How to create a Bill Of Material - CADavenue

How to create a Bill Of Material and export the results to an Excel Spreadsheet. I am using Mech-Q (an add-on for AutoCAD or can be purchased with CAD as a standalone called AViCAD)

The MechQ modules library covers a large range of Mechanical, Piping, Structural an Plumbing routines – each allow you to tabulate your data and create estimates.

To create a BOM, first load the appropriate module. MechQ allows you to create a bill of materials in just a few seconds and counts and itemized each object in your drawing!

How to add objects to BOM

When you add Mech-Q objects (for example Piping Fittings) – the BOM option is turned on by default. Each fitting or pipe entered can be itemized in a schedule either during or after the drawing is completed. When you’re ready to generate a table choose the BOM button on Main Menu then choose Create BOM.

Customizing or adding options

Within the Options from the Main Piping Dialog (or other module’s Main Menu) – you can specify other settings such as whether or not to add balloons into your drawing. In addition, you can choose to create a BOM only within certain sections of your drawing by choosing the Pick option.

Other technical notes:

Editing or toggling on the BOM fields must be done before you start a new drawing.

When you move, delete, or copy any Mech-Q objects (for example Piping objects) – make sure that the AutoCAD variable: “PICKSTYLE” is set to 1 (On)… Groups: ON.

The Mech-Q program creates Data blocks and then “Group” this with the corresponding Mech-Q object (for example Piping object) – If you have the Pickstyle variable = 0 (Off) then the data block will be left behind also resulting in BOM errors.

BOM descriptions can also be modified via the BOM options menu.

Within the Piping “Material” selection dialog – you can also choose <Add New> this option will allow you to set the material to anything you wish.

Also make sure that you let the program finish inserting the objects in a normal way – do not use the escape key at any time while MechQ is running otherwise the BOM data will may not be added to the drawing.

Order your copy today!

Purchase either Mech-Q for AutoCAD or LT 2024. We also offer CAD software with Mech-Q included called AViCAD.

Ask us how to get started for just $49.