Part 3 - Naviswork - How to work with viewpoints in Navisworks ?

Below is the zoom in mindmap on part three of Naviswork - Working with viewpoints 

Saving a viewpoint

Viewpoint > save viewpoint > rename viewpoint

Choosing render style
Viewpoint > render style > mode > full render/shaded/wireframe/hiddenline

Changing the background

1) Plain background colour

View > scene view > background > plain > change the colour

2) Horizon sky colour

View > Scene view > background > mode –Horizon > mix the colour you want

 

Slicing model using sectioning
(i) Plane section
Viewpoint > enable sectioning > transform > small arrow @ plane settings > link section planes > link front and top > hover cursor to the arrow, there will be a small black palm appearing, it will be yellow when activated.

(ii) Box section
Sectioning tools > mode > box > adjust section box to preferences

Part 2 : Navigating in a model -- How to navigate in a model ?

Below is the zoom in mindmap on part two of Naviswork - Navigate in a model

Looking around your model
Viewpoint > navigate > look at

Using Gravity Tool 

Viewpoint > render style > realism > check gravity 

Using View Cube
Right click view cube > choose option – set current view as home / - Set current view as front

Part 1 Naviswork file system - How to open files directly in Naviswork ?

Below is the zoom in mindmap on part one of Naviswork file system. It is pretty clear and self-explanatory. 

The practical part.
How to open files directly in Naviswork ?

Open > Click Open 

An Overview on Naviswork

A while ago, we have been doing some experimental studies on Navisworks. Naviswork is a 3D design review package for Microsoft Windows. Used primarily in constructoion industries alongside with Autodesk Revit, Autocad and Microstation, it allows users to open and combine 3d models, navigate them around in real-time and review the model using a set of tools, including comments, redlining, viewpoings, and measurements. There are also interesting and useful functions such as clash detection, 4dD time simulation. photorealistic rendering and PDF-like publishing.

In our office, we experimented and pilot a project using Naviswork in one of the project which I am handling -- a remodelling of an existing ward in a local hospital, Changi General Hospital, we used Naviswork to monitor on the sequence of constructions (due to site constraint and to shorten time needed for renovation), location of coring etc. Although the scale of the project is very small for Naviswork, it was a good exercise in getting our hands dirty, studying Naviswork as a tool for project management (which I would be sharing in another post).

The overall process / flow of work (in general, not in detail) in carrying out a project utilising various platform (AutoCad, Revit & Naviswork), in this case Ward 15 in Changi General Hospital are as below. There are several back and forthwork involved in Revit and Naviswork since both of this software can be synchronising at the same time and changes can be reflected almost immediately.

Click to View Larger

For now, I would like to share an overview mindmap of Naviswork, constructed as I was studying online via Lynda.com. The tutorials conducted by Eric Wing was amazing.

The mindmap is massive, considering there are many aspects to cover in Naviswork, but trust me, it is rewarding. For the subsequent blogpost, I will be breaking down the mindmaps into smaller mindmaps with screenshots on how I practiced using Naviswork in subsequent blogposts.

Click here for downloadable pdf version which you can zoom in and read it : naviswork mindmap

Disclaimer : tutorials posted here are just a record on how we practiced and experimented on the software. Please forgive/feedback if there is any error spotted as we are still baby steps in learning.

Changing Line Colour (Imitating AutoCad)

Our office Cad layer system uses certain color to define certain layer. For example, red for wall line, blue for accessories for line weight. Here are some simple ways to make line in Revit look AutoCad.

1. First, go to Visibility Graphic (shortcut key VV) > Model Categories , click on Object Style

 

2. Here you may change the Line Colour & Line Weight according to your preferences.

3.  Yup, Now you have a Edges Line Colour you wish for !

Creating Visibility for void

 

Yesterday I was attempting to create a yes/no parameter for visual panel of the fire rated door, However, Revit doesn't have a visibility for void extrusion, there are a few methods I discovered in the internet, one of them can be found at Revit Nightmares Blog

which is simple to use the following formula

IF (<condition>, <result-if-true>, <result-if-false>)

I have posted the query on forum to find out more about the "Inconsistent Unit" Dialog, Apparently there are other methods to make it simpler, I will post more on my findings.

 

Using 1, and 0 with 1=1, and 1=2 (assuming 1 to equal true/on and 0 to equal false/off)

Will follow up again, once i figure out more about it.

To Show Datum Level on Axonometric

I was preparing an axonometric drawing which was to be shown to our client regarding the phasing of the building and the levels of the particular floors, which I used to do it in Sketchup (Fig 1)

(Fig 2 - the result i wish to create)






(Fig 1- SU Model)

However the 3d gridline in Revit 2016 does not allow me to create datum level (Fig 2) in Project , So I ended up using 3d Model Text to indicate the level, Alternatively, I could move it to Massing Environment, where the datum level can be shown.

Hopefully, the upcoming version of Revit would allow us the option to show datum level on axonometric in project environment.

BIM 4D Scheduling

Now that we had explored 3D in Revit, we are currently exploring on how to utilise 4D scheduling in our projects. Below is my notepad, recording the outcome and studies of BIM 4d Scheduling/Phasing. 

What is 4D Phasing ? 

4D adds the time factor of construction. It combines 3D model with time which allow architects/engineers, contractors, stakeholders to communicate the project phasing. It supports the understanding of project phasing, hence detecting any possible construction impact/complications, reduce waste, and even flow. 

source : http://www.gsa.gov/portal/mediaId/226795/fileName/BIM_Guide_Series_04_v1.action

source : http://bimporn.tumblr.com/post/46256111478/3d-4d-5d-6d-7d-bim

How Does 4D Works ? 

It works by linking each activity of a gantt chart (microsoft project file) to BIM, giving rise to an animated models representing the planned construction sequence set against time. It is useful in helping construction team to visualise logistical issues or inefficiencies, exposing detail such as out of sequence work or scheduling, or scheduling conflicts between multiple trades, analyze "what if" scenarios and macro level construction phasing strategies, in order to achieve optimization of construction schedule.

source : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CP86vJ7XjQQ

A great and helpful video in creating a 4D simulation is embedded below. 

                        

More to come ...

Urban Solar : Beyond Numbers

23 June 2015, Urban Solar: Beyond Numbers @ NUS.

A few of us registered for this discussion/talk regarding Urban Solar : Beyond Numbers organized by Singapore Safety Glass, AGC and SERIS. 

While it can be a little too technical for us, it was nevertheless and interesting session. 

Some of the interesting takeaways captured in the photos below : 

The Building and Construction Authority partnered with US-based Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) on 2012 to build a facility for test-bedding green building technologies. The collaboration is a great move in developing new innovations and solutions for greater energy efficiency of buildings in Singapore, thereby reducing carbon emissions and contributing to sustainability of the built environment. 

The Rotatable Laboratory will be constructed on the roof of the new extension in 2015 – the first to be built in Asia. The Laboratory will allow professionals and researchers to test building materials, components and systems that they have developed and monitor their effectiveness under Singapore local climatic conditions. 

Potential areas of study which can be carried out in rotatable laboratory include air-conditioning, building envelope and facades, lighting and control system, data acquisition and sensing system and other technologies. This allow researchers / builders eg architect to test bed design in working towards green design & sustainability. 

Talking about BIPV implementation in line with Green Building Design and Sustainability, an interesting topic was brought up for discussion by Prof Runa Hellwig (SERIS) on the perceived barriers on the implementation of BIPV. See photo below.

Prof Runa also shared an interesting collaboration project with WOHA in a Solar Architectural Interface Project, designing BIPV Design-Prototypes.

Further to the event, we had Mr. Yukihiro Harima sharing some of AGC's new solar cell such as green colored cell, sphelar and sudare which are pretty interesting. Green coloured solar cell are cells with green quartz liked embedded in solar glass. Sphelar, which is currently still under development has small silicone balls connected to each other and is embedded in solar glass, while sudare (vision glass that can be see-through with Solar cells by Sanjoule) takes the idea of vintage Japanese bamboo blinds and incorporated as sun-shading as well as photovoltaic cells.

It was a fruitful evening learning new things. 

BIM Execution Plan for PMs

23 June 2015, Meeting on BIM Execution Plan for Project Managers.

As the office is progressing towards BIM Execution in our projects, we love how little steps we are taking now are affecting the future. Today our BIMguru gave a briefing on what's in a BIM Execution Plan, the process, parties involved, who should be leading the creation efforts and the way forward. Though it was a short session, but it was essential to share the possibilities of BIM with project managers who were involved in project delivery. 

Here's the copy of slides for reference. 

BIM Execution plan.pdf

The black patch in the 3rd last page in the document is the video, which i embedded below.

Disclaimer : While we strive to make sure that the content is as accurate as possible, we make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the contents of information in the slides. Please use it at your discretion, with no liability to this site, or the site owner. Keep calm and read on!

The meeting ended with an interesting video by B1M Co-founder, Fred Mills presenting the possibilities of BIM. It is so huge and amazing. Watch the video and get excited. #BIMspiration #BIMoment

We would like to thank our BIMguru Laurenzo Federico for the short and informative briefing session.