Mastering autodesk navisworks 2013

Table of Contents Title Page Copyright Publisher's Note Dedication Acknowledgments About the Authors Foreword Introduction Who Should Read this Book? What You Will Learn The Mastering Series How to Contact the Authors Part 1: Navisworks Basics Chapter 1: Getting to Know Autodesk Navisworks Interface Organization Exploring the Ribbon Status Bar, Performance Indicators, and Context Menus The Bottom Line Chapter 2: Files and File Types Navisworks File Types File Aggregation Object Enablers The Bottom Line Chapter 3: Moving around the Model Using the Navigation Bar Panning and Zooming Learning to Walk and Fly Using the Orbit and Look Tools Using the ViewCube and SteeringWheels The Bottom Line Chapter 4: Climbing the Selection Tree Discovering Object Properties Managing Models Navigating the Selection Tree Exploring Selection Tree Options The Bottom Line Chapter 5: Model Snapshots: Viewpoints, Animations, and Sections Understanding Viewpoints Creating Animations Using Sections The Bottom Line Part 2: Simulation and Clash Detection Chapter 6: Documenting Your Project Using the Measure Tools Marking Up with the Redline Tools The Bottom Line Chapter 7: 4D Sequencing with TimeLiner Introducing TimeLiner 4D Simulation Best Practices The Bottom Line Chapter 8: Clash Detection Starting Clash Detection Working with Rules in Clash Detective Clashing Objects Understanding Clash Results Clash Reports The Bottom Line Part 3: Advanced Navisworks Tools Chapter 9: Creating Visualizations Presenter Overview Applying Materials Lighting the Model Enhancing Scenes with RPC Completing the Scene with Effects Rendering Additional Presenter Tools The Bottom Line Chapter 10: Animating Objects Animator Overview Manipulating Geometry Animating Section Planes Exporting Animations The Bottom Line Chapter 11: Giving Objects Life and Action with Scripter Introducing Scripter Using Events and Actions The Bottom Line Chapter 12: Collaborating outside of Navisworks Exploring the NWD File Automating with Command-Line Switches Extending Navisworks to External Applications Examining Other Export Options Customizing with the Navisworks API The Bottom Line Chapter 13: Other Useful Navisworks Tools Model Data Tools The Project Browser in Depth Mastering Links Gearing Up for Your Next Project The Bottom Line Chapter 14: Managing BIM Workflows Leveraging Navisworks in BIM Contractor Workflow with John Mack of Herrero Contractors, Inc Contractor Workflow with Art Theusch, The Christman Company Civil Workflow with Roberta Oldenburg of Mortenson Construction The Bottom Line Appendix A: The Bottom Line Chapter 1: Getting to Know Autodesk Navisworks Chapter 2: Files and File Types Chapter 3: Moving around the Model Chapter 4: Climbing the Selection Tree Chapter 5: Model Snapshots: Viewpoints, Animations, and Sections Chapter 6: Documenting Your Project Chapter 7: 4D Sequencing with TimeLiner Chapter 8: Clash Detection Chapter 9: Creating Visualizations Chapter 10: Animating Objects Chapter 11: Giving Objects Life and Action with Scripter Chapter 12: Collaborating Outside of Navisworks Chapter 13: Other Useful Navisworks Tools Chapter 14: Managing BIM Workflows Appendix B: Best Practices and Supplementary Information Optimizing Performance Securing the Global Options Editor Supported File Types Getting Help Changing the Third Person Avatar Figure Selected Glossary Index Senior Acquisitions Editor: Willem Knibbe Development Editor: Kelly Talbot Technical Editor: Michael N Smith Production Editor: Elizabeth Britten Copy Editor: Linda Recktenwald Editorial Manager: Pete Gaughan Production Manager: Tim Tate Vice President and Executive Group Publisher: Richard Swadley Vice President and Publisher: Neil Edde Book Designer: Judy Fung and Maureen Forys, Happenstance Type-O-Rama Proofreader: Paul Sagan, Word One New York Indexer: Ted Laux Project Coordinator, Cover: Katherine Crocker Cover Designer: Ryan Sneed Cover Image: © Pete Gardner/DigitalVision/Getty Images Copyright © 2012 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Indianapolis, Indiana Published simultaneously in Canada ISBN: 978-1-118-28171-0 ISBN: 978-1-118-33354-9 (ebk.) ISBN: 978-1-118-33070-8 (ebk.) ISBN: 978-1-118-33470-6 (ebk.) No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning or otherwise, except as permitted under Sections 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act, without either the prior written permission of the Publisher, or authorization through payment of the appropriate per-copy fee to the Copyright Clearance Center, 222 Rosewood Drive, Danvers, MA 01923, (978) 750-8400, fax (978) 646-8600 Requests to the Publisher for permission should be addressed to the Permissions Department, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030, (201) 748-6011, fax (201) 748-6008, or online at www.wiley.com/go/permissions Limit of Liability/Disclaimer of Warranty: The publisher and the author make no representations or warranties with respect to the accuracy or completeness of the contents of this work and specifically disclaim all warranties, including without limitation warranties of fitness for a particular purpose No warranty may be created or extended by sales or promotional materials The advice and strategies contained herein may not be suitable for every situation This work is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional services If professional assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought Neither the publisher nor the author shall be liable for damages arising herefrom The fact that an organization or Web site is referred to in this work as a citation and/or a potential source of further information does not mean that the author or the publisher endorses the information the organization or Web site may provide or recommendations it may make Further, readers should be aware that Internet Web sites listed in this work may have changed or disappeared between when this work was written and when it is read For general information on our other products and services or to obtain technical support, please contact our Customer Care Department within the U.S at (877) 762-2974, outside the U.S at (317) 572-3993 or fax (317) 572-4002 Wiley publishes in a variety of print and electronic formats and by print-on-demand Some material included with standard print versions of this book may not be included in e-books or in print-on-demand If this book refers to media such as a CD or DVD that is not included in the version you purchased, you may download this material at http://booksupport.wiley.com For more information about Wiley products, visit www.wiley.com Library of Congress Control Number: 2012941757 TRADEMARKS: Wiley, the Wiley logo, and the Sybex logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of John Wiley & Sons, Inc and/or its affiliates, in the United States and other countries, and may not be used without written permission Autodesk and Navisworks are registered trademarks of Autodesk, Inc All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners John Wiley & Sons, Inc is not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book Dear Reader, Thank you for choosing Mastering Autodesk Navisworks 2013 This book is part of a family of premium-quality Sybex books, all of which are written by outstanding authors who combine practical experience with a gift for teaching Sybex was founded in 1976 More than 30 years later, we're still committed to producing consistently exceptional books With each of our titles, we're working hard to set a new standard for the industry From the paper we print on to the authors we work with, our goal is to bring you the best books available I hope you see all that reflected in these pages I'd be very interested to hear your comments and get your feedback on how we're doing Feel free to let me know what you think about this or any other Sybex book by sending me an email at nedde@wiley.com If you think you've found a technical error in this book, please visit http://sybex.custhelp.com Customer feedback is critical to our efforts at Sybex Wow, what an adventure! I don't think it would have been possible without someone on the other end Thank you, sweetheart, for the patience and understanding you have provided There are many times I may have lost my sanity along the way To my many colleagues who have been able to add ideas as well, I have appreciated the support all along journey I have appreciated writing this book with you as well, Scott Thank you — Jason First and foremost, to my best friend and partner in crime, Jojo—I could not have done this without you You always believe in me Special thanks go to Mom, Dad, and my family for their love and support, C&J for their unwavering company, and my many colleagues at Autodesk who have challenged and inspired me — Scott Require command Reset All option clash detection tools Reset Appearance option Reset To Current property Reset Transform tool Reset transforms, overriding resolution of selections Resolve dialog box Resolved status for clashes Restore Default Ribbon option restoring viewpoints Results settings Clash Detective version comparisons Retain Start Dates option reusable equipment libraries reusing Search Sets Reverse Play tool Animator toolbar TimeLiner window Review tab Comments panel Measure panel Redline panel Tags panel Reviewed status for clashes revision clouds Revit exporting files SwitchBack tool working with files Rewind tool Animator toolbar SteeringWheels TimeLiner window RFIs (requests for information) ribbon Animation tab Home tab Item Tools tab Output tab Review tab View tab Viewport tab Rich Photorealistic Content (RPC) right-click menus roll Roll Angle setting Rotate animation set tool Rotate gizmo animation sections Rotate transforms, overriding rotating animation loaded files scenes sections RPC (Rich Photorealistic Content) RPC Editor rules Clash Detective linking tasks Presenter scripts TimeLiner Rules Editor Clash Detective TimeLiner Rules settings Clash Detective Presenter Run dialog box Run panel for Clash Detective S Safe Mode workspace safety modeling in 4D simulations Save As dialog box Save As option Save As Selection Sets option Save Changes option Save Each Difference As Set option Save, Load & Playback panel Save option Save Output As dialog box Save Output dialog box Save Selection tool Save Viewpoint option Save Viewpoint tool Save Workspace option saved attributes Saved Attributes option Saved Viewpoints Dialog Launcher tool Saved Viewpoints palette saving documentation in viewpoints files viewpoints Scale animation set tool Scale gizmo animation sections Scale option embedded animations loaded files Scale transforms, overriding Scene Lights tab Scene Lights tool Scene Picker tool Scene Statistics dialog box Scene Statistics tool Scene View settings Schedule tab Schedule Task dialog box schedules Batch utility exporting external conceptualizing linking mapping models to model-based multiple task types for TimeLiner See TimeLiner Script panel Scripter setting Scripter tool actions See actions, Scripter tool events See events, Scripter tool overview scripts creating and managing enabling and disabling Scripter window Scripts view SDK (Software Development Kit) for Primavera files Search option Search Sets adding, removing, and updating items for clashing creating exporting and reusing Search Sets tool Search tab for help searching among 3D and 2D objects comments Search Sets for See Search Sets unattached and uncontained items Section Plane Settings dialog box section planes animating linking Sectioning panel Sectioning Tools tab sections Box mode gizmo Planes mode projects transforming securing Options Editor Select All options Select and Search panel Select Current option Select Data Source dialog box Select None option Select option for clashes Select Options To Export window Select Primavera Project dialog box Select Same options SELECT SQL command Select tab for clash objects Select tool Selection Inspector Selection Resolution Editor Selection Sets adding, removing, and updating items for clashing drag and drop working with Selection settings selection tree Compact tab Compare tool display overrides File Units and Transform feature model visibility settings Properties tab selection resolution Sets tab Standard tab Selection Tree tool Selection Tree window selections clash objects highlighting resolution terminology Self Intersect option for clash objects Send By Email tool Send Message actions Send tab sending files Separate All Lines option sequencing with TimeLiner See TimeLiner Set Current View As Home option Set Equal To operator Set From Current Selection option On Collision events Store Property actions Set From Current Selection Set option On Collision events Store Property actions Set property On Collision events Store Property actions Set Selection property Set Variable actions Sets settings clash object selection selection tree Sets tool Sets window Settings tab Setup option for ODBC drivers severity of clashes Shaded model Shaded option rendering selection highlighting shadows shape merge threshold shared coordinates sharing data model files shortcuts civil workflows desktop Shortest Distance tool Show Actual Dates button Show All Tasks In Interval option Show Gantt Chart option Show Grid option Show/Hide Gantt Chart button Show Internal Properties option Show Links option Show Measurement Values In Scene View option Show Part(s) property Show Planned Dates button Show Planned vs Actual Dates button Show Tilt Bar tool Show Time option Show Title Bars tool Show Viewpoint actions Simple shaded render style Simulate tab in TimeLiner window embedding animations exporting simulations playback buttons simulation settings TimeLiner settings Simulation option for clashes Simulation Settings dialog box Simulation Start Appearance setting simulations See 4D simulations site logistics 4D simulations planning sites animation coordination with utilization planning 64-bit drivers size and Size settings animation exports Scripter window simulation exports simulation text Sketch render style Sky environment Sky lighting Smoothing setting Snap Points tool snap settings Snapping setting Snow environment software BIM civil workflows Software Development Kit (SDK) in Primavera files solids in civil workflows Sort By Proximity option sources and Source settings animation exports comments exporting files from TimeLiner data See Data Sources tab in TimeLiner window spatial coordinationD speakers in promises Specific Time option speed settings frame rate Walk Speed tab Sphere option Sphere On Selection option Split By Color option Split View tool Spot lighting SQL Server Login dialog box SQL String setting staffing in BIM standalone Primavera files Standard archive Standard Categories for links Standard render styles Standard tab for selection tree Standard view for clash object selection standards in civil workflows Start Appearance setting Start Clash Detection option Start/End Dates setting start events Start option for actions Starting At property Starting command for events Status Bar status icons Status information for clashes steel vs concrete study SteeringWheels SteeringWheels setting Step Back tool Animator toolbar TimeLiner window Step Forward tool Animator toolbar TimeLiner window Stereo panel Stereo settings Stop Animation actions Stop tool animations Animator toolbar TimeLiner window Store Property actions Straighten tool stress testing in BIM models String property String Type option styles, render Subcontractor Cost setting subfolders Subject setting submittals, linked Subscription Center option Suhr, Jim Sun lighting supported file types SureTrak Primavera files Surfaces geometry type for clash objects surfaces in civil workflows Surfaces tool Switchback feature SwitchBack tool Synchronization ID setting Synchronize Angular/Linear Speeds setting synchronizing tasks System options System Properties dialog box T Tag ID tool Tag Selection tool tags Clash Detective locating renumbering Tags panel Task Name setting Task tab Task Type setting Tasks area Tasks tab in TimeLiner window automatic operations columns exporting schedules linking in external project schedules manual operations teams BIM civil workflows Templates archive templates for rules Temporary task type terminology Test panel in Clash Detective tests clash new technologies and ideas text clash reports Redline tools simulations Text tool Texture Space Editor dialog box Texture Space tool Theusch, Art Thickness tool for Redlines Third Person Avatar and settings changing realism for safety viewpoints Walk 3D coordination civil workflows contractor workflow 3D DWF tool 3D models clash detection and avoidance defined DWF/DWFx format spatial coordination 3Dconnexion setting 32-bit drivers Thumbnails icon tilt angle defined Orbit Walk time-based clashes time for rendering Time Position tool Time Step option timeline view TimeLiner 4D simulations See 4D simulations animations for availability context menus drag and drop tasks importing costs overview settings TimeLiner window Configure tab Data Sources tab See Data Sources tab in TimeLiner window Simulate tab See Simulate tab in TimeLiner window Tasks tab See Tasks tab in TimeLiner window TimeLiner CSV tool TimeLiner Rules dialog box TimeLiner Simulation option TimeLiner tool timelines in contractor workflow timer events timescale bar Tinted option Title setting Toggle Snapping tool Tolerance setting clashes snaps tolerances, model toolbars Animator Help Quick Access Tools panel Tools settings tooltips tracking changes in BIM trades, simulating training plans in BIM transferring data Transform dialog box for viewpoints Transform panel Transform Selected Items command Transform tool transformations File Units and Transform feature overriding sections Transforms tool Translate animation set tool Translate Object tool Translation gizmo translations animation measurements transparency appearance definitions interactive overriding Presenter Transparent Dimming option Trigger On property On Animation events On Key Press events Trigger When property triggers for events tweening Twilight Overcast background 2D Graphics settings types, lighting U unattached and uncontained items, finding Undefined operator Undo feature Clear Palette settings Unhide All command Uniformat codes units civil workflows modifying Units and Transform dialog box Unrequire All command up direction in Orbit Up/Down option Update All option updating and Update option animations clash detection files selection set items viewpoints upgrading software URLs, opening files by Use ADT Standard Configuration option Use Aspect Ratio option Use Center Lines setting Use Highest Quality Use Point Cloud Colors option Use View option user-defined archives User Defined Categories for links user-defined fields user-defined properties User Interface setting user names User option for Send Message actions V Value property On Variable events Set Variable actions Value tab for Search Sets Variable property Variable Name property Variable To Set property Variable Type property variables for events Vault VDC (virtual design and construction) VDC managers Vector render style versions comparing files NWD files Video Compression dialog box Video Compressor option View Comments tool View In Context settings View tab ViewCube setting ViewCube tool Compass disappearing Home view pivot points SteeringWheels views viewing files on Web Viewpoint Defaults setting Viewpoint tab Camera panel Export tab Navigate panel Render Style panel Save, Load & Playback panel Sectioning Tools tab viewpoint up vector viewpoints animation from Animator with clash detection defined editing and updating exporting folders overview saving saving documentation in Viewpoints tool Viewpoints Report tool views clash object selection Split View feature TimeLiner ViewCube virtual big rooms virtual design and construction (VDC) visibility of models Visibility panel Visible option for links vision in BIM visualizations civil workflows effects lighting materials with Presenter See Presenter tool rendering RPCs visuals panel volume color W Walk Speed setting Walk tool for safety SteeringWheels working with, 84 walkthrough animations WBSs (work breakdown structures) Web, viewing files on Web Server Bar Web Services in Primavera WebEx service weekly work plans (WWPs) Wheel Views option wildcard characters Search Sets Set Variable actions Window Size dialog box Windows AVI option Windows Bitmap option Windows panel Windows Registry Windows Run dialog box Wireframe model Wireframe view and options rendering selection highlighting vertices With Item Selected menu work area color work breakdown structures (WBSs) Workspace panel Write Report option writing clash reports WWPs (weekly work plans) X X Leader Offset setting XML files clash reports clash tests exporting to viewpoints XYZ Axes display XYZ Axes option Y Y Leader Offset setting Z Zoom Slide button zooming and Zoom tools overriding SteeringWheels TimeLiner tasks Zoom All tool Zoom Selected tool Zoom Window tool ... Welcome to Mastering Autodesk Navisworks 2013 This book is based on the 2013 release of Navisworks and covers tools for the three different versions of Navisworks: Simulate, Manage, and Freedom Autodesk ... www.sybex.com/go/masteringnavisworks2013 To download a trial version of Navisworks, go to www .autodesk. com /navisworks, where you will also be able to find complete system requirements for running Navisworks. .. Manage, and Freedom Autodesk Navisworks 2013 pushes the boundaries of BIM technology and boldly takes construction and design to new levels Mastering Autodesk Navisworks 2013 is the comprehensive