Bluebeam Revu Standard for Windows

User Reviews

• Better than Adobe for marking up PDFs

  AndyT360March 25, 2014

  Pros

  -Great markup tools -Cheaper than Adobe -Plugins for AutoCAD and Revit -Better interface

  Cons

  -Learning curve (you will have to do some studying) -XFA forms dont work

  Summary

  I'm an architect, I use this every day and love it. SO much easier to use than Adobe for marking up PDFs. If you want to save yourself a few bucks there are lots of resellers online, I used bohdee.com and had no issues. It is all electronic download anyways, no reason to pay retail.

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• An agile and hightly capable PDF editor

  OccamsLaserSeptember 10, 2012

  Pros

  Before buying Adobe Acrobat, take a good long look at Bluebeam's PDF Revu, a targeted application for professionals in fields where documentation is king: Law, construction, architecture, among others. Consider: 1. Bluebeam is much easier to use and far better to look at than Acrobat. 2. Bluebeam capably handles very large PDF files, PDF Packages with built-in folders, documents on large sheets, splitting, extracting, and combining PDFs, PDF creation and conversion. 3. Bluebeam is much less expensive than Acrobat. At $179.00 for a single Revu user licence, you're putting two (and a half) people to work for about the same price it takes to put one to work on Acrobat. 4. Bluebeam is already established in construction, engineering, and architecture businesses, and has had a 10 years to mature. 5. Their customer support is very good, capable, and courteous. 6. Their user licences are easily transferable.

  Cons

  I noticed a problem with creating PDF packages where too many folders will make them all disappear (I'm still working with support on that one), and as of this review it is still not available for Mac, though they are working on their first release this year.

  Summary

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• It is a great CAD markup tool.

  opty99September 19, 2011

  Pros

  It has more markup capabilities and features than Acrobat and just as easy, if not easier, to use.

  Cons

  I do not see anything I don't like about this software.

  Summary

  I recommend it to all my colleagues.

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• to bad it's only a trial...!

  cygne43September 15, 2011

  Pros

  Very nice interface...!

  Cons

  Endless options to create and manage PDF files...!

  Summary

  Comments 1 to 4 applies to BlueBeam PDF Revu 9.5...!

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• Best PDF software that I am aware of.

  sambellgSeptember 9, 2011

  Pros

  Great to mark up documents,compare documents and overlay documents.

  Cons

  None that I am aware of.

  Summary

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• did exactly what I wanted it to do

  Cap0Haddock1April 25, 2011

  Pros

  relatively easy to use

  Cons

  I found none

  Summary

  very good software

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• Activation...

  staley2001May 5, 2009

  Pros

  Nice looking...

  Cons

  Activation...

  Summary

  I would be willing to give this product a better chance... even with the negative review. (The reply from the developer helps...) But it still doesn't forgive the untrust of the developer when it comes to activation... a big "We don't trust our customers..." Since real pirates won't be stopped by activation... (just look at the number of KeyGens for Adobe products...) it only in the end punishes loyal and paying customers like me.

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• Buggy, expensive support, there are better options.

  mikeatlargeMarch 17, 2009

  Pros

  It's smaller and cheaper than Acrobat (but more expensive than some other options).

  Cons

  It has serious bugs, Bluebeam has greedy Intuit-like support policies forcing you buy expensive upgrades and hope your bugs get fixed, it has the same obnoxious product activation as Acrobat, the user interface is awkward.

  Summary

  Bluebeam makes a big deal of "We Do PDF Better" and being the "Acrobat Alternative". But, unfortunately, their product is at least as buggy as the bloated Acrobat. And worse, even when their own support people acknowledge glaring defects in the product, their only solution is to require you to BUY an expensive upgrade that's not even released yet! Here's a quick list of things Bluebeam shares with Acrobat: Buggy software: And I mean SERIOUS bugs in Bluebeam like the bookmarks in large PDF files don't even work. And I'm using 6.5.4 which has already undergone several updates and is at the end of its life. I can't imagine how bad 7.0.0 will be! Part of the problem might be that it appears to be partly based on public Mozilla software. And if that's true, they want you to pay big bucks for a dressed up version of something they got for free. An Awkward Interface: Even the company that makes the very user-unfriendly Photoshop actually wins here. Acrobat is way more intuitive than Bluebeam. The Bluebeam interface seems to be reflect Bluebeam's engineering/CAD roots and perhaps the Autodesk geeks like it. For everyone else, be prepared for something that doesn't look or work like anything you've probably ever used before. Obnoxious support policies: Unless you buy their maintenance plan, Bluebeam doesn't feel they have any obligation to support the software you purchased. They were even so helpful as to point out the license agreement says it's delivered "as is" so they're legally off the hook. Nice touch. Instead, they want you to wait for the next release and pay half again as much for an upgrade you don't otherwise want with who knows how many NEW bugs. Obnoxious product activation: Just like with Adobe, don't lose those magic license numbers and be prepared for the software to contact Big Brother Bluebeam when you install it. And if you upgrade your computer don't forget to follow the many steps to transfer your license to the new one. You better also hope your drive or computer doesn't die, because then you have to contact Bluebeam with your serial number and plead your case that you're really not trying to steal anything--you just want to re-install the software you already own. Bluebeam only has couple questionable advantages over Acrobat. Bluebeam has a lower list price, but if you have a previous version of Acrobat Standard, you can probably upgrade to Acrobat 9 for less than the cost of Bluebeam. And Bluebeam is less bloated and takes up less space on your hard drive. But, in my opinion, those benefits don't outweigh its many shortcomings and Bluebeam's refusal to support the product in a fair way. Intuit made much of their customer base unhappy by forcing everyone into expensive upgrades and Bluebeam seems to be using the exact same unpopular business model: Corporate Greed! My advice: Don't give them your money.

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• watch out Adobe

  ctpharoahNovember 16, 2008

  Pros

  Fast, user friendly, Custom Stamps!!!, so many more features than Adobe, a child (or should I say old person) could use it. Very affordable, $150. Direct Integration with office, AutoCad,

  Cons

  its not free, 3D integration is difficult, no video integration.

  Summary

  I love this software. I even had an Adobe rep who could not tell me one downfall of this product. If your looking for an Affordable alternative to Adobe, this is it. go on their website, download the 30-day trial, you will be convinced like me. I manage a large construction project, this streamlines everything!

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• Great for markup of essays

  jimventolaOctober 25, 2008

  Pros

  Works well on my tablet and desktop. Low Cost (with academic discount). Very responsive support. Stamp system for common comments is easy to use.

  Cons

  Takes time to learn. Stamps can contain text, thus text versions of urls. But stamps cannot be active links until future version. Words CAN be hyperlinked.

  Summary

  This will be my grading tool, replacing my macros in Word. Revu is pleasant to use.

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