Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate 2009 User Manual Autodesk, Inc.
Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate 2009: User Manual Autodesk, Inc. Copyright © 2007 Autodesk, Inc. Revision 6.1.46140 Autodesk, Inc. reserves the right to make changes in specification at any time and without notice. The information furnished by Autodesk, Inc. in this publication is believed to be accurate; however, no responsibility is assumed for its use, nor for any infringement of patents or other rights of third parties resulting from its use.
Contents Part 1. Welcome to Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate 2009 .............................................................. 1 Chapter 1. Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate 2009 Readme ...................................................... 2 Installing Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate 2009 .............................................................. 2 Customer Involvement Program ....................................................................................2 Product Notes .....................................
Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate 2009 Is there a checklist I can refer to when performing a deployment? ........................... 43 Where should deployments be located? ................................................................ 43 Where can I check if service packs are available for my software? .......................... 43 Networking Issues .......................................................................................................44 Where do I find my server name? .......................
Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate 2009 3DS Files ............................................................................................................84 DGN and PRP Files ............................................................................................. 85 MAN Files ...........................................................................................................88 PDS Files ............................................................................................................
Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate 2009 Chapter 13. Selecting Items ................................................................................................. 157 Selection Trees ...........................................................................................................157 Interactive Selection .....................................................................................................159 Select Mode .................................................................................
Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate 2009 Performance Options ...................................................................................................202 Presenter Options ........................................................................................................204 Chapter 17. Viewpoints ........................................................................................................207 Saving Viewpoints ...............................................................................
Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate 2009 Using the Manual Entry Boxes ...................................................................................... 268 Chapter 22. Interface ...........................................................................................................270 The Main Interface Components ................................................................................... 270 The Menu Bar .............................................................................................
Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate 2009 Advanced Materials .....................................................................................................341 Chapter 30. Presenter Lighting ............................................................................................. 344 Lighting Tab ................................................................................................................344 Adding and Positioning Lights .................................................................
Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate 2009 Section Plane Set ........................................................................................................411 Adding Section Plane Sets ................................................................................... 411 Manipulating Sectional Cuts .................................................................................411 Keyframes ..................................................................................................................
Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate 2009 Primavera Project Management 4 and 5 ................................................................ 475 Asta Power Project ..............................................................................................476 Adding and Managing Links ......................................................................................... 476 Adding Links .......................................................................................................
Part 1. Welcome to Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate 2009 Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate 2009 software provides 4D analysis and visualization that enables design professionals to share and combine output for clear, descriptive content that helps demonstrate design intent and validate decisions. Entire projects can be replicated with dynamic, photorealistic views and 4D construction schedules to demonstrate and clarify all options.
Chapter 1. Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate 2009 Readme This section contains late-breaking information about Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate 2009. For new and updated information about all Autodesk© products, visit our website at http://www.autodesk.com.
Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate 2009 Readme What does CIP not track? • There is no way for CIP to track any information related to the user. • There is also no way to track information outside of Autodesk products. To turn CIP on and off: • Turn CIP on or off by going to Help > Customer Involvement Program. The dialog will appear, allowing you to switch it on or off.
Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate 2009 Readme Access the LightWork Design HDRI Resource Page Access the LightWork Design HDRI Starter Collection • Microsoft .NET Framework Earlier versions of Revit (Building 8 / Structures 2) require the .NET Framework version 1.1 to be separately installed. If the .Net Framework version 1.1 is not installed an error message will be displayed when Revit is started. You can download a copy of the .Net Framework version 1.1 by searching for ".Net Framework version 1.
Chapter 2. New Features Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate 2009 contains many new features and enhancements. Interface Enhancements • Object Animation Animate objects across an animation timeline using simple but powerful object manipulation and animation tools. Interact with objects whilst they interact with the viewer, all via new simple but powerful scripting tools.
New Features Support for 64-bit versions of both XP and Vista. File Formats • 3D Text Support Visualization of 3D text from AutoCAD and MicroStation. • Parametric Support Increasing cylinder accuracy, and dramatically reducing the memory footprint of file formats containing them. Of key benefit to the MicroStation exporter and DGN file reader.
Part 2. Installation This section provides step-by-step installation instructions for Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate 2009.
Chapter 3. Quick Start to Stand-Alone Installation This section provides step-by-step instructions about how to install Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate 2009 on your system. You should read the entire Standalone Installation Guide if you have any questions that are not addressed in this Quick Start section. For information about installing network-licensed or multi-seat stand-alone versions of the program, see the Network Installation Guide.
Quick Start to Stand-Alone Installation When you are activating Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate 2009, you are prompted for your serial number. Your serial number is located on the outside of the product package. Make sure to have this number available before you activate the program so that you don't have to stop in the middle of the installation.
Quick Start to Stand-Alone Installation If you are upgrading from an earlier release of NavisWorks, use your new serial number when you register and activate the new release. For more information about registering NavisWorks, see “ Register and Activate NavisWorks ”. How to Launch NavisWorks Assuming that you've followed all of the previous steps outlined in this Quick Start section, you can launch NavisWorks and start taking advantage of its new and updated features.
Chapter 4. Move to NavisWorks from a Previous Release If you have a previous version of NavisWorks installed on your system, you can install Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate 2009 and keep other versions of the program on the same system. This is called a side-by-side installation. If you've purchased a version of Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate 2009, which is labeled as an upgrade, you are required to uninstall the previous version within 120 days of installing Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate 2009.
Chapter 5. Install NavisWorks for an Individual User This section provides instructions for installing and activating your Autodesk products for an individual user on a stand-alone computer. For information about installing network-licensed or multi-seat stand-alone versions of the program, see the Network Installation Guide. The NavisWorks Installation Wizard The Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate 2009 Installation Wizard contains all installation-related material in one place.
Install NavisWorks for an Individual User Hardware and software requirements 512 MB (minimum) Memory (RAM) 2 GB or greater (recommended) 128 meg, 1024 x 768 VGA, True Color (minimum) Display card 256 meg or greater - 1280 x 1024 32-bit color video display adapter, True Color (recommended) Hard disk Installation 800 MB Pointing device MS-Mouse compliant DVD-ROM Any speed (for installation only) Open GL©-compatible 3D video card Printer or plotter Optional hardware Modem or access to an Internet c
Install NavisWorks for an Individual User 5. On the Personalize the Products page, enter your serial number and user information and click Next. The information you enter here is permanent and is displayed in the Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate 2009 window (accessed by Help > About) on your computer. Because you can't change this information later without uninstalling the product, make sure you enter the correct information now. 6.
Install NavisWorks for an Individual User 5. On the Personalize the Products page, enter your serial number and user information and click Next. The information you enter here is permanent and is displayed in the Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate 2009 window (accessed by Help > About) on your computer. Because you can't change this information later without uninstalling the product, make sure you enter the correct information now. 6.
Install NavisWorks for an Individual User 9. On the Configuration Complete page, click Configuration Complete to return to the Review Configure - Install page. Then, click Install. 10. On the Installation Complete page, select View the Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate 2009 Readme if you want to launch the Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate 2009 Help system. 11. Click Finish. You have successfully installed Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate 2009. You are now ready to register your product and start using the program.
Install NavisWorks for an Individual User and activate Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate 2009 in one of the following ways: • Email. Create an email message with your registration information and send it to Autodesk. • Fax or Post/Mail. Enter your registration information, and fax or mail the information to Autodesk. Add or Remove Features You can add or remove Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate 2009 features at any time.
Install NavisWorks for an Individual User NavisWorks might not perform correctly, and you might receive error messages when you try to execute a command or find a file. You can attempt to fix this problem by reinstalling or repairing Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate 2009. The reinstallation or repair uses the features that were part of the installation type you chose when you initially installed the program. To reinstall or repair Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate 2009: 1.
Install NavisWorks for an Individual User 5. When informed that the product has been successfully uninstalled, click Finish. Note: Even though Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate 2009 is removed from your system, the software license remains. If you reinstall Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate 2009 at some future time, you will not have to register and re-activate the program.
Chapter 6. Install NavisWorks for Multiple Users This section provides step-by-step instructions for installing network-licensed or multi-seat stand-alone versions of the Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate 2009. Quick Start to Network Installation Network deployment of this program requires careful planning and execution. If you are not familiar with network administration and deployment, you should read the entire Network Installation Guide before you attempt to deploy and administer the program over a network.
Install NavisWorks for Multiple Users If you chose the Network Installation option, you need to decide which license server model to use to distribute the product licenses. Note: If you are deploying a stand-alone or multi-seat stand-alone installation type, you do not use a license server model. Proceed to “How to Set Up and Distribute the Program”. For the network installation, use one of the following license server models: • Single license server model.
Install NavisWorks for Multiple Users If you do not agree to the terms of the license and want to terminate the installation, click Cancel. 4. On the Review - Configure - Install page, review your product selection and the current settings. If you don't want to make any changes, click Install. If you want to change the install type or installation path, click Configure. 5. On the Select the Installation Type page, accept the default installation path (C:\Program Files\Autodesk Network License Manager\)
Install NavisWorks for Multiple Users 5. On the Select the Installation Type page, either accept the default installation path (C:\Program Files\Autodesk Network License Manager\Network License Activation Utility\enu\) or Browse to specify a different path. If you enter a path that does not exist, a new folder is created using the name and location you provide. Click Next. 6. On the Configuration Complete page, click Configuration Complete to return to the confirmation page. 7.
Install NavisWorks for Multiple Users then click Next. In the This Product Is To Be Registered To option, select Company or Individual. In the Select Country or Region section, select your country or region of residence. In the Is This an Upgrade section, select Yes or No. 10. If the Registration Information page is displayed, enter your registration information, and then click Next. 11. If the Confirm Information page is displayed, review your registration information, and then click Next. 12.
Install NavisWorks for Multiple Users 2. In the Lmtools program, on the Service/License File tab, select the Configure Using Services option. 3. Click the Config Services tab. 4. On the Config Services tab, in the Service Name list, select a service name or do one of the following: • If a service name is selected, verify that it is the one you want to use to manage licenses. • If no service name exists, enter the service name you want to use to manage licenses.
Install NavisWorks for Multiple Users Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate 2009 Installation wizard and choosing a deployment method. How to Create a Network Share A network share is an installation folder that you make available to users' computers on a network. You point users to this location to install the program. Create a network share that will be used by the Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate 2009 Installation wizard during the creation of a client deployment.
Install NavisWorks for Multiple Users 1. In the Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate 2009 Installation wizard, click Create Deployments. 2. On the Begin Deployment page, you need to specify the following: administrative image location and deployment name. In the administrative image field, enter an existing shared network location where you want to create an administrative image, or click the Browse button to navigate to a location where there is a shared network location.
Install NavisWorks for Multiple Users If you choose participation in the Customer Involvement program, Autodesk sends helpful information about the product. Click Next. 7. On the Review - Configure - Create Deployment page, click Create Deployment. By clicking Create Deployment, an administrative image is created in the shared folder using the deployment options listed in the Current Settings field. 8. On the Deployment Complete page, click Finish.
Install NavisWorks for Multiple Users meet the minimum recommended hardware and software requirements for a deployment. See the following tables for administrative image, license server, and client workstation system requirements. Hardware and software requirements for the location of the administrative image Hardware/Software Requirement Hard disk 1.
Install NavisWorks for Multiple Users Hardware and software requirements for client machine Open GL©-compatible 3D video card Printer or plotter Optional hardware Modem or access to an Internet connection Network interface card Creating Network Deployments In this section, you’ll find more detailed information about using the Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate 2009 Installation wizard to create or modify deployments.
Install NavisWorks for Multiple Users When you have completed these tasks, you are ready to create a deployment from the Installation wizard. Minimize Chances of Installation Failure The Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate 2009 installation process may stop if some applications, such as Microsoft Outlook or virus checking programs, are running when you are creating a deployment. Close all running applications and temporarily disable virus checking utilities.
Install NavisWorks for Multiple Users Several supporting tools and utilities are necessary if you plan to have users run the programs with network licenses. Ancillary programs you might install include: • Network License Manager • Network License Activation Utility • SAMreport Lite Refer to the Network Licensing Guide for detailed information about how to set up your license servers.
Install NavisWorks for Multiple Users Note: The deployment location should be a shared network folder. To create a shared folder, see “Create Shared Folders for Your Deployments”. 3. On the Select the Products to Include in the Deployment page, select the products and click Next. 4. Review the Autodesk software license agreement for your country or region. You must accept this agreement to proceed with the deployment. Choose your country or region, click I Accept, and then click Next.
Install NavisWorks for Multiple Users Specify Log File Locations The program has two types of log files with which you can monitor information about deployments and installations. • Network log. The network log file keeps a record of all workstations that run the deployment. On the General Deployment Settings page of the deployment process, you choose whether or not to create a network log file. The log lists the user name, workstation name, and the status of the installation.
Install NavisWorks for Multiple Users When you set up your deployment, you choose the type of installation to deploy based on the type of software license you purchased: stand-alone or network. You also select the network license server model you want to use to distribute product licenses. Specify the license type to use during deployment Stand-Alone license (a single serial number for a single seat). For a stand-alone license, you install, register, and activate the program on each workstation.
Install NavisWorks for Multiple Users To deploy a network license using a distributed license server model: 1. While creating a deployment, on the Select the License Type page, select the Network License option. 2. Select Distributed License Server as the license server model you want to use with the Network License Manager. If you have already used the Network License Manager to create a license server model, you must select the same license server model in this step.
Install NavisWorks for Multiple Users Select the Installation Type (optional) As part of making your deployment choices, you can choose which features are included with the installation, and specify where the product is installed on each workstation. You choose the location where program files are installed on the client workstation in the Product Install Path. To help decide where the product is installed, a chart of drives and disk space is provided.
Install NavisWorks for Multiple Users 3. If you want a hardcopy of the installation information displayed on this page, click the Print button. 4. If you are ready to complete the deployment, click Create Deployment. 5. On the Deployment Complete page, click Finish. To confirm and complete the setup of a multi-seat stand-alone deployment: 1.
Install NavisWorks for Multiple Users To register a multi-seat stand-alone licensed deployment: 1. On the Deployment Complete page, click Register Products Online. The Register Today page is displayed. You complete Register Today at this point so that all users have the same default registration information. 2. In the Register Today wizard, follow the on-screen instructions to complete the registration. Note: This process only registers the product.
Install NavisWorks for Multiple Users Uninstall the Program When you uninstall Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate 2009, all components are removed in the process. This means that even if you have previously added or removed components, or if you have reinstalled or repaired the program, uninstalling removes all program installation files from your system. Note: If you plan to modify an administrative image at a later date (for example, by adding a patch to it), do not remove that image.
Chapter 7. Installation Troubleshooting This section outlines common issues and their solutions that may arise while performing a general installation of your product. What are the minimum system requirements? Before you install your product on a stand-alone computer, make sure that your computer meets the minimum system requirements.
Installation Troubleshooting To identify your graphics card driver: 1. Start Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate 2009. 2. Click Help > System Info. The Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate 2009 information dialog box opens. 3. Review the information about your system including the graphics card driver and driver version, and click OK to close the dialog.
Installation Troubleshooting functionality Sample RPC's Contails several Rich Photorealistic Content files for the Presenter tool Example NWD files Contails various feature sample files PDF manual Contails the Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate 2009 user guide in PDF format. Additionally, the Installation wizard will automatically enable the exporter plugins for all 3rd party products installed on your PC.
Installation Troubleshooting Networking Issues This section outlines common issues and their solutions with regards to performing a network installation or configuring your network license servers. Where do I find my server name? When installing a network licensed product, you must specify the name of the server that will run the Network License Manager. If you don’t know the server name, you can quickly find it by opening a Windows command prompt on the system that will be the Network License Manager.
Installation Troubleshooting Your license file also stays on your workstation when you uninstall your product. If you reinstall on the same workstation, the license information remains valid and you do not have to reactivate the product.
Part 3. Basic NavisWorks Functionality The core functionality of Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate 2009 enables 3D CAD file aggregation and real-time navigation of digital projects of any size, and provides a comprehensive project review toolkit.
Chapter 8. Overview The basis of Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate 2009 is its ability to walk through any size model in real time. NavisWorks guarantees a user-defined frame rate using a unique algorithm which automatically calculates which items to render first during navigation, based on the size of items and distance from the viewpoint. Items which NavisWorks does not have time to render are, therefore, sacrificed or "dropped out" in the name of interactivity.
Chapter 9. File Management With Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate 2009 you can open a wide variety of native 3D CAD file types without having to have the CAD application on your machine. See Chapter 10, Converting Files for more detailed information on these file formats and their options. File management all happens with the File menu and the Standard toolbar.
File Management To create a new file: • On the File menu, click New or • Click New on the Standard toolbar. Refreshing Files When working in NavisWorks, it is possible that others may be working on the CAD files you are currently reviewing. For example, if you are coordinating various disciplines on a project, then you may have an overall .nwf file referencing numerous design files.
File Management Opening Files via URL With Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate 2009 you can open NavisWorks published .nwd files via the Internet. Having uploaded your .nwd file to a web server, this file can then be opened directly from within NavisWorks. Utilizing JetStream technology, it will not be necessary for the entire file to be downloaded before navigation can commence - between 10% and 50% will be sufficient for this, depending on the file structure.
File Management Merging Files When merging multiple .nwf files, that each comprise the same reference files, NavisWorks will only load a single set of the combined models, along with all review markup (such as tags, viewpoints or comments) from each .nwf file. Any duplicate geometry or markup will be removed when merged. See “ NWF Files ” for more information on .nwf files. Merging a file: 1. Open the first file to be merged, (see “ Opening Files ” for information on how to do this). 2.
File Management Saving a file: 1. On the File menu, click Save or Click Save on the Standard toolbar. 2. Enter a name and location for the file, if you wish to change the existing name. 3. Click Save to save the file or Cancel to return to NavisWorks without saving. Saving and Renaming Files This is exactly the same as the Save option (see “ Saving Files ”, but it gives you the opportunity to rename the file that you are saving. Saving a file with a new name: 1. On the File menu, click Save As.
File Management information. Printing the current viewpoint: 1. On the File menu, click Print or Click Print 2. on the Standard toolbar. Check the printer settings are as required, and click OK to print the viewpoint or Cancel to return to NavisWorks without printing anything. Note: The maximum image size is 2048x2048 pixels. The Properties button controls printer-specific ink and paper settings.
File Management 3. Click OK to print the image, or click Cancel to return to NavisWorks. Deleting Files This option deletes the selected files from the scene. It is only available when more than one file is appended in the scene. Note: You cannot delete files from within a "published" NavisWorks .nwd file (see “ Publishing Files ”. You can only delete appended files, whether they were appended manually, or within an .nwf file. To delete a file: • On the File menu, click Delete.
File Management If NavisWorks is unable to find the files, then the recipient can save the attached .nwf in a directory where all the appended files are located. The .nwf can then look for these files relative to its own location. This way, you are able to move a whole sub-directory from your projects directory to a completely new location. Save the .nwf file in this new place and it will be able to search for the files from here.
File Management 2. Locate and Open the .tag file to import the PDS tag data, or click Cancel to return to NavisWorks without importing a file. Importing PDS Display Sets Display sets from Intergraph PDS contain detailed criteria, defining item selections. When imported into NavisWorks, .dst files create search sets in the Selection Sets control bar. See “ Selection and Search Sets ” for more information on search sets. Importing PDS display sets to create search sets: 1.
File Management 2. Locate and Open the .dst file to import the PDS display sets, or click Cancel to return to NavisWorks without importing a file. Importing Viewpoints XML Viewpoints can be imported into NavisWorks via an .xml file, enabling you to bring viewpoints into the current scene from another model file. For example, if you are working on different versions of the same model, you can save viewpoints in one version of the file, export them and then import them into the other version.
File Management 2. Locate and Open the viewpoints .xml file to import the viewpoints, or click Cancel to return to NavisWorks without importing a file. Importing Search XML Search criteria can be imported into NavisWorks which populates the Find Items control bar. The search can then be run on the current model, finding any items that match the specific criteria. See “ Finding Items ” for more information on searching the model for items based on their properties.
File Management 2. Locate and Open the search .xml file to import the search criteria into the Find Items control bar, or click Cancel to return to NavisWorks without importing a file. Importing Search Sets XML Search sets can be imported into NavisWorks which populates the Selection Sets control bar with pre-defined search sets. Selecting an imported search set will define the current Find Items criteria and search the current model accordingly.
File Management 2. Locate and Open the search sets .xml file to import the search sets into the Selection Sets control bar, or click Cancel to return to NavisWorks without importing a file. Exporting Files The export option outputs the current viewpoint in one of four ways: • Piranesi EPix format (.epx) • Windows Bitmap format (.bmp) • Portable Network Graphics format (.png) • JPEG format (.jpg) • Rendered image formats (various) It is also possible to export an animation to: • Windows AVI (.
File Management Or, as a sequence of individual frames, to: • JPEG format (.jpg) • Portable Network Graphics format (.png) • Windows Bitmap (.bmp) The export option additionally outputs a variety of review data, including: • PDS Tags (.tag) • Viewpoints XML (.xml) • Current Search XML (.xml) • Search Sets XML (.xml) • Viewpoint Report HTML (.html) The export option outputs a number of additional review file types: • Autodesk DWF (.dwf) • Google Earth KML (.
File Management File menu. The Image Export dialog box is displayed. 2.
File Management • JPEG Select Compression and Smoothing options from the JPEG Options dialog box: 3. Select the sizing options for the file to be exported. (See “ Controlling the Size of an Image ” for more details). 4. Click OK to continue, or click Cancel to return to NavisWorks without exporting an image. 5. Enter a new name and location to store the file. 6. Click Save to export the file, or Cancel to return to NavisWorks. Exporting an Animation Exporting an animation to an .
File Management 2. Select the Source from which you wish to export the animation. Current Animation - the currently selected viewpoint animation. TimeLiner Simulation - the currently selected TimeLiner sequence. Current Animator Scene - the currently selected object animation. 3. Select the Renderer with which you wish to render the exported animation. OpenGL - quickly renders your animation; this option is also ideal for previewing animations.
File Management 4. Select the Format in which you wish the output to be exported in: • Windows AVI Click Options... to select the Video Compression you require. Note: Clicking Compression will open a standard Windows™ dialog box that allows you to choose which codec to use, as well as its configuration. Only those codecs currently installed will be shown and the PC that the .avi file will be run on will also need the same codec installed.
File Management The size of the exported image/animation can be set in various ways: Explicit allows you full control of the width and height (the dimensions are in pixels). Aspect Ratio allows you to set the height, and the width is automatically calculated from the aspect ratio of your current view. Use View takes the width and height of your current view. Anti-Aliasing smoothes the edges of the exported images. The higher the number, the smoother the image, but the longer they take to export.
File Management Exporting viewpoints: 1. On the File menu, click Export > Viewpoints XML. 2. Enter a new filename and location, if you wish to change from those suggested. 3. Click Save to export the .xml file, or Cancel to return to NavisWorks. Exporting Current Search The search criteria specified in the Find Items dialog box can be exported to an .xml file. This can then be imported into other NavisWorks sessions.
File Management Note: To customize the appearance or layout of the html file, you will need to edit the viewpoints_report_lang.xsl file, where lang is a code representing your language. The installed file is located in the stylesheets subdirectory of the NavisWorks install directory. You can copy the edited file to the stylesheets subdirectory of any of the NavisWorks search directories. See “ Search Directories ” for more information. Exporting viewpoints report: 1.
File Management • Materials (colour and flat transparency only) • Viewpoints (adjustments may occur due to Google Earth limitations) • Model Hierarchy • Hyperlinks (currently only URLs work correctly in Google Earth) Exporting to Google Earth KML files: 1. On the File menu, click Export > Google Earth KML.... This brings up the following dialog box. 2. Select Export model relative to terrain height to put Google Earth in a mode where all heights are measured from the surface of the ground.
File Management When positioning a model relative to sea level, the height of the Google Earth reference points must also be measured relative to sea level. When positioning a model relative to the ground, the Google Earth reference points must be measured relative to the ground. Google Earth always places new placemarks at an altitude of zero, irrespective of whether that is relative or absolute. 3. 4.
File Management Quitting NavisWorks Quitting NavisWorks: 1. On the File menu, click Exit 2. If the model has been changed since opening it, NavisWorks will ask you whether you want to save any changes. Respond appropriately and NavisWorks will then close.
Chapter 10. Converting Files With Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate 2009 you can open a wide variety of native CAD file types without having to have the CAD application on your machine. Files read by NavisWorks include .dwg, .dgn, .dxf and Inventor. For a full list of CAD files that NavisWorks can open, please refer to the web site www.autodesk.com/navisworkssimulate.
Converting Files • STL Stereolithography data (.stl) • AVEVA Review (.rvm) • IFC files (.ifc) • Sketchup (.skp) NWF Files .nwf files can be saved by NavisWorks in order to save a current review of the scene. No geometry is saved in this format, but a list of appended files, along with their path relative to the .nwf file is saved, along with any overrides, comments, redlines, viewpoints or other NavisWorks specific information. .
Converting Files 3. Clear the Enable check box if you do not require any geometry compression. 4. Select the Coordinates check box if you want to reduce the precision of coordinates. Enter the value to which you wish coordinates to be precise to in the Precision box. The larger the value, the less precise coordinates will be and the smaller the .nwd will be. 5. Select the Normals check box to reduce the precision of normals. 6. Select the Colors check box to reduce the precision of colors. 7.
Converting Files NWC Options NavisWorks allows you to enable and disable the reading and writing of cache files. This describes the default process. The options here enable you to enable and disable the reading and writing of cache files. For example, you may want to disable reading cache files to ensure that NavisWorks converts every native CAD file each time it is read, even though this is a slower process.
Converting Files value, the less precise coordinates will be and the smaller the .nwc will be. 7. Select the Normals check box to reduce the precision of normals. 8. Select the Colors check box to reduce the precision of colors. 9. Select the Texture Coordinates check box to reduce the precision of texture coordinates. 10. Click OK to set these options or Cancel to exit the dialog without setting them. DWG and DXF Files NavisWorks's .dwg and .
Converting Files • Entity handles. • Attributes. • Textures. • File properties. Unsupported Entities • Lights • Splines • Multi-lines • Linetypes • Dimensions and leaders • Raster bitmaps • Construction lines (xlines and rays) • Hatching DWG and DXF File Reader Options Setting the .dwg and .dxf file reader options: 1. On the Tools menu, click Global Options. 2. Expand the File Readers node in the Options Editor dialog box, and click the DWG/DXF/SAT option.
Converting Files 3. Enter the Faceting Factor (the value must be greater than 0). The higher the value, the more NavisWorks will facet rounded entities and, therefore, the smoother they will appear. See Faceting Factor for more information. 4. Enter the Max Facet Deviation. This will facet entities to within the specified tolerance. See Max Facet Deviation for more information. 5. Select the Split by Color check box if you want to be able to select parts of compound entities in NavisWorks.
Converting Files They will be converted but hidden in NavisWorks. 11. Select the Convert Entity Handles check box if you want to read entity handles as a property attached to the item in NavisWorks. 12. Select the Convert Groups check box if you want to retain the groups from .dwg and .dxf files, adding another selection level to the selection tree. See Chapter 13, Selecting Items for more information on selecting objects and the selection tree. 13.
Converting Files 25. Clicking the Advanced button will open a dialog which giving you the option to read object information from various third party applications that are built on AutoCAD. Check those applications you wish to read information from. 26. Click OK to set these options or Cancel to exit the dialog without setting them. DWF Files Autodesk's DWF (Design Web Format) was specifically developed by Autodesk as a file format for architects, engineers, and GIS professionals to share design data.
Converting Files • Categories Unsupported Entities • 2D lines/plot sections • Thumbnails • Marked-up sketches • More than one 3D section per file (any others are ignored) • NURBS Surfaces • Cameras DWF File Reader Options Setting the .dwf file reader options: 1. On the Tools menu, click Global Options. 2. Expand the File Readers node in the Options Editor dialog box, and click the DWF option. The DWF page is displayed. 3. Enter the Faceting Factor (the value must be greater than 0).
Converting Files NavisWorks will facet rounded entities and therefore the smoother they will appear. See Faceting Factor for more information. 4. Enter the Max Facet Deviation. This will facet entities to within the specified tolerance. See Max Facet Deviation for more information. 5. Select the Extract textures check box to load in textures and environment maps associated with the file. Environment maps will not automatically be set in the scene, and will need to be manually set up in Presenter. 6.
Converting Files The settings for these three sets of data can be edited by selecting the appropriate item in the list and clicking on the Edit button. See Chapter 25, DataTools for more information. For AutoPLANT properties to be loaded correctly an .mdb file must be located in the same directory as the .dwg file, with the same filename followed by the .mdb extension. If this file exists, NavisWorks will automatically pick it up and use it to show appropriate properties in the Properties window.
Converting Files 3DS Files 3DS is a common file format that is supported by many CAD applications. The NavisWorks file reader reads all 2D and 3D geometry as well as texture maps. The hierarchy defined by the keyframe data from keyframe 0 is preserved, including instancing. Entities are positioned based on keyframe 0. Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate 2009 does not read .max files, but instead has exporters for Viz and Max. Entity support is the same as for the 3ds reader. See “ Viz and Max .
Converting Files The 3DS page is displayed. 3. Select the Convert Hidden check box if you want to read hidden entities from the .3ds file. They will be converted but hidden in NavisWorks. 4. The paths of texture map files are not stored with the texture maps in the model so enter a semi-colon separated list of paths in Bitmap File Search Paths that the reader will search in when it finds texture maps in the model. 5.
Converting Files Supported Entities • All 2D and 3D geometry including shapes, complex shapes, meshes, cones, surfaces, B-spline boundaries, solids, SmartSolids and Feature Solids, lines, arcs and ellipses. • Splines and B-spline curves. • Lights. • Levels. • Cells and shared cells and their instancing. • Colors and ambient, diffuse and shininess properties of materials from .pal and .mat palette and material files. • Texture maps. • Reference files including aliases.
Converting Files 3. Enter the Faceting Factor (the value must be greater than 0). The higher the value, the more NavisWorks will facet rounded entities and therefore the smoother they will appear. See Faceting Factor for more information. 4. Enter the Max Facet Deviation. This will facet entities to within the specified tolerance. See Max Facet Deviation for more information. 5. Select the Convert Hidden Items check box if you want to read hidden entities from the .dgn file.
Converting Files 13. Select the Use Level Symbology check box if you want to use the level symbology from MicroStation so that items in NavisWorks take their color from level rather than the default element color in MicroStation. 14. MicroStation has the concept of a “global origin”, which is where (0, 0, 0) is located (assuming there are no active ACSs). Changing this global origin in MicroStation doesn't actually move anything; it simply changes the reporting of coordinates.
Converting Files • undulate, wrapped brick, wrapped grid and wrapped ripple displacement shaders are ignored • object axis texture space is equivalent to the NavisWorks Box texture space • auto axis and object xy axis texture spaces are treated as a Box texture space • grid background is treated as a plain background using the background color - no grid lines will show • Foreground and Environment shaders are ignored • All other shaders, as of MicroGDS 7.
Converting Files Setting the MAN file reader options: 1. On the Tools menu, click Global Options. 2. Expand the File Readers node in the Options Editor dialog box, and click the MAN option. The MAN page is displayed. 3. Select the box Include line-geometry to include MicroGDS line-primitives into NavisWorks 4. Set Facet circle. Adjust the number of facets used for arcs - enter the number of straight line segments to facet a whole circle. (This corresponds to the MicroGDS Set Facet preference.) 5.
Converting Files Setting the PDS file reader options: 1. On the Tools menu, click Global Options. 2. Expand the File Readers node in the Options Editor dialog box, and click the PDS option. The PDS page is displayed. 3. Select the Load Tags check box to load associated TAG files together with the DRI file. 4. Select the Load Display Sets check box to load associated Display Set DST files with the DRI file. 5.
Converting Files • Groups • Colors • Planes • Parametric spline, ruled, B-spline, offset, bounded, trimmed and plane surfaces and surfaces of revolution. • Tabulated cylinders • Solids and manifold solids • Shells • Faces Unsupported Entities • Points • Lines • Circular or conic arcs • Compsite, parametric spline, B-spline, or offset curves • Boundaries • Attributes IGES File Reader Options Setting the IGES file reader options: 1. On the Tools menu, click Global Options. 2.
Converting Files 3. Enter the Faceting Factor (the value must be greater than 0). The higher the value, the more NavisWorks will facet rounded entities and therefore the smoother they will appear. See Faceting Factor for more information. 4. Enter the Max Facet Deviation. This will facet entities to within the specified tolerance. See Max Facet Deviation for more information. 5. Click OK to set these options or Cancel to exit the dialog without setting them.
Converting Files Unsupported Entities • Points • PCurves, B-spline, rational B-spline, Bezier, trimmed, uniform or quasi-uniform curves. • Circles or ellipses • Hyperbola STEP File Reader Options Setting the STEP file reader options: 1. On the Tools menu, click Global Options. 2. Expand the File Readers node in the Options Editor dialog box, and click the STEP option. The STEP page is displayed. 3. Enter the Faceting Factor (the value must be greater than 0).
Converting Files Inventor Files Autodesk Inventor™ part (.ipt), assembly (.iam) and project (.ipj) files can be read by NavisWorks. Drawing (.idw) files cannot be read. Note: The reader supports files from Autodesk Inventor 2009™ and earlier. Later versions should also work, but haven't been tested. Autodesk Inventor 5™ (or higher) or Autodesk Inventor Design Tracking 5™ (or higher) must be installed. Autodesk Inventor Design Tracking™ can be downloaded from support.autodesk.com.
Converting Files 3. The Active Project text box displays the path of the current Inventor project. To change project, open the corresponding project file or enter the path to it here. 4. Click OK to set these options or Cancel to exit the dialog without setting them. VRML world files VRML world files can be read by NavisWorks. Note: The reader supports files in both VRML1 and VRML2 file formats.
Converting Files • VRML1 WWWAnchor and VRML2 Anchor nodes - children will be loaded but any referenced VRML world will not be loaded upon clicking objects. • VRML1 and VRML2 LOD nodes - the most detailed (i.e. first) child will always be loaded. Unsupported Entities • All ROUTE definitions. • All sensor nodes. • All interpolator nodes. • Textures specified within the VRML file (VRML2 PixelTexture nodes and the image component of VRML1 Texture2 nodes). • VRML2 Script nodes.
Converting Files 3. Use the Default Units drop-down list to alter the default units for any loaded VRML world. 4. Select the Override Normals check box if you want to override any provided normals and force auto-generation within NavisWorks. 5. Select the Override Orientation check box if you want to override any specified orientation of vertices and force all to be assumed to be counter-clockwise. 6.
Converting Files • Triangles Unsupported Entities • No other entities are supported. Riegl Scan File Reader Options Setting the Riegl Scan file reader options: 1. On the Tools menu, click Global Options. 2. Expand the File Readers node in the Options Editor dialog box, and click the Riegl option. The Riegl page is displayed. 3. Select the Use point color values check box if you want to extract color values from the input file. 4.
Converting Files to the scanner. 7. Click OK to set these options or Cancel to exit the dialog without setting them. Faro Scan Files Faro™ scan files can be read by NavisWorks. iQmod and iQwsp files are workspace files that contain a list of one or more associated iQscan files. The iQscan files must be located in a folder called 'Scans', located in the same directory as the workspace file. Note: The reader supports files from all Faro™ scanners.
Converting Files 3. Point colors for Faro files can be set to None where the points come through as white, and Intensity and Color where the points use the intensity or color values stored in the file. It should be noted that if Point colors is set to a higher level in the Global Options than are available in the file, then it will default to the highest available within the file.
Converting Files Leica Scan File Reader Options Setting the Leica Scan file reader options: 1. On the Tools menu, click Global Options. 2. Expand the File Readers node in the Options Editor dialog box, and click the Leica option. The Leica page is displayed. 3. Set the value in the Sample rate box if you want to adjust the frequency of points extracted from the input file. By increasing the rate, the number of points extracted will be reduced.
Converting Files The reader supports files from all Z+F™ IMAGER scanners. Supported Entities • Points Unsupported Entities • No other entities are supported. Z+F Scan File Reader Options Setting the Z+F Scan file reader options: 1. On the Tools menu, click Global Options. 2. Expand the File Readers node in the Options Editor dialog box, and click the Z+F option. The Z+F page is displayed. 3.
Converting Files 5. From the Point intensity drop-down list, choose how the points are brought through when opening Z+F files. None brings through the points set to white. Raw Intensities uses the intensities set in the file. Color-Mapped Intensity transforms point intensity values to a spectrum of RGB colors. The Gamma Correction Level is used to alter the gamma correction values whilst using the point intensities set in the file. Gamma values can range between 0.0 and 1.
Converting Files 2. Expand the File Readers node in the Options Editor dialog box, and click the ASCII Laser option. The ASCII Laser page is displayed. 3. Set the value in the Sample rate box if you want to adjust the frequency of points extracted from the input file. By increasing the rate, the number of points extracted will be reduced. This will have the effect of reducing the image resolution, but increasing the speed with which the file is loaded. 4.
Converting Files Unsupported Entities • No other entities are supported. STL File Reader Options Setting the STL file reader options: 1. On the Tools menu, click Global Options. 2. Expand the File Readers node in the Options Editor dialog box, and click the STL option. The STL page is displayed. 3. Use the Default Units drop-down list to alter the default units for any loaded STL solid. 4.
Converting Files Supported Entities • All geometry • Attributes stored on groups • Textures (via RVS file) • Cameras and camera tracks (via RVS file) • Clip planes (via RVS file) • Signs (via RVS file) • Tags (via RVS file) • Labels (via RVS file) • Translucency (via RVS file) Unsupported Entities • Attributes stored on primitives • Lights • Object Animation • Smooth Animation • Groups • Autotags RVM File Reader Options Setting the RVM file reader options: 1.
Converting Files 3. Enter the Faceting Factor (the value must be greater than 0). The higher the value, the more NavisWorks will facet rounded entities and therefore the smoother they will appear. See Faceting Factor for more information. 4. Enter the Max Facet Deviation. This will facet entities to within the specified tolerance. See Max Facet Deviation for more information. 5. Select the Convert attributes check box to attempt to load attribute files. 6.
Converting Files geometry. If unchecked, such groups will be discarded. Note: RVM files do not contain color information beyond a color number on each scene element. As these colors are customisable; NavisWorks provides a color definition file to allow easy color personalisation. Two examples of this file are located in the RVM subdirectory inside the main NavisWorks install directory: colors.txt - these are a set of default Review™ colors (this file is used by NavisWorks). PDMS_colors.
Converting Files • Property sets, including simple and complex properties Unsupported Entities • Voided BReps • Bounded half-space solids • Complex parametric profiles • BSpline curves • Curve styles • Swept surfaces • Textures and complex lighting • Loading of server-based IFC models IFC File Reader Options Setting the IFC file reader options: 1. On the Tools menu, click Global Options. 2. Expand the File Readers node in the Options Editor dialog box, and click the IFC option.
Converting Files 3. Enter the Faceting Factor (the value must be greater than 0). The higher the value, the more NavisWorks will facet rounded entities and therefore the smoother they will appear. See Faceting Factor for more information. 4. Enter the Max Facet Deviation. This will facet entities to within the specified tolerance. See Max Facet Deviation for more information. 5.
Converting Files NavisWorks supports Sketchup through its native SKP file format. Supported Entities • Geometry • Materials (face front material only) • Transparency • Groups • Components • Layers • Imported images • Transparency Unsupported Entities • Text • Dimensions • Section planes Sketchup SKP File Reader Options Setting the SKP file reader options: 1. On the Tools menu, click Global Options. 2.
Converting Files 3. Select the Convert Hidden Items check box if you want to read hidden entities from the .skp file. They will be converted but hidden in NavisWorks. 4. Select the Merge Faces check box if you want to reduce the complexity of the model as seen in the selection tree by interpreting a body as a single item consisting of a group of faces. Leaving unchecked leaves the faces as separate items in NavisWorks. 5.
Converting Files There are .nwc file exporters for the following CAD applications: • Autodesk's AutoCAD • Autodesk's Revit • Bentley's MicroStation • Autodesk's Viz and Max • Graphisoft's ArchiCAD AutoCAD .nwc Exporter NavisWorks comes with ARX plugins for any AutoCAD™ based product, such as Architectural Desktop™, that enable you to export an .nwc file directly from the CAD application in which it was created.
Converting Files 1. Type ARX (followed by return) at the command line. 2. Then type the letter l (followed by return) at the command line, for "Load". 3. The Select ARX file dialog box will be displayed, so browse to the ARX plugin. By default, for AutoCAD R14, this will be C:\Program Files\Common Files\Autodesk\NavisWorks\2009\nwexport.arx, for AutoCAD 2000 based applications, this will be C:\Program Files\Common Files\Autodesk\NavisWorks\2009\NWExport2000\nwexport2000.
Converting Files • Navigator See “ NavisWorks Navigator for AutoCAD ” for more details. AutoCAD .nwc Exporter Options Available from the NavisWorks menu, or by typing nwopt at the command prompt, this enables you to configure various elements of the exported file to your choosing. See “ DWG and DXF File Reader Options ” for details on what each of the options does. Once you have set the options, future exports of .nwc and publishes of .nwd files will use these settings. Revit .
Converting Files 4. Select the location and filename you want to export to. 5. Click on the NavisWorks settings button to change the export configuration.
Converting Files 6. Convert element parameters can be set to None where none of the parameters are read, Elements where all parameter fields are read from all found elements, or All where all parameters from all found elements are read, as well as property tabs added for any elements referenced. 7. Select the Convert element Ids check box to export the id numbers on each Revit element. 8.
Converting Files 10. Click OK to export the file or Cancel to return to Revit without exporting it. MicroStation .nwc Exporter NavisWorks comes with MDL plugins for MicroStation™ 95, SE, /J and v8 that enable you to export .nwc files directly from the CAD application in which it was created. As long as MicroStation is already installed on the computer when NavisWorks is installed, the MDL plugin is installed with NavisWorks on a Custom Install or Full Install and ready for use.
Converting Files Once NWExport plugin is loaded, you can export to .nwc using the nwcout command from the key-in command line. Exporting .nwc files from MicroStation: 1. Type nwcout at the key-in prompt. The MicroStation export dialog box is displayed. 2. Select the location and filename you want to export to. The exporter will make a guess at a suitable filename for you. 3. Select the view number you wish to the model to be exported from. 4.
Converting Files NavisWorks colors are derived from either MicroStation cell colors or MicroStation materials, depending on the export options set during nwcout. The appearance of objects in Publisher will match the appearance of a MicroStation shaded render. The view number chosen for export determines the initial view in NavisWorks, whether level symbology is used and which levels are hidden. Note: The exporter only exports from 3D dgn files - 2D files are not supported.
Converting Files Note: If you install Viz after NavisWorks, then install NavisWorks again, choosing the Custom Install option and choose the relevant version of Viz. The NavisWorks installer will find the right place for the plugin and set up all relevant registry entries for you. See “ 3DS Files ” for information on the supported and unsupported entities for the Viz exporter. Exporting .nwc files from Viz and Max: 1. Go to File > Export. The Export dialog box is displayed. 2.
Converting Files 4. Click the Options Editor button. The NavisWorks Options dialog box is displayed.
Converting Files 5. Select the Convert Hidden Items check box if you want to export hidden entities from the Viz scene. They will be exported but hidden in NavisWorks. 6. Select the Convert User Properties check box if you want to attach any user properties you have defined in Viz to the converted NavisWorks items. 7. Select the Pre-Render Scene check box if you want to ensure that all texture maps are exported with the model.
Converting Files ArchiCAD .nwc Exporter While NavisWorks cannot directly read ArchiCAD files, there is an addon for ArchiCAD v6.5 through to v11.0 that will export the model to an .nwc cache file that can then be read into NavisWorks. The export add-on for ArchiCAD is available from both the 2D and 3D windows. All standard ArchiCAD elements and library parts can be exported as long as they have a 3D representation, and any others will be ignored.
Converting Files • Materials Unsupported entities • Section planes • Points • Lines • Textures ArchiCAD .nwc Exporter Options The export options appear after choosing OK from the File > Save As menu. Setting the ArchiCAD exporter options: 1. Select the Export GUIDs check box if you want to attach a Globally Unique IDentifier as a property to each item in the model. This is mainly useful for clash detection to track clashes. 2.
Converting Files 4. Select the Export current story only check box if you want to only export the current story. Otherwise all stories will be exported. This is only applicable to exports from 2D views, as 3D views will export everything contained within the view. CAD Previewing NavisWorks comes with plugins for AutoCAD 2000 and above for quick and simple previewing of the models that are being built in those applications.
Converting Files 2. Navigator is very similar to NavisWorks Freedom™ (see “ Freedom ”, except that it has three extra buttons on the interface. 3. Click on the NavisWorks™ button to update the Navigator window with what's in the AutoCAD window. Note: The Navigator window is not updated automatically when the AutoCAD model changes, so you have to click on this button manually every time you want to navigate around the latest model. 4.
Chapter 11. Publishing NavisWorks supports the creation of highly compressed NWD files, with options to embed object property information, and secure the files with password protection. The NWD file format can be viewed in the free NavisWorks viewer, NavisWorks Freedom, or opened in NavisWorks for full design review. You can publish files directly from NavisWorks or by exporting from AutoCAD™ or MicroStation™. Publishing from NavisWorks NavisWorks Publisher .
Publishing 2. You can enter as much, or as little information as you wish.
Publishing Published For, Copyright, Keywords and Comments are all optional boxes to be completed by you. 3. Password gives you the opportunity to password protect nwd files. On clicking OK, you will be asked to re-enter the password to ensure you have not mis-typed it. 4.
Publishing If you install AutoCAD after NavisWorks, then install NavisWorks again, choosing the Custom Install option and choose the relevant AutoCAD. The NavisWorks installer will find the right place for the plugin and set up all relevant registry entries for you. The .nwd publisher is available for any AutoCAD based product between AutoCAD 14 and 2004 releases. Publishing .nwd files from AutoCAD: 1. Type nwdout at the command line, or go to NavisWorks > Publish .nwd. 2.
Publishing Loading the NWExport MDL plugin automatically: 1. Go to Workspace > Configuration. 2. Choose Design Applications under Category. 3. Choose NWExport under Available Applications. 4. Click Add and confirm that you want NWExport added to your default configuration. 5. MicroStation will then automatically load NWExport in future sessions. 6. Click OK. Once NWExport plugin is loaded, you can publish to .nwd using the nwdout command from the key-in command line. Publishing .
Publishing 3. Enter the location you wish the file to be published to. 4. Select the view number you wish to the model to be published from. 5. Click the Options button if you want to change the export configuration. See “ MicroStation .nwc Exporter Options ” for more information on these options. 6. Click OK to publish the file or Cancel to return to MicroStation without publishing it.
Publishing The available functionality includes all of the navigation modes; the view all, perspective and orthographic modes; collision detection, gravity, auto crouch and third person modes; display of hyperlinks; and restoring viewpoints and animation playback. The buttons on the Freedom interface work in the same way as the NavisWorks buttons: • Open Simply opens the standard Windows™ Open dialog box for you to choose an .nwd file to open into Freedom. • Walk Puts Freedom into Walk navigation mode.
Publishing Puts Freedom into Zoom to Box navigation mode. • Pan Puts Freedom into Pan navigation mode. • Orbit Puts Freedom into Orbit navigation mode. • Examine Puts Freedom into Examine navigation mode. • Fly Puts Freedom into Fly navigation mode. • Turntable Puts Freedom into Turntable navigation mode. • View All Zooms to extents so that the whole model is visible in the Freedom window. • Perspective Puts the Freedom view into perspective viewing mode.
Publishing • Auto Crouch Toggles automatic crouching on/off. • Third Person Toggles the third person view on/off. • Hyperlinks Toggles the display of hyperlinks on/off. • Stop Stops the current animation playback. • Pause Pauses the current animation playback. • Play Plays the currently selected animation. • Viewpoints This drop-down list shows all the viewpoints and animations that have been set up and published with the .nwd file.
Publishing The entire contents of this folder will need to be copied to the new location.
Chapter 12. Navigating NavisWorks enables intuitive and interactive navigation around your 3D models at a guaranteed frame rate. The nine navigation modes give you complete flexibility to navigate around the model in real time. In addition to these navigation modes, there are selection and measuring tools that further facilitate the interrogation of model data. The navigation tools allow you to do things such as focus on objects and change the view parameters.
Navigating Zoom Zoom Box Pan Orbit Examine Fly Turntable In addition to the Navigation Mode toolbar, you can use selection options on the Selection Tools toolbar. These options are mutually exclusive to navigation just as redlining and measuring are. See “ Select Mode ” for more information on the selection tools. Walking Walk mode enables you to walk through the model on a horizontal plane ensuring that "up" is always "up".
Navigating Look around mode enables you to look around the model from the current camera position and gives the effect that you are moving your head around. To look around a model: • On the Viewpoint menu, click Navigation Mode > Look Around or • Click Look Around on the Navigation Mode toolbar. Dragging the left mouse button, or using the cursor keys, looks left, right, up or down. Holding down the Shift key speeds up this movement.
Navigating Dragging a box with the left mouse button over the main navigation view fills the view with the contents of the box. Holding down the Shift or Control keys, or spinning the mouse wheel, temporarily puts this mode into normal Zoom mode. Panning The pan mode enables you to pan the model rather than the camera. To pan a model: • On the Viewpoint menu, click Navigation Mode > Pan or • Click Pan on the Navigation Mode toolbar.
Navigating The examine mode enables you to rotate the model about. To examine a model: • On the Viewpoint menu, click Navigation Mode > Examine or • Click Examine on the Navigation Mode toolbar. Dragging the left mouse button, or using the cursor keys, rotates the model about. Holding down the Shift key or spinning the mouse wheel, temporarily puts this mode into normal Zoom mode. Holding down the Control key, temporarily puts this mode into normal Pan mode.
Navigating • On the Viewpoint menu, click Navigation Mode > Turntable or • Click Turntable on the Navigation Mode toolbar. Dragging the left mouse button left and right, or using the left and right cursor keys, spins the turntable left and right respectively. Holding down the Shift key or spinning the mouse wheel, temporarily puts this mode into normal Zoom mode. Holding down the Control key, temporarily puts this mode into normal Pan mode.
Navigating Crouch Third Person Align With X-Axis Align With Y-Axis Align With Z-Axis Straighten Camera Set World Up to Current View Note: The Straighten and Set Up buttons are not on the toolbar by default, but can be added by customizing it (see “ Customizing Toolbars ”). Viewing Everything This function dollies and pans the camera so that the entire model is in view, which is very useful if you get lost inside a model or lose it completely.
Navigating • On the Viewpoint menu, click Navigation Tools > View Selected or • Click View Selected on the Navigation Tools toolbar. Focusing This function puts the main navigation view into focus mode until the next click. Left-click on an item and the view swivels so that the point clicked is in the center of the view. The point clicked becomes the focal point for examine, orbit, turntable navigation modes.
Navigating • On the Viewpoint menu, click Navigation Tools > Orthographic Camera or • Click Orthographic on the Navigation Tools toolbar. Note: Orthographic cameras are not available with Walk and Fly navigation modes. Collision Detection This function defines you as a collision volume - a 3D object that can navigate around and interact with the model, obeying certain physical rules that confine you within the model itself.
Navigating Collision detection is only available when in either the walk or fly navigation mode. To activate collision detection: • In Walk or Fly navigation mode, on the Viewpoint menu, click Navigation Tools > Collision Detection or • Click Collision Detection on the Navigation Tools toolbar. or • Press D to toggle collision detection on/off.
Navigating Crouching This function only works in connection with collision detection. When walking around the model with collision detection activated, you may encounter object that are too low to walk under, a low pipe for example. This function enables you to crouch under any such objects. With crouching activated, you will automatically crouch under any objects that you cannot walk under at your specified height, thereby not impeding your navigation around the model.
Navigating or • Press T to toggle third person view on/off. Note: When Third Person mode is turned on, rendering prioritization is changed so that objects around the camera or avatar are displayed with much higher detail than normal. The size of the region of high detail is based on collision volume radius, speed of movement (needing to see what is about to be walked into) and the distance of the camera behind the avatar (in order to see what the avatar is interacting with).
Navigating To align the viewpoint with the z-axis: • On the Viewpoint menu, click Navigation Tools > Align Z or • Click Align Z on the Navigation Tools toolbar. Looking From a Preset Viewpoint When this option is chosen the model is displayed from this viewpoint in the main navigation view. This is equivalent to toggling the Align X, Align Y and Align Z buttons on the Navigation Tools toolbar. Looking from a preset viewpoint: 1. On the Viewpoint menu, click Look From. 2.
Navigating • On the Viewpoint menu, click Set World Up > Current View. or • Click Set Up on the Navigation Tools toolbar. Alternatively, to set the world up vector to one of the orthogonal axes: • On the Viewpoint menu, click Set World Up and choose one of the pre-defined axes (+X Axis, -X Axis, +Y Axis, -Y Axis, +Z Axis, or -Z Axis). Note: Navigation modes Walk, Turntable and Orbit all use the World Up vector, so navigation will occur at whatever angle is set using this function.
Navigating Thumbnail Views Thumbnails are useful to get an overall view of where you are in the whole scene and to quickly move the camera to a location in a large model. There are two thumbnails available in NavisWorks so you can have one showing a section and another showing a plan view if you wish. The thumbnails show a fixed view of the model, with a triangular marker representing your current viewpoint. This marker moves as you navigate, showing the direction of your view.
Navigating To turn on the section thumbnail: • On the View menu, click Control Bars > Section Thumbnail. or • Click Section Thumbnail on the Workspace toolbar. By default the Section Thumbnail shows the view from the front of the model and the Plan Thumbnail shows a plan view. The thumbnail view can be manipulated by right-clicking on the view. You can select from the following options: Look From, Edit Viewpoint, Update Viewpoint, Lock Aspect Ratio and Refresh. Manipulating a thumbnail's view: 1.
Navigating Viewpoint dialog box(see “ Editing Viewpoints ” for more information on this). 5. Choose Lock Aspect Ratio if you want the aspect ratio of the thumbnail to match that of the main navigation view and remain matching even when the thumbnail dialog box is resized. This will usually give gray strips either to the top and bottom, or to either side of the thumbnail view. See Aspect Ratio for more information on aspect ratio. 6. Choose Refresh to redraw the thumbnail based on the current setting.
Navigating 3. Modify the Scale translation value if you want to increase or decrease the speed of translation. 4. Modify the Scale rotation value if you want to increase or decrease the speed of rotation. 5. Select the Default navigation mode from the drop-down list. This will be used when no valid navigation mode is currently selected.
Chapter 13. Selecting Items With large models it is potentially a very time-consuming process to select items of interest. NavisWorks makes this a much simpler task by providing a range of functions for quickly selecting items both interactively and by searching the model manually and automatically.
Selecting Items By default there are four tabs, called Standard, Compact, Properties and Sets: • "Standard" displays the default tree hierarchy, including all instancing. The contents of this tab can be sorted alphabetically by right-clicking on any item in the tree and selecting Scene > Sort. It is not possible to undo this action. • "Compact" displays a simplified version of the "Standard" hierarchy, omitting various items.
Selecting Items Naming of items reflects the names from the original CAD application, wherever possible. There are several different tree icons representing the types of item that make up the structure of a model: A model, such as a drawing file or design file. A layer or level. A group, such as a block definition from AutoCAD or cell definition from MicroStation. An instanced group, such as an inserted block from AutoCAD or cell from MicroStation.
Selecting Items NavisWorks provides several methods to interactively select items into the current selection. You can use the tabs in the selection tree, select items in the main navigation window with select and select box modes and you can select other items with similar properties to an existing selection using the selection commands. Note: Right-clicking on any item in the tree view or main view temporarily selects the item and displays a context menu.
Selecting Items You can select multiple items in the main navigation window using the familiar Windows™ methods of holding down the Control key while selecting items. This will add them to the current selection. Alternatively, if the items are already in the current selection, holding down Control while selecting them again will remove them from the current selection.
Selecting Items • Select Same Name Every item with the same name as the selected item will also be selected. • Select Same Type Every item of the same type as the selected item will also be selected. • Select Same (property) Every item with the same property as the selected item will also be selected. The property can be anything from Material, Hyperlink or any other searchable property attached to the item. Note: Selecting Same (property) works by comparing items' properties.
Selecting Items 1. Set up a search as explained in “ Finding Items ”. 2. On the Edit menu, click Select > Selection Sets > Add Current Search. or Right-click on the Selection Sets control bar and click Save Current Search on the shortcut menu. New selection sets and search sets are named "Selection SetX" where 'X' is the next available number added to the list.
Selecting Items This is the main management center for selection sets. All actions concerning selection sets are available by right-clicking this control bar. Right-clicking a blank space in the Selection Sets control bar opens a shortcut menu with the options to Save Current Selection or Save Current Search, as outlined in “ Saving Selection and Search Sets ”. This also gives access to the Add Folder and Sort options as detailed below. Managing Selection Sets: 1. Right-click a selection set. 2.
Selecting Items 9. Click Update to set the selected selection set to the currently selected items, or if it's a search set, it will update it with the current search. 10. Click Delete to delete the selected selection set. 11. Click Rename to rename the selected selection set. 12. Click Sort to sort the contents of the Selection Sets window alphabetically. Using Folders to Manage Selection Sets: Folders in the Selection Sets control bar work in a similar way to how they do in Microsoft Windows.
Selecting Items • Geometry Selects the last item in the selection tree path (most specific, but may be multiply instanced). If you find you have selected the wrong level of item, you can interactively "cycle" through the selection resolution, without having to go to the options dialog or the selection tree. You do this by holding down the Shift key when selecting an item.
Selecting Items 3. To set the color that selected items are displayed in, click the Color button. The default highlight color is blue. Alternatively, clear the Enabled check box to disable selected item highlighting (items won't change color when selected). 4. In the Pick Radius box, enter the radius, in pixels, that an item has to be within in order for it to be selected. 5. In the Resolution box, choose the level of selection that you wish to use as the default, see selection resolution. 6.
Chapter 14. Finding Finding is a quick and powerful way of selecting items into the current selection based on items' properties. These "searches" can then be saved (see “ Saving Selection and Search Sets ”) and re-run in later sessions. You can also find text inside comments using the Find Comments functionality. Properties The Properties control bar shows all the properties of a selected item.
Finding NavisWorks will also convert many different CAD application object properties, such as those from Architectural Desktop™ or MicroStation TriForma™. Every property has a type associated with it, for example, an item's Name is a string, and so on. Internal file properties, such as transform and geometry properties, are not shown by default.
Finding the whole model, then choose the file or files from the Standard tab that comprise the model. You could also select several selection sets to limit your find to these items in the sets. Note: You can right-click the selection tree and choose from Import Current Selection to quickly select the items currently selected for the search, or conversely, Set As Current Selection to set the current selection to that you have already selected in the find selection tree. 4.
Finding Conditions from the shortcut menu. 9. The shortcut menu that appears when right-clicking the list box also contains several Ignore Category ... and Ignore Property ... options. See User Name and Internal Name for details on what these mean. 10. Select the Match Case check box if you want the find to respect the upper and lower case letters in strings.
Finding Quickly finding items from a string: 1. On the Edit menu, click Quick Find or press Ctrl-F. The Quick Find dialog box will appear: 2. Type in the string you want to search for in all items' properties. This search is not case sensitive. 3. Click Find Next to find the next item in the selection tree containing this string or Cancel to return to NavisWorks. 4.
Finding Finding comments: 1. If it's not already open, open the Find Comments control bar as outlined above. 2. Type in the text that you want to search for in the Text box. Note: You should use the "*" wildcard (without the quotes) to match an arbitrary series of letters either before or after the text you enter here.
Finding 8. You can click the Source tab and select the relevant check boxes for TimeLiner, Selection Sets, Viewpoints or Redline Tags to restrict the search by the source that the comment is attached to. Note: If the Text, Author, ID and Status boxes are left empty, the search will return all comments within the Date Modified and Source restrictions. 9. Click Find to search for the comments. 10. If any comments are found, they will be listed in the box at the bottom of the control bar.
Chapter 15. Editing As NavisWorks is a design review tool, editing is restricted to simple temporary "overrides" of items' properties, so that they can always be reset to the state they were in when imported from the CAD file. You can override an item's position by holding onto the item while navigating and then dropping it in a new position, or move it by overriding it's transform. Also you can edit an item's color, transparency, and hyperlinks.
Editing 1. Select the item(s) to be held for moving. 2. On the Viewpoint menu, click Navigation Tools > Hold or Click Hold on the Navigation Tools toolbar. 3. The selected item(s) are now held and will move with you through the model when you use the normal navigation modes i.e. Walk, Pan etc. 4. To release the held item, click Hold on the Navigation Tools toolbar again. To reset the item to its original position, see “ Resetting Items' Positions ”.
Editing • Press Ctrl-Y or • Click Redo on the Standard toolbar Repeat as many times as required, or your options allow. Undo Options You can set the amount of space you wish to allocate to the undo buffer. The default settings should be adequate for most normal usage. Setting undo options: 1. On the Tools menu, click Global Options. 2. Expand the General node in the Options Editor dialog box, and click the Undo option. The Undo page is displayed: 3.
Editing Hiding Items This command hides the current selection and allows you to hide and reveal items by toggling on and off. Note: In the selection tree the object will appear gray when hidden. Hiding an item: 1. Select the item(s) that you want to hide (see Chapter 13, Selecting Items for more information on how to do this). 2. On the Edit menu, click Hidden or Click Hidden on the Selection Tools toolbar.
Editing The command allows you to hide and reveal the hidden items by toggling on and off. Note: In the selection tree the items will appear gray when hidden. Hiding all non-selected items: 1. Select the item(s) that you want to remain visible (see Chapter 13, Selecting Items for more information on how to do this). 2. On the Edit menu, click Unselected Hidden. or Click Unselected Hidden on the Selection Tools toolbar.
Editing Overriding an item's transparency: 1. On the Edit menu, select Override Item > Override Transparency or Right-click the item and select Override Transparency. 2. Use the slider to select level between opaque and transparent and click OK. Note: Any materials applied with the Presenter plugin will supersede any transparency overrides. Overriding Transforms This option allows a user-defined transform to be applied to the position of an item in the scene.
Editing Also see “ Transforming Objects ” for more information on interactively transforming objects. Overriding Hyperlinks As well as hyperlinks being converted from the native CAD files you open in NavisWorks, you can also "override" an item's hyperlinks by attaching multiple additional hyperlinks to it. Because hyperlinks are treated as a property by NavisWorks, they can be searched on with the Find Items tool and displayed in the Properties bar.
Editing or • Right-click the item and choose Reset Transform. Resetting All Overriden Properties Once an override has been applied to several items, you can reset them all at once to return them to the values that they had when the file was originally converted from the native CAD file. Resetting All Colors and Transparencies This option restores all items in the scene to their original colors and transparencies. Note: Items' colors cannot be restored separately from their transparencies.
Editing Resetting All Items' Positions This option restores the original positions of any items that have previously been held, transformed and repositioned around the model. To restore all items positions: • On the Edit menu, click Reset All > Reset Transforms. Custom Properties Property information brought into NavisWorks from a CAD application cannot be edited, with the exception of color, transparency and hyperlinks, as described in the previous section.
Editing Add New Property This option allows a custom property to be added to a user data tab in the Properties control bar. Adding a new property to a user data tab: 1. If it's not already displayed, on the View menu, click Control Bars > Properties, or click Properties on the Workspace toolbar, to open the Properties control bar. 2. Select the user data tab you wish to add the new property to. 3.
Editing Rename Property This option allows you to rename a custom property added to a user data tab in the Properties control bar. Renaming a custom property: 1. If it's not already displayed, on the View menu, click Control Bars > Properties, or click Properties on the Workspace toolbar, to open the Properties control bar. 2. Select the user data tab containing the custom property you wish to rename. 3. Right-click the Property to be renamed and select Rename Property. 4.
Editing Setting a File's Units and Transform You may need to use this feature when working with Clash Detective and/or Presenter, where it's important to have the model in the correct units and scale, to ensure clash results are accurate and materials are applied correctly. You may also find this useful if you append several models from different sources into the same scene and the scale, rotation and origin of some models need amending to match the other models.
Editing 3. Move the model's location by entering model units for the x, y and z axis in Origin. 4. The Reflected Transform check box only needs to be selected if a negative scale has been set. 5. Change the rotation of an object by entering an angle of rotation and selecting the axis to rotate about (by entering a value greater than 0). The object rotates about its origin point. 6.
Chapter 16. Display Modes The Rendering Styles toolbar controls the appearance of the model in the main navigation window. From here you can control the lighting effect, the rendering type and enable or disable the different types of primitives drawn. Linked with the display options (see “ Display Options ” later in this chapter) and file options (see “ File Options ”, this enables you to fully control the appearance of the NavisWorks main navigation window.
Display Modes • Click No Lights on the Rendering Style toolbar. Head Light This option uses a single directional light located at the camera that always points in the same direction as the camera. You can set the head lights properties using Head Light options. To turn on the head light: • On the Viewpoint menu, click Lighting > Head Light or • Click Head light on the Rendering Style toolbar.
Display Modes 3. Move the sliders to affect the ambient and head light intensities. You will see the effect your changes have on the scene in the main navigation window, as long as head light is selected as the rendering style. 4. Click OK to set these options or Cancel to exit the dialog box without setting them. Scene Lights This option uses whatever lights are defined in the model, or two default opposing lights, if none are available.
Display Modes • On the Viewpoint menu, click Lighting > Scene Lights or • Click Scene lights on the Rendering Style toolbar. Scene Lights Options Sliders are available to change the intensity of the scene's lights. The Ambient slider controls the general overall brightness of the scene when scene lights is selected as the rendering style. Note: Changes made in Scene Lights options will not be visible unless you have selected the Scene Lights rendering style. Changing scene light intensity: 1.
Display Modes 3. Move the slider to affect the ambient intensity. You will see the effect your changes have on the scene in the main navigation window, as long as scene lights is selected as the rendering style. 4. Click OK to set these options or Cancel to exit the dialog box without setting them. Full Lights This option uses lights that have been defined with the Presenter tool.
Display Modes • On the Viewpoint menu, click Lighting > Full Lights or • Click Full lights on the Rendering Style toolbar. Render Modes The four render modes affect how the items are rendered in the main navigation window. The spheres below demonstrate the effect that the render modes have on their appearance. In order from the left, these are full render, shaded, wireframe and hidden line.
Display Modes or • Click Shaded on the Rendering Style toolbar. Wireframe Render This option renders the model in wireframe. As NavisWorks uses triangles to represent surfaces and solids, all triangle edges are visible in this mode. To select wireframe render: • On the Viewpoint menu, click Rendering > Wireframe or • Click Wireframe on the Rendering Style toolbar. Hidden Line Render This option renders the model in hidden line.
Display Modes • On the Viewpoint menu, click Display > Surfaces or • Click Surfaces on the Rendering Style toolbar. Lines As well as turning all lines on and off, it is possible to change the width of the lines. See “ Display Options ” for details on how to do this. To toggle the rendering of lines on or off: • On the Viewpoint menu, click Display > Lines or • Click Lines on the Rendering Style toolbar.
Display Modes or • Click Snap Points on the Rendering Style toolbar. Text Text is the 3D text saved in the scene. To toggle the rendering of text on or off: • On the Viewpoint menu, click Display > Text or • Click Text on the Rendering Style toolbar. Background Color This option allows you to select or mix a background color for the main view. Setting the background color is equivalent to setting a Plain Background on the Effects tab of the Presenter dialog box.
Display Modes perpendicular to the screen. NavisWorks uses the near and far clip plane to maximize the resolution of the model on screen. The near and far clip plane boxes dictate constraints for the near and far culling planes. Setting culling options: 1. On the Tools menu, click File Options. 2. In the File Options dialog box, click the Culling tab. 3.
Display Modes 4. In the Near Clip Plane area, check the Automatically generated check box to tell NavisWorks to constrain the near plane to give the best view of the model it possibly can. Alternatively, uncheck this box to manually constrain the near clip plane. NavisWorks will put the near clip plane no further than the value you type into the Furthest distance box. 5.
Display Modes The defaults take the positive Z-axis as Up and the positive Y-axis as North. 3. If the models orientation is different to the defaults, enter XYZ values to correctly position the Up and North directions. 4. Click OK to accept your changes, or Cancel to return to NavisWorks without accepting them. Speed Options The basis of NavisWorks is its ability to walk through any size model in real time.
Display Modes NavisWorks does not have time to render are therefore sacrificed or "dropped out" in the name of interactivity. These items are, of course, rendered when navigation ceases. The amount of drop-out depends on several factors including: hardware (in particular graphics card and driver performance), as well as the size of the NavisWorks navigation window and the size of the model.
Display Modes 3. Select the number of frames per second to be applied to the rendered display of the model. 4. Click OK to set these options or Cancel to exit the dialog box without setting them. Display Options Use these options to control several aspects of the NavisWorks main navigation window display to suite your preferences and setup. Setting display options: 1. On the Tools menu, click Global Options. 2. Expand the Interface node, and click the Display option. The Display page opens. 3.
Display Modes interactive navigation. This may have an effect on performance - especially if your video card does not support hardware accelerated OpenGL - and so by default transparent items are only drawn when interaction has ceased. 6. Select the Guarantee Frame Rate check box to enable the NavisWorks engine to maintain the user defined frame rate set on the Speed tab of the File Options dialog box (see “ Speed Options ”). By default the target rate is maintained while moving.
Display Modes 2. Expand the Model node, and click the Performance option. The Performance page is displayed: 3. Memory. Select the Auto check box for NavisWorks to automatically calculate the maximum memory that may be used. This will take the lowest of your available physical memory or address space, less that required for your Windows operating system. Alternatively, clear this option and manually enter the limit. 4. Merge Duplicates.
Display Modes It should be noted that whilst NavisWorks will try to collape items to the fewest number possible, it may be necessary to prevent collapsing in some cases to preserve model fidelity. For example if an item has properties or materials unique to itself, then collapsing would endanger this information, and therefore it will not be collapsed.
Display Modes 3. Use the Profile drop-down list to adjust the Presenter to your level of knowledge. Select Advanced to use the advanced Presenter features (e.g., extra materials, lights, render styles and so on). By default, the Basic profile is used. 4. Select the Smoothed Textures check box if you want textures to look smooth but take longer to render. Clear it if you want textures to appear pixelated but render faster. 5. Select the Filtered Textures check box if you want to turn on mipmapping.
Display Modes cards. 11. Select the Blend Transparent Textures check box if you want better quality but slower rendering of transparent items in the main navigation window. With this option off, items with transparency of more than 50% are treated as completely transparent and not rendered at all. 12.
Chapter 17. Viewpoints Viewpoints are an important feature of NavisWorks. They not only allow you to save and return to views of the model which are of importance, but they can also be used for design review audit trails and for setting up animations of the model. Saving Viewpoints Viewpoints contain more than just the camera information - each viewpoint can also contain redlines and comments. In fact, you can use viewpoints as a design review audit trail.
Viewpoints On recalling viewpoints the navigation mode that was active when the viewpoint was created will be re-selected. Any redlines and comments associated with the viewpoint will also be reinstated. The Viewpoints Control Bar Viewpoints allow you to keep a record of all the different views of a model so that you can jump to preset viewpoints without having to navigate each time to reach an item.
Viewpoints represents a viewpoint saved in orthographic mode. represents a viewpoint saved in perspective mode. represents a viewpont animation clip. represents a cut inserted into a viewpoint animation clip. You can select more than one viewpoint by either holding down the Control key and left-clicking, or by left-clicking on the first item, and then clicking on the last item while holding down the Shift key.
Viewpoints Choose Save Viewpoint if you want to save the current viewpoint. A new viewpoint will be created with its default name ("ViewX") editable. Choose Add Empty Animation if you want to create a new viewpoint animation, ready for dragging viewpoints onto. A new viewpoint animation will be created with its default name ("AnimationX") editable. See “ Creating Viewpoint Animations ” for more information on viewpoint animations. Viewpoints Managing Viewpoints 1.
Viewpoints cuts. Choose Update to update all keyframes in the viewpoint animation with the current render style, lighting and navigation mode. Choosing Update on a single keyframe will only update that frame with the current modes. Choose Delete to remove the viewpoint animation from the list of saved viewpoints, or in the case of a keyframe or cut, to remove the keyframe or cut from the viewpoint animation.
Viewpoints Editing a viewpoint 1. To edit a saved viewpoint, right-click the viewpoint on the Viewpoints control bar and choose Edit from the shortcut menu. Alternatively, to edit the current main navigation viewpoint, go to Viewpoint > Edit Current Viewpoint. Or to edit a thumbnail's viewpoint, right-click on the thumbnail and choose Edit Viewpoint from the shortcut menu. The Edit Viewpoint dialog box is displayed.
Viewpoints 2. Set the camera position's x-, y- and z- coordinates using the Position boxes. 3. Set the focal point's x-, y- and z- coordinates of the camera using the Look At boxes. 4. Enter the Vertical Field Of View and Horizontal Field Of View. If the units are set to degrees, then these numbers should be between 0.1 and 90 and if in radians, between 0.002 and 3.124. See Field Of View for more details on what field of view means. 5. Enter the Roll of the camera about its viewing axis.
Viewpoints • Select the Collision Detection check box to activate collision detection. • Select the Gravity check box to activate gravity. • Select the Auto Crouch check box to activate crouching. • In the Viewer, Radius text box, enter a value for the radius of the collision volume. See “ Collision Detection ”. • In the Viewer, Height text box, enter a value for the height of the collision volume. See “ Collision Detection ”.
Viewpoints 1. On the Tools menu, click Global Options. 2. Expand the Interface node, and click the Viewpoint Defaults option. The Viewpoints page opens. 3. Select the Save Hide/Required Attributes check box if you want to save the hidden and required items with the viewpoints you save. This means that when returning to those viewpoints, the items that were hidden when the viewpoint was saved will be hidden again and those that were drawn will be drawn again.
Viewpoints You can set a viewpoint to save any of these settings by editing the viewpoint, in the same way as the view attributes, above. By default, all of the collision detection settings are disabled. If you wish to save your preferred collision detection setting defaults, which will be used each time you open a model or a new NavisWorks session, then these can be set in the Options Editor. Setting the default collision detection options: 1. On the Tools menu, click Global Options. 2.
Viewpoints Note: These default collision detection settings differ from the current viewpoint settings, in that these do not alter the current scene. These settings will only be used when starting NavisWorks, or opening a new model. To edit the collision detection settings in the current scene, see “ Editing Viewpoints ”.
Chapter 18. Sectioning Sectioning allows you to make up to 6 sectional cuts in any plane while still being able to navigate around the scene, enabling you to see inside models without hiding any item. Section planes are stored inside viewpoints and so can also be used within viewpoint animations and object animations to show a dynamically sectioned model. See “ The Viewpoints Control Bar ” for more information on viewpoints, and Chapter 19, Animation for more information on animations.
Sectioning Select the Step Size check box, and enter the step value in the box below. This value is then used when moving the section planes. If the Step Size check box is left clear, the section planes will move at percentage intervals. Click OK to close the dialog box, and save the changes. 3. To switch the plane on, click Enable/Disable on the Sectioning toolbar. Clicking it again, switches the plane off. 4.
Sectioning another plane. 5. Move the slider to interactively position the section plane to the required location. The number in the edit box shows the position of the section plane from the origin and will be updated when moving the section plane. You can also type in the location of the origin in this edit box for exact positioning of the plane. Note: You can also use the cursor keys and mouse wheel for simple sliding of the section plane through the model. 6.
Sectioning Select 2 in the drop-down list on the the Sectioning toolbar. Repeat the steps for creating the bottom section plane, but this time, click to align the section plane with top of model. Note: The model may disappear completely at this stage. If this happens, move the slider bar until it becomes apparent where the plane is. 3. If necessary, keep switching between planes 1 and 2 using the drop-down box, and configure the planes' position to how far you want them separated in the slice. 4.
Chapter 19. Animation In NavisWorks there are two types of animation: • Object animation • Viewpoint animation Viewpoint Animation Viewpoint animation is a quick and efficient way of recording both your movement through the model and views of the model. There are two ways to produce a viewpoint animation in NavisWorks: • By recording interactive navigation • By creating animated transitions between saved views.
Animation - steps back a single keyframe. Reverse Play Record Pause - plays the animation backwards. - records the viewpoint animation. - pauses the animation at the frame you press it at. You can then look around and wonder off in the model, or step forwards and backwards through the animation. To continue playing from where you paused, just press Play again. Stop - stops the animation playing and rewinds it back to the beginning. Play - plays the currently selected animation.
Animation multiple section planes and these will all be respected by a viewpoint animation. This way you can easily create powerful viewpoint animations. Creating Viewpoint Animations There are two ways to create viewpoint animations in NavisWorks. You can either simply record your real-time walk through, or you can assemble specific viewpoints for NavisWorks to interpolate into a viewpoint animation later.
Animation these into the Viewpoints control bar. These will become the frames for the animation. The more frames you have, the smoother and more predictable the viewpoint animation will be. See “ Saving Viewpoints ” for more information on creating viewpoints. 4. When you have all the viewpoints, simply drag them onto the empty viewpoint animation you just created. You can drag them on one-by-one, or select multiple viewpoints using the Control and Shift keys and drag several on at once.
Animation to use. None means that the camera will move from one frame to the next without any attempt at smoothing out the corners. The speed of movement between frames of an animation is dictated by the angular and linear speeds of the individual frames and so choosing Synchronise angular/linear speeds will smooth the differences between the speeds of each frame in the animation, resulting in a less jerky animation. 5.
Animation You can play back both pre-recorded object animation and viewpoint animation in the main navigation window. The animation plays in real time; this means that the NavisWorks engine is still attempting to maintain the guaranteed frame rate so some drop-out may still occur, just as in real-time navigation. However, you can export the animations to an .avi file for playback with Windows Media Player™ and this will render each frame without any drop-out.
Chapter 20. Reviewing NavisWorks offers several design review tools to help you review a model and communicate those reviews to others. Any reviewing you save in the model can also be saved into an .nwf file so that you can reload the reviews into a later session when the model has changed, or to pass onto colleagues to communicate design intent or problems.
Reviewing When the source of the comments is recalled, such as a viewpoint, all comments attached to it appear in the Comments control bar, showing the time and date, author, ID and status of each comment. The icon on the far left represents the source type: - selection set. - search set. or - viewpoint. or - viewpoint animation. - tag. - TimeLiner. With many comments attached to many sources in a model, you may want to find a particular comment without having to manually search each possible source.
Reviewing 4. Type in the comment. 5. To assign a status, select either New, Active, Approved or Resolved from the drop-down list. 6. Click OK to save the comment or Cancel to return to NavisWorks without saving it. Adding a comment from the source (viewpoint, selection set or Clash Detective result): 1. Go to the source of the comment, be it a viewpoint, selection set or Clash Detective result. 2. Right-click the source, and click Add Comment on the shortcut menu.
Reviewing 3. Type in the comment. 4. To assign a status, select either New, Active, Approved or Resolved from the drop-down list. 5. Click OK to save the comment or Cancel to return to NavisWorks without saving it. Editing Comments Once a comment is saved, you can edit it either from the Comments control bar, or from the source itself. You can also renumber both tag and comment IDs. When adding a new tag or comment to a NavisWorks scene, it will automatically be assigned a unique ID.
Reviewing 4. Edit the comment and/or status accordingly. 5. Click OK to save the comment or Cancel to return to NavisWorks without saving it. To renumber tag and comment IDs: 1. To renumber tag IDs, on the Review menu, click Renumber Tag IDs. Note: There may be a situation where two sessions are merged that contain identically numbered Tags and corresponding Tag Views.
Reviewing Redlining Redlining allows you to add annotation directly over a viewpoint. It is mutually exclusive to the navigation modes so that when you are redlining, you cannot navigate and vice versa. You can also associate redlining with saved viewpoints in the Clash Detective results. The redline tools, which can all be accessed from the Redline Tools control bar or from the Review > Redline menu, are: Text - adds text over a viewpoint. Tag - adds a tag over a viewpoint.
Reviewing Redline Tags are the exception to this rule. If a viewpoint is not already saved, then adding a tag will automatically save a viewpoint. See “ Adding Redline Tags ” for more information. Adding a redline to a saved viewpoint: 1. Go to a saved viewpoint, or a Clash Detective result with the Save Viewpoint check box selected on the Results tab of the Clash Detective window. 2. Ensure the Redline Tools control bar is displayed as outlined above. 3.
Reviewing redline tool to add a tag on the current view. See “ Adding Redline Tags ” for more information. • Choose the Freehand redline tool to sketch over the viewpoint. Simply click and drag the left mouse button in the main navigation window to interactively sketch a redline. • Choose the Line redline tool to draw single lines over the viewpoint. Alternately click the start and end points of lines with the left mouse button in the main navigation window.
Reviewing 1. Ensure the Redline Tools control bar is displayed as outlined in the previous section. 2. Choose the Tag 3. Click in the navigation window where you wish the tag to be attached to. 4. Click again in the navigation window where you wish the tag ID to be positioned. Both points will be joined by a leader line. redline tool. If the current viewpoint is not already saved, then it will be saved automatically and named 'Tag View X', where X is the tag ID.
Reviewing The Find Tag dialog will be displayed. Enter the tag ID, then click OK to find the tag, or Cancel to return to NavisWorks. 2. Go to Review, Tags, Current Tag to select the current tag. 3. Go to Review, Tags, First Tag to find the first tag. 4. Go to Review, Tags, Last Tag to find the last tag. 5. Go to Review, Tags, Previous Tag to find the tag preceding the current tag. 6. Go to Review, Tags, Next Tag to find the tag following the current tag.
Reviewing Point to multiple points - measures the distance between a base point and various other points. Point line - measures a total distance between multiple points along a route. Accumulate - calculates the sum total of several point-to-point measurements. Angle - calculates an angle between two lines. Area - calculates an area on a plane. Clear - clears the view of all measurement lines and restarts the measurement. Transform objects - enables you to reposition or rotate an object.
Reviewing text boxes underneath the buttons, as are the Difference and the absolute Distance. If an accumulative measure is being used, such as Point Line or Accumulate, Distance will show the accumulated distance for all points registered in the measurement. All these measurements are shown in scene units. All points will be represented in the main navigation window with a small cross, and all lines being measured, by a simple line between points.
Reviewing Measure Tools control bar and simply click on a series of points to describe the perimeter of the area you wish to calculate. The Area will show the area of the perimeter described since the first point, as projected onto the plane of the viewpoint. This means that all your points should lie on the same plane for your area calculation to be perfectly accurate. Right clicking will enable you to select a new first point.
Reviewing 3. Set the picking style by selecting the Snap to Vertex, Snap to Edge and Snap to Line Vertix check boxes. The cursor will snap to the nearest vertex, triangle edge or line end respectively, depending on the options chosen. 4. Set the snapping Tolerance. The smaller the tolerance, the closer the cursor needs to be to a vertex or edge before it snaps to it. 5. Select the Enabled check box, if you want to turn on snapping for angular rotation.
Reviewing do this). 2. Choose one of the measure tools, from Point to Point, Point Line or Accumulate. 3. Select a base point on the selected object. This is the reference point on the object from which the repositioning will be calculated. 4. Select another point in the scene (or multiple points, depending on which measure tool you selected). This is the point (or points) which the base point will be repositioned to. Note: You can only select a point on another object in the scene.
Reviewing Select three points (1, 2, 3). The second point (2) will be the position about which the selected object (A) will be rotated. Lines from the first to the second point (1 to 2) and from the second to third point (2 to 3) will define the angle by which the object will be rotated (in the above case, 90 degrees). 4. Click Transform Objects to rotate the object about the second point (rotate selected object by 90 degrees about point 2, which results in object rotating from point A to B). 5.
Reviewing 1. On the Tools menu, click Global Options. 2. Expand the Interface node in the Options Editor dialog box, and click the Measure option. The Measure page is displayed: 3. Set the Color and Line Thickness of the measure lines. 4. Check the In 3D check box if you want to draw the measurements in 3D in the main view. They then act as 3D lines in the scene which can be obscured by other geometry.
Reviewing • Click Hyperlinks on the Workspace toolbar or • On the Tools menu, click Hyperlinks. Adding Hyperlinks An item can have multiple hyperlinks attached to it, although only the default hyperlink (the one at the top of the list) can be displayed in the navigation window at one time. The default is the link that will be followed when clicked. Adding hyperlinks to an item 1.
Reviewing 4. Choose the category that the hyperlink will belong to from the Category drop down. You can add more categories than the default Hyperlink and Tag categories by simply typing in the name of your category into this box. See “ Hyperlinks Categories ” for more information on categories. 5. If you want the hyperlink to be attached to a specific point on the item, instead of the default center of the item's bounding box, then click the Add button.
Reviewing • Click Tools > Hyperlinks on the menu bar. Hyperlinks are drawn as icons in the main navigation window and tags as text. Clicking a hyperlink in the main navigation window will follow the link and right-clicking it will open a shortcut menu offering you the options of Follow Hyperlink, Edit Hyperlink (see “ Editing Hyperlinks ”) or Select item containing hyperlink, which will select the item onto which the hyperlink is attached.
Reviewing 2. Select the hyperlink under the Name column. 3. Click the Edit button. The Edit Hyperlink dialog is displayed. 4. Complete this dialog as outlined in “ Adding Hyperlinks ”. 5.
Reviewing them to their new position in the list. This way you can prioritize a hyperlink to become the default hyperlink that is followed when click on in the main navigation window. 6. Click OK to confirm the edit or Cancel to return to NavisWorks leaving the hyperlink as it was. Note: You can also edit any original hyperlinks that have been converted from the native CAD files. If you do this, save the changes in an .nwf file, then change the hyperlink in the original CAD file, and reopen the .
Reviewing 2. Select the hyperlink under the Name column. 3. Click the Delete button. 4. Click OK to confirm deletion or Cancel to return to NavisWorks without the hyperlink deleted. Hyperlinks Options Setting hyperlinks options: 1. On the Tools menu, click Global Options. 2. Expand the Interface node, and click the Hyperlinks option.
Reviewing 3. Icons that appear overlapped in the main view can be hidden if the Hide Colliding Icons check box is selected. 4. Enter the distance in the Cull Radius box for how close hyperlinks have to be in order to be drawn in the main view. Any hyperlinks further away than this distance will not be drawn. The default value of 0 means that all hyperlinks will be drawn. 5. Select the In 3D check box if you want to draw the hyperlinks icons in 3D in the main view.
Reviewing 1. On the Tools menu, click Global Options. 2. Expand the Interface node, expand the Hyperlinks option, and click Standard Categories. The Categories page is displayed: 3. Each hyperlink is a member of a category. This enables you to easily manage sets of hyperlinks. Use the Visible check box to switch a category on or off in the main view. Some categories also have comments associated with them.
Reviewing The Categories page is displayed: Only the custom hyperlink categories are shown here. The padlock icon indicates that you cannot add or remove categories directly from here. 3. Choose the way categories are shown in the Options Editor: Click Grid View to display categories in a tabular format. Click List View to display categories in a list format (the same way as the standard categories are shown). Click Records View 4. Use and to display categories as records.
Reviewing instead of an icon. 7. Click OK to set the options or Cancel to exit the dialog without setting them. Smart Tags Smart tags pop up information on the item hovered over by the cursor in a tooltip style window, without having to select the item itself. The smart tag will disappear after a few seconds. This is a useful way to quickly get information about an item in the main navigation window when navigation has ceased.
Reviewing 3. Select the Hide Category check box if you do not want to see category names included in the smart tags tooltip. 4. Click OK to set the options or Cancel to exit the dialog without setting them. The default information displayed is the name and type of the item, but the actual information displayed can be customized. Customizing smart tags: 1. On the Tools menu, click Global Options. 2. Expand the Interface node, expand the Smart Tags option, and click Definitions.
Reviewing 3. Choose the way smart tag definitions are shown in the Options Editor: Click Grid View to display definitions in a tabular format. Click List View to display definitions in a list format. Click Records View 4. Use and to display definitions as records. to navigate between the definitions. If you selected Records View, this is the only way to move between the records. 5.
Reviewing Collaboration The NavisWorks Collaborate Bar enables multiple users to participate in a single design review session across a Local Area Network (LAN). This utilizes the shared program features of Windows NetMeeting, available to all Windows users. To get access to the collaboration tools, right-click anywhere in the toolbar area of the screen, and click Collaborate Bar on the shortcut menu. All meeting participants require access to a NavisWorks .nwf or .nwd file, in a shared location.
Reviewing Note: The first time Windows NetMeeting initializes, a setup wizard will take you through the setup process. You will need to enter your name and email address. When using NetMeeting on a LAN you do not need to log onto a directory server, as these will not be available to you.
Reviewing on the NetMeeting dialog. The Place a call dialog is displayed: • In the To: box, enter the machine name or IP address of the machine you wish to join the meeting, then click Call to send the invite, or Cancel to return to NetMeeting. Once the person receiving the invite accepts this, both their name and yours will be listed in the NetMeeting dialog. Note: The above can be repeated to invite additional people to the meeting.
Reviewing During a collaboration meeting, anyone in the call can take control of the session and become the 'driver'. The driver will control navigation of the shared model on all machines in the call. To become the driver: • Click Drive on the Collaborate toolbar. Note: Upon clicking the drive button, all other users in the call will receive a message advising that you are requesting control. They will have to answer Yes to this message if you are to drive NavisWorks on their machine.
Reviewing Entity Handles option enabled when files are loaded into NavisWorks. • Some objects cannot be selected in AutoCAD (for example, blocks) which may mean that running SwitchBack may be unsuccessful with a given selected object. If this is the case try selecting further up the object tree and trying again. MicroStation (/J and v8) • For MicroStation (/J and v8) or products based on it, first prepare MicroStation by loading the NavisWorks exporter "mdl load nwexport6".
Chapter 21. Object Manipulation In this section you will learn how to modify position, rotation, size, color and transparency of geometry objects in your model by using the Object Manipulation toolbar. To open it, right-click anywhere in the toolbar area of the screen, and click Object Manipulation on the shortcut menu. All object manipulation is carried out the in the main NavisWorks window.
Object Manipulation Highlighting Objects To get a clearer view of geometry objects in the main NavisWorks window, you can use the Options Editor to adjust the way in which the current selection is highlighted.
Object Manipulation To adjust highlighting: 1. On the Tools menu, click Global Options. 2. Expand the Interface node in the Options Editor dialog box, and click the Selection option. The Selection page is displayed. 3.
Object Manipulation items. 4. Use the Method drop-down list to select the type of highlighting you want (Shaded, Wireframe or Tinted). 5. Click the Color button to select the highlight color. 6. If you selected Tinted in the Method box, use the slider to adjust the Tint Level. 7. Click OK to set these options or Cancel to exit the dialog box without setting them. Moving Objects To move an object: 1. Select the object you want to move in the main NavisWorks window. 2.
Object Manipulation You can adjust snapping to increase your precision. • To move the translation tool itself rather than the selected object, hold down the CTRL key while dragging the square at the end of the desired axis. • To snap the tool to other objects, hold down the CTRL key while dragging the yellow square in the middle of the tool. • For the point-to-point translation, hold down the CTRL key, and use the center square to drag the tool to the start point.
Object Manipulation Note: You can adjust snapping to increase your precision. • Once the rotation tool is positioned correctly, place the mouse over one of the curves in the middle, and drag it on the screen to rotate the object. The curves are color-coded, and match the color of the axis used to rotate the object around. So, for example, dragging the blue curve between the X and Y axes, rotates the object around the blue Z axis.
Object Manipulation resize the object across two axes at the same time, use yellow squares in the middle of the axes. Finally, to resize the object across all three axes at the same time, use the square in the center of the tool. • You can modify the center of scaling. To do this, place the mouse over the square in the middle of the tool, and hold down the CTRL key while dragging the square on the screen. Changing Color To change an object's color: 1.
Object Manipulation point. • Scaling: X, Y, Z represent a scaling factor (1 being the current size, 0.5 half, 2 being double, and so on), and cX, cY, cZ represent the scaling center point. So, for example, selecting , and typing some numbers into the Manual Entry boxes will move the object along the axis by the amount entered.
Chapter 22. Interface The NavisWorks interface is intuitive and easy to learn and use. It contains a number of traditional Windows elements, such as toolbars, control bars, dialog boxes, shortcut menus and so on. 1 - Menu bar 2 - Toolbars 3 - Navigation window 4 - Control bars 5 - Status bar The Main Interface Components This section briefly describes the main interface components.
Interface The Menu bar contains all commands available in NavisWorks, grouped together by similar or 'like' functionality. For example, all commands related to review functionality are located under the Review menu, all commands related to user assistance are located under the Help menu and so on. When a menu has a right-pointing arrow, such as , there is a submenu associated with that choice. When a menu item is followed by a series of dots, such as , there is a dialog box associated with that choice.
Interface example, the Presenter window, the Animator window etc.). Again, if a button is highlighted and has a dark blue boarder around it, it means that the corresponding display element is currently open. As you open more toolbars on the screen, or resize the NavisWorks window, the toolbars may get overlapped with each other to reduce the screen clutter. When this happens, some buttons will be hidden under the overlaps.
Interface The docking stickers point towards the four edges of the interface. When the control bar you are dragging is close to the place where you want it to dock, move the mouse over the corresponding area of the docking tool. You will see an outline of the control bar appear on the interface. To dock the control bar there, release the mouse button. Tiling Control Bars You can tile control bars and window panes on the interface.
Interface feedback as to how NavisWorks is performing on your machine. • The progress bar under the left hand icon (pencil) indicates how much of the current view is drawn, i.e. how much drop-out there is in the current viewpoint. When the progress bar is at 100%, the scene is completely drawn, with no drop-out. The icon will change color when it is working. Whilst the scene is being drawn, the pencil will change to yellow.
Interface • Scene Statistics Control Bars To display a control bar: • On the View menu, click Control Bars, and click one of the following: Camera Tilt, Plan Thumbnail, Section Thumbnail, Viewpoints, Selection Tree, Selection Sets, Find Items, Comments, Find Comments, or Properties. Alternatively, use the buttons on the Workspace toolbar. Workspaces NavisWorks comes with several default workspaces. You can use these workspaces as-is or modify them in accordance to your requirements.
Interface 4. Click Save. To load a saved workspace into NavisWorks: 1. On the View menu, click Workspaces > Load Workspace. 2. In the Load Workspace dialog box, browse to the folder containing the workspace, select the workspace, and click Open.
Interface Customizing Toolbars You can customize appearance and contents of the NavisWorks toolbars by using the Customize dialog box. To open the Customize dialog box: • Right-click any toolbar on the screen, and click Customize on the shortcut menu. or • On the Tools menu, click Customize. The Customize dialog box is displayed.
Interface This dialog box has the following purposes: • Displaying/hiding toolbars. On the Toolbars tab, select the check box in front of a toolbar's name to display it. Clear the check box to hide the toolbar. • Changing appearance of toolbars and menus. • Changing contents of toolbars and menus. • Customizing keyboard shortcuts. Personalizing Appearance of Toolbars and Menus To personalize appearance of toolbars and menus: 1. In the Customize dialog box, click the Options tab.
Interface 2. By default, the NavisWorks menus display all commands. If you want to show only basic and frequently used commands on short versions of the menus, clear the Always Show Full Menus check box. If you want to show all commands on the menu after a brief delay when you rest the mouse pointer on an open menu, select the Show Full Menus After a Short Delay check box. 3. Click Large Icons to toggle the size of the toolbar buttons. 4.
Interface Changing Toolbar and Menu Contents Note: You cannot use the procedures below to add/remove commands from shortcut menus. To add commands: 1. In the Customize dialog box, click the Commands tab. 2. In the Categories field, click the group of commands you want to rearrange, for example 'Tools'. 3. Drag the command from the Commands field to the desired location. You can either place it on one of the NavisWorks toolbars or inside one of the menus on the menu bar.
Interface 5. • Reset - resets the selected command to its default appearance. • Delete - deletes the selected command. • Name - specifies the name of the command. Place & (ampersand) in front of a letter you want to use as a keyboard shortcut. Pressing ALT together with this letter will activate the command. • Default Style - uses the default style for the command. • Text Only - the command is shown as text (as it's entered in the Name field).
Interface Click the Modify Selection button, and click the desired option on the shortcut menu. 5. Close the dialog box. To add a custom toolbar: 1. In the Customize dialog box, click the Toolbars tab. 2. Click the New button. The New Toolbar dialog box is displayed. 3. Enter a name for the toolbar in the Toolbar Name field and click OK. By default, new toolbars are named "Custom X" where 'X' is the next available number added to the list.
Interface To customize keyboard shortcuts: 1. In the Customize dialog box, click the Toolbars tab. 2. Click the Keyboard button. The Customize Keyboard dialog box is displayed. 3. In the Categories field, click the group that contains the command to which you want to assign a shortcut. 4. In the Commands field, click the actual command. If the command has a shortcut assigned to it, it is displayed in the Current Shortcut field. 5.
Interface Note: Clicking Remove removes the shortcut assignment for the selected command, and clicking Reset All restores the default shortcut assignments. 7. Close the dialog box. Workspace Toolbar The Workspace toolbar gives you control over the NavisWorks interface. You can personalize this toolbar, if you want.
Interface Find Items Properties Presenter TimeLiner Animator Scripter Workspaces Customizing the Main Window You can split the main scene into a number of segments, each of which can be navigated separately. You may find this useful when comparing lighting and rendering styles, or animating different parts of your model etc. You can also ajdust the size of the main window, or view the model in full screen mode.
Interface The view windows with title bars are resizable, and can be docked and auto hidden the same way as control bars. Note: The recording and playback of animations will occur in the most recently used view. Each separate view remembers the navigation mode being used. To delete views: • To delete views, switch on the title bars, and click to close each window.
Interface navigation view takes up the full screen with no interface showing. Pressing the F11 key for a second time turns full-screen mode off. Full screen mode will always go to full screen on the primary display. If two monitors are available, the interface can be placed on one whilst the main 3D view renders in full screen on the other. Sizing of Navigation Window NavisWorks allows you to specify the size of the main navigation window.
Interface Stereo Rendering Stereoscopic viewing in NavisWorks allows the viewing of the 3D model through stereo-enabled hardware, including active and passive stereo viewing glasses in conjunction with both CRT screens and dedicated projectors. This feature requires the host computer have an OpenGL graphics card with stereo support.
Interface 2. Slide the Magnitude bar to vary the strength of the stereo effect. 3. Sliding the Out of screen bar, when enabled, and when using a focal point based navigation mode (examine, orbit, turntable, etc.), will position the model so that parts closer than the focal point appear in front of the screen, with the rest behind. The slider controls the balance, moving objects more or less out of the screen. When using any other navigation mode (walk, fly, etc.
Interface The number of each type of element is listed together with which have been ignored or processed in creating the scene. Units NavisWorks has the concept of what unit the scene is presented in. This is most useful when measuring items, setting tolerances for clash detection, or sizes of textures. There is a single scene unit that is set from the Global Options dialog and this unit is used throughout the interface whenever appropriate.
Interface the choice of what level of fraction to display the units from the Fractional Display Precision drop-down list. 6. Click OK to set the options or Cancel to exit the dialog without setting them. Profiles NavisWorks can be adjusted to your level of CAD technical knowledge. By default, a standard profile is used. If necessary, you can use a developer profile to display additional object properties. Using a developer profile: 1. On the Tools menu, click Global Options. 2.
Interface Search Directories NavisWorks searches for a variety of configuration files in subdirectories of three standard directories. These files can be overridden on a per user, all users or per installation basis. The search directories are : • Application Data\Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate 2009 within the current user profile. Usually C:\Documents and Settings\user\Application Data\Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate 2009 where user is the name of the current user. • Application Data\Autodesk NavisWorks Sim
Chapter 23. Tools The Tools menu in NavisWorks gives access to a series of useful tools and options. The Tools menu includes the following items: • Presenter • TimeLiner • Data Tools • Animator • Scripter • Compare • Redline • Hyperlinks • Smart Tags • Measure • Animation • Background Color • File Options • Customize • Global Options Comparing Models The Compare tool becomes available when exactly two items are selected.
Tools The Compare dialog box is displayed. 3. In the Find Differences In section of the dialog, check all the boxes of the criteria that you want NavisWorks to compare for differences between the two items. Overridden Material and Overridden Transform relate to changing the color and/or transparency in NavisWorks and changing a file's origin, scale or rotation since loading into NavisWorks, so these are unchecked by default.
Tools comparison. The colors of the resulting highlights are as follows: • White for items that match; • Red for differences between items; • Yellow for things found in the first item that aren't in the second; • Cyan for things found in the second item that aren't in the first.
Chapter 24. Options There are two types of options: File Options and Global Options. These are both accessed from the Tools menu. File options are saved in NavisWorks files (.nwf or .nwd) and reinstated when opening it. Global options, on the other hand, are set for all NavisWorks sessions. File Options These options are saved into NavisWorks files and re-loaded when opening these files into NavisWorks. They are predominantly concerned with the appearance of the model and the speed of navigation around it.
Options 3. In the Project Directory field, browse to the directory that contains the NavisWorks settings specific to your project group. 4. In the Site Directory field, browse to the directory that contains the NavisWorks settings standard across the entire project site. 5. Click OK to save the changes or Cancel to exit the dialog without saving them. Note: When you run NavisWorks for the first time, the settings are picked up from the installation directory.
Options 3. Enter the desired number into the Maximum Recently Used Files to specify how many file shortcuts NavisWorks can remember. By default, shortcuts to the 4 most recently opened files can be displayed. 4. Click OK to save the changes or Cancel to exit the dialog without saving them. Global Options These options are persistent across NavisWorks sessions and are not saved into NavisWorks files. The Options Editor can be accessed via the Tools menu, or it can be launched as a separate application.
Options Options can be exported and imported, making it quick and easy for project managers, or systems administrators, to ensure the NavisWorks settings on all machines are identical. Configuring Global Options The options are presented in the dialog box in a hierarchical tree structure. The following categories are available: • General • Model • Interface • File Readers • Tools General Options You can configure: • Buffer Size. See “ Undo Options ”. • File Locations.
Options Model Options You can configure: • NavisWorks Performance. See “ Performance Options ”. • NWD File Parameters. See “ NWD Options ”. • NWC File Parameters. See “ NWC Options ”. Interface Options You can configure: • Display Units. See “ Units Options ”. • Selection and Highlighting Parameters. See “ Selection Options ”, and “Highlighting Objects”. • Measurement Parameters. See “ Measure Options ”. • Snapping. See “Snapping”. • Viewpoints. See “ Viewpoints Options ”. • Hyperlinks.
Options • Inventor. See “ Inventor File Reader Options ”. • Leica Scan. See “ Leica Scan File Reader Options ”. • MAN. See “ MAN File Reader Options ”. • PDS. See “ PDS Files ”. • Riegl Scan. See “ Riegl Scan File Reader Options ”. • RVM. See “ RVM File Reader Options ”. • SKP. See “ Sketchup SKP File Reader Options ”. • STEP. See “ STEP File Reader Options ”. • STL. See “ STL File Reader Options ”. • VRML. See “ VRML File Reader Options ”. • Z+F. See “ Z+F Scan File Reader Options ”.
Options 3. Select the check boxes for all options you want to be exported (or 'serialized'). If an option cannot be exported, it is greyed out. Note: To quickly select/deselect all options for a given category, use the top-level check boxes. For example, selecting the General check box, instantly selects all options under this node. 4. Click OK to export the settings. 5. In the Save As dialog box, enter a name for the settings file.
Options 6. Click Save. 7. Click OK to close the Options Editor. To import Global Options: 1. On the Tools menu, click Global Options. 2. In the Options Editor dialog box, click the Import button. 3. In the Open dialog box, browse to the folder containing the settings file, select it, and click Open.
Options 4. Click OK to close the Options Editor.
Chapter 25. DataTools This feature is used to link Object Property elements in NavisWorks to fields that exist in a table within a database. Any database with a suitable ODBC driver is supported, and properties contained within database tables can be brought through and shown on the Properties control bar. If an object in a scene has associated database properties, clicking on that object will show the properties in a separate tab.
DataTools 3. In the New Link dialog box, enter a Name for the new link, e.g., 'Service Information'. This is the name of the tab that will appear on the Properties control bar.
DataTools You are now ready to configure the database link. 4. Click OK to save the link and return to the File Options dialog box. Configuring Database Links To configure a database link: 1. On the Tools menu, click File Options. 2. In the File Options dialog box, DataTools tab, select the link you want to configure in the DataTool Links area, and click the Edit button.
DataTools Note: If you haven't added any links yet, click the New button, and follow the procedure for adding database links first. 3. Configure the ODBC Driver: In the Edit Link dialog box, select the appropriate ODBC Driver to define the type of the database to link to, for example 'Microsoft Access Driver (*.mdb). Click the Setup button. The driver wizard will open, and guide you through the setup options. If you have difficulties setting up your connection details, contact your database administrator.
DataTools Full Tag List ”. For example, if you want to select a database with a certain name (say, test.mdb) that is always next to the model file (as in the resultant NWD/NWF not the original), type in: DBQ=%pushpath(%poppath(%currentpath),"test.mdb"); DRIVER={Microsoft Access Driver (*.mdb)}; If you want to select a database with the same name as the original model file (say, AutoPlant), type in: DBQ=%join(%removeext(%removepath(%sourcepath)),".mdb"); DRIVER={Microsoft Access Driver (*.mdb)}; 4.
DataTools 7. Click OK to save the changes. Note: The model is not linked to the external data source until you have activated the link. Managing Database Links All file-based connection information is saved inside the project NWF or NWD. The global connection information is saved on the local machine. If the associated database is available on loading the NWF/NWD file, the link will automatically establish itself when an object is selected.
DataTools Exporting Database Links To export a database link: 1. On the Tools menu, click File Options. 2. In the File Options dialog box, DataTools tab, select the link you want to export, and click the Export button. 3. In the Save As dialog box, browse to the desired folder, and enter a name for the datatools file. You can also select the name of an existing datatools file to overwrite it with your modified configuration.
DataTools 4. Click Save. 5. Click OK to close the File Options dialog box. Importing Database Links To import a database link: 1. On the Tools menu, click File Options. 2. In the File Options dialog box, DataTools tab, and click the Import button.
DataTools 3. In the Open dialog box, browse to the folder containing the datatools file, select it, and click Open.
DataTools 4. Click OK to close the File Options dialog box. Full Tag List This section lists all NavisWorks tags you can use. Property Tags • %prop("category","property") - Property of the currently selected object. Category is the name of the tab in the property windows (e.g. Item or Entity Handle) and property is the name of the property in that tab (e.g. Value or Layer). • %intprop("category","property") - Property of the currently selected object.
DataTools • %sourcepath – This tag represents the full path and filename that the currently selected object comes from. Even when a collection of model files have been combined into a single NWD file this tag will still remember the path and filename of the original model file. • %currentpath - This tag represents the full path and filename of the currently loaded model.
DataTools SELECT * FROM Test WHERE "Entity Handle" = %prop("Entity Handle","Value") AND “File Name” = $removeext(%removepath(%sourcepath));. Here the path and the extension of the file name are being stripped, so a file like c:\model\3rdFloorDucts.dwg would come out as 3rdFloorDucts.
Chapter 26. Getting Help The Help menu gives you access to useful resources about your system, your product and the documentation. NavisWorks comes with full context-sensitive help as well as user guides in Adobe Acrobat™ .pdf format. The Help menu contains: • Help Topics • What's This? • NavisWorks on the Web • License • Customer Involvement Program • System Info • About NavisWorks If the online documentation and help does not answer your query, try www.autodesk.com/support.
Getting Help In the Contents tab, select an item to view its contents. Expand and contract the chapters and sections (identified with a book icon) using the plus and minus icons to the left of them. The contents of the selected item will be displayed in the right hand pane. The Index tab has a full index of all NavisWorks help topics. Select the topic you are interested in learning more about from the list, then click Display. The selected topic will be displayed in the right hand pane.
Getting Help To visit the NavisWorks pages on the Internet, click Help > NavisWorks on the Web on the menu bar. License Opens the Product Information dialog box, which enables you to view and manage your license information: License Agreement - opens the Autodesk Software License Agreement. Update - enables you to update the serial number. Save As - enables you to save the licese information as a .txt file. Activate - enables you to activate the product.
Getting Help Note: This allows you to use license while not connected to the network (e.g. site visit) but means that the license is not available to anyone else. If not explicitly returned the license will be automatically returned on the date you specify. 3. In the Borrow a License for Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate 2009 dialog box, use the Calendar to select the date you want to borrow the license until, and click the Borrow License button.
Getting Help To return a borrowed license: 1. Start NavisWorks, and click Help > License. 2. In the Product Informationdialog box, click the Return License button. 3. Click the Return License button, and then Yes when asked if you want to return it. You have now returned to the original state. Note: Refer to the Autodesk Network Licensing Guide and Autodesk Standalone Licensing Guide for more information (accessible from the installer).
Getting Help If you'd like to join the Customer Involvement Program, click Help > Customer Involvement Program on the menu, select the participation option in the dialog box, and click OK. You can stop your participation in the CIP program at any time by accessing the CIP dialog box again. System Info Opens a dialog giving you detailed information about your system, which can be helpful in support situations.
Getting Help 323
Part 4. Using Presenter Presenter enables texture materials, lighting, Rich Photorealistic Content (RPC) and background effects to be applied to your project model to enhance the real-time experience and export compelling renderings.
Chapter 27. Overview of Presenter Presenter enables a great level of realism to be added to a design model by applying textures and materials, backgrounds, lighting and effects. Working with the Presenter Window The Presenter window is used to set up materials and lights in your scene and render it with more realism and effects.
Overview of Presenter model items. You can also use this tab to create new materials, or customize existing materials. • Lighting - includes a variety of lighting options, which can be selected and applied to the model. You can also customize lighting options, if you want. • RPC - Rich Photorealistic Content, RPC, can be added from various sources, including websites. RPC's include images of people, trees, cars etc.
Overview of Presenter effect and render style, giving you quicker access. Additional .lwa archives can be downloaded from http:\\www.lightworks-user.com. Although materials, lights, effects and render styles cannot be edited in archives, once dragged into the scene's palette, they can be edited and saved with the scene in a NavisWorks .nwf file, or published as a NavisWorks .nwd file. You can save your own edits to materials into an .
Overview of Presenter pane) and click Download Archive on the shortcut menu. Then follow the instructions given on their site. 2. To import a downloaded archive into Presenter, right-click any archive (in the left hand pane) and click Import Archive on the shortcut menu. The normal Windows™ Open File dialog will appear for you to browse to and choose the .lwa file to import.
Chapter 28. Rendering Scenes While the OpenGL rendering in the main navigation window is adequate for interactive walkthrough and previewing renders, you will no doubt want to render your scenes and animations with full photorealistic rendering at some point. You can render directly into the main window by simply clicking on the Render button at the bottom of the Presenter window at any time. Setting Up And Rendering A Scene 1. Click Tools > Presenter on the menu bar to open the Presenter window. 2.
Rendering Scenes 1. Apply materials and lighting effects to the required scene, and click the Render button to achieve the desired effect. 2. When the scene is rendered, on the File menu, click Export > Rendered Image. The Export Rendered Image dialog will appear: 3. To print directly to a printer, choose Printer from the Type drop down list. The Browse button and box will be grayed out and you will get the standard Windows™ print dialog to set up the printer and options on clicking OK. 4.
Rendering Scenes • HDR (High Dynamic Range Image). • OpenEXR (High Dynamic Range Image). • QuickTime VR Panoramic Movie. Note: The QTVR Panoramic Movie will effectively export 32 images, rotating about the current camera position to form a 360 degree panorama. Best results are achieved when the camera has zero tilt and is located in a position that has a 360 degree panoramic view, for example, in the center of a room. • QuickTime VR Object Movie.
Rendering Scenes The Pan Min and Pan Max settings define how far the model can be revolved (as though on a turntable). The Pan Initial setting defines where you view the model from at the start (again, as though on a turntable, 0 or 360 would be the same point at the opposite side and 180 would be where the camera is now). The Pan Frame No. is the number of frames to be used to revolve the model from Pan Min to Pan Max.
Chapter 29. Presenter Materials In this section you will learn how to apply, remove, and manage materials. Materials Tab Like the Lights, Effects and Rendering tabs, the Materials tab is divided into two panes. The left-hand pane describes the pre-defined archives of materials that are installed and the right-hand pane shows the current palette of materials that have been defined and are being used in the scene. The palette also shows a small thumbnail of the material as it will appear when rendered.
Presenter Materials You can also apply materials to items by selecting the items in the NavisWorks selection tree or scene and then right-clicking the material in the palette and clicking Apply to selected items on the shortcut menu. Rules can also be used to apply materials to items based on their layer or color or selection set names, for example. See Chapter 35, Presenter Rules for more information on this. Applying a material to items 1.
Presenter Materials Inheritance Layers can have colors, just as geometry can. If a layer has a material, all its children in the selection tree inherit this material, until one of the children is assigned its own material, at which point, all its children in the selection tree inherit this material, and so on.
Presenter Materials To copy materials into a custom folder: 1. In the Presenter window, Materials tab, click a material on the right pane, and drag it to the desired location under the My Materials folder on the left pane until a cursor displays a small plus. 2. Release the left mouse button to drop the material into the folder. Note: You can also copy materials between the folders on the left pane by either dragging and dropping them, or using the Copy and Paste options on the shortcut menu.
Presenter Materials Paste to paste a copy of the material with the same name suffixed with the next number in the list. This process is useful if you want to test small tweaks to a material. 4. Click Rename to rename the material. You can also select the material and press F2 to rename it. 5. Click Regenerate Image to regenerate the thumbnail of the material in the palette with the current attributes. 6.
Presenter Materials Note: If the Presenter profile (see “ Presenter Options ” for more information on this) is set to Advanced, there are more tabs and parameters to edit in this dialog. In particular, there are Reflectance, Transparency, Displacement, and 2D Texture Space tabs and at the top of each tab is a Shader type which allows you to completely change the type of material and all other parameters.
Presenter Materials 1. The three buttons at the top determine what sort of material preview you get: • Click on the Standard Preview button to get a software generated photorealistic preview of the material on the standard ball against checkered background, which is not interactive but will show how the material will look when rendered photorealistically. • Click on the Active Preview button to get an OpenGL interactive preview of the material on the standard ball against checkered background.
Presenter Materials 2. On the Material tab (or Color tab, if in Developer profile) click the Browse (...) button next to the Image File Name text box.
Presenter Materials 3. Browse to the location of and select your image file, then click Open. 4. You may then need to adjust some of the texture parameters of the new material, for example its scale, rotation, offset or reflection (if it's back to front). These may all be edited in the Texture tab. See “ Editing Presenter Materials ” for more information on editing materials.
Presenter Materials how much light is reflected by the surface towards the viewer. Shaders of this class may be thought of as defining a surface's "finish", and are used to model properties such as matte, metal and plastic. • Small surface perturbations can be supported by means of displacement shaders. Typically, a displacement shader will give an otherwise smooth surface an irregular or indented appearance.
Presenter Materials In Presenter, materials that include a wrapped shader also have a layout texture space shader associated with them. Normal texture space shaders are associated with objects. Note: A complete reference manual for all types of rendering styles is included with the NavisWorks API, (see \API\COM\documentation\shaders.chm). The NavisWorks API is included with NavisWorks and can accessed via the NavisWorks installer menu.
Chapter 30. Presenter Lighting In this section you will learn how to apply, remove, and manage lights. Lighting Tab Like the Materials, Effects and Rendering tabs, the Lighting tab is divided into two panes - the archive on the left and the palette on the right. The archive contains individual lights, as well as light studios. A light studio is a combination of lights that work well together. The palette contains all the lights that are active in the scene.
Presenter Lighting utilising HDRI-based light sources (see “ Image-based Lighting ” for more information), and an Exterior folder, that contains three light studios for different city locations around the World (Clear Sky, Overcast Sky and Sun Study). If you are creating an external render of a building, for example, then you may find that one of the Environment light studios can give a very realistic effect, using Image-based lighting to light the scene.
Presenter Lighting use the Pick button to interactively pick a point in the scene where the light and/or target is located. The light is represented by a 3D wireframe sun icon in the scene and the target by a wireframe sphere. The currently selected light is drawn in the selection color (see “ Selection Options ” for more information on this). Note: NavisWorks does not allow you to pick a point in empty space so you must pick a point on the model. 3. Lights can be positioned interactively.
Presenter Lighting 1. In the Presenter window, Lighting tab, expand the My Lighting folder on the left pane, and right-click the folder you want to delete. 2. Click Delete on the shortcut menu. To copy lighting effects into a custom folder: 1. In the Presenter window, Lighting tab, click a lighting effect on the right pane, and drag it to the desired location under the My Lighting folder on the left pane until a cursor displays a small plus. 2.
Presenter Lighting 2. Click Delete to delete the light from the palette. This will also remove the light from the scene. 3. Click Copy to copy the light to the clipboard. Right-click an empty space in the palette and click Paste to paste a copy of the light with the same name suffixed with the next number in the list. 4. Click Rename to rename the light. You can also select the light and press F2 to rename it. 5. Click Clear Palette to delete all the lights from the palette and hence from the scene.
Presenter Lighting calculate an accurate intensity for you based on the sun's position. 3. A Goniometric light is one which can emit widely varying amounts of light energy in different directions. One goniometric source could behave exactly like a point light, another could behave exactly like a spot light, and a third could look nothing like either of those. A goniometric light gets its intensity distribution function (how much light goes in any one direction) from an industry-standard file.
Presenter Lighting Point, distant, spot and projector lights have a Location parameter. Distant and spot lights additionally have a To parameter. See Positioning lights in the scene for more information. Note: If the Presenter profile (see “ Presenter Options ” for more information on this) is set to Advanced, the dialog will include a full list of available parameters and allow you to change the type of a light. Point, distant, spot, sky, sun, projector and goniometric lights have a Shadows parameter.
Presenter Lighting Editing parameters in the dialog will interactively alter the scene with those changes. At any time, click the Apply button to apply the parameter edits to the light in the scene. You can save an edited light for use in other scenes by simply dragging it onto the My Lighting user archive. Click OK to keep the changes made or Cancel to discard any changes made (since the last time you clicked Apply at least).
Presenter Lighting The item selected will depend on your Selection Resolution setting. See “ Selection Resolution ” for more information. or • Right-click an item in the Selection Tree (see “ Selection Trees ” for more information), click Presenter on the shortcut menu, and then choose the shadow casting option you require.
Presenter Lighting render the image twice. Once to sample the range of luminance values in the output image, then a second time to render the actual image with the luminance values adjusted to match the behavior of the human eye. In general, when using physically accurate lights, "Auto Exposure" should be on. Volumetric Lights Volumetric lighting allows effects such as the scattering of light, by fog or smoke, in a scene. Enable the "Scattering" check box on each light.
Presenter Lighting and this is the same model lit with Image-based Lighting 354
Presenter Lighting It is clear the difference this form of lighting can make to rendered images. And the enormous advantage here is that it is much easier to set up than traditional lighting. Image-based Lighting Setup 1. On the Lighting Tab, click on the Recommended folder in the left hand side of the palette. 2. Drag the Environment Light Studio into the palette on the right.
Chapter 31. Presenter RPCs In this section you will learn how to setup and apply rich photorealistic content. RPC Tab Presenter RPC (Rich Photorealistic Content) support enables the addition of photographic scenery into any 3D project. RPC files can be bought directly from ArchVision, and typically come in libraries of content ranging from trees and plants to people. They also come in a variety of types.
Presenter RPCs RPC Setup 1. Drag the RPC symbol from the Templates archive to the palette on the right. 2. Double click on the symbol in the palette, which should bring up the options dialog. 3. To select an RPC for use, click on the "..." button. This brings up a load dialog to browse to the location of the RPC file. NavisWorks has a number of free example RPC files in the resources area of the product CD. Once the file has been selected, click on OK. 4.
Presenter RPCs adjusting, simply double click on the RPC symbol in the palette again and alter them until correct. 5. Click OK to continue. This scene shows an example of some RPC people on and around a building.
Presenter RPCs most are licensed currently prohibits this.
Chapter 32. Rendering Effects In this section you will learn how to apply, remove, and manage background and foreground effects. Effects Tab Like the Materials, Lights and Rendering tabs, the effects tab is divided into two panes for archives and palette. This tab is where you set up different background and foreground effects. To set up an effect for the render, you simply drag a style from the archive to the palette.
Rendering Effects Note: If the Presenter profile (see “ Presenter Options ” for more information on this) is set to Advanced, the dialog will include the full list of parameters and allow you to change the type of background. In the Background Editor, click the Browse button (...) next to the File Name box to display the Open Image File dialog. From here, browse to an image file and click Open to use that image as the background.
Rendering Effects Environment backgrounds are a special kind of background that move with the model and allow reflections from reflective model parts. There are a number of different types of environment image types; we recommend using Vertical Cross maps. These images are automatically placed on the inside of a cube that then surrounds the scene. Due to the nature of the feature, edges and corners become indistinguishable. A wide variety of environment maps are available for purchase on the internet.
Rendering Effects Foreground Effects Foreground effects affect the foreground of the image when rendered and include fog and snow effect. None of these effects are available as an interactive preview and can only be seen when a full render is done. To set up a foreground for your render, simply drag your chosen foreground onto the palette on the right hand side of the tab. To edit your chosen foreground effect, simply double click the effect in the palette. The Foreground Editor dialog will appear.
Rendering Effects Note: If the Presenter profile (see “ Presenter Options ” for more information on this) is set to Advanced, the dialog will include the full list of parameters and allow you to change the type of foreground. At any time, click the Apply button to apply the parameter edits to the scene. You can save an edited foreground for use in other scenes by simply dragging it onto the User, Foreground archive.
Chapter 33. Rendering Styles In this section you will learn how to choose and apply rendering styles. Rendering Tab Like the Materials, Lights and Effects tabs, the Rendering tab is divided into two panes for archives and palette. This tab is where you select in which style and how you wish the scene to be rendered. Each archive has a number of different render styles to choose from. Note: A complete reference manual for all types of rendering styles is included with the NavisWorks API, (see \API\COM\docu
Rendering Styles Note: If the Presenter profile (see “ Presenter Options ” for more information on this) is set to Advanced, the dialog box will include the full list of available parameters and allow you to change the type of render style. At any time, click the Apply button to apply the parameter edits to the scene. Click OK to keep the changes made or Cancel to discard any changes made (since the last time you clicked Apply at least).
Rendering Styles The Recommended archive contains three predefined rendering styles: • High Quality. Choose this rendering style for the highest quality rendered output. This includes all reflections and transparencies and anti aliasing on edges, reflections and shadows. Of the three recommended rendering styles, this will take the longest to render. This is also the rendering style used if no other is chosen. Use this style for the final export of your rendered output. • Low Quality.
Rendering Styles Check the Auto Exposure check box to render the scene with balanced brightness and contrast. This is essential when using physically accurate lighting, such as a Sky or Sun light. If adding either of these lights to your scene, you will be prompted to turn auto exposure on, if it is not already.
Chapter 34. Texture Space Texture space describes the way in which a texture is applied to an item. For example, applying a cylindrical texture space to a pipe will cause textures on the pipe to be rendered more naturally. An item's texture space may have been assigned from the original CAD application and brought through from the native CAD file, or set up within Presenter with the options of Box, Plane, Cylinder, or Sphere.
Texture Space Or the cylindrical texture space editor: Or the spherical texture space editor: 370
Texture Space 3. Edit each of the individual parameters and click Apply to see the results of the edit. Clicking the Pick button allows you to interactively pick a point in the model rather than individually typing in x-, y-, and z- coordinates. 4. Click OK to apply the edits and return to NavisWorks or click Cancel to return to NavisWorks without applying the edits (any clicks on Apply will have already applied the edits however). 5.
Chapter 35. Presenter Rules In this section you will learn how to use predefined and custom rules to apply materials to your model faster. Rules Tab The Rules tab of the Presenter window allows you to apply materials to models according to certain user-defined criteria, rather than by dragging and dropping onto individual layers, groups or components.
Presenter Rules You can give multiple materials the name of different layers and apply this rule to all of the layers. • NavisWorks materials by name rule enables you to apply a material to named NavisWorks materials.
Presenter Rules 2. Enter a new name for your rule in the Rule name box. Note: If you choose not to enter a name, upon selecting a rule template the name of that template will be used. 3. From the Rule templates list, choose a template from which your rule will be based upon. Note: The Layers by name, Materials by name and Selection Sets by name templates are those used for the predefined Presenter rules. The Materials by property template enables you to specify a property within the model scene.
Presenter Rules property will receive this material from the palette when you check the rule Materials by property, and click Apply Rules. 4. 5. In the Rule description box, click on each of the underlined values to define your custom rule. The customizable values available with the built in templates are: • Name. Use the name of the category or property as it is displayed in the interface (recommended). You can also choose Internal Name which is that accessed via the API (for advanced use only).
Presenter Rules 'AutoCAD Color Index 9', and red brick material to all gatehouse items with material property of 'AutoCAD Color Index 32'. The following procedure describes the necessary steps to achieve this, using the Presenter rules. To apply materials with the custom Presenter rules: 1. Create a rule called 'Color Index 9', based on the materials by property template: From the Rules tab of the Presenter window, click the New button. Enter a name for the rule, Color Index 9.
Presenter Rules 2. Create another rule called 'Color Index 32' using the same settings as before. 3. Set up the necessary materials: From the Recommended, Glass archive on the Materials tab, drag the Window Glass material into the palette (right-hand pane). Select the Window Glass material and press F2 and rename it to AutoCAD Color Index 9. Press Enter to save the new name.
Presenter Rules on the Properties tab of the Selection Tree. 4. Go to the Rules tab and select the check boxes for the Color Index 9 and Color Index 32 rules. 5. Ensure only the Override any current exact mappings check box is selected and then click the Apply button, to apply the rules. All items within the model scene that have the color index 9 and color index 32 properties should now have the corresponding Presenter materials applied to them.
Part 5. Object Animation With Object Animation you can make your 3D geometry move and interact with you.
Chapter 36. Overview In Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate 2009 you can animate your model and interact with it. For example, you could animate how a crane moves around a site, or how a car is assembled or dismantled, and so on. With a few mouse clicks, you can also create interaction scripts, which link your animations to specific events, such as ‘On Key Press’ or ‘On Collision’.
Overview • Animation specified by keyframes with linear interpolation between keyframes (similar to viewpoints animation). • Camera, section plane, object animation. • Multiple independently moving objects independently started. • Multiple animations of the same object in the same scene (for example, moving a crane, and then lifting its arm). • Simple scripts (for example, to open and close a specified door). • Linking to TimeLiner to trigger off independent animations as tasks start.
Chapter 37. Working with Object Animation Windows The Animator and Scripter windows are the two main floating windows that are used to create and edit object animation in NavisWorks. The Animator window enables you to add animations to your model, while the Scripter window enables you to make these animations interactive. The floating windows can be moved and resized, and either floated in the main NavisWorks window or docked. A docked window shares one or more edges with adjacent windows and toolbars.
Working with Object Animation Windows Use the toolbar buttons to create, edit and play animations. Translate Animation Set - puts Animator into translation mode. A visual tool for controlling translation operations is displayed in the main NavisWorks window, and enables you to modify the position of the geometry objects. This mode remains active until you select a different manipulation mode from the toolbar. Rotate Animation Set - puts Animator into rotation mode.
Working with Object Animation Windows Reverse Play Pause - plays the animation backwards. - pauses the animation at the point you press it at. To continue playing from where you paused, just press Play again. Stop - stops the animation playing and rewinds it back to the beginning. Play - plays the animation in the currently active scene. Step Forward - steps one second forwards. Fast Forward - fast forwards the animation to the end.
Working with Object Animation Windows The Hierarchical List You can use the list view to create and manage your animation scenes. The scene trees display the scene components such as animation sets, cameras, and section planes in a hierarchical structure. To work with an item in the list view, you must first select it. You can display a shortcut menu for any item in the tree by right-clicking the item.
Working with Object Animation Windows reaches the end, it will reset back to the start and run again. The P.P. check box is available for scenes and scene animations. It enables you to control the playback mode. Select this check box to use ping-pong mode. When the animation reaches the end, it will run backwards until it reaches the start. Unless looping mode is also selected, this will only happen once. The Infinite check box is only available for scenes.
Working with Object Animation Windows The default timescale shows around 10 seconds of animation on a standard screen resolution, zooming in and out has an effect of doubling or halving the visible area. So, for example, zooming in will show around 5 seconds of animation, and zooming out will show around 20 seconds. Note: You can also zoom in and out with mouse wheel while hovering over the timeline. Another way of changing the timescale is to use the Zoom box.
Working with Object Animation Windows If you right-click an area without a keyframe in it, the shortcut menu will contain only the Edit and Paste options; and to use the paste option, you must have the keyframe data on the clipboard. Animation Bars The colored animation bars are used to visualise the keyframes in a timeline, and cannot be edited. Each animation type is shown in a different color, and the animation bars for the scenes are grey. Typically, the animation bar ends with the last keyframe.
Working with Object Animation Windows 3. Use the Display Manual Entry check box to control whether the Manual Entry bar is shown in the Animator window. 4. Click OK to accept your changes, or Cancel to return to NavisWorks without accepting them. The Scripter Window To open the Scripter window, select Scripter from the Tools menu.
Working with Object Animation Windows The Scripter window contains the following components: the script view, the event view, the action view, and the properties view. Note: If you can't use any of the controls in the Scripter window, it means that you are in interaction mode. To exit the mode, click the Toggle Scripts button on the Animation toolbar. The Script View The script view contains animation scripts in your NavisWorks file. Use the script view to create and organize animation scripts.
Working with Object Animation Windows The Script Tree The script tree displays all available scripts. The scripts can be organized into folders. This has no effect on the way scripts are run in NavisWorks. To work with an item in the script tree, you must first select it. You can display a shortcut menu for any item in the tree by right-clicking the item. Selecting a script in the tree displays the associated events, actions and properties information.
Working with Object Animation Windows Add New Script - adds new scripts to the script tree. Add New Folder - adds new folders to the script tree. Delete Item - deletes the currently selected item in the script tree. Note: If you made a mistake, use the button on the Standard toolbar to restore the deleted item. Check Boxes Use the Active check box in the script view to specify the scripts you want to use.
Working with Object Animation Windows script only runs if all events have occurred. Icons Use the icons at the bottom of the event view to add, order, and delete events in the selected script. On Start On Timer On Key Press On Collision - adds start events. - adds timer events. - adds key press events. - adds collision events. On Hotspot - adds hotspot events. On Variable - adds variable events. On Animation Move Up Move Down Delete Event - adds animation events.
Working with Object Animation Windows Actions are executed one after another in a script, so it is important to get the action sequence right. However, Scripter does not wait for the current action to be completed before moving on to the next action. So, for example, if there are two actions, one to start an animation, and the second one to show a viewpoint, Scripter will execute both actions almost at the same time.
Working with Object Animation Windows Move Up - moves the currently selected action up in the action view. Move Down Delete Action - moves the currently selected action down in the action view. - deletes the currently selected action. Note: If you made a mistake, use the button on the Standard toolbar to restore the deleted item. The Action View Shortcut Menu Right-click in the action view to display a shortcut menu.
Working with Object Animation Windows 396
Chapter 38. Creating Animations To animate your model, you need to create at least one scene, which will act as a container for your animations. Each scene can contain the following components: • One or more animation sets • A single camera animation • A single section plane set animation Animation Scenes In this section you will learn how to create, delete and organize animation scenes. Adding Scenes To add a scene: 1.
Creating Animations Note: If you made a mistake, use the button on the Standard toolbar to restore the deleted scene. Organizing Scenes You can group the scenes and the scene elements into folders. This has no effect on playback, except that the contents of a folder can be easily switched on/off to save time. To add a scene folder: 1. If the Animator window is not already open, select Tools > Animator from the menu bar. 2.
Creating Animations To organize scene components into folders: 1. If the Animator window is not already open, select Tools > Animator from the menu bar. 2. To add a subfolder to a scene, right-click it, and click Add Folder on the shortcut menu. To add a subfolder to a scene element, right-click it, and click Add Folder on the shortcut menu. 3. To rename a folder, click on it, and type in a new name, for example 'Doors'.
Creating Animations To add an animation set based on current selection: 1. If the Animator window is not already open, select Tools > Animator from the menu bar. 2. Select the desired geometry objects in the main NavisWorks window, or from the Selection Tree control bar. 3. Right-click the scene name, and click Add Animation Set > From Current Selection on the shortcut menu. To add an animation set based on current search set or selection set: 1.
Creating Animations 2. Select the desired geometry objects in the main NavisWorks window, or from the Selection Tree control bar. 3. Right-click the scene name, and click Update Animation Set > From Current Selection on the shortcut menu. To update an animation set based on current search set or selection set: 1. If the Animator window is not already open, select Tools > Animator from the menu bar. 2. Select the desired search set or selection set from the Selection Sets control bar. 3.
Creating Animations 3. Set the picking style by selecting the Snap to Vertex, Snap to Edge and Snap to Line Vertix check boxes. The cursor will snap to the nearest vertex, triangle edge or line end respectively, depending on the options chosen. 4. Set the snapping Tolerance. The smaller the tolerance, the closer the cursor needs to be to a vertex or edge before it snaps to it. 5. Select the Enabled check box, if you want to turn on snapping for angular rotation.
Creating Animations • Wireframe • Tinted 403
Creating Animations To adjust highlighting: 1. On the Tools menu, click Global Options. 2. Expand the Interface node in the Options Editor dialog box, and click the Selection option. The Selection page is displayed. 3.
Creating Animations items. 4. Use the Method drop-down list to select the type of highlighting you want (Shaded, Wireframe or Tinted). 5. Click the Color button to select the highlight color. 6. If you selected Tinted in the Method box, use the slider to adjust the Tint Level. 7. Click OK to set these options or Cancel to exit the dialog box without setting them. Object Movement To capture object movement: 1. If the Animator window is not already open, select Tools > Animator from the menu bar.
Creating Animations To move all objects in the currently selected animation set, place the mouse over the square at the end of the desired axis. When the cursor changes to , drag the square on the screen to increase/decrease the translation along that axis. To move the objects along several axes at the same time, drag the square frame between the desired axes. Dragging the yellow square in the middle of the translation tool enables you to snap this center point to other geometry in the model.
Creating Animations button on the Animator toolbar. 6. Use the rotation tool to rotate the selected objects. The rotation tool displays three colored axes at the correct angles relevant to the current camera position. Before you can rotate the objects in the currently selected animation set, you need to position the origin (center point) of the rotation. To do this, place the mouse over the square at the end of the desired axis.
Creating Animations To capture scaling changes: 1. If the Animator window is not already open, select Tools > Animator from the menu bar. 2. Select the desired animation set in the scene view. The corresponding geometry objects are highlighted in the main NavisWorks window. Note: You can change the way the objects are highlighted. 3. Click the Capture Keyframe button on the Animator toolbar to create a keyframe with the initial object state. 4.
Creating Animations the Animator toolbar. Changing Color To capture color changes: 1. If the Animator window is not already open, select Tools > Animator from the menu bar. 2. Select the desired animation set in the scene view. The corresponding geometry objects are highlighted in the main NavisWorks window. Note: You can change the way the objects are highlighted. 3. Click the Capture Keyframe button on the Animator toolbar to create a keyframe with the initial object state. 4.
Creating Animations button on the Animator toolbar to create a keyframe with the initial object state. 4. In the timeline view, move the black time slider to the right to set the desired time. 5. Click the Change Transparency 6. Use the Transparency slider on the Manual Entry bar to adjust how transparent or opaque the selected objects are. 7. To capture the current object changes in a keyframe, click the Capture Keyframe button on the Animator toolbar. button on the Animator toolbar.
Creating Animations NavisWorks automatically adds all necessary keyframes to the timeline view. Manipulating Camera Viewpoints To capture camera viewpoints: 1. If the Animator window is not already open, select Tools > Animator from the menu bar. 2. Select the desired camera in the scene view. 3. Click the Capture Keyframe button on the Animator toolbar to create a keyframe with the current viewpoint. 4. In the timeline view, move the black time slider to the right to set the desired time. 5.
Creating Animations To capture sectional cuts: 1. If the Animator window is not already open, select Tools > Animator from the menu bar. 2. Select the desired section plane set in the scene view. 3. Select the plane that you wish to manipulate from the drop-down list on the Sectioning toolbar. Make sure it's not yet enabled. 4. Set the step size by clicking on the Step Size 5. Click the Capture Keyframe button on the Sectioning toolbar.
Creating Animations Conceptually, keyframes represent relative translations, rotations and scaling operations from the previous keyframe or, in the case of the first keyframe, the model’s starting position. Keyframes are relative to each other and to the model’s starting position.
Creating Animations The Time box enables you to reposition the time of this keyframe. The value is the number of seconds since the start of the scene; it is not relative to the last keyframe. The Interpolate check box determines whether NavisWorks will automatically interpolate between the current and the last keyframes. This is the default option.
Creating Animations 1. If the Animator window is not already open, select Tools > Animator from the menu bar. 2. Right-click the desired keyframe in the timeline view, and select Edit on the shortcut menu. 3. Use the Edit Key Frame dialog box to adjust the animation. The Time box enables you to reposition the time of this keyframe. The value is the number of seconds since the start of the scene; it is not relative to the last keyframe.
Creating Animations 3. Use the Edit Key Frame dialog box to adjust the animation. The Time box enables you to reposition the time of this keyframe. The value is the number of seconds since the start of the scene; it is not relative to the last keyframe. The Interpolate check box determines whether NavisWorks will automatically interpolate between the current and the last keyframes. This is the default option.
Creating Animations Playing Animation Scenes To play a scene: 1. If the Animator window is not already open, select Tools > Animator from the menu bar. 2. Select the scene you want to play in the scene view, and click the Play button on the Animator toolbar. Note: You can also click the Play button on the Animation toolbar to play back your animation scenes. To adjust the animation playback: 1. If the Animator window is not already open, select Tools > Animator from the menu bar. 2.
Chapter 39. Adding Interactivity To add interactivity to your model, you need to create at least one animation script, in which you configure certain events and the actions that are carried out when those events happen. Each script can contain the following components: • One or more events • One or more actions Animation Scripts In this section you will learn how to create, delete and organize animation scripts. Adding Scripts To add a script: 1.
Adding Interactivity Organizing Scripts You can group the scripts into folders. This has no effect on their execution, except that the contents of a folder can be easily switched on/off to save time. To add a script folder: 1. If the Scripter window is not already open, select Tools > Scripter from the menu bar. 2. Right-click in the script view, and click Add New Folder on the shortcut menu. 3. Click the default folder name, and type in a new name, for example 'Doors'. 4.
Adding Interactivity satisfied, your script will not be executed. Adding Events To add an event: 1. If the Scripter window is not already open, select Tools > Scripter from the menu bar. 2. Select the desired script in the script view. 3. Click the desired event type icon at the bottom of the event view. For example, click to create a start event. Testing Events To test an event: 1. If the Scripter window is not already open, select Tools > Scripter from the menu bar. 2.
Adding Interactivity • Once After - an event will happen once only. Use this option when you want to have an event that starts after a certain length of time. • Continuous - an event will be continuously repeated at specified time intervals. You can use this, for example, to simulate cyclic work of a factory machine. Key Press A key press event triggers a script with a specific button on the keyboard.
Adding Interactivity Hotspot A hotspot event triggers a script when the camera is within a specific range of a hotspot. You can specify the following properties for this event type: Hotspot - select the hotspot type from the drop-down list: • Sphere - simple sphere from a given point in space. • Sphere on Selection - a sphere around a given selection. This option doesn't require you to define the given point in space. This hotspot will move as the selected objects move in the model.
Adding Interactivity You can specify the following properties for this event type: Variable - the alphanumeric name of the variable to be evaluated. Value - an operand to use. Enter a value to be tested against your variable. Alternatively, enter a name of another variable. Its value will be tested against the value in your variable. • If you enter a number (for example 0, 400, 5.3), the value is treated as a numeric value.
Adding Interactivity Actions Your script can have more than one action in it. Actions are executed one after another, so it is important to get the action sequence right. However, the Scripter does not wait for the current action to be completed before moving on to the next action. Adding Actions To add an action: 1. If the Scripter window is not already open, select Tools > Scripter from the menu bar. 2. Select the desired script in the script view. 3.
Adding Interactivity check box is clear, the animation will snap back to the starting point when it ends. Starting At - select the playback start from the drop-down list: • Start - the animation plays forwards from the beginning. • End - the animation plays backwards from the end. • Current Position - the animation plays from its current position, if the playback has already started. Otherwise, the animation plays forwards from the beginning.
Adding Interactivity Pause Script Actions are executed one after another in a script; however, Scripter does not wait for the current action to be completed before moving on to the next. A pause action enables you to stop the script for a specified amount of time before the next action is run. Alternatively, you can create several scripts to execute actions separately. You can specify the following property for this action type: • Delay - enter the time period in seconds.
Adding Interactivity 3. 4. Use the Message Level drop-down box to select the contents of the message file. • User - the message file only contains user messages (i.e., messages generated by message actions). • Debug - the message file contains both user messages and debug messages (i.e., messages generated internally by Scripter). Debugging enables you to see what is going on in more complex scripts. Enter the Path to Message File.
Adding Interactivity • If you enter a number (for example 0, 400, 5.3), the value is treated as a numeric value. If it’s got a decimal place, the floating-point formatting is preserved up to the user-defined decimal places. • If you enter an alphanumeric string between single or double quote marks, such as “hello” or ‘testing’, the value is treated as a sting. • If you enter the word true or false without any quotes, the value is treated as a boolean (true = 1, false = 0).
Adding Interactivity Note: For more information about object properties, see "Properties" under "Finding" in the Basic NavisWorks Functionality section. Load Model A load model action opens a specified file when a script is triggered. You can specify the following property for this action type: • File to Load - enter the path to the file that will be loaded to replace the current one.
Chapter 40. Animation Exercise To follow the procedures in this section, you need to open the file called gatehouse_pub.nwd located under the Examples\Gatehouse folder in the NavisWorks installation directory. Note: If you can't see the Examples folder, it means that it's not been installed with NavisWorks. You can use the Add/Remove Programs option in the Control Panel to change the installation parameters.
Animation Exercise 5. In the Animator window, click , and click Add Animation Set > From Current Selection on the shortcut menu. 6. Rename the animation set to 'Door 1'. 7. With the animation set selected in the scene view, click on the Animator toolbar. This captures the initial position of the door as a keyframe. 8. In the timeline view, move the black time slider 3 seconds to the right. 9. Click on the Animator toolbar. 10.
Animation Exercise 11. Place the mouse over the blue curve in the middle of the rotation tool, and drag it to rotate the door along the X axis until it looks open. In the example below, the door opens outside. You can make it open inside, instead.
Animation Exercise 12. Click on the Animator toolbar. This captures the current position of the door as a keyframe. 13. Click , and then click . You should see the door in the Gatehouse model open. Creating Scripts To create a script to open a door: 1. Select Tools > Scripter from the menu bar, and dock the Scripter window at the bottom of the screen. 2. In the Scripter window, click , and rename the added script to 'Open Door'.
Animation Exercise 3. Add a key press event: In the events view, click . In the properties view, select the Key Up option in the Trigger On field. Click the Press Key button, and press 1 on your keyboard. 4. Add a set variable action: In the actions view, click . In the properties view, enter door_open in the Variable Name field. Type 1 in the Value field. 5. Add a pause action: In the actions view, click 6. . Add a play animation action: In the actions view, click .
Animation Exercise Type 1 in the Value field. 3. Add a key press event: In the events view, click . In the properties view, select the Key Pressed option in the Trigger On field. Click the Press Key button, and press 1 on your keyboard. 4. Add a play animation action: In the actions view, click . In the properties view, select Door 1 in the Animation field. Select the Pause at End check box. End in the Starting At field. Start in the Ending At field. 5.
Part 6. Using TimeLiner TimeLiner enables you to link your 3D model to an external construction schedule for visual 4D planning.
Chapter 41. Overview of TimeLiner The TimeLiner tool adds 4D schedule simulation to Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate 2009. TimeLiner imports schedules from a variety of sources; allows you to connect objects in the model with tasks in the schedule; simulate the schedule showing the effects on the model, including planned against actual schedules; and export images and animations based on the results of the simulation. TimeLiner will automatically update the simulation if the model or schedule changes.
Overview of TimeLiner The TimeLiner window contains the following: • Tasks tab - enables you to create and manage project tasks. • Links tab - enables you to import tasks from a third-party scheduling software, such as MS Project, Asta, and Primavera. • Configure tab - enables you to set up the task parameters, such as task types, appearance definitions for tasks, and the default model appearance at start of the simulation. • Rules tab - enables you to create and manage TimeLiner rules.
Overview of TimeLiner The Task View The tasks are shown in a multi-column table, which provides some flexibility in how records are displayed. You can: • Move or resize columns • Sort column data in ascending or descending order • Add new user columns to the default column set It is possible to move between entries in a manually editable task using the keyboard. Simply select a task that has been set to be manually editable, and use Tab and Shift-Tab to move forwards and backwards between fields.
Overview of TimeLiner Task with link synchronized to external schedule. Task with link synchronized to external schedule, including Task Type. Task with link to external schedule that is either broken or old (unsynchronized). The Status Icons Each task has its own Status identified by an icon, representing planned against actual relationships. Each icon shows two bars. The top bar represents the Planned dates, and the bottom bar represents the Actual dates.
Overview of TimeLiner The Active Check Box The check box in the Active column enables you to turn a task on/off. If a task is turned off, then it will not appear in the simulation. For hierarchical tasks, turning off the parent task will automatically turn off all child tasks. The Shortcut Menus Right-clicking any column header, opens a shortcut menu that enables you to create and manage custom columns, and change the sort order of tasks.
Overview of TimeLiner NavisWorks window and on the Selection Tree. The items will be highlighted based on the selection options you have defined. See “ Selection Options ” for more information on selection options. Relink - relinks the selected task with your scheduling software. You will only be able to relink the parent task, i.e. the task with the same name as the link. You will be prompted to choose the link to attach the task to, as you may have more than one link set up.
Overview of TimeLiner The Link View The links are shown in a multi-column table. The columns show link name, source (e.g. Microsoft Project™), project (e.g. my_schedule.mpp, and link status. Any further columns (there maybe none) identify the fields from the external schedule which specify the task type, unique id, start date and end date for each linked task. You can move and resize columns, if necessary. The Link Status Synchronized All linked tasks have the same values as the external schedule.
Overview of TimeLiner a further menu, listing all project sources that may be connected to on the current machine. See “ Supported Scheduling Software ” for more information on which sources are available. Delete Link - deletes the currently selected link. Note: Deleting the link to an external project file will not delete any tasks that have previously been rebuilt in the TimeLiner Tasks tab.
Overview of TimeLiner The Task Types The tasks types are shown in a multi-column table. You can move and resize table columns, if necessary. TimeLiner comes with three predefined task types: Construct - for tasks where the attached items are to be constructed. By default, during a simulation, the objects are highlighted in green at the start of the task and are reset to Model Appearance at the end of the task. Demolish - for tasks where the attached items are to be demolished.
Overview of TimeLiner Right-clicking in the Task Types table opens a shortcut menu that enables you to manage task types: Add - adds a new task type. Delete - deletes the selected task type. Rename - enables you to rename the selected task type. Right-clicking in the Appearance Definitions table opens a shortcut menu that enables you to manage appearance definitions: Add - adds a new appearance definition. Delete - deletes the selected appearance definition.
Overview of TimeLiner The Playback Controls Use the standard VCR buttons to step and play forwards and backwards through the simulation: Rewind will rewind the simulation back to the beginning. Step Back will step back a single step size. Note: See Setting the step size for more information. Reverse Play Pause will play the simulation backwards. will pause the simulation at the time you press it at.
Overview of TimeLiner You can use the Simulation Position slider to quickly move forwards and backwards through the simulation. Full left is at the beginning and full right is at the end. The Date/Time box below the VCR buttons shows the point in time through the simulation. You can click on the drop-down icon to the right of the date to display a calendar, from which you can select a date to 'jump' to.
Overview of TimeLiner Options Task Type import field The field is used to automatically assign Task Types to each imported Task. Unique ID import field The field is used to uniquely identify each imported Task. This allows synchronization to work even if major changes are made to the external schedule in the scheduling software. The default behaviour is to use the most appropriate field for each source.
Overview of TimeLiner Planned End The field is used to identify a planned end date. This allows planned against actual comparisons to be made and simulated. User 1 to 10 Ten user fields are available to link any custom data fields from the project source. The Simulation Settings Dialog The Settings button provides access to the Simulation Settings dialog.
Overview of TimeLiner It is possible to override the Start and End dates that the simulation runs between. Selecting the Override Start / End dates check box enables the date boxes and allows you to choose the start and end dates. By doing this, you can simulate small sub-section of the overall project.
Overview of TimeLiner Simulate tab. These dates will also be used when exporting animations. You can define the Interval Size to use when stepping through the simulation using the playback controls. The interval size can be set either as a percentage of the overall simulation duration or to an absolute number of days or weeks, etc. Use the drop-down list to select the interval unit, then use the Up and Down arrow buttons to increase or decrease the interval size.
Overview of TimeLiner The following options can be selected in the Animation field: • No Link - no viewpoint animation or camera animation will be played. • Saved Viewpoints Animation - links your schedule to the currently selected viewpoint or viewpoint animation. • Scene X - > Camera - links your schedule to a camera animation in the selected animation scene. You can pre-record suitable animations for use with the TimeLiner simulation (see Chapter 19, Animation ).
Overview of TimeLiner • Planned. Choose this view to simulate the Planned schedule only (i.e. only use the Planned start and Planned end dates). • Planned (Actual Differences). Choose this view to simulate the Actual schedule against the Planned schedule. This view will only highlight the items attached to the task over the Planned date range (i.e. between Planned Start and Planned End. See diagram below for graphical representation).
Overview of TimeLiner • Actual against Planned. Choose this view to simulate the Actual schedule against the Planned schedule. This will highlight the items attached to the task over the entire Planned and Actual date range (i.e. between the earliest of Actual and Planned start dates and the latest of Actual and Planned End dates. See diagrams below for graphical representation).
Overview of TimeLiner The Overlay Text Dialog You have the option to define the text overlaid on the main window during simulation, by clicking Edit in the Simulation Settings dialog.
Overview of TimeLiner Settings. You can specify the exact format to use by entering text into the text box. Most text will appear as entered, except that words prefixed with a % or $ character act as keywords and are replaced with various values. The Date/Time and Extras buttons can be used to select and insert all possible keywords. The Colors button can be used to define the color of the Overlay Text. The Font button brings up the standard Microsoft Windows font picker dialog box.
Overview of TimeLiner $COLOR_RED Sets the overlay display text color to be red. $COLOR_BLUE Sets the overlay display text color to be blue. $COLOR_GREEN Sets the overlay display text color to be green. $COLOR_WHITE Sets the overlay display text color to be white. $COLOR_BLACK Sets the overlay display text color to be black. $RGBr,g,b$RGB Sets the overlay display text to any color specified using explicit rgb values between 0 and 255. For example, $RGB127,127,127$RGB sets the color to grey.
Overview of TimeLiner You can use the Links tab to import tasks from an external source, such as Microsoft Project™. You can choose a field from the external schedule to define the types of the imported tasks, or you can set task types by hand. Linked fields cannot be edited directly in TimeLiner. You can, of course, update the schedule externally and synchronize the tasks in TimeLiner with those from the external source. 3. Attach objects in the model to tasks.
Overview of TimeLiner If you used the Tools menu on the Tasks tab to create an initial set of tasks based on layer, item or selection set names, then the corresponding layers, items or selection sets will already be attached for you. Alternatively, you can use the Rules tab to automatically attach objects. 4. Simulate your schedule. Use the Simulate tab to visualise your model at any date in your schedule with the currently active tasks highlighted.
Overview of TimeLiner 5. Configure the behaviour of the simulation. Use the Configure tab to create new task types and edit old ones. The task type defines what happens at the start and end of each task of that type. You can hide attached objects, change their appearance or reset them to the appearance specified in the model. 6. Create image and AVI files. Export the current simulation view as an image, or the entire simulation as an AVI. 7. Keep up to date with changes in your project.
Overview of TimeLiner 462
Chapter 42. TimeLiner Tasks In this section, you will learn how to create and edit tasks, how to attach tasks to geometry items, and how to validate your schedule. Adjusting the Task View To move a column: 1. Position the mouse over the header of the column you want to move, and press the left mouse button. 2. Drag the column header to the desired location, and release the left mouse button. To resize a column: 1.
TimeLiner Tasks You can only sort by one column at a time. Instead of using the shortcut menu to change the sort order, you can click the heading of the desired column. This alternates the sort order between ascending and descending. User Columns You can add new user columns to the default column set. This is useful when you create links to external project files that contain more fields than TimeLiner. To add a user column: 1.
TimeLiner Tasks Adding Tasks Manually To add a task: 1. Load your model into NavisWorks (see “ Opening Files ” if you need help). 2. Click TimeLiner on the Tools menu, and click the Tasks tab in the TimeLiner window. 3. Right-click anywhere in the task view, and click Add Task on the shortcut menu. 4. Enter the name for your task, and press Enter. The task is now added to your schedule.
TimeLiner Tasks 2. In the TimeLiner window, the Tasks tab, right-click in the task view, and click Tools on the shortcut menu. 3. Select Add Named Task for Each Topmost Layer if you want to create tasks with the same names as each topmost layer in the Selection Tree. Select Add Named Task for Each Topmost Item if you want to create tasks with the same names as each topmost item in the Selection Tree. This can be a layer, a group, block or cell, or geometry, depending on how the model is constructed.
TimeLiner Tasks 1. In the TimeLiner window, the Tasks tab, click the task you want to modify. 2. Modify the task's date: Clicking the drop-down button in the Start and End field opens the calendar, and lets you set the Actual start/end dates. Clicking the drop-down button in the Planned Start and Planned End field opens the calendar, and lets you set the Planned start/end dates.
TimeLiner Tasks Note: If you want all tasks to have the same task type, click the Task Type field for the first task, then press Shift, and click the Task Type field for the last task. The task type you select for the last field will be used for all tasks in the range. Deleting Tasks To delete a task: 1. If the TimeLiner window is not already open, select Tools > TimeLiner from the menu bar. 2.
TimeLiner Tasks Attaching Tasks Manually To attach a task to a current selection: 1. If the TimeLiner window is not already open, select Tools > TimeLiner from the menu bar. 2. Select the desired geometry objects in the main NavisWorks window, or from the Selection Tree control bar. 3. In the TimeLiner window, the Tasks tab, right-click the required task, and click Attach Selection on the shortcut menu. The task icon has changed indicating that this task now contains attached items.
TimeLiner Tasks The task icon has changed indicating that this task now contains attached items. Look under the Attached column to get information on the attachment type. To attach a task to a current search: 1. If the TimeLiner window is not already open, select Tools > TimeLiner from the menu bar. 2. Run the desired search from the Find Items control bar. 3. In the TimeLiner window, the Tasks tab, right-click the required task, and click Attach Search.
TimeLiner Tasks 2. Enter a new name for your rule in the Rule name box. Note: If you choose not to enter a name, upon selecting a rule template the name of that template will be used. 3. From the Rule templates list, choose a template from which your rule will be based upon. Note: The Attach Items to Tasks template is the one used for the first three pre-defined TimeLiner rules, i.e. Items, Selection Sets and Layers By Task Name.
TimeLiner Tasks items having that property will be attached to that task when you check the rule Attach Items to Tasks by Category/Property, and click Apply Rules. 4. 5. In the Rule description box, click on each of the underlined values to define your custom rule. The customizable values available with the built in templates are: • Column Name. Choose which column in the Tasks tab you wish to compare Item names to.
TimeLiner Tasks You can check the validity of your schedule, by identifying items that have not been included in any task, are duplicated in multiple tasks or, are in overlapping tasks. This is especially useful, when you use rules to attach tasks. An item may remain unattached for a number of reasons. For example, a task in the project scheduling file is omitted, or the geometry item has not been included in a selection or search set. To check a schedule: 1.
Chapter 43. Linking to External Project Files One of TimeLiner's most powerful features is its integration with project scheduling software. A list of tasks including their start and end dates/times can be imported from a project file directly into TimeLiner. Supported Scheduling Software NavisWorks TimeLiner supports a variety of scheduling software. Note that some of these may only function if the relevant scheduling software is installed.
Linking to External Project Files Microsoft Project 2000 This Link requires Microsoft Project 2000™ to be installed. Microsoft Project This Link requires Microsoft Project 2002™ to be installed. Microsoft Project MPX TimeLiner can read Microsoft Project™ .mpx files directly, without needing a copy of Microsoft Project™ (or any other scheduling software) installed. Primavera SureTrak™, Primavera Project Planner™ and Asta Power Project™ can all export .mpx files.
Linking to External Project Files 1. Insert Project Management CD, enter the Product Key and accept the License Agreement. 2. Make sure "Primavera Applications or Components" is selected and click "Next". 3. Select "Other Components" and click "Next". 4. Select "Software Development Kit" and click "Next". 5. Continue through clicking "Next" until the install starts. 6. Once installation is complete, click "OK" to start the Database Configuration Wizard. 7.
Linking to External Project Files 2. In the TimeLiner window click the Links tab. 3. Right-click in the link view, click Add Link, and choose the required option from a list of the project sources that may be connected to on the current PC. Note: For more information on which sources are typically available, see “ Supported Scheduling Software ”. 4. Use the standard Open dialog box to browse to and open the desired project file.
Linking to External Project Files To delete a link: 1. If the TimeLiner window is not already open, select Tools > TimeLiner from the menu bar. 2. In the TimeLiner window, the Links tab, right-click the link you want to delete, and click Delete Link on the shortcut menu. This only deletes the link, not the tasks built from this link. These tasks become automatically Unlinked. Note: If you made a mistake, use the button on the Standard toolbar to restore the deleted item.
Linking to External Project Files 1. Make changes to the project in the scheduling software, and save it. 2. Load your model into NavisWorks (see “ Opening Files ” if you need help). 3. Click TimeLiner on the Tools menu, and click the Links tab in the TimeLiner window. 4. Right-click the link to the modified project file, and click one of the following options: Rebuild Task Hierarchy from Link.
Chapter 44. 4D Simulation In this section, you will learn how to play 4D simulations, and how to customize the simulation playback and appearance. Playing Simulations To play a simulation: 1. If the TimeLiner window is not already open, select Tools > TimeLiner from the menu bar. 2. On the Tasks tab select the Active check box for all tasks that you want to include in the simulation. 3. Be sure the active tasks are assigned the correct task types. 4.
4D Simulation Simulation Appearance Each task has a task type associated with it, which specifies how the items attached to the task are treated (and displayed) at the start and end of the task during simulation. The available options are: None - the items attached to the task will not change. Hide - the items attached to the task will be hidden. Model Appearance - the items attached to the task will be displayed as they are defined in the model.
4D Simulation To delete a task type definition: 1. If the TimeLiner window is not already open, select Tools > TimeLiner from the menu bar. 2. Click the Configure tab, right-click the task type definition, and click Delete on the shortcut menu. Managing Appearance Definitions To add an appearance definition: 1. If the TimeLiner window is not already open, select Tools > TimeLiner from the menu bar. 2.
Chapter 45. Export You can export a static image at any time during a simulation by using one of the standard NavisWorks image exports, whilst the Simulation tab is active. See “ Exporting an Image ” for more information. You also have the option to Export an AVI of an entire TimeLiner simulation. See “ Exporting an Animation ” for more information.
Chapter 46. TimeLiner Options Setting TimeLiner options: 1. On the Tools menu, click Global Options. 2. Expand the Tools node in the Options Editor dialog box, and click the TimeLiner option. The TimeLiner page is displayed: 3. Select the Auto Select Attached Items check box if you want TimeLiner to select any attached items in the main NavisWorks window as you select each task in the TimeLiner window. 4.
Chapter 47. Adding Animation In this section, you will learn how to add animation to the TimeLiner schedules. Overview You can link object and viewpoint animations to your construction schedules, and enhance the quality of simulations. For instance, you can start your simulation with a camera showing an overview of the whole project, and then, as the tasks are simulated, zoom into specific areas for a detailed view of the model. You can also play animation scenes as the tasks are simulated.
Adding Animation 4. Click the drop-down arrow in the Animation field, and select Saved Viewpoints Animation.
Adding Animation 5. Click OK. To add a camera animation: 1. If the TimeLiner window is not already open, select Tools > TimeLiner from the menu bar. 2. Click the Simulation tab, and click the Settings button. The Simulation Settings dialog box is displayed.
Adding Animation 3. Click the drop-down arrow in the Animation field, and select the desired camera animation, for example Scene1 -> Camera.
Adding Animation 4. Click OK. You are now ready to simulate your schedule. Adding Animation to Tasks The animation that you can add to individual tasks in TimeLiner is restricted to scenes and animation sets from the scenes. By default, any added animation is scaled to fit the task duration. You also got an option of playing an animation at its normal (recorded) speed, by matching its start or end point with the task. Note: Animation key-frames may contain transparency and color overrides.
Adding Animation 4. Click the drop-down arrow in the Animation Behaviour field, and select how the animation will play during this task: • Scale - the duration of the animation is matched to the duration of the task. This is the default setting. • Match Start - the animation starts when the task starts. If the animation runs past the end of the TimeLiner simulation, the end of the animation will be clipped. • Match End - the animation starts early enough so that it ends just when the task end.
Glossary Glossary of technical terms relating to Autodesk NavisWorks Simulate 2009. Display Terminology Average Frame Rate This shows the current measured frame rate, averaged over the last second. Average Frame Time This shows the time taken to render the last frame. Average Triangle Rate This shows the rate at which triangles are being rendered and is a measure of how well your graphics card is working. Culling Culling is a process for determining items not to draw during the render of a scene.
Glossary .nwc Cache Files When any native CAD file file is opened or appended, NavisWorks creates a cache file (.nwc) if the write cache option is set. When the file is next opened or appended, NavisWorks will read data from the corresponding cache file rather than re-converting the original data if the cache is newer than the original file. If the original file is altered, NavisWorks will re-create the cache file when it is next loaded. Cache files speed up access to commonly used files.
Glossary surface is reduced to flat facets. For most applications and file formats, you have control over the level of faceting that takes place. All items, no matter what their size, will use the same faceting factor and so have the same number of sides to curved entities. Therefore, you need to experiment a little with different values to account for the size that these items will appear on screen. The faceting factor must be greater or equal to 0, where 0 results in the faceting factor being turned off.
Glossary These are terms specific to NavisWorks that are used in relation to selecting items. Composite Objects A composite object is a group of geometry that is considered a single object in the selection tree. For example, a window object might be made up of a frame and a pane. If a composite object, the window object would be both the frame and the pane and be selected all at once. Instances An instance is a single object, which is referred to several times within a model, for example a tree.
Glossary time). Camera-Centric Navigation modes in which the camera is moved around the model (c.f. model-centric). Field of View The field of view of a camera is the angle that the camera can see. A large field of view will fit more into the view, but will look distorted and a small field of view will tend to make the view more flat, tending towards an orthographic view. There are two fields of view in NavisWorks vertical and horizontal.
collaborate , 257 accept call , 259 drive , 260 place call , 258 refresh , 260 collision detection, 147 commenting , 228 comparing models , 293 configure appearance definitions , 445 start appearance , 446 tab , 444 task type , 445 control bars , 275 crouching, 149 culling options , 196 Index Symbols 3D motion controller , 155 3dd files , 98 3DS files , 84 file reader options , 84 A animation , 222 animation scenes adding , 397 deleting , 397 animation scripts adding , 418 deleting , 418 animations creati
Index Bitmap, 61 Bitmap sequence, 63 current search, 67 Google Earth KML, 68 image, 61 JPEG, 61 JPEG sequence, 63 PDS Tags, 66 Piranesi EPix, 61 PNG, 61 PNG sequence, 63 rendered animation , 332 rendered image , 329 search sets, 67 size control, 65 TimeLiner AVI , 483 viewpoints, 66 viewpoints report, 67 G gravity, 148 H hardware acceleration, 201 head light , 189 options , 189 help , 317 About , 322 license , 319 NavisWorks , 317 online , 318 System Info , 322 topics , 317 what's this? , 318 hidden line
Index add tab, 183 delete property, 185 delete tab, 185 edit value, 184 rename property, 185 rename tab, 183 overriding , 179 color , 179 hyperlinks , 181 transform, 180 transparency , 179 resetting , 181, 182 hyperlinks , 181, 182 materials , 181 position , 181 transform , 181 measuring , 237 options , 243 tools , 238 menu File, 48 MicroStation exporter , 119 options , 121 multiple sections , 220 N navigating , 139 examining , 142 flying , 143 looking around , 140 modes , 139 orbiting , 142 panning , 14
Index additional archives , 327 effects , 360 lighting, 344 materials , 333 options , 204 overview , 325 rendering , 365 rpc , 356 rules , 372 texture space , 369 user archives , 327 previewing , 127 primitives , 194 lines , 195 points , 195 snap points , 195 surfaces , 194 text , 196 printing, 52 current viewpoint, 52 previewing, 53 setup, 53 profiles , 291 PRP files , 85 pts files , 101 ptx files , 101 publishing , 129 required items , 178 Review files , 106 reviewing commenting , 228 Revit exporter , 1
Index simulate settings , 450 tab , 446 Simulate Overlay , 456 skp files , 111, 111 SKP files file reader options , 112 slices , 220 smart tags , 254 Smart Tags options , 254 snap points , 195 spaceball , 155 spacemouse , 155 spacetraveler , 155 spinning , 143 STEP files , 93 file reader options , 94 stereo stereoscopic, 288 STL files , 105 STL Stereolithography files , 105 file reader options , 106 straighten , 151 surfaces , 194 switchback , 260 view menu , 274 view window splitting , 285 viewing everyt
