Note: Spec Planner and Schedules are currently only available to Beta users. General availability is expected in March 2025.
Ready to unlock the full power of our features without feeling like you’ve stepped into a labyrinth? Great! Let’s walk through how to navigate the app—no map required.
This overview will guide you through the three main sections of the platform:
The top bar
The Logo on the left is your quick link back to the homepage at any time.
In the center, you'll find the materials search bar. Acelab has a robust and sophisticated product database with over 100,000 building products across categories, vendors, and regions. Just type what you need, and our AI will find you product options.
If you need assistance, our quiz will guide you through an interactive process to optimize results for performance, sustainability, cost, and regional factors.
For more info on a product, message an Acelab expert or a product rep directly within the app. Your conversations will be neatly stored in your project workspace for future reference.
These conversations can be easily accessed through the conversations icon.
Over to the right, your profile picture and name give you access to your account. If you’re an admin, you also get the keys to company settings, collaborator invites, and permission controls.
The Left-Side Menu
The top section focuses on general navigation.
Like the logo on the top bar, the Home button brings you back to this homepage.
Projects grants access to all your projects, including ones you’ve created or been invited to. You can also start new projects from here.
Firm Library: This is like your firm’s knowledge hub. Products, standards, and institutional knowledge live here, ready to grow and evolve with your team.
Resources is where you can learn more about materials science, our vendors, Acelab and everything you need to excel in materials decision-making.
Like the search bar at the top, Product Search allows you to search for products. But here you can better direct your search.
The Visual Search will take you to an interactive Quiz.
In Products, you may search by product category.
Manufacturers allows you to search for products from specific manufacturers.
The lower section of the menu is project-specific, featuring tools designed to streamline your journey from project planning to material selection and documentation.
The project you're currently working on appears at the top of this section. To switch projects, click the arrow to see other projects.
Project Info shows project details, attachments, and collaborators.
Search History is a handy time machine featuring your past searches.
If you are feeling indecisive, use Comparisons to look at products side by side and see the data laid neatly clearly.
Spec Planner (Beta) works as your project's roadmap for material decisions.You can start by creating a checklist of products you will need, then access a live view of product selections to catch gaps ahead of milestones. Once everything is approved, you may publish your overview spec with the click of a button.
Schedules (Beta) helps you create, customize, and share schedules with owners, contractors, and consultants to coordinate decisions efficiently. You will be able to facilitate approvals and selections that integrate directly into the Spec Planner.
Conversations allows you to manage all the communication with product vendors and experts. No more relying on your memory or searching through emails to find old conversations. Better yet, your conversations are easily accessible to your team.
The workspace
Here’s where the magic happens. The workspace adapts to your activity and might look different every time you log in.
When you’re new, it might feel a little empty—like a blank canvas. But as you dive into projects, this space transforms into a dynamic hub with:
Your projects, templates, and firm library.
You can also create projects right from here and check info on upcoming webinars.
That’s a wrap!
Now you’re ready to navigate the Materials Hub like a pro. Dive in, explore, and—most importantly—have fun! When you’re ready to learn more, check out the resources below.
📚 Keep Learning 📚
Next: Setting Up Your Account Profile