Version History

Track changes to your takeoff over time with version history. Save snapshots, compare differences, and restore previous states when needed.

Overview

Version history helps you:

• Save named snapshots of your takeoff progress
• Track who made changes and when
• Compare any two versions side-by-side
• Restore previous versions if needed

This is especially useful for collaborative projects or when experimenting with different takeoff approaches.

Accessing Version History

1. Open a document in the Takeoff workspace
2. Click the History tab in the left sidebar
3. The version timeline appears showing all saved versions

Saving Versions

Manual Save

To create a named version:

1. Click Save Version in the History panel (or press Ctrl/Cmd+S)
2. Enter a description (e.g., "After electrical review" or "Pre-client meeting")
3. Click Save

Auto-Save

BuildVision automatically saves versions:

Auto-saved versions are marked with a clock icon to distinguish them from manual saves.

Viewing the Timeline

The History panel shows versions in chronological order:

Click any version to preview its state without loading it.

Filtering Versions

Use the filter dropdown to show:

• All versions - Complete history
• Manual only - Only named saves
• Today - Versions from current day
• This week - Recent versions

Comparing Versions

Compare any two versions to see what changed between them.

Starting a Comparison

1. In the History panel, select the first version
2. Hold Ctrl/Cmd and click the second version
3. Click Compare (or right-click and select "Compare versions")

Comparison Modes

Side-by-Side View

Shows both versions next to each other:

• Left panel: older version
• Right panel: newer version
• Canvas zoom and pan are synchronized
• Differences are highlighted on both sides

Overlay View

Shows both versions overlaid on the same canvas:

• Toggle between versions with a slider
• See exactly how shapes moved or changed
• Useful for subtle positioning differences

Color-Coded Differences

The comparison view highlights changes with color:

Modified items show both states:

• Yellow outline shows the newer position/size
• Dashed outline shows the original position/size
• Click to see a detailed change summary

Difference Summary

The comparison panel lists all changes:

+ 3 doors added (west wing)
- 2 windows removed (north elevation)
~ 5 wall measurements modified
~ Scale changed from 1:48 to 1:50

Click any item in the summary to zoom to that change on the canvas.

Restoring Previous Versions

To restore an earlier version:

1. Select the version in the History panel
2. Click Restore (or right-click and select "Restore this version")
3. Confirm the restore action

A backup of your current state is automatically saved before restoring, so you can always undo the restore if needed.

Partial Restore

To restore only specific items from an old version:

1. Start a comparison between versions
2. In the difference list, select items to restore
3. Right-click and choose Restore Selected Items

This copies those specific measurements from the old version without affecting other work.

Best Practices

Save before major changes: Create a named version before running AI detection, bulk edits, or significant manual work.

Use descriptive names: "Reviewed by John 11/15" is more helpful than "Version 5".

Compare before restoring: Always compare to understand what you'll gain and lose.

Keep milestone versions: For long projects, create versions at key milestones (e.g., "Scope review complete").

Storage and Limits

When limits are reached, the oldest auto-save versions are removed first. Manual saves are preserved longer.

Next Steps

• Manual Editing - Make changes to your takeoff
• Results & Measurements - Understanding your data
• Exporting Data - Create external backups