An On-Screen Takeoff "takeoff file" (*.ost or *.osx) is a project file that contains all takeoff, annotation, Project (Base Bid, and all Alternates and Change Orders), and page information but not the actual image files themselves. OSX Project Files are downloaded from Planrooms (usually) and provide the added ability to download Plans from the Conditions Window in On-Screen Takeoff. See Related articles for more information about using On-Screen Takeoff and Planroom Projects.
To import an On-Screen Takeoff takeoff file:
- Click File > Import - the Import dialog appears
- Select the Takeoff file (*.ost, *osx) (*.coe, and *.txt imports are not used anymore) radio button and click OK - the Open dialog appears
- Locate the file to import, click on it once to select it
- Click Open - a new Project is created, and the information is imported into the new Project
- The Cover Sheet displays - make any changes necessary
- Click OK to close the Cover Sheet - the new Project's Takeoff Tab opens
Each time you import an OST Takeoff or Project file into a database, the program creates another copy of the bid. Existing copies are not overwritten.
On-Screen Takeoff registers the "ost" extension as an On-Screen Takeoff project file, however, several other programs (most notably, Microsoft Outlook), may change that registration. If you double-click on an OST file and it doesn't open On-Screen Takeoff, right-click it, select "Open With" and set On-Screen Takeoff as the default file handler - see your Windows documentation for details.
 Importing Bid Packages (*.OSP files) | What is Project Express and What Can I Do With It?  |
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