2011

Table Of Contents
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 a small sub-section of the overall project. The dates will be shown on the 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, and so on.
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.
It is also possible to highlight all the tasks that are being worked on during the interval. By selecting the Show
All Tasks in Interval check box, and, for example, setting the Interval Size to 5 Days, all tasks being worked on
during those 5 days will be set to their Start Appearance in the Scene View, including those that begin and end
within the bounds of the interval. The Simulation slider will show this by drawing a blue line under the slider.
If this check box is clear, tasks that begin and end within the bounds of the interval will not be highlighted in
this manner, and will need to overlap with the current date in order to be highlighted in the Scene View.
You can define the overall Playback Duration for the complete simulation (the time needed to play it through
from start to finish). Use the Up and Down arrow buttons to increase or decrease the duration (in seconds). You
may also enter a duration directly into this field.
You can define whether the current simulation date should be overlaid in the Scene View, and if so whether it
should appear at the top or bottom of the screen. From the drop-down, choose from None (to display no overlay
text), Top (to display the text at the top of the window), or Bottom (to display the text at the bottom of the
window).
You can Edit the information displayed in the overlay text using the
Overlay Text Dialog Box. This dialog box
also makes it possible to alter the Font Type, Style and Size by clicking on the contained Font button.
396 | Chapter 15 Simulate Construction Scheduling