Learn how to easily perform one of Layer’s core workflows for historic preservation building professionals, the Conditions Assessment. Building data, photos, notes, and tasks that would ordinarily be captured in different channels can now be collected, stored, and shared with accuracy through Layer’s intuitive interface.

What does this mean for you?
It means you don’t need different apps or channels to document a building walkthrough. It means you don’t need to waste time downloading and filing photos or sifting through notes. And most importantly, it means your team will be able to find and share building data in one easy-to-use hub that syncs instantly and integrates directly to BIM. 

Here’s how to get started:

1. Log in to Layer or create a new account.

In the dashboard, select New Project.

2. Create a Category
Categories are the top level containers for organizing Elements within a Project. If you started with a Project Template you will already have several sample Categories and Elements in your Project Dashboard. To create your own Categories, click the + button in the Categories section.

Enter a Category name and click Create Category. 

3. Create ElementsElements can be anything such as a room, piece of equipment, punchlist issue, or work order. To create your own Elements, click the Create an Element button in the bottom navigation bar.   

Give the new Element a name and click Pick Category to assign the Element to one of the existing Categories.

You can also create Elements and Categories by importing a .csv file or by attaching a Revit model.
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​4. Create new form fields for all data points
Select the Edit Fields button then the + button to create new form fields. Form fields only need to be set up once in a Room Element since these fields will propagate to the other Room Elements within its Category. Use different Categories to collect different sets of data points. 

Tip: Don’t stress, you can always add or delete data points later on in the field. 

5. Collect Data
Navigate to a Room Element and input data into the pre-designed form fields or create new form fields as needed.Layer can be used on any platform or device via the web browser. You can also download the Layer App for iOS in the Apple App Store or for Android in Google Play.

Tip: There’s no need to save your work, Layer automatically syncs your data in real-time as long as you’re connected to Wi-Fi. 

6. Take Photos
Navigate to Files and select the + button in the lower right corner to take photos from a phone or tablet and view the files instantly within the Room Element. 

Tip: Need to redline a photo, PDF, or DWG file? Select the file to open it directly in Layer and use the mark-up tools in the top navigation bar to redline as needed. 

7. Make Notes
Navigate to Notes to chat and coordinate with team members instantly either project-wide or within the context of a Room Element.

Tip: Know when you’ve been mentioned in a note by selecting the “Notifications” button in the upper left corner to receive push notifications either project-wide or specific to a Room Element.

8. Assign Tasks
Navigate to Tasks to assign Tasks with due dates either project-wide or within the context of a Room Element.

Tip: Know when you’ve been assigned a task by selecting the “Notifications” button in the upper left corner to receive push notifications either project-wide or specific to a Room Element. 

​9. Attach your data to and view it instantly in BIM
Attach a Revit model to instantly see the photos and data as you click through the model. The information you need to design is now connected to the tool used to produce the design. View detailed instructions for attaching a Revit model to Layer.

Tip: Select the “Reports” button in the lower left corner to export a report or select the “Team Members” button in the lower right corner to invite users to view and share the collected photos and data. 

Use Layer to take accurate and more efficient Conditions Assessments by keeping every piece of information and every team member exactly where they need to be, in the context of the building. Say goodbye to busy work. Layer is the only platform you need to collect, organize, and share your building data.