Terminology used across the Synthspec product and this help center. Each term is defined once here; articles link to this page rather than redefining terms.
RCP
Reflected ceiling plan — a drawing showing the layout of a ceiling as if reflected onto a mirror on the floor. Lighting fixture instances are counted from RCPs.
Also called: reflected ceiling plan | See also: Sheet, Fixture type
Fixture schedule
A drawing-set element listing every lighting fixture type used in the project, including catalog model, lamp/driver details, mounting, and notes. Synthspec parses the fixture schedule to seed the takeoff.
Also called: LFS, lighting fixture schedule, schedule of lighting fixtures | See also: Fixture type, Variant
Emergency variant
A fixture instance that runs on emergency backup power — battery, inverter, or generator-fed circuit. For takeoff purposes, emergency-tagged instances are counted separately from their standard counterparts even when the catalog model is identical.
Also called: EM, EMD, EMI, EM-GEN, emergency variants | See also: Fixture type, Variant
Fixture type
A distinct lighting fixture in the project, identified by a tag like A, A1, or F2. Each fixture type maps to one row of the fixture schedule.
Also called: type, fixture tag | See also: Fixture schedule, Variant
Variant
A modifier applied to a fixture type that changes how it is counted — most commonly an emergency tag or a length suffix on a length-mode fixture.
See also: Emergency variant, Length-mode fixture
Length-mode fixture
A fixture sold by length rather than by piece — typical of linear pendants and continuous-row fixtures. Counted by total linear feet rather than instance count.
Also called: linear fixture, continuous-row fixture | See also: Fixture type, Takeoff
Takeoff
The output of a Synthspec project — a count of every fixture instance, broken down by fixture type and variant, used as input to a bid.
Also called: count | See also: BoM
BoM
Bill of materials — the export format that lists every fixture type, variant, and quantity needed to build the bid. Synthspec produces a BoM from the approved takeoff.
Also called: bill of materials | See also: Takeoff
Sheet
A single page of a drawing set, identified by a sheet number like E-101 (electrical plan, sheet 01). Synthspec processes one sheet at a time.
Also called: drawing sheet, sheets | See also: Title block, RCP
Title block
The metadata region of a drawing sheet — typically bottom-right — containing project name, sheet number, sheet title, revision, and stamp. Synthspec reads the title block to identify and route the sheet.
See also: Sheet
Drawing set
The full collection of construction drawings for a project, delivered as one or more PDFs. Synthspec accepts a single combined PDF per project — if the architectural and electrical sets arrive separately, combine them before upload.
Also called: drawing package, plan set | See also: Sheet, Fixture schedule
Fixture instance
A single placement of a fixture type on an RCP — one symbol on one sheet. Distinct from the fixture type, which is the catalog-level row in the fixture schedule. Counts are sums of fixture instances per type.
Also called: instance, placement, fixture instances | See also: Fixture type, RCP, Takeoff
Diagram region
A rectangle Synthspec draws on a sheet to mark an area of interest — either an RCP (where fixtures are counted) or a fixture schedule (where the schedule is parsed). Estimators confirm, adjust, or delete diagram regions during setup before the takeoff runs.
Also called: diagram regions, region, regions, bounding box | See also: RCP, Fixture schedule, Sheet