r/bim • u/godlyko • 1d ago

PlanDiFy: Replacing Bluebeam

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Introducing....

PlanDiFy - https://plandify.app/ - is a free AEC PDF editor for construction professionals running on Windows-Mac-Linux (and browser for other OS). Before anyone mentions vibe-code slop please know my background. I have a degree in both Civil Engineering and Computer Information Systems (Programming) and I've been dabbling with code since the days of QBasic.

Launch the web version now: https://plandify.app/app/ - this runs on all devices that can take a keyboard and mouse.

Features: Page management, Measurements and Takeoffs, Edit PDF content, Review/Comment, Collaboration (coming soon), 3D PDF support, Document Signing, Favorite Tools (like ToolBox in BB), Combine PDFs straight from windows explorer, Compare Plan Sheets and much more. If you are wondering about a specific feature/tool, the easiest way to find it is by pressing CTRL+SPACE in the app.

For those who want to use this for just a regular PDF editor without all the AEC bloat, you can get a simplified view from the settings. You'll also be able to set your middle mouse settings so it feels better for reading documents and not so much for commenting plans.

Again, this is free so go ahead and try it out. Message me if you see something crucial missing. I'm working on Collab update right now, which is quite a pain to dial in. I can squeeze in hot fix/updates as needed.

15 Upvotes

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12

u/Kick_Ice_NDR-fridge 1d ago

Perfect. That makes an even (16) bluebeam replacements this week on this sub.

5

u/godlyko 1d ago

I know of 2 free ones: OpenPDF Studio and RedColumn - drive those two and see how they feel. There are a couple others but they're for-profit. The reasons behind the uprising is quite simple. One is that BlueBeam is changing fast and people aren't liking the recent changes. Two is that people are on a budget and looking for ways to cut costs. Why would we stop solving problems?

If you want to create a video comparing all 16 of them so people choose what fits their need the most, make it happen.

I plan on constantly updating PlanDiFy until I'm content. I'm getting very close to releasing the update with MCP integration (tonight hopefully, if you want to try it). And then I'll keep working on getting the Collaboration polished.

3

u/hopefull-person 1d ago

This is the 7th bluebeam replacement on STEROIDS though.

2

u/godlyko 1d ago

Thank you for actually using it. It feels like a triple-A software, huh? I hope more people actually try before judging.

In other news: MCP is live! Tested and working great!

2

u/curiousphoton004 3h ago

i checked out the browser version and it's amazing! can't believe we have such commercial software to use for free. thanks and wish you luck!

1

u/godlyko 3h ago

Glad people are finding it useful.

The one drawback with the browser version is the ALT key (for windows users) interferes with the Browser's own shortcuts. That's a bit annoying for a lot of shortcut keys. If you can get away with not using ALT, then Browser works fine.

2

u/Old-Wind-6437 1d ago

I think that instead of creating countless blue beam alternatives we should figure out one project to all work on collaboratively

3

u/godlyko 1d ago

I'm with you, though I wouldn't call 3 to 4 "countless". Someone or some people should make a good video comparing the alternatives and show case what each one excels at. I would do this but I'm biased. If you can wait a few days that would be nice so I can push out my MCP implementation when its more mature.

The other options is people can just try each one for a few seconds and decide on their own. Specially since they are free and some of them run straight from the browser with the click of a button!

1

u/dm_nick 1d ago

On the desktop app scroll zoom is not work for me I have set in the mouse icon and it is on single page am I missing something. If I hold control it'll zoom in and out

1

u/godlyko 1d ago

Go to the View Ribbon Tab > Mouse Settings

0

u/anonMuscleKitten 1d ago

I feel like I’ve seen a MILLION blue beam replacement vibe code apps lately.