How to Get Started With SpecPlanner
1. Access the SpecPlanner
Navigate to the left side menu and click on SpecPlanner
Note: The project you are creating specifications for is identified on the left-side menu. If you need to change to a different project, use the drop-down menu next to the project's name. If you need to create a new project first, check out the Creating a New Project video.
2. Add Masterformat Sections
There are two ways to add sections:
To enter sections manually, click on Add Sections
Toggle on all the sections you will need for this project
Use the arrows to add subsections
Close the Manage Sections pop-up
All the sections and subsections you added will appear on the SpecPlanner
To add sections from a template (the fastest way to add sections), click on Templates.
All Acelab default templates, all templates you have created, and all templates someone else has made available to the firm are listed on the left-side of the pop-up window
Use the tags to find which template is closer to what you are looking for
Click on a template to see its description and which sections are included
Select Apply
All sections from the selected template will be added to the SpecPlanner
Tip: Review your project scope before adding sections so you are sure to add what you need.
📚 To learn more about SpecPlanner Templates, check out this article.
3. Add Products
Click Add Products, and you’ll see four options:
:
Select From Firm Library: Just select the product you have saved in your Firm Library and click Add Product
Select from Schedules: Choose products you have already saved to schedules
Search by Manufacturer: Search for products by adding the name of the manufacturer and selecting the products you want.
If you are not ready to choose specific products, you can add the manufacturer only.
Add a placeholder product: Use this option to add products that aren't yet available in our database.
Select the correct schedule, add any information you have about the product, including a url and image.
⭐ Best Practice ⭐
SpecPlanner and Schedules are integrated. When you add a product to your specifications, it will appear on schedules. Likewise, any products in schedules that you check the box, will be added to SpecPlanner. Therefore, to improve your workflow, we recommend:
Create your SpecPlanner and customize it to your needs (see section below)
Go to Schedules to manage materials approvals and selections
Check the boxes in Schedules to have the selected products added to your specifications.
4. Customize Your SpecPlanner
Add or remove sections
Click the Add Sections button to add sections manually, or navigate to the Manage Sections button in the top bar to add or remove multiple sections at once
Move products to different masterformat sections
Click on the three dots next to the product and choose Change Masterformat Section.
Remove products
Click on the three dots next to the product and choose Remove
Track progress:
If needed, change custom field to keep track of product information
Adjust section heights
Click on the Height button in the top bar and select the appropriate height
Small: recommended for large amounts of data
Medium: the Goldilocks option - not too big, not too small
Large: helpful for schedules with less data or where larger images are important
5. Create a template (optional)
If the specifications you just created can be helpful to you when creating specifications for other projects, turn it into a template!
Navigate to the Template button at the top right-hand corner
Select Create Template from Current View
📚 Keep Learning 📚