What is an Assembly?
Assemblies serve as the foundation for measurements in your projects, encompassing area, linear, and count metrics. The primary function of an assembly is to allow you to "digitize" measurements onto a plan, effectively drawing and defining what needs to be measured. Once this measurement is applied to the plan, the parts within the assembly interpret that measurement through a formula, which then outputs the necessary quantities of materials, labor, equipment, and more.
Assembly Types
Assemblies can be categorized into three main types:
Area: Standard Area, Roof Area, and Volume.
Linear: Standard Linear, Wall Area, Volume, and Hip & Valley Tool.
Count: Standard Count and Volume Count, which allows volume calculation using shapes like cubes or cylinders.
The Role of Parts in an Assembly
Parts are the building blocks within an assembly that take measurements and translate them into actionable data. They are crucial for calculating the necessary materials and other resources for your project. Each part is composed of several key elements:
Part Type: Preset categories such as Material, Labor, Equipment, or Other, each represented by an icon (e.g., a cube for Material, a wrench for Labor).
Part Name: The title of the part.
Description: Detailed information about the part.
My Part Numbers: Internal reference numbers used for consistency in reports.
Supplier Part Number & Manufacture Code: External reference numbers for use in estimate reports.
CSI Division & Category: Preset classifications that help in organizing and grouping parts.
QTY (Quantity): The formula within the part that generates the required quantity.
Deep Dive into Part Properties
Part properties are the core intelligence behind the functionality of Square Takeoff. They are responsible for generating accurate estimates, calculating material quantities, and linking values to estimate reports. Part properties operate within a layered structure called property groups.
You can add properties by selecting the "+" button within a property group or at the top of the properties page.
Layers of Part Properties:
Property Data: Includes the name, description, and type of data associated with the property (e.g., Locked List, Number).
Grouping Structure: Organizes properties into groups, either existing or newly created.
Formula: Contains the value or formula driving the property’s function.
Inputs: Determines the unit of measurement and input type for the property.
These elements work together to ensure that assemblies and parts communicate effectively, delivering precise calculations that form the backbone of any successful project.
Importance of Variables in Parts
Variables are crucial as they provide flexibility in your part calculations without hardcoding everything into formulas. For example, you can adjust the waste percentage or on-center spacing directly in the variables group rather than modifying the formula itself.
Summary
Understanding assemblies and parts at a deeper level allows you to create more precise and efficient estimates. By mastering the structure and components of assemblies and parts, you can tailor the system to meet your specific needs, ensuring accurate and comprehensive project estimates.
For further learning, review the articles on the Fundamentals of Formulas and Complex Formulas to enhance your understanding of part properties and assembly creation.