MultiView is a Bluebeam Revu tool that allows you to better view and manage your PDF documents. This tool lets you split the workspace into panels to view multiple PDFs simultaneously. This can be especially useful when performing document comparisons. If you need to compare two versions of a drawing, MultiView lets you view both on the same screen at once. When combined with Revu’s Synchronize tool, you can even navigate through both documents in tandem. Going even further, MultiView also features extended functionality, known as Multiview Extended. This allows you to drag your displaying panels onto another monitor’s workspace for further review.

In this article, we will cover how to use MultiView, Synchronize, and MultiView Extended in Bluebeam Revu. The following examples are from Bluebeam Revu 20 eXtreme version. However, these tools are available within all versions of Revu.

MultiView

MultiView lets you split the Revu workspace into a maximum of 16 different panels. Within each panel, you can view different documents, or sections of the same document, side-by-side. To enable MultiView, use the split screen controls at the bottom left hand side of the workspace. You can split the workspace vertically, using the Split Vertical button. This will give you access to two panels, one on the left, and one on the right. You can also choose to split the screen horizontally, using the Split Horizontal button. This option will also give you two panels, one on the top and one on the bottom. Selecting either split option will split the screen once – but you can continue to press the Split button to make multiple other splits as well. You can split the screen up to 16 times, letting you view 16 different documents at once. Once split, you can resize the panels by clicking and dragging their dividers.

With the screen split, each split panel will display the same document by default. Generally, you would use this tool to view different documents simultaneously. You can move an open document into a split panel by clicking and dragging the document tab into it.

When you’re done using MultiView, you can unsplit the screen using the Unsplit button. Pressing Unsplit once will only remove one of the split screens. If you made multiple splits, you’ll need to continue pressing Unsplit until there’s just one screen displaying.

MultiView with Synchronization

When using MultiView, it’s often useful to also use the Synchronization tool. When enabled, the Sync function will allow you to navigate the split screens in tandem. Basically, when you zoom or pan in one panel, the other splits will zoom and pan the same. This is especially useful for comparing documents. If you have multiple versions of the same drawing open, this tool can help you quickly identify changes.

I’ll start off by having MultiView enabled with two split screens. Within these splits, I’ll place two versions of the same floor plan. On the left side, I’ll place the original drawing, and on the right side, the revision. To synchronize the screen, select View > Synchronize Document. Once synchronized, I can navigate through both drawings simultaneously. When I zoom or pan in once split, the other will zoom and pan the same. Now, I can quickly identify all changes made between these two drawing versions.

Using MultiView Extended

MultiView Extended expands the functionality of MultiView onto a second monitor. If you have another monitor, this tool lets you drag a split screen onto it for a more in-depth review. To use MultiView Extended, simply have your screen split and Synchronized. Click and drag one of the document tabs onto your second monitor.

Even while detached, the Sync function will continue to move through the documents in tandem

Summary

Bluebeam Revu’s MultiView feature allows you to view multiple documents at once. This tool works by splitting the workspace into panels that you can then drag PDFs onto. You can view different documents, or even portions of the same document, simultaneously. For document comparison, MultiView can be very useful – especially when used with the Synchronize function. Synchronize will ‘sync’ your split screens together, allowing you to navigate through them in tandem. For more in depth document comparisons, you can even drag one of your split screens onto a second monitor using MultiView Extended. Rather than having to open and close each document as you go, Bluebeam Revu lets you work with all your PDF documents at once.

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Lauren Hecker is a Bluebeam Certified Instructor and teaches onsite and virtual Bluebeam Revu training courses. To schedule an onsite or custom course, please contact us!