They'd run up against copyright laws and/or license agreements that would make their product even more expensive than it already is. They love to use the reference standard method of specifying (there are advantages and disadvantages to this, but more on that later), that's why you see so many ASTMs and ANSIs and BHMAs and WDMAs and other acronyms in the specs.Īrcom is not in the business of republishing or providing the standards they reference in their specifications. They have created the content for the specifications and put it together for you in a master which you can edit. Tex_arch, I think your last comment is illustrative of my point that I think your complaints with Arcom are off base.Īrcom, with MasterSpec, is in the business of writing master guide specifications. Sorry if you're not able to compete, but I doubt the "larger, specialized firms" are winning the jobs based on specifications alone. by people who knew what they were doing, using MasterSpec as a starting point. Specifications were written pretty much the same way at both. I've worked at small firms and big firms. However, if that is the case, why did you purchase MasterSpec in the first place?
If you can find better information through a free internet search. On that aspect, MasterSpec is the best available and worth the price, IMHO.
The value in MasterSpec is the content in each section ( metal shelf rests with hold-down clips being an exception). It does come with the Word plugin MasterWorks, but we've already established that it sucks.
If you really know how to edit a spec, then why are you looking for Arcom to spell it out for you?Īgain, I'd point out that MasterSpec is not a software, so don't expect it to be one. I just pointed out that it sounded like you were out of your element. I didn't think I ever assumed you were an incompetent architect. Are there no good independent specification consultants in Texas? However, if you aren't going to write another spec for six years I wouldn't bother. You could buy a license for it if the MasterWorks plugin is too cumbersome to use.
Try finding other commercially available master guide specifications that have as much content as Arcom and you'll see MasterSpec in a different light.Īrcom recently purchased Interspec which develops E-specs, a true stand alone spec writing software package. You still need to provide content though, and that's really the value in Arcom's MasterSpec. I've been hearing good things about a new spec writing plugin called VisiSpecs. The aren't going to write the section for you though, that's your job as a licensed professional. MasterSpecs evaluation sheets are packed with useful information. MasterSpec's Word plugin sucks, I'll give you that, but I have no sympathy for an architect that doesn't understand how to edit a spec or which section something should go in. I was deeply disappointed to see that it has evolved so little except in cost. Masterspec has been around for decades now.
But most of us architects don't specialize in spec-writing, and when called upon to do it, it should not be a completely brain-damagingly difficult task. I've edited enough specs to know to start from the last page and work to the front, because invariably the product that best applies is buried later in the document. A really helpful guide would tell me in which section I should place certain items, and in which section they don't belong, and why.
There is also a total lack of illustrative examples. There is a total lack of comparative information in the so-called support section. There is a narrative for each specification section, but it gives little if any guidance on how to edit down the section and eliminate choices. Trust me, you will be as lost was you ever were trying to figure out things like which of 12 different millwork finishing systems to use, or what the differences are between spec sections with similar sounding titles. The Arcom website has all these promises of fabulous, detailed support. I had to watch an hour-long tutorial on their website to figure out how the program worked. The graphics are lousy, and the interface is non-intuitive. It isn't even really a stand-alone program, it's sort of a Microsoft Word add-on. It was dreadfully expensive, over $1100 for a one-year subscription. So I just bought the Arcom Masterspec software for a client's project. I haven't had to write a full-blown spec in a long time, probably six years or so.