Cost Estimator work environment

The Cost Estimator tab is where you load and view cost models, and edit parameter values for the project in hand. The tab appears only for 1up and layout drawings.

Any changes in parameter values that you make while working in the tab affect only the project in hand — they do not change the underlying cost model.

Cost model view

Parameter Displays the names and types (using icons) of the parameters in the loaded cost model.

Input parameter A parameter whose value you can change directly in the tabular area. A small triangle in the upper left corner of the Value field — — indicates that you can click the field and edit the value.

Reference parameter A parameter whose value you cannot change directly. To edit a reference parameter, open the cost model and edit the parameter there.

Value Displays the value of the parameter as calculated for the current project according to the expression set for it in the cost model. For input parameters, you can edit the values directly by double-clicking the -marked field.

Description (Read-only) Displays notes about the parameter. You can enter this information while creating or editing the parameter.

NOTE: When the value of a parameter cannot be calculated due to an invalid expression — for example, if it includes nonexistent parameters or incorrect mathematical expressions — its row and the rows dependent on it are highlighted in pink.

Cost models views

You can choose how you want the parameters to appear in the tabular area:

• User View. (Loaded by default.) You see the parameters as you have ordered them in the viewing order. This view serves purely visualization purposes — it does not displays the parameters in the order in which the cost model calculates the project cost.
• Calculation View. You see the parameters in the top-down order that EngView uses to compute the total cost. You do not see the parameters set as Hidden.
• Debug View. You see the Calculation View expanded with the parameters set as Hidden.

To set a favorite view for cost model parameters

• In the tabular area of the Cost Estimator tab, right-click anywhere, and then, on the context menu, check the view option that you want to use.