NEWSLETTER

Product Q&A

All Products

Q. I want to start BSD software from an icon on my desktop. How do I do it?
A. To start any program from your desktop, you create a shortcut. To create a shortcut open Windows Explorer (either by right-clicking on the Start menu or by holding down the Windows key on your keyboard while typing the letter ‘E’) and size it so you can see your desktop in the background. Navigate to where the software is installed.  The default location for SpecLink is C:\SpecLink+, the default location for CostLink/AE is C:\CostLink AE. Locate the executable file (SpecLnk+.exe for SpecLink and CostLink/AE.exe for CostLink/AE). With your right mouse button, drag the executable file to your desktop. Release the right mouse button when it is over the desktop and a menu will open. From the menu, choose Create Shortcut Here. An alternate way of creating a shortcut is to click the Start button, select All Programs, navigate to BSD SoftLink Products folder.  Right-click the target application, select Send To from the resulting menu and click Desktop (Create Shortcut).

Using either of these methods, if you created the shortcut properly, it will have a small arrow on the bottom left corner. If it does not have a small arrow, then you moved the exe instead of creating a shortcut. Move it back and try again using the right mouse button only. 

Q. Where can I find the user’s manual?
A. The user’s manual is on the quarterly CD. It can also be found on our website by clicking here.

Q. I want to add a new choice to a list of choices in a paragraph so that whenever a new project is made based on this project, the new choice will be available. How do I do it?
A. Choices can be added to user-added or copied paragraphs. To edit an existing choice list in a master paragraph, copy the paragraph by clicking in it and using the Copy and Paste commands. In the copied paragraph, place your cursor in the choice field, select the Document dropdown in the Menu Bar, and navigate to Choices, Edit Choice. To avoid confusion about which paragraph to use, you can mark the master paragraph as excluded and add a project note to it explaining which paragraph to use instead. Alternatively, you can create links that will automatically exclude the master paragraph and include your modified version of the paragraph.

Q. I have recently purchased the software and would like to learn how to use it. What options are available?
A. Several useful hyperlinks are available on our website by clicking here. The “Getting Started” hyperlink has basic information that will assist you in becoming acquainted with the application. It provides a good starting point for learning to use the software. We offer free SpecLink webinars twice a week on Tuesdays at 11 AM and Thursdays at 4 PM, Eastern Time. Please call 1-800-266-7732 or click here and then click on one of the “Sign Me Up” links.  We will send you the information needed to register. If neither of those times are convenient, call 1-800-266-7732 to make an appointment for another time.

Q. How do I insert subscripts or superscripts in my specs?
A. To insert subscripts, you will need to use the character map.  Navigate to your Start Button, Programs, Accessories, and System Tools to find character map.  Find the symbol you need and copy and paste into SpecLink. 

Q. I have some sections in Word format that I am trying to bring into my project.  What is the most efficient way to do that?
A. Add New Section from RTF File is the fastest way to create a new section.  This allows you to create a new section by importing an RTF file, without first creating the section in SpecLink+.  

(RTF stands for Rich Text Format, which is readable by multiple applications.  To make an RTF file, open the Word document and in Word choose Save As.  Change the Save As Type dropdown to Rich Text Format (RTF).)  

There are two settings on the Tools menu that need to be set correctly before you use Add New Section from RTF.  If you have Auto-Select New Paragraphs turned on, then all paragraphs imported during the Add New Section from RTF will be selected with a checkmark.  There is a menu selection called Look for Choice Fields in Import.  If this is turned on (reflected by a checkmark in the menu choice) the import will create choices within the section based on coding used in the rtf file.  Look in SpecLink Help under Preparation of RTF file for Add New Section from RTF File and Importing Choices for more information. If the Look for Choice Fields in Import is not turned on, the software will not create choices in your section and brackets will import as brackets, for example.

Caution: see article “Are You Sacrificing” in this issue for advice on importing.

Q. I want to email my project to someone who does not have the software.  How can I do that?
A. You can email an individual section, a division, or the entire project. To do that, click on the File menu and select Print. From the Reports dialog box, select Document as your Report to Print, and select Section, Branch, or Project as the Scope of Report. Click on the Export button on the right side of the dialog box. Select the folder where the files should be created. You will have an RTF (rich text format) file for each section. These can be emailed and/or opened in most word processors. If you have Adobe Acrobat Writer or Distiller installed, you can also create .pdf files. From the Reports dialog box, change your default printer to Acrobat PDF Writer or Acrobat Distiller and print as normal. Finally, select the folder where the single file that is created for the project should be saved. If you are a meter customer, this option will not be available.

BSD Costlink/AE

Q. I have some questions on the costs in the estimate and the assemblies in the models. Who do I contact?
A. Your subscription to BSD CostLink/AE includes the current R.S. Means cost data in the AE Assemblies database and the Building Construction Cost Data database. R.S. Means stands behind its publications. If you have any questions about your estimate, about the costs you’ve used from their data, or even about the technical aspects of the job that may affect your estimate, feel free to call the R.S. Means editors at 1-800-334-3509.

More questions? Contact BSD Technical Support:

• Toll Free: 800-266-7732
• In Atlanta: 404-365-9226
• Email: support@bsdsoftlink.com