Import a plan from ArtiCAD

You can create a design in ArtiCAD and import the product list into EQ to quickly produce a quote using EQ's catalogue data and prices.

Note: Before beginning you need to have a customer folder. Customer folders can contain any type of file that you want to save in a convenient place, including your Articad plans. If a folder doesn’t exist you will be prompted to create one.

The following instructions apply when EQ and ArtiCAD are installed on the same computer. They cover:

Create a new plan

Opening an existing ArtiCAD plan (same PC)

Opening an existing ArtiCAD plan (manually copying)

Importing a plan into a quote

Copying a plan or using Save As

Create a new plan

1. In EQ click Customer List on the top toolbar
   
2. Create a new customer, or locate an existing customer
    
3. Click the Plan button on the left:
   
   
   
4. ArtiCAD opens with a new blank plan. The plan file will be saved in your EQ customer folder.
   
5. Design your plan as normal, then save and exit ArtiCAD when you have completed the design.
   
   
6. When you exit ArtiCAD a list of products is automatically created in an XML file, and this is saved in your customer folder too. You do not need to do anything with the XML file.
   
   
7. If you need to edit the plan or open it, you should always do so from within EQ because every change will automatically be saved back into your EQ customer folder.
   
   
   1. 1. Go to the EQ Customer List screen
      2. Click the  drop down arrow on the Plan button
      3. Click the plan name. E.g. JOE BLOGGS A1001.KIT
      4. Your plan opens in ArtiCAD so you can continue working.
      5. Save changes in ArtiCAD
      6. EITHER: Close ArtiCAD to make a new XML file with the changes OR in ArtiCAD Go to File > Run wizard > Export Data

Now proceed to the section Importing a plan into a quote.

Opening an existing ArtiCAD plan (same PC)

If you already have an ArtiCAD plan saved elsewhere (on the same PC as EQ):

1. Open EQ's Customer List from the top toolbar
   
   
2. Use the drop down arrow next to Plan and pick Copy a file into the customer folder:
   
   
   
   
3. A browse box opens for you to locate your existing ArtiCAD plan. By default these will be saved in c:\articad\kitchen\plans\ (but you may have customised ArtiCAD to a different location)
   Find the name of your plan and click OK.
   
   
4. You will be informed the plan was copied successfully. If you want to continue working in the plan, do so by opening the plan via EQ, as per step 7 above.

Opening an existing ArtiCAD plan (manually copying the file)

You can manually export the data from ArtiCAD to make the XML file. You may need to do this if your ArtiCAD and EQ software are installed on different computers. You can follow these steps in ArtiCAD when you have a plan open:

i. Click File > Run Wizard….

ii. Select Export Data

iii. Click OK

iv. Wait while it displays “Creating XML data”

The file is now created and you can leave ArtiCAD running, ready to open another plan later.

If ArtiCAD was not opened via EQ, you need to copy the XML file from your ArtiCAD plans folder and paste it into EQ's customer folder. See the steps above under Opening an existing ArtiCAD plan and use the Copy existing plan to customer folder.

Importing a plan into a quote

Once you have finished your plan you are now ready to import the products to EQ.

1. Create a quote by clicking the New button on the customer screen.
   
   
2. Complete the heading options for your manufacturer and colour choices as required and click OK.
   
   
3. From the blank quote, on the bottom toolbar click the  drop down arrow next to the Plan button. Click on Import from [PLAN NAME].XML:
   
   
   
   
   
4. The Match Products screen opens.
   Here you can select the items you wish to import by putting a X in the box to the left of each one:
   
   
   
   In the left hand window, you will see the products imported from ArtiCAD and when you click on a product, displayed on the right hand side are the EQ equivalents.
   
   Unmatched red products
   

   Products that appear in red do not currently match to an EQ product. Click on a red product and click Match Products button. You will then be able to use the Product Details screen to select an appropriate product code in EQ.

    

   When you select the product, you will be asked if you would like to link this product in the future. Click Yes and the selection will be remembered the next time you import that code.

   
   Matched black products 

   Products in black without an X mark require you to select an alternative from the right of the screen, because EQ is presenting multiple options for the code.

    

   Products in black with an X are already matched and selected. No action is required.
   
   

5. Import Products

   Once you have selected the items you require (all these items are now identified with an X in the box) click Import Products at the bottom. These will be priced and added to the quotation.

    

   Whilst importing you may encounter some prompt boxes, such as a door selector or a screen to choose product options. Choose the relevant options to continue to the quotation screen displaying all of your products.

Copying a plan or using Save As

If you want to make an alteration to a plan but keep the original as well, follow these steps:

1. Go to the Customer List button in EQ and find your customer.
   
   
2. Click the  drop down arrow on the Plan button and then click the plan name:
   
   
   
   
3. ArtiCAD will open and show your original plan.
   
   
4. Make your changes to the plan as normal in ArtiCAD.
   
   
5. Click File > Save As.
   Now it is important to save the plan into the relevant EQ customer folder. On a default installation this will be in C:\easyquote\customers\<Customer Name>
   
   Locate this by clicking Computer on the left, then double-click the EQ folder, double-click the Customers folder and then double-click the customer’s name. Enter a new name for the plan and click Save.
   
   Because this plan has been saved in the EQ folder, when you exit ArtiCAD the XML file will be automatically created. You could then import this following steps in the section Importing a plan into a quote.