Bluebeam PDF Revu provides a comprehensive application for efficient creation, viewing and electronic markup of PDF files. A number of sophisticated yet easy to use tools are provided to make markup easy and intuitive.

There are four versions available; Standard Edition, AutoCAD Edition, SolidWorks Edition and The BlueBeam Conversion Server. The standard edition is a generic version which is good for all software which makes it the most popular version. The information below is for the Standard Edition. If you need information specific to a different versio, please visit BlueBeam's web site.

PDFs display in the main workspace of Revu. Multiple PDFs can be opened at once within the main workspace. A tab containing the name of the PDF will be displayed for each open document in Revu enabling you to easily switch between PDFs by selecting the tab.

There are 3 “docks” around the main workspace that contain a number of other tools for viewing, navigating, annotating and gathering information from a PDF.Tabs with the most commonly used functions are placed in default locations, left, right, or bottom. You can move Tabs from one dock location to another or “float” these Tabs over the workspace.
Application Layout

There are several ways to create PDF files within Revu. These methods inlude:
Creating PDFs

There are several options for editing the pages of a PDF. These operations include:
Editing PDFs

Revu is designed for viewing multiple large drawings easily and efficiently. You will find mouse, keyboard, and other navigation tools are intuitive and easy to use.

Multiple PDFs can be opened simultaneously. A document tab is displayed for each open file in the session. Tabs provide an efficient method for switching between open files; click on a tab to display the file in the workspace.

This example illustrates 4 PDFs are currently open in the Revu session with a tab for each file. Click a tab to view the file in the workspace. A star next to the file name indicates that the file has been modified since opening.

Viewing PDFs

A number of annotations or markup tools have been included in Revu. Throughout this guide the term annotations and markups will be used interchangeably. There are 4 methods for selecting markup tools:
  1. The Markup menu
  2. Keyboard shortcuts
  3. The markup toolbars
  4. Tool Chest
PDF Markup

The Markups list panel provides a table of all markups on the PDF. This table view of the markups makes it easy to see all edits, comments, pages, status, etc. simultaneously. The markup list can be enabled by selecting View/Tabs/Markups or using the Shortcut key Alt+L.

The display is arranged in a table with each row representing a markup that has been added to the active PDF. The columns display properties of each markup. Each column can be turned on or off as needed.

Markups List

Filters provide an efficient mechanism for working with annotations on a PDF. In a production environment, several people will place numerous annotations on a single PDF.

Filters can be applied to multiple fields to further classify and interpret an annotated PDF. For example, the markup list below has been filtered by Author and by Subject.

Working with Filters in the Markup List

Once the PDF is created it can be e-mailed to other members of a project team.

Each person reviews the PDF and makes comments regarding the design using Revu. Commented PDFs are sent back to the PDF originator.

The originator may then incorporate all of the markups back into the master PDF so that the markups can be viewed in single master PDF.

The markup list includes elements that enable comment tracking. Checkmark can be used to indicate whether an annotation has been reviewed or incorporated. Status can be set to states such as Accepted or Rejected. Sorting allows viewing the Markup List in a variety of ways to assist in integrating comments.

Integrating Revu in a Review Cycle