To Work With Formulas for Rate Items

Define formulas to modify rate items for use in different situations. For example, you can use rate item formulas to apply specific masses to volumes, to convert one unit of measurement to another, to apply a rate item to a set volume, or a number of other mathematical operations.

Use the functions, constants and logical operators in the Rate Item Formula dialog box to create or edit a formula. You open the Rate Item Formula dialog box, from either the QTO Manager vista or the Rate Item List dialog box, by clicking in the Formula cell for any rate item for which you want to apply or edit a formula.

Note: Corridor objects only recognize formulas entered through the QTO Manager.

To create a formula for a rate item

1. Open a drawing in which rate items are attached to objects.
2. Select an object with one or more rate items attached.
3. Click Analyze tabQTO panelQTO Manager Find.
4. In the QTO Manager vista, click in the Formula cell of a rate item attached to the object you selected.
5. If a warning dialog box opens (meaning there is no formula file for the drawing), click Specify Rate Item Formula File.
6. In the Select A Quantity Takeoff Formula File dialog box:
   • Navigate to the folder in which the current drawing is saved.
     BestPractice: Save the rate item formula file in the same location as the drawing with which it is used. If you send the drawing to another user, you must also send the formula file.
   • For File Name, enter a unique name for the takeoff formula file. Rate item formulas, unlike other mathematical expressions in Autodesk Civil 3D (label expressions and design checks), are saved to a separate FOR file, rather than in the drawing.
   • Click Save.
7. In the Rate Item Formula dialog box:
   • To define additional parameters, click Edit Parameters to display the Rate Item Formula Parameters dialog box.
   • Click , and select either Item Area, Item Count, Item Length, Part Depth, or other user-defined parameter (as appropriate to the rate item). Your selection is inserted into the Expression field.
   • Use the keyboard or the numeric and logical operator keys, and functions from the list in the dialog box, to complete the formula.
   • Click OK to apply the formula.

     is displayed in the Formula cell of the selected rate item in the QTO Manager.

To edit or remove a rate item formula

1. Open a drawing in which formulas have been created for rate items.
2. Click Analyze tabQTO panelQTO Manager Find.
3. In the QTO Manager vista, click Turn Off Categorization.
4. Use the filter or scroll down through the rate item list to find the rate item whose formula you want to edit.
5. In the Formula cell of the rate item, click .
6. In the Rate Item Formula dialog box:
   • Modify the formula in the Expression field.
   • Alternately, delete the formula from the Expression field.
   • Click OK.