Drawing Plans Made Easy
October 2007
HBXL, the building software specialist, has added to its range of award winning software with the launch of a brand new product that will make drawing building plans seriously simple.
The first of its kind, a new piece of software called PlansXpress is a CAD based software package that will allow builders to quickly and easily draw professional building plans and elevations without the need for any training or employing the services of an architect.
Even better, by importing plans* from PlansXpress into HBXL’s estimating software EstimatorXpress, users can automatically price up the building drawings directly from the original plans. This means the entire plan and design can be automatically priced and scheduled – at the click of a button.
Developed specifically for builders, there has never been a CAD package so uniquely tailored for the small to medium sized builder market. Perfect for designing houses and extensions it is set to revolutionise the way professional builders approach a job, allowing them to offer a design-and-build service to their clients.
The software itself, which is available to Guild members at a reduced rate (see panel), is easy to use. All you have to do is lay out the plans on-screen using intuitive drag and drop tools, selecting as you go using the software’s library of construction and architectural symbols.
At a click of a mouse, you can accurately place walls and roofs, staircases, doors, windows, electrics and plumbing, drainage, kitchens and bathrooms, landscaping and more. The final part is to add auto-dimension lines and insert sections and notes from the software’s library.
Ideal for planning applications and building regulations, builders will be able to print actual, architect quality, planning application drawings in plan format as well as producing automatically generated elevations.
Anthony Botibol, marketing manager at HBXL told Guild News: “PlansXpress also automatically produces 3D visualizations from your plans at no extra effort to impress clients even further and help you win the work! It also produces DXG 3D files ready for importing into other 3D software tools including Google Sketchup.
“PlansXpress is a fantastically simple piece of kit. It will open up a whole new area for builders up and down the country allowing them to add another dimension to their business.
“Some builders are put off the design and plans aspect of a project because there has never been any software that specifically caters for the industry. But now we have produced a piece of software that will give builders the ability to offer customers the complete build package from professionally presented drawings and visuals to totally accurate estimates and build programmes.
Already Got Plans?
An additional ground-breaking feature of PlansXpress is if a customer already has a set of plans. PlansXpress allows the builder to import the drawings and trace over them onscreen to fully cost the project using EstimatorXpress, giving 3D visuals, professional quotes and schedules.
Anthony added: “The link between PlansXpress and EstimatorXpress is one of the most exciting features of the new software as it merges the design and costing processes into one.
“During our research we found that a lot of CAD systems were incredibly complicated to use. As a result PlansXpress has been made as user friendly as possible and we’re really excited about its potential and showing it to builders across the UK.”
For further information on PlansXpress or any other HBXL product please call T: 0870 850 2444 or visit the web site www.hbxl.co.uk
* Only available with PlansXpress Total Toolkit edition
Enter our fabulous £2000 competition
The Guild has arranged with HBXL to offer members the chance to win a pack of HBXL software worth over £2000.
1 x EstimatorXpress Total Toolkit– makes estimating and project management fast and simple, using online prices from the UK’s leading merchant for 100% accurate estimates, and works out schedules, cash flow, profit and more. 1 x PlansXpress Total Toolkit -a CAD based software package that will allow builders to quickly and easily draw professional building plans and elevations without the need for any training, or employing the services of an architect. 1 x Health & Safety Xpert Total Toolkit – helps you to comply with the latest construction industry regulations, automatically generating the full range of documentation you need for compliance and total peace of mind. HOW TO ENTER: Simply write your name, address and membership number on a postcard or back of an envelope, and send it to: HBXL Competition, Guild News, Guild of Master Craftsmen, 166 High Street, Lewes, East Sussex BN7 1XU, before the closing date of 12th December, 2007. The first name drawn on 13th December will win the pack as described. No cash alternative. No correspondence will be entered into. The editor’s decision is final. Member benefits Guild members wanting to purchase Estimator Xpress, Health & Safety Xpert or the new PlansXpress software can take advantage of some exclusive offers that will save them £100 excl VAT on each package. For further information on these and all of HBXL’s products ring 0870 850 2444 or visit www.hbxl.co.uk Please state that you’re a Guild member, and have your membership number available. Watch the PlansXpress Virtual Tour