Document Types
Organize your files by category.
Standard Types
BuildVision comes with built-in document types:
Plans & Drawings
Technical drawings for construction:
- Floor plans
- Elevations
- Sections
- Details
- Site plans
- MEP drawings
Features:
- Opens in Takeoff workspace
- AI detection available
- Scale calibration
Specifications
Product and material info:
- Spec sheets
- Cut sheets
- Product data
Features:
- Searchable text
- Reference alongside takeoffs
Photos
Visual documentation:
- Site photos
- Progress pictures
- Before/after shots
- Problem documentation
Features:
- Date/time stamps
- Location metadata
- Gallery view
Other
Anything else:
- Miscellaneous files
- Unsorted uploads
- Temporary storage
Auto-Categorization
When you upload, the system detects document type based on content:
| Detection Trigger | Assigned Type |
|---|---|
| Drawing/scale indicators | Plans |
| Spec/specifications/data sheet | Specifications |
| Image file + no text | Photos |
Changing Type
If detection is wrong:
- Click the document
- Open Properties or click type badge
- Select correct type
- Save
Custom Types
Create your own categories:
- Go to Settings → Document Types
- Click Add Type
- Enter name and color
- Choose icon (optional)
- Save
Custom types are organization-wide. All team members see and can use them.
Filtering by Type
Find documents quickly:
- Open Document Center
- Click Filter dropdown
- Select document types
- List shows only matching files
Combine with other filters:
- Type + Project
- Type + Date range
- Type + Search term
Plans Workflow
Upload → Categorize → Takeoff → Export
This is the core workflow for construction plans:
- Upload your plan files
- Verify they're categorized as Plans
- Open in Takeoff workspace
- Run AI detection or manual measurements
- Export quantities
Best Practices
Be Consistent
- Use types consistently across team
- Train team on your conventions
- Audit periodically for misfiles
Don't Over-Categorize
- Start with standard types
- Add custom only when needed
- Too many types = confusion
Bulk Type Assignment
Change multiple files at once:
- Select files (checkboxes)
- Click Bulk Actions
- Select Change Type
- Choose new type
- Apply
Archiving by Type
Archive entire categories:
- Old project plans
- Expired quotes
Archived files:
- Still searchable
- Don't show in default view
- Can be restored anytime
Next Steps
- Search & Filtering - Find documents fast
- Uploading - Add more files