Cost Estimation (GAEB/AVA) - Overview

BIM AVA supports the German GAEB structure for cost estimation and enables direct linking of BIM elements with cost positions.

Opening the Costing Panel

The costing panel is located on the right side:

• Click on the Costing icon in the top bar
• Or drag the right edge to the left

GAEB Structure

The positions follow the GAEB hierarchy:

BOQ (Bill of Quantities)
├── Lot (optional, top level with 2-digit code)
│   ├── Group (e.g. "300 - Masonry Work")
│   │   ├── Subgroup (e.g. "310 - External Walls")
│   │   │   ├── Element (further subdivision)
│   │   │   │   └── Position (e.g. "310.001 - Masonry 24cm")

Hierarchy Levels

• Lot - Optional top-level organization (2-digit code: 01, 02, ...)
• Group - Main category
• Subgroup - Subcategory
• Element - Further subdivision
• Position - Individual item with quantity and price

Toolbar Functions

The toolbar at the top of the costing panel provides quick access to all important functions:

• Import - Import GAEB file
• Export - Export GAEB/PDF
• Magic Wand - Automatic linking
• Add Lot - New lot (top level)
• Add Group - New group
• Add Position - New individual position
• Collapse All - Collapse all groups
• Delete All - Delete entire BOQ
• Viewer Sync - Synchronize selection with viewer

Main Functions

1. Creating Positions

Create lots, groups, and positions following the GAEB structure.

See Creating Positions

2. Data Linking

Link BIM elements to cost positions via drag & drop.

See Data Linking

3. Magic Wand

Automatic linking based on IFC types and properties.

See Magic Wand

4. Details Panel

Edit long text, custom quantities, formulas, and more.

See Details Panel

5. Import/Export

Import and export GAEB files or PDF documents.

See Import/Export

Viewer Sync & Visibility

The Eye icon controls the visibility and synchronization of linked elements:

Main functions:

1. Click on next to a position
2. Select one of the options:
   • Select - Select linked elements in the viewer (highlighted in orange)
   • Isolate - Show only linked elements, hide all others
   • Hide - Hide linked elements in the viewer
   • Enable Sync - Enable automatic bidirectional synchronization

Sync Mode:

When sync is enabled, selection is automatically synchronized:

• Click on position - Linked elements are highlighted in the viewer
• Click on element in viewer - Associated position is highlighted in the costing panel
• Bidirectional - Works in both directions

Detailed Explanation

See Viewer Sync & Visibility for detailed information on all functions.

Drag & Drop - Arranging Positions

Positions and groups can be restructured via drag & drop:

1. Drag: Click and hold on a position
2. Positioning: Drag over another position
   • A blue line shows the insertion point
3. Drop: Release to move the position

Lot Positions

Positions with 2-digit codes (e.g. "01", "02") are automatically inserted as Lots at the top level.

When moving with children:

• All sub-positions are moved together
• The hierarchy is preserved
• Codes are automatically adjusted

Inline Editing

All fields can be edited directly in the table:

1. Double-click on a field
2. Change the value
3. Enter to save or Esc to cancel

Editable fields:

• Code (position number)
• Short text
• Quantity
• Unit
• Unit price (UP)

Search

Full-text Search

Enter text in the search field:

• Searches code, short text, and long text
• Real-time filtering of the table

Summary

At the bottom of the costing panel you can see:

• Total Sum - Sum of all positions
• Number of Positions - Total number of positions
• Linked Elements - Number of BIM links

Batch Action Bar

When you select multiple positions, a action bar appears at the bottom of the screen with batch operations:

Activating Multiple Selection

• Ctrl + Click - Add/remove position from selection
• Shift + Click - Select range between last and current selection
• Ctrl + Click on Group - Select group and all sub-positions

Available Batch Actions

Action	Description
Delete	Delete selected positions
Move	Move to another group
Price	Set unit price for all
Unlink	Remove all BIM links
Export	Open export menu

Export Menu

The export menu offers:

• Export as GAEB - Export selected positions as GAEB file
• Send to Master BOQ - Add positions to a Master Template
• Send to Price Archive - Add positions with prices to the Price Archive (only available for positions with prices)

Price Archive Export

The "Send to Price Archive" option only appears when at least one selected position has a price. The number of positions with prices is shown in parentheses.

See Master BOQs for details on sending to Master BOQ

See Price Archive for details on sending to Price Archive

Keyboard Shortcuts

Key	Action
Ctrl + N	Create new position
Ctrl + G	Create new group
Delete	Delete selected position
Ctrl + F	Focus search field
Esc	Clear selection / Cancel editing

See Costing Keyboard Shortcuts for all shortcuts

See Also

• Master BOQs - Templates for bills of quantities
• Price Archive - Historical prices and automatic suggestions
• 3D Viewer - Navigation and element selection in the model