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This instruction is intended for Signal specialists working with a 4D model based on design models and the construction schedule of Microsoft Project.
Initial data
- Project model in Revit format.
- Microsoft Project construction schedule
Tools
- Autodesk Revit, Navisworks Manage, Microsoft Project, Excel software;
- BIMreport plugins for Navisworks Manage;
- Signal plugins for Autodesk Revit;
- Scripts Dynamo ;
- Revit file to copy "W_Specifications for copying" ;
Download the necessary Dynamo script files and the project file for copying the specifications in .rvt format from the links.
Creating a file
- In Autodesk Revit, create a project based on the construction template and upload the project model via a link.
- Create form-generating elements taking into account the location of element groups (building, section, floor)
Copy forms to standard floors by clicking the "Copy" button and create new form elements for non-standard floors:
Important: each form-generating element must be located by height within the floor, by width and length - within the building to which it will belong. [Number of form-generating objects] = [Number of floors in section 1] + [Number of floors in section 2] +...+ [Number of floors in section n]. But if all sections have the same number of floors, you can create a form-generating object for all sections, and then, when recording parameters, change the "Section" parameter.
Object breakdown structures can be different for the AR, KR, and IOS discipline models. For example, one AR model package includes the floor of the floor below the floor level and the vertical structures of this floor (the glass rule). The KR package includes the vertical structures of the floor and the slab above the current floor (the inverted glass rule). There is also a breakdown for facades, which runs from bottom to top, for each of the facades.
In the created form instances, fill in the previously added parameters: Building, Section, and Floor.
Parameter “Building” = B01 (Since the resulting models belong to building 1). The prefix B means Building. This parameter is included so that filters and groupings by “Contains B01” can be used in other programs. The number consists of two digits so that sorting by it does not produce the following result: 1,11,12,2,3…
Parameter “Section” = S02. where S means Section.
The “Floor” parameter is filled with the following values: L-1, L01, L02, L03, T01 (for the technical floor)… it is possible to fill in F01, F02... - for facades, A01... - for foundations, Z01... - for the roof.
- Check if all parameters are filled in. You can create a specification for the form-building elements.
In the resulting specification, you can edit the values:
- When finished, save the model with the form-building elements under a specific name.
- Open the RD models on the basis of which the form-building elements were created.
- Add the “Body”, “Section”, and “Floor” parameters to all categories of elements that you are going to upload to Navisworks, as in step 3 Creating a file with form-building elements.
Note: Select all elements in the Navisworks 3D view and view all element categories existing in this view in the filter:
- Copy the specifications from the file "W_Specifications for copying" to the working model.
In the "Insert" tab, select "Insert from file" - "Insert views from file". Select "Specifications" and click the "Select all" button.
Note: this is done to add the parameters “Code1”, “Code2”, “Code3” and “Job1”, “Job2”, “Job3” to all the required categories at once.
- In all elements, fill in the “Job1” parameter (“Job2”, “Job3” - exist so that the tasks that belong to the same type according to the code and classifier can be divided according to other criteria). For some elements, the fastest way to do this is by exporting to Excel.
How to fill in the Working via Excel parameter:
a) Open the "Project Manager" and find "Sheets/Specifications" in it:
b) Select the "W_Multiple categories" specification, in the specification properties go to the "Sorting/Grouping" settings and sort by the "Family and size" parameter, select "For each instance" and click the "OK" button.
d) In the resulting specification in Excel, fill in the "By type of work" parameter for all elements except holes:
- e) Using the “10.02_Update works” script, fill in the parameter:
f) Repeat this point 4 with all the remaining specifications, if necessary, create your own specifications and process them as well.
Important! Be sure to check that all lines of the Job parameter specification are filled in and that it is assigned to all elements. You can check this by performing a control export in Navisworks. In the "File" - "Export" tab, select "NWC":
(Download the file for export from Revit to .nwc from the link: https://www.autodesk.ru/products/navisworks/autodesk-navisworks-nwc-export-utility )
Click the "Navisworks Settings" button, then in the "File reading" item - "Revit", select "Current view" for "Export", click "OK".
In Navisworks, on the Home tab, click Select - Selection Tree - Find Elements, select the desired items and click Find All.
If all job codes have been entered for all elements, you can return to the working file in Revit. If there are elements for which the codes are not filled in, then analyze and fill in the parameters in Revit.
g) Load the model with the mass-generating elements into the project using the common coordinates
Note: If the link is loaded but not visible, check which Workspace it was loaded into and, if necessary, move it to a visible Workspace in the Navisworks view.
- Run the “10.03_Fill in codes” script, select the connection with the form-generating elements and after it runs, the filled-in parameters Code1, Code2, Code3, Body, Section and Floor will appear:
It should look like this:
- In order to fill in the “Code” parameter taking into account the “Capture” parameter, run the “10.10.Z_Synchronize KR works” script and after it runs, the filled-in parameters Code1, Code2, Code3, Body, Section, Floor and Capture will appear.
- Export the Navisworks 3D view in .nwc format:
- If necessary, repeat the entire path with all the housing files.
- To create a consolidated model, launch Navisworks 2020. Then click the “Add” button, in the window that appears, select the path to the NWC folder, change the “Files of type” to “Navisworks Cache (*.nwc)”. Select the files you need for the consolidated model and click the “Open” button.
- Now you need to create search sets in accordance with the Code parameter, using the SIGNAX for Navis “Sets from Excel” plugin.
To automatically generate search sets using the plugin, follow these steps:
- a) Create Excel document file , describing the structure and rules of search sets:
Note:
this Excel file consists of folder names:
F1
F1.0
F1.0.0
F1.0.1
where F = Folder, i.e. this is the folder where the search sets will be located.
The second column of the folder contains the name that will be displayed in the Search Set Manager.
Search sets have a code in the first column that is identical to the folder code, but replaced with the letter W (standing for Work).
Thus, the work that should be located in the F1.0.1 folder will have the code W1.0.1
Next, the search set specifies the "Name" in the Search Set Manager.
Column C indicates the properties tab in "Object Properties" where the search parameters are located.
Column D contains the parameter by which the elements are filtered.
Column E contains the value of the parameter by which the search set selects elements.
Column F indicates the condition by which the elements are searched:
“=” - equal to;
“?” - contains;
“!=” - not equal to;
“d” - defined.
Next, in 3 columns, the following parameters alternate for filtering by the "AND" condition.
b) Upload the Excel file and check that all the elements are included in the search sets using the "Hide" tool
Note: to work with search sets, open the "Sets" window and select the search sets you need (you can use Shift and Ctrl).
If necessary, update the search set, for this just open the "Find elements" tool and select the required search set. Edit the rules, right-click on the search set and left-click "Update".
- Next, import the production schedule into MS Project. Or create a simplified production schedule based on an existing one.
Setting up the mapping of TimeLiner and Excel columns:
After adding the data source (construction schedule in MS Project format), right-click on the line with the schedule and select "Rebuild task hierarchy" to display the schedule structure in the "Tasks" tab.
- For the schedule to be visualized, elements must be attached to TimeLiner tasks in accordance with search sets. Provided that the "Task Names" in the schedule and Search Sets in Navisworks Manage are assigned the same names, it is possible to automatically attach Tasks to Sets. To do this, in the "Tasks" tab of the Timeliner, click the "Auto-attach" button and select "Show Timeliner tasks from the Name column to Object sets with the same name, case-sensitive":
Blue entries about attached search sets will appear in the "Attachments" column of the "Timeliner Tasks" tab. Search sets are attached based on the matching names of the sets themselves and the tasks in the schedule.
- Thus, in the "Modeling" tab you can see the production schedule by days, taking into account what is planned to be built and what has already been done:
Working Models
RVT format models in which designers work and from which drawings are produced. Usually stored on the designer's server, the Revit server, or in BIM360 Design.
Splitting of working models
Working models are usually divided by disciplines, such as AR, KR, OV, VK, ES, SS, GP. Often, disciplines correspond to sections of the documentation being developed, but sometimes models combine several sections (e.g. OV1 and OV2, VK1 and VK2), or, conversely, are divided into several models for speed of working with them (according to the principle of maximum independence) (e.g. AR-storage rooms, AR-facades, AR-roof, KR-section 1, KR-parking).
Shared data environment
A server space in which access rights are administered and files are uploaded. Access is possible from anywhere via an Internet connection. Usually it is possible to change the status of files, issue comments based on files, and coordinate documents and models.
Uploaded Models
Models uploaded to the shared data environment for verification, coordination, and handover of a certain stage of work, according to the agreement.
Detached Models
Models downloaded from the shared data environment to a local computer or the company's internal server and resaved on this server with a detachment in order to make adjustments to these models (e.g., fill in parameters)
POS Model
A model in RVT format, created based on the POS drawing in DWG format in coordinates in which the other models of the project are located. The POS model should display temporary structures, construction site boundaries, site fencing, a simplified existing topographic survey, a simplified vertical site plan, an excavation pit in the form of a cut and backfill, and cranes.
Object Structure Model
An RVT format model created from form-building elements (the "Form" tool). This model reflects the object structure, according to which the elements and associated work will be divided (in various companies and work methods, this is called: work assignments, work orders, and packages). TSNH_SO_KR_R19
NWC Models
Models exported from Revit using the standard "File" - "Export" - "NWC ' functionality
Search Sets
Selecting elements by specific rules. Search sets allow you to select groups of elements by specific pre-configured rules. Search sets can be synchronized with positions in the schedule schedule if they have the same name.
Schedule in Timeliner
A tool that allows you to link a schedule created in MS Project or Primavera to a model, visualize the construction process, and display the amount of funds spent on a specific date. This tool also allows you to display plan/actual deviations and highlight schedule delays. To do this, you must specify the actual closure in the MS Project schedule.
Consolidated Model
An NWF model created in Navisworks Manage. This model contains models of all disciplines in NWC format (uploaded from Revit). In addition to NWC models, the consolidated model stores settings for Search Sets and Schedule Links.
Transferring a consolidated model to NWF
A consolidated model in NWF format is an assembly file that references NWC files. You must transfer the NWF assembly together with all the NWC files that are loaded into it. In this case, preserve the nesting and folder names in the relative path from the NWF folder.
Transferring a consolidated model to NWD
To transfer a recorded situation in a single file, you can save the working NWF file in NWD format. Usually, when saving a file in NWD format, the date is indicated (e.g.: TShN-K1-Consolidated model_27.04.2019.nwd). A consolidated model in NWD format is not a working model - it is a detached version of the model on a specific date. Any further operations with this model to add additional files will look as if an NWD file was loaded into the NWF format and other files. This is also possible, but not recommended since it will require a double update (first NWC, then NWD) and you may encounter an error (when you need to transfer settings from an NWD file to NWF, this will not work).
Before working with a construction model, you need to create a Revit file using a template, load into it the projects for which you need to maintain the construction model, and set up views for further work.
¶ Working in Revit
1. Download the latest version of the plugin by link
2. Download the Revit template file (.rte format) by link
3. Open Revit, select “Create” a new file. When selecting a template, click “Browse”, find the saved template file , the file format must be .rte, click “OK”.
4. In the new file, open the “Insert” tab, click “Link Revit”, select the file from which you will copy the elements.
5. If you are loading the first link file into a new file created from a template, be sure to select the “Auto - From” file location option project base point to project base point".
6. If an error appears stating that “Nested links not found”, click “Close”; to prevent this message from appearing again, check the box next to “Do not show this message again”.
7. In the “Management” tab - “Project Location”, click the “Coordinates” button, in the menu that appears, click “Get coordinates”. Hover the cursor over the model from the link and press the left mouse button.
Important: It is necessary to get the coordinates of the model regardless of the number of links being loaded. Even for one model, this is an important step
8. After the coordinates are obtained from the link, when loading additional link files, you must select “Auto - By common coordinates” in the placement settings.
If the alignment by common coordinates does not occur, then the designer has not configured common coordinates for the files. Click “From project base point to project base point”.
9. In the new file in view “1. Copying Elements” in the upper right corner of the window, click “Fit”.
10. Select the relationship that appears and in the “Edit” tab, click “Attach”.
Repeat with all the remaining relationships.
11. When all the necessary relationship files have been added, in the “View” tab ➤ “View Templates” select “Manage View Templates”.
In the window that opens for Template “1. Copying elements” for the “RVT-link override” parameter, click “Edit”.
For all linked files, enable the “Background” mode so that when you copy elements in the future, you can distinguish the copied elements from the linked file.
Next, for Templates “2. Creating Elements” and “3. In the Building Model” section, for the “RVT Link Override” parameter, click “Edit”.
For all linked files, turn off visibility.
12. The new file is now ready to have elements copied into it. Save it.
After preparing the project, it is necessary to transfer the elements from the linked file to the construction model. Copying elements with the creation of NON-editable geometry is performed using the “Lock elements” or “Lock by parameter” commands in the view “1. Copying elements”.
Before fixing the elements, it is recommended to specify "additional parameters" , which will be copied from the linked file along with the geometry. For example, Floor, Classifier Code, Type Name, etc.
1. Open the view “1. Copying Elements”. Click on the Copy Elements panel ➤ “Lock elements”
2. Select the elements you want to copy and click Done in the upper left corner. Typically, some of the elements that are completed on the construction site are transferred.
3. The copied elements will appear in view “2. Creating a construction model”
1. Creating elements of editable geometry
If you have any elements, the execution of which is fixed in stages, they must be converted to editable geometry.
- In the view 2. Creating a construction model, the elements are divided into handles. Select the element-Create-Split parts
Edit the sketch:
Set the plane in which the split line will be drawn
Click on the plane of the element, then select the tool and draw the split line.
After that, double-click on
- Completed elements must be selected and the stage must be changed to completed
- After After making all changes to the model, open view 3. Construction model.
The next step, after transferring the elements to the construction model and cutting them into sections, is assigning the appropriate status (Complete / Accept / Plan) to the elements of the construction model actually completed on the construction site.
¶ Closing work in Navisworks
1. In order to assign statuses to elements in Navisworks, you will need to perform additional actions:
- Unload the model in NWC
- Close work in Navisworks
2. Unload view “3. “Construction Model (Navisworks)” from Revit to NWC. (See the section Cleaning up the file and unloading NWC).
Cleaning up the file and unloading NWC
If the construction model file starts to work slowly, clear the temporary information that is created in it as a result of running scripts.
In the "Management" tab, find the "Delete unused" button. Then click "OK".
To continue working, you need to unload the Project from Revit to NWC. Before unloading, review the "Navisworks Settings". On the left, in the "Read files" - "Revit" section, the "Convert construction elements" checkbox should be checked. This setting needs to be done once, the first time export, it will be active for subsequent exports. If it is not enabled, Part elements will not be exported to Navisworks.
3. It is necessary to define the types of work. It is recommended to name the types of work the same way as they are specified in the estimate/Invoice. This is necessary for unloading volumes from the model and checking Invoice.
4. To create types of work, go to the work panel. A detailed description of working with the panel is available at link .
To be able to subsequently unload volumes to Excel, at this stage it is necessary to specify the unit of measurement for each type of work.
5. Filling in the dates of work completion. Select the item/items that relate to the same type of work and are completed on the same date. On the SIGNAX tab - Complete - Enter the date and select the appropriate type of work from the list.
- After adding dates, the specified properties are entered into the elements
7. Search sets are created by type of work and by dates
8. To obtain the volumes of work, it is necessary Use Excel export
9. Select folder
- Save the Excel file on your computer.
Instructions for identifying modified CM elements in Revit based on the design model.
These instructions are intended for PTO and Construction Supervision specialists preparing the construction model at construction sites.
The method described below allows you to select in Revit the elements in the construction model that have been changed in the updated version of the design model using the SIGNAX plugin for Revit.
¶ Initial data
- Construction model
- Design model
¶ Tools
- Autodesk Revit software
- Plugin for Revit - SIGNAX TOOLS
- BIM 360 Docs
- Project template for CM in Revit
- Create work types with element binding conditions. It is more convenient to use Excel.
- Create search sets by work types.
- Select the “Work Schedule” command
- Enter the end date and completion date of the work in the schedule
Or use the “Network Schedule”, and then transfer the information from it to the calendar schedule.
Instructions for working with the schedule are available at the link.
- To enter planned completion dates in the design, click “Create PE”
¶
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