar  219 , and tab  213 . A collection of navigation tools  223  and viewing aides  225  are included to improve operator viewing and operation. These tools  223  and aides  225  will assist the operator in navigation through drilling for information into the details and conditions of the drawing and takeoffs stored in the computer memory of data information values with simple point, click, and drag operations for information collection and interaction. A conditions side bar  227  is shown for operator reference and operation. As the present drawing plan has repeating floor the operator can perform the usual takeoff operation of drawing conditions on the screen on image  221  to engage the processor  107  ( FIG. 1 ) to survey and calculate the quantities, materials, and time to estimate the time and costs to accomplish this task (for example installing walls, electrical, plumbing, finishing, and painting). Returning to  FIG. 9  inputs are color coded on the image  221  to inform the operator that he has completed that condition and data values are updated and reflected in bar  227 . An indicator box  229  has been drawn around plan A to initiate a typical area designation for identifying, storing, and reusing to improve operator efficiency. The operator can select this box  229  drawing area for specific operation(s). 
         [0039]      FIG. 10  shows a screen with a portion of the image and conditions of a building with repeating floors, as in  FIG. 9 , displayed for designation as a typical group. An operator selects a plan A by double clicking or tapping or other wise indicating to the processor  107  that this is the plan the operator wishes to operate on a computer generated screen  241  now shows the plan A (box  229 ) portion of the image from  FIG. 9  isolated for operator interaction and viewing. The same basic navigation capabilities are available to the operator on  FIG. 10  as in  FIG. 9  (image tab  213 , tab area  215 , drawing title  217 , bar  219  designation, image  221  area, tools  223  and aids  225 ). Returning to  FIG. 10  the image  221  now displays plan A in image  243  for the operator condition designation. As the operator performs on screen takeoffs on plan A the updated conditions will be reflected in bar  227  for operator review and actions as necessary. 
         [0040]      FIG. 11  shows a screen with a notice from the system processor instructing the operator on procedures to initiate designation of a typical group function. A computer generated screen  251  shows the plan A (box  229 ) portion of the image from  FIG. 9  isolated for operator interaction and viewing containing a notification  253 . The same basic navigation capabilities are available to the operator on  FIG. 11  as in  FIG. 9  (image tab  213 , tab area  215 , drawing title  217 , bar  219  designation, image  221  area, tools  223  and aids  225 ). Returning to  FIG. 11  the image  221  now displays plan A in image  221  with notification  253  instructing the operator to complete the typical area grouping by dragging a rectangle around the plan A in image  221 . The conditions in bar  227  will show the established condition values before the instructions in notification  253  are completed. 
         [0041]      FIG. 12  shows a screen with a typical group designated. A computer generated screen  261  shows the plan A (box  229 ) portion of the image from  FIG. 9  isolated for operator interaction and viewing containing a rectangle  263  surrounding plan A. The same basic navigation capabilities are available to the operator on  FIG. 12  as in  FIG. 9  (image tab  213 , tab area  215 , drawing title  217 , bar  219  designation, image  221  area, tools  223  and aids  225 ). Returning to  FIG. 12  the image  221  now displays plan A in image  221  with a set of conditions in bar  227  reflecting the typical area group bounded by rectangle  263 . Specifically in rectangle  263 , typical groups shows; 3, Plan A highlighted and conditions reflect the values of Plan A. 
         [0042]      FIG. 13  shows a screen with a designated typical group combined into an entire floor. A computer generated screen  271  shows the plan A (box  229 ) portion of the image from  FIG. 9  recombined with the other Plans on that floor for operator interaction and viewing. The same basic navigation capabilities are available to the operator on  FIG. 13  as in  FIG. 9  (image tab  213 , tab area  215 , drawing title  217 , bar  219  designation, image  221  area, tools  223  and aids  225 ). Returning to  FIG. 13  the image  221  now displays the entire typical group floor with plan A highlighted. The conditions bar  227  shows typical groups 3, Plan A highlighted and conditions reflect the values for the plan A typical group. Adjoining areas plan B, plan C, plan D, and plan E can be grouped similarly or in aggregate to adapt to the individual operator&#39;s preferences and the plans requirements. 
         [0043]      FIG. 14  shows a data screen with a designated typical group assigned to multiple floors. To coordinate operator takeoffs, bidding, and tracking a cover sheet screen  281  is shown for keeping track of plan drawing pages, preferences, and other functions. The screen  281  has a header area  283  for job status, bid number, project name, job number, estimator, notes, and control buttons; OK, Cancel, and Areas. The middle area of screen  281  allows the operator to select the costing data base for the job in the Price Using a drop down box  285 . Along side box  285  is the location of the database selected. Operators can select the costing database desired or create a specific database as the project demands. A collection of 4 navigational tabs  289  is shown with pages selected. The operator may also select preferences, digital percent complete (DPC) or work crew for selection, monitoring, or bidding. A main display area of screen  281  presents an image  291  of pages with a diagonal heading featuring page title, repeats, page size, scale, image file (storage location) index, overlay image, and show (original, change, etc.). The displayed image  291  shows floor  8 - 29  with 5 repeats expanded with 5 sub entries. The floor  8 - 29  can be collapsed once the operator is familiar with the repeating floor minimizing the repeating data. 
         [0044]      FIG. 15   a  shows a pop up screen with typical page association instructions for operators. The processor  107  from  FIG. 1  will generate an announcement  299  as shown in  FIG. 15   a  when virtual page area assignments are entered. An operator will be presented with a list of the levels assigned and can further associate another areas by selecting virtual pages with master pages. This functionality will assist the operator in maximizing grouping functionality. 
         [0045]      FIG. 15   b  shows a screen with a typical page banner to inform the operator that grouping and associations have been incorporated. A computer generated screen  301  shows the plan A (box  229 ) portion of the image from  FIG. 9  recombined with the other Plans on that floor for operator interaction and viewing. The same basic navigation capabilities are available to the operator on  FIG. 13  as in  FIG. 9  (image tab  213 , tab area  215 , drawing title  217 , bar  219  designation, image  221  area, tools  223  and aids  225 ). Returning to  FIG. 15   b  the image  221  now display a banner  303  reminding the operator that this typical page repeats 5 times and that totals shown are for a single page, additionally, the takeoff tab in area  215  reflects the totals for all typical pages. The conditions bar  227  reflects the typical groups 5, unit E and conditions reflect unit E takeoffs. 
         [0046]      FIG. 16  shows a screen displaying repeated typical groups on repeated floors. A computer generated screen  311  shows the total values displayed when the takeoff tab in  FIG. 15   b  is activated. Some of the basic navigation capabilities are available to the operator on  FIG. 13  as in  FIG. 9  (tab area  215 , bar  219  designation (of takeoff tools), drawing title  217 , image  221 ). Returning to  FIG. 16  the tab area  215  has takeoff tab  313  selected and the image  221  now displays the takeoff totals for the entire groups and takeoffs. 
         [0047]    Operation 
         [0048]    An operator can simply initialize any windows compatible computer with the on screen takeoff systems software program (as discussed in  FIG. 3 ) installed. A set of screen as shown in  FIGS. 4   a,    4   b,  and  5  will be available to the operator through the tabbing navigation area  142  as shown in  FIG. 4   a.  The operator simply sets the desired conditions for installation rates and charges and proceeds to select the portions of the items for implementation. As items and areas are selected the program keeps track of the materials, labor, and costs to implement the selected items. Changes and adjustments can be accomplished through  FIG. 7  and variations are discussed in  FIGS. 8 ,  11 , and  12 . 
       DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)  
       [0049]    The preferred embodiment of an on screen takeoff is configured as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . A program flow as discussed in  FIG. 3  will enable an operator to quickly and easily eliminate manual summarization errors and view details, sections and elevations to capture the work to be done with materials, labor, and costs.