How to Get Started With SpecPlanner
Note: Different project-level permissions may restrict access to a number of functionalities and options. Please, take a look at Permissions in Acelab to learn more.
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 Manually Add/Remove Sections, click on Add Sections
Toggle on all the sections you will need for this project
Use the arrows to add subsections
All the sections and subsections you added will appear on the SpecPlanner
To add sections from a SpecPlanner 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.
3. Add Products to SpecPlanner
To Add Products to a specific section, click Add Products, and you’ll see five options:
:
Select From Firm Library:
Just select the product you have saved in your Firm Library and click Add ProductSelect from Project:
Choose products you have already saved to a Project's SchedulesSearch by Manufacturer:
Search for products by adding the manufacturer's name and selecting your desired products.Add a placeholder product:
Use this option to add products that aren't yet available in our databaseRequest Recommendation:
Request product recommendations from our team of experts by simply describing what you are looking for. Once you send your request, you'll get an email confirmation and an Acelab expert will be in touch.
4. Add or Edit Fields
Click on the Add Fields or Manage Fields button at the top bar
If no project fields have been added, the button will display Add Fields. If project fields have already been added, the button will display Manage Fields.
Or, click on the Add Field headers displayed over a product
Select up to three Custom or Revit fields
Note: Click on the down arrow to expand the list of available fields
Data from Schedules will be automatically added to the fields in SpecPlanner
5. Move products to different MasterFormat sections
Click on the three dots next to the product and choose Change MasterFormat Section.
Or, click on the six dots to the left of the picture to drag and drop it in a different sub-section, or entirely different masterformat section
You can also drag products to reorder them within the same section or sub-section.
6. Remove products
To Remove Product from SpecPlanner, click on the three dots next to the product and choose Remove Product
The product will be removed from SpecPlanner, but will remain in Schedules
7. Replace products
To replace a product with another product, click on the three dots next to the product and choose Replace Product
Find the product by searching by Manufacturer and/or using the Category dropdown menu.
Click on the product and select Replace Product
What happens next?
The product you selected will appear in the masterformat section where the previous product was placed, regardless of the masterformat section number in our database
The product will automatically be replaced in Schedules, and will display the masterformat section from its placement is SpecPlanner
For example (see image below): in section 09 70 00 - Wall Finishes, we replace a limestone veneer product by a Flooret hardwood planking flooring (with original masterformat section 09 62 48 Acoustic Flooring). The Flooret hardwood planking flooring appears in SpecPlanner under the section 09 70 00 - Wall Finishes, and in Schedules, the masterformat section field displays 09 70 00
8. Change Height
Click on the Height button in the top bar and select the appropriate height
9. Create a template
If the specifications you just created can be helpful to you when creating specifications for other projects, turn them into a template!
To Create a New Template from Your Current SpecPlanner and Overwrite an Existing Template :
Navigate to the Template button at the top right-hand corner
Select Create Template from the Current View
10. Export your specifications
Click on the Export button and select:
Export as .doc
orExport as .txt
The exported file will include:
A cover page containing project information (e.g. project name, image, description)
A table of contents containing all the divisions
Only divisions with products will be included. Divisions where no products have been added will not appear.
All fields* and their data (e.g. product name and manufacturer, status, tags)
*Product images are not included
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