Autodesk Navisworks: Practical Tips and Tricks from Seven ...
Transcript of Autodesk Navisworks: Practical Tips and Tricks from Seven ...
Autodesk Navisworks: Practical Tips and Tricks from
Seven Years in the Construction Industry Josh Lowe – TURIS Systems Brady O’Brien – TURIS Systems
CR2852
Learning Objectives At the end of this class, you will be able to:
Explain how Clash Detective can become your best friend
List easy ways to use TimeLiner
Make templates for Navisworks
Use Animator effectively
About the Speaker
Josh Lowe is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, where he received a Bachelor of
Science degree in architectural studies and a certificate in urban planning. In 2004, Josh joined the J.H.
Findorff & Son team, where he is was a construction visualization and integration specialist. TURIS
Systems was formed in 2011 as a technology spin off from JH Findorff & son where he is not a Project
Lead. He is responsible for integrating trades during construction as well as promoting Lean construction
by leveraging the power of building information models in the field to increase productivity. In addition to
the utilization of BIM models for projects, Josh also is involved in the research and development of new
BIM applications and recently contributed to Mastering Autodesk Revit Architecture 2012.
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The User Interface (UI)
Home
Summary
The Home tab is up the most on our screens. Most of the quick access links to toolbars are located here.
Viewpoint
Summary
The Viewpoint tab allows for creation of views, playback of animations, navigation options and styles.
Review
Summary
The Review tab is used to access measure, redline and tagging tools.
Animation
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Summary
The animation tab is an additional location where animations can be recorded and played back. The scripting can
be turned on and off in this tab.
View
Summary
The View tab is used for navigation tools as well as changing the scene appearance.
Output
Summary
The Output tab is where all export options are accessed.
Item Tools
Summary
The Item Tools tab appears once an element is selected. It allows for transformation and the appearance of
elements. You can also access the link tools to add document and hyperlinks to the elements.
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The Tools
Clash Detection The Clash Detection tool allows users to create and name new clash tests. It allows users to create and apply rules, select files associated with clash tests, add clearance tolerances to selections, manage the results of the clash tests and create reports.
Rules Tab
Select Tab
Key Points
Can help with standardization
Useful for automation of tasks
Key Points
Verify search sets work prior to
applying to your template
clash tests
Check clearances and make
sure they are appropriate
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Results Tab
Report Tab
Key Points
We have found the most useful
visibility settings are highlight
all, transparent dimming and
auto zoom
When managing clashes inside
of the clash detective tool we
have found grouping to be
highly beneficial to the
workflow
Key Points
The reports are viewable in
Freedom
We have found running tests
separate to be beneficial so
trades can focus on only their
issues
Exportable
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Templates
Template files do not exist in Navisworks like they do in Revit. Creating a template file is better described as
creating a standard .nwf file using empty files that will be replaced later.
Using “dummy” files for template creation
To create our template files we use blank files with our naming convention applied and append them all
into the “template” file so that we have a basis for all search sets and clash tests. Once the file is complete
and all standards are set up the file is saved to a accessible location. When a new project is started the
entire file structure is copied and renamed. The .nwf file is renamed for the specific project. The actual
project files are loaded in and all of the “dummy” files are deleted and will not be needed again.
How to use search sets in templates
First of all to utilize search sets for a template you need to develop strict naming standards and a method
of distribution for all projects. You need to develop a template to work around your existing workflow but
to be successful you must create standards.
In our case we developed our naming conventions to be flexible. See the example below.
The Lighting file is
selected in the selection
tree. We use its property
values to base our
search sets on.
The category tabs across the
top of the Properties dialog
box allow us to choose a
Category in the “Find Items”
dialog box. In this case we
want to select based on the
files name and the name is
located under the Item tab.
The value for the lighting file is
“Lighting”. However to create the
remaining search sets for all other
standard file types the “Value” is the only
thing that needs to be modified to make
any additional sets.
The condition in this case we want to be
used for a flexible application. “Contains”
allows for a flexible naming convention
because all that is necessary for the
template to work is that the file name
contain the word “Lighting”.
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Using search sets for setting up Clash Tests
To create our template files we use blank files with our naming convention applied and append them all
into the “template” file so that we have a basis for all search sets and clash tests. Once the file is complete
and all standards are set up the file is saved to a accessible location. When a new project is started the
entire file structure is copied and renamed. The .nwf file is renamed for the specific project. The actual
project files are loaded in and all of the “dummy” files are deleted and will not be needed again.
Using the Appearance Profiler
The appearance profiler can be used to apply a standard color scheme based on a variety of property data. In this
example we are using the file naming conventions so that we can use the search sets shown above.
1. Select the search set to base the color application by
2. Choose the color
3. Click “Add”
4. Repeat as necessary
5. Run the profile to make sure it functions properly
6. Save the .DAT file so the color scheme can be imported
to any .nwf file.
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Using tagging to track and resolve issues There are many ways to manage a long list of clashes and one strategy we have found to be successful is using tags and viewpoints. We have found this strategy to be highly effective on fast tracked collaborative projects. Below is an example of a potential workflow.
1. Using the clash detection tool run a clash test and use the highlight all display option. Focus areas as opposed to going through individual clashes look at the area and assign tasks by trade to resolve coordination issues. This method allows for one task to resolve multiple clashes without needing to group and review individually. When an issue is identified and a task has been assigned a tag is added.
2. Navigate to a view that will show the issue clearly. Place the tag by clicking on the source of the
issue and the second click where you want the number to appear (notice that a viewpoint appears
when you complete the second click). When adding comments one approach is to use a standard
list of coordination participants such as “plumber” so when assigning tasks you always include
the participants name prior to the action that needs to take place. The viewpoints are organized
into a folder structure by trade and by subcontractor or A/E action. This is very important for
the next step, resolution.
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3. One of the benefits of this method is that the resolution phase with the subcontractors and A/E’s
only requires Navisworks Freedom. Issues can be found in the appropriate folders or by
searching comments.
If you do not see either the Comments or Viewpoints windows turn them on by the following
method.
4. This process can be adjusted to be as formal tracking with spreadsheets and issue logs to keeping
it all in the model and notifying completion based on tag # through email.
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TimeLiner
Tasks Tab
Data Sources Tab
Configure Tab
Key Points
Use rules to your
advantage to automate
based upon standards.
Import schedules
Start simple!
Naming conventions are
critical
Key Points
Updating schedules are
as easy as right clicking
and selecting “rebuild”
Key Points
Allows for the creation of
appearance colors and
transparency
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Simulate Tab
Templates
Creating templates for schedule integration in Timeliner is similar to setting one up for clash detection. Naming
convention is the primary focus especially for schedule integration. One example below shows how we animate self-
performed concrete sequencing. To start we created a standard Microsoft Project schedule (because our project
managers are using it). This schedule is used on every project and is prepopulated with the tasks. And just like the
clash detection template once everything is set up with our “dummy” files we save the file out as an .nwf to be copied
and renamed for new projects.
Key Points
Settings allow you to
adjust you playback
duration and how you
want your animation set-
up.
Similar to our clash detection
template it all starts with a
standard set or search sets
that are driven by our Revit
standards.
Task naming conventions
were created to match the
search set naming convention.
This allows for an easy rule to
be established automating
model linking to the standard
schedule.
In this case we applied a rule to map
selection sets to tasks with the same name.
Once the rule is applied Timeliner
automates the mapping making it an easily
repeatable application of BIM to a
construction project.
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Animator
The Animator tool is great for anything from a quick visualization to a full utilization marketing piece. The
animator is not the best tool for high end rendering for some of these applications we turn to 3ds Max. But for the
majority of our technical animations Navisworks does the trick and is easily learned.
How to have better control over a viewpoint animation
One way to create animations and the first way most people learn is by doing a quick viewpoint animation. The
steps are shown below.
Right click on the Saved
Viewpoints window and
select “Add Animation”.
Name the animation
Navigate in the model to the
starting location view of the
animation. Right click on the
new animation we just added
and select “Save Viewpoint”. Continue locate key point of
the animation and create
viewpoints for each. You
have just created a quick
animation that can be
exported or played directly in
Navisworks.
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We just created an animation however you have very little control over the animation speed and editing. This is a
good strategy for a quick visualization but for marketing and animations that require a higher level of control and
the ability to edit, the Animator tool has advantages.
You do not need to abandon viewpoint animations all together it is still a good way to start an animation. To
demonstrate how to get better control over our animations we will use the viewpoint animation we just created. To
set up your animation in the Animator tool follow the steps below.
Navigate in the model to the
starting location view of the
animation. Right click on the
new animation we just added
and select “Save Viewpoint”.
To set up the viewpoint animation in the
Animator Scene, right click on the Scene and
select add camera and then “From current
viewpoint animation”.
Animation viewpoints are
converted to key frames in the
animator timeline.
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Now that the animation viewpoints are in the Scene timeline they can be move around to modify speed. If more
points along the animation path need to be added to speed up or slow down any part of the animation it is easily
done.
Presenter
The presenter tool allows for material application within the Navisworks program. The presenter tool can be used
to standardize the look of models from project to project. It can also be used to add more realistic looking materials
for presentation purposes.
Palette standardization
Palette standardization is important. It allows our project managers to become aware of what systems are what
colors from by maintaining consistency from project to project.
To save a standard palette for use on
future projects right click in the palette
space and select “Save Palette As…”
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Scripter
The scripter tool can be useful for presentations to be able to make animations play or make other actions occur
based on specific key strokes or other actions.
Creating a basic script
Creating a script is an easy process that can be used for a variety of reasons. We are going to create an example
below based on an existing animation and a key stroke.
Name the script
Click on “Add New Script”
Since we are making this script to be
activated by a key stroke, click on “On
Key Press”.
After selecting “Play Animation” as
shown below we need to set the
animation we want to play.
Click on play animation because when
we click on a key we want an animation
to play.
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After selecting the animation to be
played select “On Key Press” from the
Events menu and in the Properties select
in the Key area and press the key you
want to activate the animation.
Enable Scripts must be selected for the
script we just created to work. The
Active box must also be selected in the
Animator tool as well.