Doing lumber takeoffs in Bluebeam? There’s a faster way to the list
Bluebeam Revu is the PDF tool most estimators already have, and its measurement tools and formulas can build a framing takeoff by hand. Aximos reads the plan set and drafts the whole framing takeoff and material list for you. Keep Bluebeam for your markups.
Formulas you build, or a draft you check
Bluebeam is built for marking up and sharing drawings, and many framers and lumber desks use its measurement tools and custom formulas to count plates and studs. Here is how that compares with an AI-drafted framing takeoff, when Bluebeam alone is enough, and how the two work side by side.
In Bluebeam you calibrate each sheet, trace walls and areas with its measurement tools, and set up custom columns or formulas so a traced wall becomes plates and studs. Quantity Link can send the totals to Excel. Bluebeam’s AI, in its Max plan, focuses on reviewing and comparing drawings and markups.
In Aximos the AI does the framing takeoff itself. It calibrates every sheet, traces the framing by layer, reads notes and sections, and drafts the material list by size and length on your own SKUs. First drafts are typically 80–95% accurate to final quantities. You check each quantity against its trace, fix what is off, and export.
Two ways to the same lumber list
- YouCalibrate each sheet
- YouTrace walls and areas
- YouFormulas turn lengths into pieces
- YouCheck the totals in Excel
Aximos- YouUpload the plan set
- AITracing and material list drafted
- YouCheck each number against its trace
- YouExport to Excel or CSV
Same output, a lumber list on your products. With Aximos your time goes into checking, not tracing and maintaining formulas.
The whole framing list, drafted for you.
Not just measurements
Studs, plates, headers, sheathing, joists and rafters come back as a list by size and length, on your own SKUs.
Hours, not days
Typically 2–6 hours for a plan set, never more than a day. First drafts are typically 80–95% accurate to final quantities.
Material List 1· 3 sheets · 131 rows
ApprovedExportLevel 1 · Framing — Main
Roof
Every number shows where it came from.
Click a quantity, see its trace
Each number links to the lines it was traced from and the formula that turned them into pieces.
Gaps flagged for you
Built-in checks flag things like an opening with no header, so review starts from a list of things to look at.
Needs your attention (3)
- !Skylight opening — skewed flat rafters not traced yet
- !Chimney opening at B228 — no header traced
- !Ridge beam B304 changes size along its run (A–D)
Roof framing
- 2x12 Rafters · 92 EA
- 2x8 Rafters · 42 EA
- 2x10 Rafters · 50 EA
- 2x12 Rafters · 20 EA
- 11 7/8" LVL Beam · 6 EANo stock length
Your products and rules, set up once.
No formulas to maintain
Spacing, plates, headers and waste are rules you set once, applied to every draft.
On the SKUs you stock
The list lands on your own products and exports to Excel or CSV.
Material libraryAI mapped
Your listYour SKU
- osb 7/167/16" OSB 4×8 SHT
- 2x4 stud2x4x92⅝" Pre-Cut Stud
- 16d nails 50lb?16d HDG Sinker Nails 50lb
- lvl 1.75x11.8751¾" × 11⅞" LVL
When Bluebeam alone is enough
Your job is markups and coordination
For reviewing, marking up and sharing drawings across a team, Bluebeam is the standard. Aximos does not replace that.
Framing is a small part of what you take off
If you take off many trades with your own tool sets and framing is occasional, measuring in Bluebeam may be all you need.
From two real plan sets
of the lines the AI drew stayed as drawn after an estimator reviewed them
change in roof area, exterior walls and trusses on the first house after review
of the products on the final material list were already in the AI draft
Using Aximos next to Bluebeam
- 01
Send us your product list
Tell us the lumber and products you stock or order, and we load them as your catalog, with your framing rules.
- 02
Run a plan set you’re bidding, with us
Upload a framing package on a call. The AI drafts the takeoff and you compare it with what you would have traced in Bluebeam.
- 03
Keep Bluebeam for the drawings
Markups, RFIs and sharing stay in Bluebeam. The approved lumber list exports to Excel or CSV.
Bluebeam vs. Aximos for lumber takeoffs
Built for
Aximos: Wood framing and the lumber material listBluebeam Revu: PDF markup, measurement and collaboration across AEC
What the AI does
Aximos: Reads the whole plan set and drafts the takeoff: tracing plus the material listBluebeam Revu: Max plan: AI drawing reviews, comparisons and markups
The material list
Aximos: Drafted for you by size and length, on your SKUsBluebeam Revu: From your measurements and custom formulas; totals can go to Excel with Quantity Link
Checking a number
Aximos: Click it: trace on the plan, formula and built-in checksBluebeam Revu: Look at your markups and formulas
Turnaround on a plan set
Aximos: Typically 2–6 hours for the AI draft, never more than a dayBluebeam Revu: As fast as you trace
Runs on
Aximos: Web browserBluebeam Revu: Windows, Mac, web and iPad
Billing
Aximos: Monthly or annual; subscription plus a per-project feeBluebeam Revu: Per user, billed annually
Best fit
Aximos: Lumber yards, LBM dealers and framing contractors quoting framing packagesBluebeam Revu: Teams that mark up, review and share drawings
Bluebeam column based on bluebeam.com, its pricing page and the Bluebeam blog as of October 2026. Aximos wrote this page. Bluebeam and Revu are trademarks of their owner, used here only to identify the product. Check their site for current features and pricing.
Bluebeam lumber takeoff questions
Does Aximos replace Bluebeam?
Not for markups, reviews or sharing drawings. Aximos replaces the part where you trace framing and build the lumber list. You can keep Bluebeam for documents and use Aximos for framing takeoffs.
Can’t I do a lumber takeoff in Bluebeam?
You can. With its measurement tools and custom formulas, a traced wall can become plates and studs. Aximos drafts the whole framing takeoff and the material list for you, so your time goes into checking instead of tracing.
Bluebeam Max has AI. What is the difference?
Bluebeam’s AI in its Max plan focuses on reviewing and comparing drawings and markups. Aximos’s AI drafts the framing takeoff and the material list from the plan set.
How accurate is the AI draft?
First drafts are typically 80–95% accurate to final quantities. On two real plan sets, 94–97% of the AI tracing stayed as drawn after review.
Do I have to commit to a year?
You can start monthly, and annual plans are available if you prefer. Pricing is a subscription plus a per-project fee that depends on the size of the plan set, shown before you run.
Run a plan set you’d normally trace in Bluebeam
Bring one you’re bidding. We run the AI draft with you and you compare it line by line.