3.

THE USER INTERFACE

3.1

Interface
The user interface of ProEst has an intuitive, Microsoft Office look and feel, which makes it
quick and efficient to operate the software.
The main navigation tools include the menu bar, toolbar and the navigation pane. The picture
below points out the location of these tools as seen on the Home tab in the software.

ProEst Button
The ProEst Button is the main icon on the top of the interface screen. The button has functions to
add, open and delete estimates, as well as access setup options for ProEst.
Quick Access Toolbar
The quick access toolbar is displayed at the very top of the screen. The toolbar contains the
most popular functions for quick access.
Menu Bar
The menu bar is displayed below the quick access toolbar. The menu has all of the
functions necessary to operate the software and many shortcut keys that are available for
quick access to system functions. The menu bar remains constant throughout the system.
Navigation Pane
The navigation pane is another way to access important system functions. The functions in the navigation
pane will change to accommodate the tools available for a page. For example, on the Home page displayed
above, you can add or delete estimates and group the estimates by various criteria.

3.2

ProEst Button
The ProEst Button is the main icon located on the upper left corner of the screen. It contains

functions to create new estimates, open existing estimates or change databases.

New
This option adds a new estimate to the system.
Open
This option opens the selected estimate.
Save
This option saves all data including the currently opened estimate.
Change Database
This option allows you to change to a different estimating database.
Exit
This option exits the software.

3.3

Quick Access Toolbar

The Quick Access Toolbar contains many functions available for quick and easy access.
Home
This option puts access back to the Home page.
Add New Estimate
This option adds a new estimate to the system.
Save
This option saves all data including the currently opened estimate.
Database
This option accesses the master database of items and assemblies.
Help
This option allows you to access the complete Help system, software registration screen and
About screen, which contains the software release dates and registration information.

3.4

Menu Bar
The menu bar contains all of the commands to operate the ProEst Estimating software. To access the menu
options, click on the word with the left mouse button. To use the keyboard instead of the mouse, hold down
the Alt Key and press the letter that is displayed on the menu you would like to access.

Home Menu
The Home menu allows access to all system related functions. Create new estimates, open
existing estimates and access the ProEst Website for the latest news.

Home
This option returns focus to the Home page, which lists all of your estimates.
New
This option adds a new estimate or a record to one of the other system tables.
Open
This option opens the currently selected estimate.
Delete
This option deletes the currently selected estimate.
Save
This option saves the currently opened estimate.
Backup
This option backs up the selected estimate.
Restore
This option restores the selected estimate from a previous backup.
Enter Search Term
This option allows you to search the estimate list for a particular estimate.
Clear Search Result
This option clears the search filter.
ProEst News
This option provides access to the latest issue of ProEst News.
Estimate Menu
The Estimate menu allows access to all estimate related functions.

Database
This option opens the master database including Items and Assemblies.
Select All
This option selects all line items in the estimate.
Deselect All
This option de-selects all line items in the estimate.
Copy Selected
This option allows you to copy selected items in the estimate to another location.
Delete Selected
This option deletes the selected items.
Change Selected
This option allows you to change or edit all selected items.
Restore Items to Database
This option restores item information from the estimate items back to the master database.

Update Items from Database

This option updates the estimate items with the current item information from the master database.
Merge Estimates
This option allows you to merge together existing estimates. This will merge all items from the
selected estimate into the current estimate.
Adjust Takeoff Values
This option allows you to edit the takeoff dimensions for the selected item or assembly.
Material Substitution
This option allows you to substitute one material type for another throughout the estimate.
Unit Conversion
This option converts between Imperial and Metric systems.
Go To Line
This option moves the focus to the input line number.
View Summary
This option turns on or off the summary display on the right of the estimate sheet.
Enter Search Term
This option allows you to search the estimate for a particular item.
Clear Search Result
This option clears the search filter.
Takeoff Menu
The Takeoff menu allows access to all takeoff related functions, including importing
drawings, performing takeoffs and printing your results.

Database
This option opens the master database including Items and Assemblies.
Import
This option allows you to import drawings.
Set Scale
This option sets both the drawing scale and the unit of measure. You can also select the
measurement system being utilized.
Set Custom Scale
This option allows you to set a scale based on a known dimension on the plans.
Print Drawing
This option prints the selected drawing.
Print Setup
This option accesses the setup for the drawing report.
Select
This option allows you to select an object measured on the takeoff screen.
Measure
The option sets the software into measurement mode. When this mode is activated, measuring a series of
points will create an area representing the points on the screen. The area is closed by selecting the Close
Measurement option on this menu or the right mouse menu. You can also double-click your mouse to close
the measurement. An area can also be subtracted by selecting the Subtract Measurement option.
Close
This option ends the current measurement. If an area is being measured, the area will be closed. If a length
is being measured, the length will end on the last point selected.
Subtract
This option subtracts the measurement from the layer. This function works with both Area and Length
measurement modes.
Undo
This option will undo the last measured point and can be selected multiple times.
Zoom
This option allows you to select a section on the screen with the mouse to obtain a more detailed view of the
drawing.
Zoom In
This option allows you to zoom into the drawing by a set percentage.
Zoom Out
This option allows you to zoom out of the drawing by a set percentage.
Zoom Page
This option resets the drawing to fit the full page.
Zoom %

This option allows you to select a section on the screen with the mouse to obtain a more detailed view of the
drawing.
Magnify
This option allows you to magnify a small section of the drawing.
Pan
This option allows you to pan around the drawing.
Highlighter
This option allows you to highlight sections of the drawing in yellow.
Hot Link
This option allows you to link one drawing to another to view specs or more detailed sections of
another drawing.
Display All
This option displays all takeoffs for the selected drawing at the same time.
Labels
This option turns on/off the quantities for the selected takeoff.
Insert Text
This option inserts text on the selected layer. The text can also be moved by selecting and dragging to a new
location.
Copy
This option copies the selected layer.
Clear
This option clears or erases the selected entity. If a drawing is selected, it will clear the drawing and all layers
within the drawing. If a layer is selected, only that layer will be cleared.
Delete
This option deletes the selected entity. If a drawing is selected, it will delete the drawing and all layers within
the drawing. If a layer is selected, only that layer will be deleted.
Rotate
This option rotates the drawing ninety degrees.
Snap to Grid
This option allows you to snap your measurement to a user-definable angle.
Overlay
This option allows you to import a revised drawing and overlay over an existing drawing. The system will
display differences between the original drawing and the overlay drawing.
Plan Viewer
This option allows you to view another drawing without leaving the displayed drawing. It is also used to add
Hot Links to drawings.
Documents Menu
The Documents menu lists all estimate drawings and has access to import iSqFt projects.

Formulas
The formulas are used to calculate takeoff quantities. They can be used to calculate area, volume,
perimeter or any other value.
Cost Table
The cost table is a list which maintains the base costs. These costs are linked to individual items in the
master database.
Crew Table
The crews can be comprised of both labor and equipment.
Accounting Codes
The accounting codes are assigned directly to each item and are used to separate the estimate for job costing
purposes.
Proposal Setup
The proposal setup list contains all of the options for the sales proposal reports.
Currency Table
The currency table gives you the ability to change the currency being used in the estimate.
Contacts
The contact list contains all of the clients for which you will be creating estimates.
Vendors
The vendors list contains all of the material vendors that will be utilized in the estimates being created.

Sub-Contractors
The sub-contractors list contains all of the sub-contractors that will be utilized in the estimates being
created.
Manufacturer
The manufacturer list contains all of the material manufacturers that will be utilized in the estimates being
created.
Material Types
These are types of material that will be used with the material substitution function.
Unit of Measure
This is a listing of the units of measure in the database.
Bid Status
The status of the bid, helps organize the estimates on the home page.
Job Type
The type of job, helps organize the estimates on the home page.
Job Status
The status of the job after it is awarded.
Markup Setup
The markups that will be used for all new estimates that are created.
Tools Menu
This Tools menu contains the calculator, interfaces, screen layout option and the setup screen.

Calculator

This option accesses the system calculator for mathematic calculations.

Accounting
This option allows you to access the accounting interfaces built into the system.
Pricing
This option allows you to access the material pricing services built into the system.
Scheduling
This option allows you to access the scheduling interfaces built into the system to setup the job
schedule.
Screen Layout
This option allows you to customize the Home Page and Estimate Sheet to display the desired
columns of information.
ProEst Setup
This option is used to access to all setup and configuration options in the system.
Help Menu
This Help menu allows you to access the complete Help system, Software Registration screen and About
screen which contains the software release dates and registration information.

Help
This option accesses the complete Help system.
Activate
This option allows you to properly register the software.
Auto Update
This option checks for current updates to the software and notifies you if one is available.
Deactivate
This option allows you to deactivate the software. This function is utilized if you need to transfer a license
to another machine.
Submit Case
This option allows you to submit a support case to our support department. This will enter your case into our
support queue and guarantee you the quickest possible response time.
Tutorials
This option will launch a page on our Website with links to training tutorials.
Feature Request
This option will launch a page on our Website for submitting product feature requests.
Recommend
This option launches a page on our Website with links to recommend ProEst to a colleague.

About

This option displays a message box with information about the release date and registration status of the
software.
ProEst
This option launches the ProEst corporate Website.

4. QUICK START TUTORIALS

4.1

Adding a New Estimate

To add a new estimate, from the Home menu select the New icon.

The Add New Estimate screen appears to input your new information.

Code
This field displays a unique identifier code assigned to the estimate.
Description
This field allows you to enter a description for your estimate.
Project

This field allows you to group related estimates together.

Estimate Template
This field allows you to select any previously created estimate as a template for the new estimate you are
adding. Selecting a template will include the estimate items that are in the template.
Cost Modifier
This gives you the ability to adjust the estimate costs per user-definable modifier.
RS Means Index
This allows you to select from the RS Means city index factors so the estimate is adjusted according to the
selected zip code.
Bid Date
This field allows you to enter the date that the bid is due.
Start Date
This field allows you to enter the date that the job will start.
Complete Date
This field allows you to enter the date that the job will be complete.
Bid Status
This field allows you to select the status for the estimate. The system contains default values that can be
edited based on your preferences.
Job Type
This field allows you to select the category type for the takeoff. The system contains default values that
can be edited based on your preferences.
Job Status
This field allows you to select the construction status for the job.
Job Size
This field allows you to store the job size so a running unit cost can be calculated for the estimate.
Filter
This field allows you to filter the estimates by user-definable categories like per office or per
department.
Currency
This field allows you to select the currency for the estimate.
Miscellaneous
This field can contain any estimate related data that needs to be stored.
When complete, click on the Save button to add the new estimate to your system.

4.2

Selecting Items for Your Estimate

The estimate has been created and is now opened.

The next step is to takeoff or select a few items for the estimate. Select the Database icon off the
estimate toolbar to access the items.

In the Database select a Division and Sub-Division to locate an item.

To takeoff the item, double-click on the item or press Enter when the desired item is highlighted. The system
will prompt you for a quantity for the item as demonstrated on the next screen.

Input a number and click on the Save button.

The item selected has been transferred to the estimate.

In the example below, four items have been selected to begin building the estimate.

4.3 Selecting Assemblies for Your Estimate

To takeoff or select assemblies for the estimate, click on the Database icon on the estimate toolbar.

With the database screen opened, select the Assemblies tab.

Open a Division to choose an assembly for the estimate.

Press the Enter key or double-click your mouse to takeoff the assembly. The system will prompt you to
enter dimensions for the assembly on the left while the items are automatically calculated on the right.

After reviewing the items in the assembly, click on the Save button to transfer the items from the

assembly into the estimate.

4.4

Adjusting Estimate Markups

To access the markup screen for the estimate, in the View Screen section of the navigation pane,
select Markups.

Total Cost
The top section contains a breakdown by cost type for the estimate. You can add a percentage
markup per cost type to be applied at a cost type level.
Total Price
The bottom section contains additional markups that make up the total price of the estimate.
Markup Types
There are four markup types that can be applied to an estimate in the total price section.
Markup
The percentage will be applied to the total cost of the estimate.
Margin
The percentage is calculated on a margin basis and is applied to the total cost of the estimate.
Lump Sum
The lump sum markup type allows you to input an exact dollar amount to be added to the estimate.
Bond
The Bond calculates the project's bond based on a tiered percentage.

4.5

Printing Reports
The reports are the final result. Click on the Print icon on the Reports tab.

There are two types of reports:

Estimate Reports
To access the estimate reports, an estimate needs to be opened. These reports range from detailed
reports for estimate review purposes to summary and proposal reports that would be used for your
client proposals.
Database Reports
The database reports allow you to report on all data in your master data tables.