Automatically Flatten Markups into Submittals/RFIs

Overview

A project can be enabled to automatically flatten markups into the PDF.

The flattening process occurs three times during the review process:

When the submittal/RFI is submitted to the design team;

When the submittal/RFI is returned by the design team;

When the contractor closes it to the subcontractor.

Markups are not flattened immediately because users would not be able to make edits during the review. Therefore, users can only view markups through the Add Markups option during the review process.

The PDF may not be available for 1-4 minutes during the flattening process. A spinning icon displays while the PDF is flattened.

Construction Team

Any markups and stamps from the construction team are permanently flattened into the PDF when the submittal/RFI is officially submitted to the design team. The markups and stamps can no longer be edited or removed from the PDF.

While the submittal/RFI is in draft mode the construction team can make as many edits as required.

Design and Owner’s Team

When a submittal/RFI is open the markups can only be viewed by clicking Add Markups. This enables reviewers to make edits to their comments if required. When the submittal/RFI is returned the markups appear in the final PDF.

Any markups and stamps from the design team are permanently flattened into the PDF when the submittal/RFI is returned to the construction team. The markups and stamps can no longer be edited or removed from the PDF.

While the submittal/RFI is being reviewed the design team and owner’s team can make as many edits as required.

If the submittal/RFI is reopened, additional comments can be added but the original review comments and stamps cannot be edited or removed.