TRC Full-Length Master Guide Specifications Available in VisiSpecs®

Portland, Maine (October 15, 2024) – Chalkline, Inc. now offers Technical Resources Consultants Inc. (TRC) Master Guide Specifications to VisiSpecs users as part of its Community Masters Program.

TRC has been serving the architectural and construction community for three decades, offering a variety of services on both private and public sector projects across the country. The TRC Guide Specification has been used as the starting point for hundreds of construction projects including collegiate athletic facilities, education buildings, performing arts, health care, hospitality, mixed-use residential, civic and municipal buildings, corporate headquarters, major renovations, and many more. TRC has been using VisiSpecs by Chalkline, Inc. for the last five years.

“I was looking for a way to increase my editing efficiency and quality of my deliverables to my clients, without changing my process or having to switch to a different master. In addition, using the tools and functions included as part of the VisiSpecs software I can offer solutions to my clients such as submittal registers and outline specifications at any point without having to stop or modify the work in progress,” explained Sherry Harbaugh, President of TRC Inc.

TRC Master Guide Specifications are included on the VisiSpecs platform under an agreement between Chalkline, Inc. (Chalkline) and TRC. The full-length master library includes roughly 300 specification sections, trial sample sections, and a table of contents for VisiSpecs users to review. Manufacturers are listed not because they pay to be listed like other commercial masters but because they have proven products and collaborate with TRC to ensure accuracy.

Sherry expressed, “TRC is honored to participate in the Community Masters Program and is dedicated to partnering with VisiSpecs to provide this specification solution to architectural firms.”

The TRC full-length Master Guide Specifications are a one-time purchase of only $2,000/company (with an introductory 10% VisiSpecs user incentive). All spec updates are available without the requirement of an annual subscription. Customers may modify and create their own office masters based on the TRC master library.

“VisiSpecs customers are getting a big boost from having a proven architectural master library integrated within the easiest-to-use spec writing platform at a low cost. We are glad TRC is making their valuable library available through our Community Masters program,” stated Seamus McGrady, COO and Co-Founder of Chalkline.

In addition to TRC Master Guide Specifications, the VisiSpecs Community Masters Program also includes Kalin Associates Short Form masters and the National Research Council of Canada National Master Specification (NMS) masters. NMS masters are available in MasterFormat and UniFormat in English and French.

As partner master specifications are updated, all VisiSpecs customers will have access to those updates via the VisiSpecs Cloud Server and may modify and create their own office masters as needed. Contact info@chalklineinc.com if you are interested in participating in the VisiSpecs Community Masters program.

Fill out this form to learn more about VisiSpecs, request a free trial, register for live webinars, read customer testimonials or download product information.

About Technical Resources Consultants Inc.

TRC has been committed to quality construction specifications for nearly 30 years. Sherry Harbaugh, FCSI, CCS, RA, SCIP started her architectural career in Sacramento after finding her interest in exploring the integration of materials and coordination of drawings and specifications. Now settled in Spokane, Sherry has been an independent specifier for 30 years and dedicated her career to writing specifications for clients and manufacturers across the country on a variety of project types. Sherry’s extensive experience in the field has led to a passion to educate and empower construction teams to be confident about communicating with specifications and learning about construction materials. For more information about the TRC Master Guide Specifications, visit https://specseducation.online/trc-master-guide-specifications/.

About Chalkline, Inc.

Chalkline is a developer of architectural and engineering specification software designed to visually document, coordinate, and verify BIM models and project specifications. VisiSpecs® is a suite of applications that includes VisiWord and VisiRevit. VisiSpecs is a software as a service (SaaS) cloud solution where its desktop and mobile applications store and access the model and specification data on the company’s cloud servers for easy access and collaboration among distributed team members. Built on familiar applications already in use by most in the market, VisiSpecs requires minimal training and setup time. Users can easily integrate their own masters and project documents with the project models to accomplish true BIM integration without learning to use complicated model applications and without a lengthy integration process. For those who do use model applications, VisiSpecs provides direct access to the project specifications and documentation. For more information, visit www.chalklineinc.com.

BNIM Case Study on Keynoting

Portland, Maine (July 10, 2024) – Chalkline, Inc. has published a case study on the implementation of keynoting to reference specifications at BNIM. Read the full case study and customer testimonials here.

Email info@chalklineinc.com to inquire about a VisiSpecs implementation so you can see similar benefits at your company!

BNIM Case Study on Keynoting

Visit chalklineinc.com to learn more about the VisiSpecs applications, request a free 30-day trial, register for live webinars, read customer testimonials and download product information.

About Chalkline, Inc.

Chalkline is a developer of architectural and engineering specification software designed to visually document, coordinate, and verify BIM models and project specifications. VisiSpecs® is a suite of applications that includes VisiWord and VisiRevit. VisiSpecs is a software as a service (SaaS) cloud solution where its desktop and mobile applications store and access the model and specification data on the company’s cloud servers for easy access and collaboration among distributed team members. Built on familiar applications already in use by most in the market, VisiSpecs requires minimal training and setup time. Users can easily integrate their own masters and project documents with the project models to accomplish true BIM integration without learning to use complicated model applications and without a lengthy integration process. For those who do use model applications, VisiSpecs provides direct access to the project specifications and documentation. For more information, visit www.chalklineinc.com.

Chalkline Releases VisiSpecs v24.0

Portland, Maine (April 15, 2024) – Chalkline has released a major update to VisiSpecs, The Visual Specification System, based on new feature requests and process improvements made by customers.

VisiSpecs Keynoting integration and coordination continues its leadership position in the market with Multi-User Keynote Management, enabling all disciplines to manage keynotes at once. Keynote edits, approvals, comments, and integration with the project specifications provide customers with the most efficient design process and verification available today. Additional keynoting improvements include Keynote File Manager improvements, visual keynote placement/zoom/editing, spell check, special character support, and user experience enhancements. From keynote creation to assignment and placement and finally verification, VisiSpecs Keynoting supports each phase in both Autodesk®️ Revit®️ and Microsoft Word for fast and easy access.

VisiSpecs v24.0 Multi-User Keynote Manager

VisiSpecs v24.0 Multi-User Keynote Manager

Chalkline has been utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) in the development of VisiSpecs for years and V24.0 is releasing the first version of the Community Master Template Spec generation. Customers can select the specification for creation with options to include LEED, Reference Standards, Submittals, Storage and Handling, Warranty, Manufacturer, and Product information. The specs are formatted based on the customer project templates and inserted into their project for editing or copy/pasting. Future AI development will continue to enhance user experience and value in VisiSpecs.

As designers, specifiers, owners, and others are seeing limitations in spec writing tools available in the market, VisiSpecs continues to support most documents with the best automation, reporting, and publishing functionality drastically improving efficiencies and product quality. The optional integration with the BIM model and keynoting coordination further advances Chalkline’s lead in the market with the best specification tools available.

The v24.0 release also includes customer-requested user interface updates, help and messaging updates, and performance improvements. All customers have been updated with the v24.0 release.

Email info@chalklineinc.com to learn more about VisiSpecs, request a free trial, register for live webinars, read customer testimonials, or download product information.

About Chalkline, Inc.

Chalkline is a developer of architectural and engineering specification software designed to visually document, coordinate, and verify BIM models and project specifications. VisiSpecs® is a suite of applications that includes VisiWord and VisiRevit. VisiSpecs is a software as a service (SaaS) cloud solution where its desktop and mobile applications store and access the model and specification data on the company’s cloud servers for easy access and collaboration among distributed team members. Built on familiar applications already in use by most in the market, VisiSpecs requires minimal training and setup time. Users can easily integrate their own masters and project documents with the project models to accomplish true BIM integration without learning to use complicated model applications and without a lengthy integration process. For those who do use model applications, VisiSpecs provides direct access to the project specifications and documentation. For more information, visit www.chalklineinc.com. Autodesk®, the Autodesk logo and Revit® are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names, or trademarks belong to their respective holders. 

Corgan Has Selected VisiSpecs

Portland, Maine (March 13, 2024) – Corgan, a leading architecture and design firm, has selected VisiSpecs, The Visual Specification System, to deploy for enterprise-wide specification writing.

Corgan was encouraged to evaluate VisiSpecs based on strong recommendations from a Texas specifications consulting firm. The team also evaluated other spec writing applications but selected VisiSpecs based on time savings compared to other spec editing software, the ability to quickly import their current Master specification library, and improved product quality via the QA Report.

Corgan trialed VisiSpecs using their own masters and projects, finding the upgrade to be fast and easy. The learning curve was minimal because VisiSpecs is a Microsoft Word-based tool that users already have installed, are familiar with, and prefer to use as their editing platform.

The Corgan team found that the QA Report saved time and improved quality instantly, as it automatically catches errors that are missed when users attempt to check for coordination issues manually. Valuable time will be saved while publishing their submissions as there is not enough commercially available time to manually check for errors that the QA Report finds in seconds.

“We’ve mandated the use of VisiSpecs on all projects in 2024 and plan to start implementing BIM and Keynoting integration along with submittal report generation next to continue taking advantage of the process efficiencies VisiSpecs enables,” stated Chris Johnson, Director of Technical Design Services.

“We are pleased to see highly respected firms like Corgan evaluate, compare, and select VisiSpecs as their spec writing and BIM integration platform,” stated Seamus McGrady, COO and Founder of Chalkline, Inc.

Visit www.chalklineinc.com or email info@chalklineinc.com to learn more about the VisiSpecs applications, request a free trial, register for live webinars, see customer testimonials, and download product information.

About Corgan

Corgan is an employee-owned architecture and design firm with 17 locations and nearly 1,000 team members globally. Corgan works with clients in various sectors including aviation & mobility, data centers, education, health, mixed-use, multifamily, office, and workplace. Since 1938, Corgan has developed a strong reputation for agility in design by anticipating marketplace changes and leading clients to thoughtful, data-driven design solutions. Our research insights and design expertise empower us to foresee emerging changes and develop solutions that minimize risk, create flexibility, and maximize longevity. To learn more about Corgan, visit www.corgan.com.

About Chalkline, Inc.

Chalkline is a developer of architectural and engineering specification software designed to visually document, coordinate, and verify BIM models and project specifications. VisiSpecs® is a suite of applications that includes VisiWord and VisiRevit. VisiSpecs is a software as a service (SaaS) cloud solution where its desktop and mobile applications store and access the model and specification data on the company’s cloud servers for easy access and collaboration among distributed team members. Built on familiar applications already in use by most in the market, VisiSpecs requires minimal training and setup time. Users can easily integrate their own masters and project documents with the project models to accomplish true BIM integration without learning to use complicated model applications and without a lengthy integration process. For those who do use model applications, VisiSpecs provides direct access to the project specifications and documentation. For more information, visit www.chalklineinc.com.

TechSpecs Principal Falls in Love With Spec Writing Again

Portland, Maine (March 7, 2024) – Chalkline, Inc. has published a case study on the evaluation, selection, and subsequent success that Mark Clemmensen of TechSpecs Consulting Inc. experienced after deploying VisiSpecs. Read the full TechSpecs case study and customer testimonials here.

Email info@chalklineinc.com to inquire about a VisiSpecs implementation so you can see similar benefits at your company!

Visit chalklineinc.com to learn more about the VisiSpecs applications, request a free 30-day trial, register for live webinars, read customer testimonials, and download product information.

About Chalkline, Inc.

Chalkline is a developer of architectural and engineering specification software designed to visually document, coordinate, and verify BIM models and project specifications. VisiSpecs® is a suite of applications that includes VisiWord and VisiRevit. VisiSpecs is a software as a service (SaaS) cloud solution where its desktop and mobile applications store and access the model and specification data on the company’s cloud servers for easy access and collaboration among distributed team members. Built on familiar applications already in use by most in the market, VisiSpecs requires minimal training and setup time. Users can easily integrate their own masters and project documents with the project models to accomplish true BIM integration without learning to use complicated model applications and without a lengthy integration process. For those who do use model applications, VisiSpecs provides direct access to the project specifications and documentation. For more information, visit www.chalklineinc.com.

RLGA Doubles Annual Revenue After Implementing VisiSpecs

Portland, Maine (June 6, 2023) – Chalkline, Inc. has published a case study on the evaluation, selection, and subsequent success that Ron Geren of RLGA Technical Services experienced after deploying VisiSpecs. Read the full RLGA case study and customer testimonials here

Email info@chalklineinc.com to inquire about a VisiSpecs implementation so you can see similar benefits at your firm!

Visit chalklineinc.com to more about the VisiSpecs applications, request a free 30-day trial, register for live webinars, read customer testimonials, and download product information.

About Chalkline, Inc.

Chalkline is a developer of architectural and engineering specification software designed to visually document, coordinate, and verify BIM models and project specifications. VisiSpecs® is a suite of applications that includes VisiWord and VisiRevit. VisiSpecs is a software as a service (SaaS) cloud solution where its desktop and mobile applications store and access the model and specification data on the company’s cloud servers for easy access and collaboration among distributed team members. Built on familiar applications already in use by most in the market, VisiSpecs requires minimal training and setup time. Users can easily integrate their own masters and project documents with the project models to accomplish true BIM integration without learning to use complicated model applications and without a lengthy integration process. For those who do use model applications, VisiSpecs provides direct access to the project specifications and documentation. For more information, visit www.chalklineinc.com.

Chalkline Releases VisiSpecs v23.0

Portland, Maine (February 20, 2023) – Chalkline has released a major update based on new feature requests and process improvements made by its customers.

VisiWord®️ now includes a project tree filter that enables customers to focus on specs that need to be worked on, such as red status flag docs, parameters such as volume, discipline, or revised date, or even a mix of these options. Projects can have hundreds of documents, so the ease of working on a filtered set saves time while also reducing errors and omissions.

VisiWord now includes new reports to help owners and project managers identify when the spec used in a project is older than the source master document that was originally inserted. The report also enables the differences in the documents to be reviewed and updated as needed.

Customers are seeing the upgrade process to VisiSpecs®️ for writing all their projects is streamlined based on the advanced importing routines. VisiSpecs supports the broadest number of master templates and specifications while providing the easiest tools to learn and use. New local backup options have been included to further support and streamline the process.

VisiRevit®️ has a new management solution for model key links enabling a variety of projects to be automated, coordinated, and verified without changing the BIM model. The advanced project management is similar to the keynoting file management and coordination within VisiSpecs. With import and export options and new automated backup routines, both the keynoting and model key link integration are user-friendly and powerful.

Keynoting in VisiRevit includes new functionality for selecting and editing keynotes during placement reducing the delays often found during the keynote management process. Importing keynotes also includes the ability to assign those keynotes to the model elements and materials which used to take customers many manual hours and inevitably incurred errors.

The v23.0 release also includes customer-requested user interface updates, help and messaging updates, and performance updates that help new users learn how to use VisiSpecs. All customers have been updated with the v23.0 release. Many current and prospective customers got to see the v23.0 release at the recent AHR Expo in Atlanta.

Visit www.chalklineinc.com or email info@chalklineinc.com to learn more about the VisiSpecs applications, request a free trial, register for live webinars, see customer testimonials, or download product information.

About Chalkline, Inc.

Chalkline is a developer of architectural and engineering specification software designed to visually document, coordinate, and verify BIM models and project specifications. VisiSpecs® is a suite of applications that includes VisiWord and VisiRevit. VisiSpecs is a software as a service (SaaS) cloud solution where its desktop and mobile applications store and access the model and specification data on the company’s cloud servers for easy access and collaboration among distributed team members. Built on familiar applications already in use by most in the market, VisiSpecs requires minimal training and setup time. Users can easily integrate their own masters and project documents with the project models to accomplish true BIM integration without learning to use complicated model applications and without a lengthy integration process. For those who do use model applications, VisiSpecs provides direct access to the project specifications and documentation. For more information, visit www.chalklineinc.com.

Chalkline Releases VisiWord v22.2 with Free Community Masters
Kalin Associates Short Form Masters & National Master Specification (NMS) Masters

Portland, Maine (June 9, 2022) – The v22.2 VisiWord update has been released and includes a new VisiSpecs BPM Selector enabling fast research and selection tools and improving efficiencies in project product and material selections. Chalkline is partnering with the leading BPM search sites to provide integration for fast access based on the spec being written in VisiSpecs. The intuitive BPM Selector includes a simple drag-and-drop of selected BPMs and products for insertion into the project specifications. Customizable BPM comments, tags, and selection tracking are included. BPM selections include hyperlinks in the product specs for optimal access by the designers, contractors, and owners.

The VisiSpecs BPM Selector enables fast research and selection tools improving efficiencies in project product and material selections.

The VisiSpecs BPM Selector enables fast research and selection tools improving efficiencies in project product and material selections.

The BPM Selector also includes customizable options for customers to set up their own preferred research sites. Additionally, the Basis of Design language required for each project, spec, or product can easily be set up based on design preferences and selected for insertion with the BPMs and products ensuring project requirements are met.

Chalkline is partnering and including Free Community Masters through the VisiSpecs Cloud Server for all customers. Initial partners include Kalin Associates Short Form masters and the National Research Council of Canada National Master Specification (NMS) masters. NMS masters are available in MasterFormat and UniFormat and in both English and French versions. As partner master specifications are updated, all VisiSpecs customers will have access to those updates via the VisiSpecs Cloud Server.

VisiSpecs is document-neutral, meaning it supports all Word/PDF-based specifications as well as the SpecsIntact (UFGS) specifications used in USA government construction projects. Now with the inclusion of Community Masters, VisiSpecs customers have additional out-of-the-box options available. Specification master providers such as clients maintaining their own masters or subscription-based master providers interested in enabling their masters to AECO firms through the Community Master program should contact Chalkline at info@chalklineinc.com.

The v22.2 release also includes customer-requested publishing features to quickly update previously created project manuals with documents updated or arriving later than expected, customizable PDF manual bookmarks, track change and markup initial view options, and new French MasterFormat and UniFormat project formatting options.

Visit www.chalklineinc.com or email info@chalklineinc.com to learn more about VisiSpecs and to request a free trial, register for live webinars, see customer testimonials, and download product information.

About Chalkline, Inc.

Chalkline is a developer of architectural and engineering specification software designed to visually document, coordinate, and verify BIM models and project specifications. VisiSpecs® is a suite of applications that includes VisiWord and VisiRevit. VisiSpecs is a software as a service (SaaS) cloud solution where its desktop and mobile applications store and access the model and specification data on the company’s cloud servers for easy access and collaboration among distributed team members. Built on familiar applications already in use by most in the market, VisiSpecs requires minimal training and setup time. Users can easily integrate their own masters and project documents with the project models to accomplish true BIM integration without learning to use complicated model applications and without a lengthy integration process. For those who do use model applications, VisiSpecs provides direct access to the project specifications and documentation. For more information, visit www.chalklineinc.com.

VisiSpecs Publishes Sheet Specs in Newly Released v22.1

Portland, Maine (March 23, 2022) – Chalkline has released newly developed publishing functionality for sheet specs placed on drawings.

Customers who place their specifications on the drawings need a clean process to create, edit, and publish their sheet specs. VisiSpecs is now enabling the creation and editing of the specs direct in the familiar Microsoft Word application. The drawing size is also larger than the page layout offered in Word. VisiSpecs provides the ability to easily edit and publish the sizes required. Additional automation in VisiSpecs can filter the larger specifications into the shorter specs required.

VisiSpecs now enables customers to easily create, edit, and publish their sheet specs for placement on drawings.

VisiSpecs v22.1 also includes features such as Global Search and Replace throughout the project documents and Design Guide Template management functionality improvements. All customers under subscription have been updated with VisiSpecs V22.1.

Visit www.chalklineinc.com or email info@chalklineinc.com to learn more about VisiSpecs and to request a free trial, register for live webinars, see customer testimonials, and download product information.

About Chalkline, Inc.

Chalkline is a developer of architectural and engineering specification software designed to visually document, coordinate, and verify BIM models and project specifications. VisiSpecs® is a suite of applications that includes VisiWord and VisiRevit. VisiSpecs is a software as a service (SaaS) cloud solution where its desktop and mobile applications store and access the model and specification data on the company’s cloud servers for easy access and collaboration among distributed team members. Built on familiar applications already in use by most in the market, VisiSpecs requires minimal training and setup time. Users can easily integrate their own masters and project documents with the project models to accomplish true BIM integration without learning to use complicated model applications and without a lengthy integration process. For those who do use model applications, VisiSpecs provides direct access to the project specifications and documentation. For more information, visit www.chalklineinc.com.

White Paper – Integrating the BIM and Spec Design Process

Portland, Maine (February 15, 2022) – Chalkline has a new white paper outlining the benefits, challenges, levels of integration, and steps to successfully integrate the BIM model and Spec Design Process.

Architectural and engineering design deliverables include the BIM models and design specifications. The BIM modeling and spec writing processes have been performed by different users, on different timelines, and even different companies. The difficult manual process of coordinating the two design efforts results in RFIs and addendums due to errors and omissions which have not been identified by the tools used in practice. There is a huge opportunity to reduce time, save money, and deliver higher-quality products with integration and coordination between these separate processes and deliverables.

White Paper - BIM Integrated Specs Design Process

The paper’s goal is to address past issues and questions so firms can take steps to achieve the benefits of an integrated BIM and spec design process. The integration of these processes should flag inconsistencies in the models and specifications helping ensure all team members are aware of the selections and changes being made. Issues found earlier in the design process require less time and cost to fix enabling time to be spent in other areas.

Request the white paper, testimonials, case studies, and more by clicking here.

Visit www.chalklineinc.com or email info@chalklineinc.com to learn more about VisiSpecs and to request a free trial, register for live webinars, see customer testimonials, and download product information.

About Chalkline, Inc.

Chalkline is a developer of architectural and engineering specification software designed to visually document, coordinate, and verify BIM models and project specifications. VisiSpecs® is a suite of applications that includes VisiWord and VisiRevit. VisiSpecs is a software as a service (SaaS) cloud solution where its desktop and mobile applications store and access the model and specification data on the company’s cloud servers for easy access and collaboration among distributed team members. Built on familiar applications already in use by most in the market, VisiSpecs requires minimal training and setup time. Users can easily integrate their own masters and project documents with the project models to accomplish true BIM integration without learning to use complicated model applications and without a lengthy integration process. For those who do use model applications, VisiSpecs provides direct access to the project specifications and documentation. For more information, visit www.chalklineinc.com.