Autodesk Navisworks Freedom 2011 User Guide March 2010
© 2010 Autodesk, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Except as otherwise permitted by Autodesk, Inc., this publication, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form, by any method, for any purpose. Certain materials included in this publication are reprinted with the permission of the copyright holder. Trademarks The following are registered trademarks or trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., and/or its subsidiaries and/or affiliates in the USA and other countries: 3DEC (design/logo), 3December, 3December.
Contents Welcome to Autodesk Navisworks Freedom 2011 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Chapter 1 What Is New in This Release? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 Chapter 2 How to Get Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Finding Information Using the InfoCenter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 Overview of InfoCenter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
When should I reinstall the product instead of a repair? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 Do I need my original DVD to reinstall my software? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 27 When I uninstall my software, what files are left on my system? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 Chapter 4 Quick Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 Start and Quit Autodesk Navisworks . . . . . . The User Interface . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Add Lighting . . . . . . . . . . Select Background Effect . . . . Adjust Displaying of Primitives . Control Render Quality . . . . . . . . Use Culling . . . . . . . . . . . Control Rendering of Objects . . Adjust Presenter Materials . . . Chapter 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
General Node . . . . . . . . . . Search Locations Node . . . . . Communication Center Node . Autodesk Channels Page . Balloon Notification Page . RSS Feeds Page . . . . . . Options Editor Dialog Box . . . . . . General Node . . . . . . . . . . Undo Page . . . . . . . . . Locations Page . . . . . . Environment Page . . . . Interface Node . . . . . . . . . . Display Units Page . . . . Selection Page . . . . . . . Measure Page . . . . . . . Snapping Page . . . . . . . Viewpoint Defaults Page . Links Page . . .
Welcome to Autodesk Navisworks Freedom 2011 Autodesk Navisworks Freedom 2011 software is the free viewer for NWD files. Autodesk Navisworks products can combine design data created with a variety of design tools, and then publish the entire model to NWD format including properties, comments, viewpoints and 4D playback. Navisworks Freedom and the compact, secure, and streamable NWD file format give all project stakeholders access to the whole-project view.
2 | Part 1 Welcome to Autodesk Navisworks Freedom 2011
What Is New in This Release? 1 Autodesk Navisworks Freedom 2011 contains many new features and enhancements. User Interface The new ribbon-based interface enables faster access to the tools and commands you need, helping you to spend less time searching through menus and more time focusing on your work. NOTE Smart Tags are now called Quick Properties. ■ Application Button and Menu.
See “Finding Information Using the InfoCenter” on page 5. New Features Workshop The New Features Workshop introduces you to what’s new in Autodesk Navisworks. You can access the New Features Workshop from InfoCenter. On the InfoCenter toolbar, to the right of the Help button, click the drop-down arrow. You can also access the New Features workshop from the Start menu. Click Start ➤ All Programs ➤ Autodesk ➤ Navisworks Freedom 2011 ➤ New Features Workshop.
How to Get Assistance There are various ways to find information about how to use this program, and multiple resources are available. 2 Finding Information Using the InfoCenter You can use InfoCenter to search a variety of information sources with one query. You can also easily access product updates and announcements.
To browse search results ➤ On the panel for Search Results, Subscription Center, Communication Center, or Favorites, on the right side of the category header, do one of the following: ■ Click the Next button. ■ Click the Previous button. To rearrange the topics displayed on a panel 1 Display a panel by doing one of the following: ■ In the InfoCenter box, enter a keyword or phrase. Then press ENTER or click the Search button. ■ In the InfoCenter box, click the Communication Center button.
When performing the exact phrase search, use double quotation marks (" ") to enclose words that must appear next to each other in the specified text string. For example, enter "specify units of measurement" to find only topics with all those words in that order. You can also use the previously mentioned symbols in a text string that is enclosed in double quotation marks. To search multiple sources for information 1 In the InfoCenter box, enter a keyword or phrase. 2 Click the Search button.
■ e-Learning Lessons. (For subscription members only.) Each lesson is 15-30 minutes and features hands-on exercises, with an option to use a simulation instead of the software application. You can use an online evaluation tool that identifies gaps in skills, determines what lessons will be most helpful, and gauges learning progress. Subscription Resources and Privacy Subscription resources provide interactive product features over the Internet.
■ RSS Feeds. Receive information from RSS feeds to which you subscribe. RSS feeds generally notify you when new content is posted. You are automatically subscribed to several default RSS feeds when you install the program. ■ Product Support Information. Get breaking news from the Product Support team at Autodesk, including when Live Update maintenance patches are released. ■ Subscription Announcements.
To display the InfoCenter Favorites panel ■ In the InfoCenter box, click the Favorites button. NOTE The links displayed on the Favorites panel are organized into the same groups or categories from which they were added. To save a link in InfoCenter as a favorite 1 Display a panel by doing one of the following: ■ In the InfoCenter box, enter a keyword or phrase. Then press ENTER or click the Search button. ■ In the InfoCenter box, click the Subscription Center button.
Search in Help Use the Help Search tab to find relevant topics based on keywords that you enter. The basic search rules are as follows: ■ Type your keywords in uppercase or lowercase characters; searches are not case-sensitive. ■ Search for any combination of letters (a-z) and numbers (0-9). ■ Do not use punctuation marks such as a period, colon, semicolon, comma, hyphen, and single quotation marks; they are ignored during a search.
Search for Example Results The first term without the second term nwd NOT nwc Topics containing the word “NWD”, but not the word “NWC” Both terms in the same topic, close together user NEAR menu Topics containing the word “user” within eight words of the word “menu” NOTE The |, &, and ! characters do not work as Boolean operators. You must use AND (also +), OR, and NOT (also -).
NOTE When you select the second option, you may get numerous printed pages, depending on how many subtopics the currently selected topic contains. To print a Help topic 1 Display the topic you want to print. 2 Right-click in the topic pane. Click Print. 3 In the Print dialog box, click Print. To print a selected heading and all subtopics 1 Display the topic you want to print and make sure that the Contents tab is displayed. 2 On the Help toolbar, click Print.
■ RSS Feeds. RSS feed subscriptions. You can add or remove RSS feeds. RSS feeds generally notify you when new content is posted. To specify locations to search for information 1 In the InfoCenter box, click the down arrow next to the Search button. 2 Click Search Settings. 3 In the InfoCenter Settings dialog box, Search Locations panel, in the right pane, select or clear the search locations you want to include or exclude when you search for information. 4 Click OK.
To specify InfoCenter balloon notification settings 1 In the InfoCenter box, click the down arrow next to the Search button. 2 Click Search Settings. 3 In the InfoCenter Settings dialog box, in the left pane, click Balloon Notification. 4 In the right pane, select or clear the options to turn balloon notification on or off. 5 Enter the number of seconds to set the length of time for balloon notifications to display. 6 Enter the transparency value of the balloon or set the value using the slider. 7 Click OK.
Other resources help you get information about Autodesk products and assistance with your questions about this program. ■ Autodesk website. Access http://www.autodesk.com. ■ Local support. Check with your dealer or Autodesk country/region office. View the Product Readme You can find late-breaking information about this software in the Readme.
Installation This chapter provides information about installing and activating Autodesk Navisworks on a workstation. 3 Quick Start to Stand-Alone Installation This section provides step-by-step instructions about how to prepare, and then install Autodesk Navisworks. Prepare for Installation To prepare for installation, you should review the system requirements, understand administrative permission requirements, and close all running applications.
Hardware and software requirements ■ Windows Vista Enterprise ■ Windows Vista Ultimate ■ Windows Vista Business ■ Windows Vista Home Premium ■ Windows Vista Home Basic Service Pack 2 (SP2) or later of the following: ■ Windows XP Professional x64 Edition Service Pack 3 (SP3) or later of the following: Web browser ■ Windows XP Professional (32-bit) ■ Windows XP Home (32-bit) 32-bit Microsoft® Internet Explorer 6.0, SP 1 or later 64-bit Internet Explorer 7.
Hardware and software requirements DVD-ROM Any speed (for installation only) Optional hardware Open GL©-compatible 3D video card; Printer or plotter; Modem or access to an Internet connection; Network interface card Understand Administrative Permission Requirements To install Autodesk Navisworks, you must have administrator permissions. You do not need to have domain administrative permissions. See your system administrator for information about administrative permissions.
■ Language packs for specific languages are included in the en-US (English), de-DE (German), es-ES (Spanish), fr-FR (French), it-IT (Italian), ja-JP (Japanese), ko-KR (Korean), pt-BR (Brazilian Portuguese), ru-RU (Russian) and zh-CN (Chinese PRC) subfolders of the product folders. So, for example, to install the 32-bit French language pack for Autodesk Navisworks Freedom, double-click x86/NAVFREE/fr-FR/NAVFREE_LP.msi.
From the Installation wizard, you can access user documentation, change the installer language, select a language-specific product, install supplemental tools, view support solutions, and learn about deploying your product on a network. ■ Review installation documentation before you install. It is recommended that you take the time to familiarize yourself with the complete installation process before you install Autodesk Navisworks.
The wizard does the following: ■ ■ Uses a Typical installation, which installs the most common application features. To see which features are included in a Typical installation, refer to “Typically Installed Features” on page 26. Installs Autodesk Navisworks to the default install path of C:\Program Files\Autodesk\Navisworks Freedom 2011. ■ Installs the products you selected in Step 3.
7 You can make the following configuration changes: ➤ On the Project and Site Folders page, you can specify: ■ Project Folder. Use the Browse button to select the directory that contains the product settings specific to a project group. ■ Site Folder. Use the Browse button to select the directory that contains the product settings standard across the entire project site. Click Next. 8 On the Select the Installation Location page, you can make the following configuration change: ■ Product Install Path.
2 On the Shortcut tab, enter a space in the Target field after ..\roamer.
To uninstall Autodesk Navisworks Freedom 2011 1 Do one of the following: ■ (Windows XP) Click Start ➤ Settings ➤ Control Panel ➤ Add or Remove Programs. ■ (Windows Vista and Windows 7) Click Start ➤ Control Panel ➤ Programs and Features. 2 From the list of programs, click Autodesk Navisworks Freedom 2011, and then click Change/Remove (Windows XP) or Uninstall/Change (Windows Vista and Windows 7). The Autodesk Navisworks Freedom 2011 Installation wizard re-opens in Maintenance Mode. 3 Click Uninstall.
To install an updated graphics card driver 1 Check the Web for to see if an updated driver is available. ■ Use Windows Update. ■ Search the graphics card manufacturer’s website for the type of installed graphics card. 2 If a more recent graphics card driver is available, follow the instructions from the website to install download and install it.
2 In Autodesk Navisworks, click the application button ➤ Options Editor. 3 Click Export. 4 In the Select Options to Export dialog box, check all options you want to export and click OK. 5 In the Save As dialog box, name the XML file as desired and save it to the global_options folder in the appropriate Site or Project directory.
Installation data is cached locally on your drive and that data is reused when reinstalling. When I uninstall my software, what files are left on my system? If you uninstall the product, some files remain on your system such as files you created or edited. 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.
Quick Start This chapter helps you get up-to-speed with the Autodesk Navisworks interface. 4 Start and Quit Autodesk Navisworks Once you’ve installed Autodesk Navisworks Freedom 2011, you can start it from the Windows desktop or from the command line. To start Autodesk Navisworks, do one of the following from the Windows desktop: ■ Double-click the Autodesk Navisworks icon, or ■ Click Start ➤ All Programs ➤ Autodesk ➤ Navisworks Freedom 2011 ➤ Freedom 2011.
1. Application button and menu 5. Scene View 2. Quick Access toolbar 6. Navigation bar 3. InfoCenter 7. Dockable windows 4. Ribbon 8. Status bar See also: ■ Overview of InfoCenter on page 5 To change theme of the standard user interface 1 Click the application button ➤ Options. 2 In the Options Editor, expand the Interface node, and click the User Interface option. 3 On the User Interface page, select the required theme type from the Theme drop-down list. 4 Click OK.
TIP You can exit Autodesk Navisworks by double-clicking the application button. Quick Reference Option (New) (Open) (Open URL) Description Closes the currently open file, and creates a new file. Opens files. Opens a published NWD file located on a web server. Prints the scene. (Print) (Print Preview) Shows a preview of how the document will print. Specifies print settings. (Print Settings) Options Opens Options Editor. Exit Autodesk Navisworks Exits the program.
Sort and Group Files Use the drop-down list at the top of the Recent Documents list to sort or group files by: ■ By Ordered List ■ By Access Date ■ By Size ■ By Type Preview Documents When you mouse over a file in the Recent Documents list, the following information is displayed: ■ Path where the file is stored ■ Date the file was last modified ■ Name of the person who is currently working with the file To change the number of recent documents listed 1 Click the application button ➤ Options.
To view the Recent Documents list by type ■ In the top-left corner of the Recent Documents list, in the By Ordered List drop-down list, select By Type. Quick Access Toolbar At the top of the application window, the Quick Access toolbar displays frequently used commands. You can add unlimited number of buttons to the Quick Access toolbar. Buttons are added to the right of the default commands. You can add separators between the buttons.
Option (Print) (Undo) Description Prints the current viewpoint. Cancels the most recent action. (Redo) Reinstates the most recent action. (Select) Selects items with a mouse click. (Customize Quick Access Toolbar) Customizes the items displayed on the Quick Access toolbar. To enable or disable an item, click next to it on the Customize Quick Access Toolbar drop-down. Ribbon The ribbon is a palette that displays task-based tools and controls.
Slideout Panels A down arrow to the right of a panel title indicates that you can slide out the panel to display additional tools and controls. By default, an expanded panel closes automatically when you click another panel. To keep a panel expanded, click the push pin icon in the bottom-left corner of the slideout panel. Floating Panels If you pull a panel off of a ribbon tab and into a different area in the application window or the desktop, that panel floats where you placed it.
2 Double-click the name of the active ribbon tab or anywhere in the ribbon tab bar. The ribbon toggles between the selected minimize ribbon state and the full ribbon state. To reset the ribbon and the Quick Access toolbar 1 Right-click anywhere inside the ribbon. 2 Click Restore Default Ribbon. Quick Reference Home Tab Panel Contains tools to... Project control the whole scene. Select & Search select items in the scene via a range of methods, including using searches.
View Tab Panel Contains tools to... Navigation Aids toggle navigation controls, such as the Navigation Bar, ViewCube, and HUD elements. Scene View set the background style/colors. Workspace control which floating windows are shown. Output Tab Panel Contains tools to... Print print the current viewpoint. Send send an email with the current file as an attachment. Item Tools Tab Panel Contains tools to... Hold hold the selected items so that they move with you as you navigate around the scene.
Keytips Autodesk Navisworks provides accelerator keys, or keytips, to enable you to use the keyboard, rather than the mouse, to interact with the application window. Keytips are provided for the application menu, Quick Access toolbar, and ribbon. You can still use ‘old style’ keyboard shortcuts, such as CTRL + N to open a new file, and CTRL + P to print the current file. To display keytips, press ALT.
When a menu item is followed by a series of dots, such as with that choice. , there is a dialog box associated Quick Reference File Menu This menu contains commands for managing files. Option Description New Resets the program, and closes the currently open Navisworks file. Open Displays the Open dialog box. Open URL Displays the Open URL dialog box. Print Displays the Print dialog box. Print Preview Enables print preview mode. Print Settings Displays the Print Setup dialog box.
Option Description Enables you to sort the items in the Selection Tree alphabetically. File Units an Transform View Menu This menu contains commands that control the Navisworks interface. Option Description Control Bars Enables you to toggle the display of control bars. Workspaces Enables you to control workspaces. Scene View Enable you to control the views in the Scene View. Head-Up Display Enables you to toggle navigation controls, such as ViewCube, Navigation Bar, and HUD elements.
Tools Menu This menu contains commands for advanced model analysis and reviewing, and also commands for customizing Autodesk Navisworks. Option Description TimeLiner Playback Toggles the TimeLiner Playback window. Links Toggles the display of links. Quick Properties Toggles the display of quick properties. Animation Enables you to control animation playback, and toggle scripts. Background Enables you to select a background color for the Scene View.
Quick Reference In this section, you will find a complete list of Navisworks toolbars and associated buttons. NOTE The actual toolbar content can differ from this reference depending on the workspace you use. Standard Toolbar This toolbar provides quick access to file management commands. It also enables you to undo/redo your actions, and open the Help system. Button Description Resets the program, and closes the currently open Navisworks file. Displays the Open dialog box.
This toolbar includes nine modes and six SteeringWheels for interactive navigation around your 3D models. Button Description Selects the wheel. Turns on Walk mode. Turns on Look Around mode. Turns on Zoom mode. Turns on Zoom Box mode. Turns on Pan mode. Turns on Orbit mode. Turns on Free Orbit mode. Turns on Fly mode. Turns on Constrained Orbit mode. Rendering Style Toolbar This toolbar controls the model appearance in Navisworks. Button Description Selects Lighting mode. Selects Rendering mode.
Button Description Toggles the display of links. Toggles the display of quick properties. Toggles the Viewpoints control bar. Toggles the Selection Tree control bar. Toggles the Comments control bar. Toggles the Properties control bar. Toggles the TimeLiner Playback window. Controls workspaces. Animation Toolbar This toolbar allows you to play back object and viewpoint animations, and toggle the scripting functionality. Button Description Rewinds the current animation back to the beginning.
This toolbar enables you to control the camera during interactive navigation. Button Description Dollies and pans the camera so that the entire model is in the Scene View. Zooms the camera so that the selected item fills the Scene View. Puts the Scene View into focus mode. Holds the selected items. As you move around the model, these objects will move with you. Uses a perspective camera. Uses an orthographic camera. Toggles collision. Toggles gravity. Toggles crouching. Toggles third person view.
Looking at several views of your model simultaneously is useful when you compare lighting and rendering styles, animate different parts of your model, and so on. Only one scene view can be active at a time. A scene view becomes active as you work in it. If you left-click a scene view, the scene view is activated and whatever you click is selected, or, if you click an empty area, everything is deselected. Right-clicking a scene view activates it, and opens a shortcut menu.
To make custom scene views dockable ■ Click View tab ➤ Scene View panel ➤ Show Title Bars. All of your custom scene views now have title bars. Toolbar: Classic user interface: Model Views ➤ Toggle Title Bars To delete a custom scene view 1 If your scene view is not dockable, click View tab ➤ Scene View panel ➤ Show Title Bars. 2 Click to close the scene view. NOTE You cannot delete the default scene view. To toggle Full Screen mode ■ Click View tab ➤ Scene View panel ➤ Full Screen .
Review-related Windows These windows contain tools required to perform select/search/review operations: ■ Selection Tree ■ Properties ■ Comments Viewpoint-related Windows These windows contain tools necessary to set up and use viewpoints: ■ Saved Viewpoints ■ Tilt ■ Plan View ■ Section View Windows can be moved and resized, and either floated in the Scene View or docked (pinned or auto-hidden). TIP You can quickly dock and undock a window by double-clicking the window’s title bar.
2 Select the check box next to the desired window in the drop-down list. To move a dockable window 1 Click and drag the title bar at the top or side of the window. 2 Optional: to prevent a window from automatically docking while you drag it, hold down the CTRL key. TIP The docking tool allows you to place windows in a specific relationship to the canvas areas. To group dockable windows 1 Click and drag the title bar of the window to be added to another window or group.
The docking tool also provides visual previews of what space will be occupied by a window. These previews are shown when you are moving a window and while your mouse is over one of the stickers. TIP To quickly create a window group, use the sticker at the center of the docking tool when you drag a window to its location. This works anywhere on the canvas excluding the default scene view and the Tilt window. Custom scene views can be grouped with other windows.
Memory Bar The field to the right of the icons reports the amount of memory currently being used by Autodesk Navisworks. This is reported in Megabytes (MB). Undo/Redo Commands You can undo or redo your actions in Autodesk Navisworks. The default settings are adequate for regular Autodesk Navisworks usage, but you can adjust the amount of space allocated to the undo/redo buffer, if necessary. To undo an action ■ Click Undo on the Quick Access toolbar.
2 Click View tab ➤ Workspace panel ➤ Save Workspace . 3 In the Save Current Workspace dialog box, enter a name for the new workspace. You can also select the name of an existing workspace to overwrite it with your modified configuration. 4 Click Save. To load a saved workspace into Navisworks 1 Click View tab ➤ Workspaces panel ➤ Load Workspace . 2 In the Load Workspace dialog box, browse to the folder containing the desired workspace, and select it. 3 Click Open.
Many keyboard shortcuts are already set for most commonly used actions. You can modify the default shortcuts or add new shortcuts, if necessary. Quick Reference Default Keyboard Shortcut Description PgUp Zooms to view all objects in the Scene View. PgDn Zooms to magnify all selected objects in the Scene View. HOME Takes you to Home view. This keyboard shortcut only applies to the Scene View windows. This means it will only work when this window has focus. ESC Deselects everything.
Default Keyboard Shortcut Description CTRL + F CTRL + G Toggles Gravity mode. CTRL + H Toggles Hidden mode for selected items. CTRL + N Resets the program, closes the currently open Navisworks file, and creates a new file. CTRL + O Displays the Open dialog box. CTRL + P Displays the Print dialog box. CTRL + R Toggles Require mode for selected items. CTRL + T Toggles Third Person mode. CTRL + Y Reverses the last operation performed by the Undo command.
Default Keyboard Shortcut Description CTRL + SHIFT + Down Arrow Takes you to the last redline tag. F1 Opens the Help system. F2 Repeats the previously run Quick Find search. F11 Toggles Full Screen mode. F12 Opens the Options Editor. SHIFT + P Activates the Pan tool on the Navigation bar. SHIFT + W Opens the last used SteeringWheel. SHIFT + F1 Enables you to get context-sensitive help. SHIFT + F6 Toggles the Comments window. SHIFT + F7 Toggles the Properties window.
Quick Reference Mouse Wheel / Middle Button Navigation Wheel Middle Button SHIFT + Middle Button Zoom In/Out Pan Orbit Non-Navigational Tools Select Classic Navigation Modes Walk Look Up/Down Glide Camera Glide Camera (Faster) Look Around Zoom In/Out Pan Orbit Zoom Zoom (Roll) Zoom (Drag) - Zoom Box Zoom (Roll) Zoom (Drag) - Pan Zoom (Roll) Zoom (Drag) - Orbit Zoom (Roll) Glide Camera - Examine Zoom (Roll) Pan - Fly - Roll - Turntable Tilt Up/Down Pan - Standard Nav
Global Options Global options, on the other hand, are set for all Autodesk Navisworks sessions. The Options Editor can be accessed by clicking the application button ➤ Options, or it can be launched as a separate application. To do this, click Start ➤ All Programs ➤ Autodesk ➤ Navisworks Freedom 2011 ➤ Options Editor. The options are grouped together, and presented in a tree structure, making it quicker to find and change them.
To configure global options 1 Click the application button ➤ Options. 2 In the Options Editor, expand the desired node, and click the option you want to configure. 3 Click OK to save the changes. Menu: Classic user interface: Tools ➤ Global Options See also: ■ “Options Editor Dialog Box” on page 165 To export global options 1 Click the application button ➤ Options. 2 In the Options Editor, click the Export button.
6 Click Save. 7 Click OK to close the Options Editor. Menu: Classic user interface: Tools ➤ Global Options To import global options 1 Click the application button ➤ Options. 2 In the Options Editor, click the Import button. 3 In the Open dialog box, browse to the folder containing the settings file, select it, and click Open. 4 Click OK to close the Options Editor.
The settings can be shared across an entire project site, or across a specific project group depending on the required level of granularity. See also: ■ How do I share the Autodesk Navisworks settings on a site and project basis? on page 26 To configure location options 1 Click the application button ➤ Options. 2 Expand the General node in the Options Editor, and click the Locations option.
To customize display units 1 Click the application button ➤ Options. 2 Expand the Interface node in the Options Editor, and click the Display Units option. 3 Select the Linear Units from the drop-down list. Be sure to choose the exact format required. 4 Select the Angular Units from the drop-down list. 5 Enter the number of decimal places you want to see throughout the interface for your units in the Decimal Places box.
4 Click OK. Menu: Classic user interface: Tools ➤ Global Options Search Directories Autodesk 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 Freedom 2011 within the current user profile. For example, C:\Documents and Settings\user\Application Data\Autodesk Navisworks Freedom 2011 where user is the name
scene, and can’t be obscured by other objects. When you mouse over a grabable part of the gizmo, the cursor changes to a hand Move Gizmo icon. Rotate Gizmo Scale Gizmo When you use gizmos, you can adjust snapping to control the precision of your operations (click the application button ➤ Options ➤ Interface node ➤ Snapping page.
64 | Chapter 4 Quick Start
Get a Whole-Project View 65
66 | Part 2 Get a Whole-Project View
Work with Files In Autodesk Navisworks you can open NWD files (published data), and DWF files. 5 Use File Readers NWD Files An NWD file is a file created with Autodesk Navisworks publisher tool, and contains all model geometry together with review markups. You can think of an NWD file as a snapshot of the current state of the model. NWD files are very small, as they compress the CAD data by up to 80% of the original size.
■ NURBS surfaces ■ Cameras See also: “DWF File Reader Options” on page 178 ■ Use File Exporters MicroStation File Exporter Manage Files Open Files To open files in Autodesk Navisworks, you can either use a standard Open dialog box or drag and drop files directly into the Selection Tree window. NOTE If the chosen file is a CAD or laser scan file, Autodesk Navisworks automatically uses an appropriate file reader to open it, provided this file format is supported.
Create Files When you start Autodesk Navisworks, a new “Untitled” Navisworks file is automatically created for you. The new file uses default settings defined in the Options Editor, and in the File Options dialog box. You can customize these settings, as necessary. If you have a Navisworks file already open, and want to close it and create another file, click New Quick Access toolbar.
70 | Chapter 5 Work with Files
Explore Your Model Autodesk Navisworks Freedom 2011 enables you to walk through a scene in real time. 6 Navigate a Scene In Autodesk Navisworks, you have a variety of options for navigating your scene. You can directly manipulate your position in 3D space with navigation tools on the navigation bar. You can also use StreeringWheels® that travel with the cursor, and can save you time by combining many of the common navigation tools into a single interface.
NOTE Changing the viewpoint up vector affects navigation in modes that rely on the “up” direction of the current viewpoint, such as Walk, Constrained Orbit, and Orbit. It also has an impact on section views. To align the viewpoint up vector to the current view ■ In Scene View, right-click and click Viewpoint ➤ Set Viewpoint Up ➤ Set Up on the shortcut menu. To align the viewpoint up vector to one of the preset axes 1 In Scene View, right-click and click Viewpoint ➤ Set Viewpoint Up.
In Autodesk Navisworks Freedom 2011, some classic navigation tools have been replaced with new navigation tools. See the table below for more details.
■ Zoom . Standard click/drag zoom. ■ Zoom Selected ■ Zoom All . Zooms in/out to show the selected geometry. . Zooms out to show the whole scene. Zoom Window The tool is activated by clicking Zoom Window in the Zoom drop-down on the navigation bar. It behaves the same way as the classic Zoom Box mode. Zoom The tool is activated by clicking Zoom in the Zoom drop-down on the navigation bar. It behaves the same way as the Zoom tool available on the SteeringWheels.
2 In the Options Editor, the Navigation Bar page under the Interface node, select the Use Classic Orbit check box in the Orbit Tools area. 3 Click OK. To use the classic Examine tool with the navigation bar 1 On the navigation bar, click Customize ➤ Navigation Bar Options. 2 In the Options Editor, the Navigation Bar page under the Interface node, select the Use Classic Free Orbit (Examine) check box in the Orbit Tools area. 3 Click OK.
Walk The tool is activated by clicking Walk in the Walk/Fly drop-down on the navigation bar. By default, the tool behaves like the Walk tool on the SteeringWheels. You can customize the tool options in the Options Editor. You can also switch back to the classic Walk mode. Fly The tool is activated by clicking Fly in the Walk/Fly drop-down on the navigation bar. It behaves the same way as the classic Fly mode.
4 Release the button on your pointing device when the sphere is displayed. The model is panned until the sphere is centered. To specify the target point for the Zoom and Orbit tools 1 Display one of the Full Navigation wheels or the big View Object wheel. 2 Click and hold down the Center wedge. 3 Drag the cursor over the desired location of the model. 4 Release the button on your pointing device when the sphere is displayed. The model is panned until the sphere is centered.
Look Tool With the Look tool, you can rotate the current view vertically and horizontally. When rotating the view, your line of sight rotates about the current eye position, like turning your head. The Look tool can be compared to standing in a fixed location, and looking up, down, left or right. When using the Look tool, you adjust the view of the model by dragging the cursor. As you drag, the cursor changes to the Look cursor and the model rotates around the location of the current view.
3 Drag to change the direction in which you are looking. 4 While holding down the button on your pointing device, press the arrow keys to walk in the model. 5 Release the button on your pointing device to return to the wheel. 6 Click Close to exit the wheel. To invert the vertical axis for the Look tool 1 Display a wheel. 2 Right-click the wheel, and click SteeringWheels Options.
you drag horizontally, the camera moves parallel to the XY plane. If you drag vertically, the camera moves along the Z axis. If the up direction is not maintained, you can roll the model using the roll ring which is centered around the pivot point. Use the properties dialog box for the SteeringWheels to control whether the up direction is maintained or not for the Orbit tool. To orbit a model with the Orbit tool 1 Display one of the View Object or Full Navigation wheels.
To maintain the up direction for the Orbit tool 1 Display the mini View Object wheel or one of the Full Navigation wheels. 2 Right-click the wheel, and click SteeringWheels Options. 3 In the Options Editor, the SteeringWheels page under the Interface node, select the Keep Scene Upright check box in the Orbit Tool area. 4 Click OK. Orbiting the model is constrained along the XY plane and Z directions.
To pan the view with the Pan tool 1 Display one of the Full Navigation wheels, or the mini View Object wheel. 2 Click and hold the Pan wedge. The cursor changes to the Pan cursor. 3 Drag to reposition the model. 4 Release the button on your pointing device to return to the wheel. To start the Pan tool with the middle mouse button 1 Display one of the Full Navigation wheels, or the mini View Object wheel. 2 Press and hold down the scroll wheel or middle button. The cursor changes to the Pan cursor.
Dragging to the left restores an older previous view. Dragging to the right restores a view that is newer than the one you are currently viewing. You must have previously used the Rewind tool to see views available on the right. The current position in the navigation history is indicated by the orange box that is dragged along the Rewind History panel. Up/Down Tool Unlike the Pan tool, you use the Up/Down tool to adjust the height of the current viewpoint along the model's Z axis.
elevation; if the walk angle is not constrained, you will “fly” in the direction you are looking. Use the Options Editor to constrain the movement angle to the world up vector for the Walk tool. Use Viewpoint Linear Speed By default, the linear navigation speed in viewpoints is directly related to the size of your model.
2 Right-click the wheel, and click SteeringWheels Options. 3 In the Options Editor, the SteeringWheels page under the Interface node, select the Use Viewpoint Linear Speed check box in the Walk Tool area. 4 Click OK. To adjust the height of the current view from the Walk tool 1 Display one of the Full Navigation wheels or the mini Tour Building wheel. 2 Click and hold down the Walk wedge. The cursor changes to the Walk cursor and the Center Circle icon is displayed.
2 Display a wheel that has the Zoom tool. 3 Click the Zoom wedge. The magnification of the model is increased and you are zoomed in closer to the model. If you hold down the SHIFT key while clicking the Zoom wedge, the model is zoomed out; you can hold down the CTRL key to zoom in. To zoom a view in and out by dragging 1 Display one of the Full Navigation wheels, or one of the View Object wheels. 2 Click and hold down the Zoom wedge. The cursor changes to the Zoom cursor.
■ CTRL+click and drag. When using the Full Navigation wheels or the mini View Object wheel, you can control the target point used by the Zoom tool. By holding down the CTRL key, the Zoom tool uses the location of the previous pivot point defined by the Zoom, Orbit, or Center tool. ■ SHIFT+click and drag. When using the Full Navigation wheels or the mini View Object wheel, you can zoom in to an area of the model by dragging a rectangular window around the area you want to fit in the window.
Mode Description tion and gives the effect that you are moving your head around. Zoom. Enables you to zoom into and out of the model. Cursor up zooms in and cursor down zooms out. Zoom to a Box. Enables you to drag a box so that the contents of the box fill the view. Pan. Enables you to pan the model rather than the camera. Orbit. Enables you to orbit the camera around the model, ensuring that “up” is always “up”. The camera always orbits around the focal point of the model. Examine.
As walk mode is camera-centric, this mode differs from the normal pan mode in that the camera is moved rather than the model. 4 To tilt the camera up and down, spin the mouse wheel. Menu: Classic user interface: Viewpoint ➤ Navigation Mode ➤ Walk Command entry: CTRL + 2 Look Around Mode In Look Around mode, you can rotate the current view vertically and horizontally. When rotating the view, your line of sight rotates about the current eye position, like turning your head.
Zoom Box Mode In Zoom Box mode, you can zoom into an area of the model by dragging a rectangular box around the area you want to fit in the Scene View. To zoom in to an area of the model by specifying box 1 Click Zoom Box on the Navigation Mode toolbar. 2 Drag a box with the left mouse button over the Scene View to fill the view with the contents of the box. NOTE Holding down the SHIFT or CTRL keys, or spinning the mouse wheel, temporarily enables normal Zoom mode.
To orbit a model 1 Click Orbit on the Navigation Mode toolbar. 2 To rotate the camera around the model, drag the left mouse button, or using the cursor keys. NOTE Holding down the SHIFT key, or spinning the mouse wheel, temporarily enables normal Zoom mode. 3 To glide the camera, hold down the CTRL key as you drag the mouse. The camera glides left and right and up and down. As orbit mode is camera-centric, this mode differs from normal pan mode in that the camera is moved rather than the model.
To use Fly mode to move through the model 1 Click Fly on the Navigation Mode toolbar. 2 Hold down the left mouse button to move the camera forward. As in a flight simulator, the left mouse button banks left/right when dragged left or right and tilts up/down when dragged up or down. NOTE Holding down the SHIFT key speeds up this movement. 3 Use the up and down cursor keys to zoom the camera in and out respectively; use the left and right cursor keys to spin the camera left and right respectively.
Using this function dollies and pans the camera so that the entire model is shown in the current view, which is very useful if you get lost inside a model or lose it completely. Occasionally, you may get a blank view. This is usually because there are items that are very small in comparison to the main model, or items that are located a long way away from the main model.
Use the Compass The compass is displayed below the ViewCube tool and indicates which direction North is defined for the model. You can click a cardinal direction letter on the compass to rotate the model, or you can click and drag one of the cardinal direction letters or the compass ring to interactively rotate the model around the pivot point. Drag or Click ViewCube When you drag or click the ViewCube tool, the view of the model reorients around a pivot point.
3 Click OK. To display the compass for the ViewCube 1 Right-click the ViewCube tool, and click ViewCube Options. 2 In the Options Editor, the ViewCube page under the Interface node, select Show Compass Below the ViewCube. 3 Click OK. The compass is displayed below the ViewCube tool and indicates the direction of north for the model.
■ Set Current View as Front. Defines the Front view of the model based on the current view. ■ Reset Front. Resets the Front view of the model to its default orientation. ■ ViewCube Options. Displays the Options Editor where you can adjust the appearance and behavior of the ViewCube tool. ■ Help. Launches the online Help system and displays the topic for the ViewCube tool. Reorient the View of a Model with ViewCube ViewCube is used to reorient the current view of a model.
Switch to an Adjacent Face When the ViewCube tool is active while viewing a model from one of the face views, four orthogonal triangles are displayed near the ViewCube tool. You use these triangles to switch to one of the adjacent face views. Front View You can define the Front view of a model to define the direction of the face views on the ViewCube tool. Along with the Front view, the up direction of a model is also used to define the direction of the face views on the ViewCube tool.
To use animated transitions when reorienting a view to a preset orientation 1 Right-click the ViewCube tool, and click ViewCube Options. 2 In the Options Editor, the ViewCube page under the Interface node, select Use Animated Transitions When Switching Views. When checked, transitions from one view to another appear animated when clicking a predefined area on the ViewCube tool. 3 Click OK. To automatically fit the model after a view orientation 1 Right-click the ViewCube tool, and click ViewCube Options.
Orthographic projection mode makes it easier to work with a model due to all the edges of the model appearing as the same size, regardless of the distance from the camera. Orthographic projection mode though, is not how you commonly see objects in the real world. Objects in the real world are seen in perspective projection. So when you want to generate a rendering or hidden line view of a model, using perspective projection will give the model a more realistic look.
If Lock to Selection is checked when a view orientation change occurs, the selected objects are used to calculate the center of the view and the view zooms to the extents of the selected objects. When cleared, the selected objects are used to calculate the center of the view and the view zooms to the extents of the model. To examine an individual object with ViewCube 1 In the model, select one or more objects to define the centerpoint of the view.
Reposition and Reorient the Navigation Bar The position and orientation of the navigation bar can be adjusted by linking it to the ViewCube tool, docking it when the ViewCube tool is not displayed, or freely positioning it along one of the edges of the current window. When linked to the ViewCube tool, the navigation bar is positioned below the ViewCube tool and in a vertical orientation. When not linked or docked, the navigation bar can be freely aligned along one of the edges of the Scene View.
NOTE The ViewCube button is displayed on the navigation bar only when the ViewCube tool is hidden in the Scene View. To customize the navigation bar 1 On the navigation bar, click Customize. 2 On the Customize menu, click the navigation tool you want to display on the navigation bar. A check mark next to a navigation tool’s name indicates it is displayed on the navigation bar. Uncheck the navigation tool to remove it from the navigation bar.
big wheel is larger than the cursor, and labels are shown on the wheel wedges. The mini wheel is about the same size as the cursor, and labels are not displayed on the wheel wedges. Big Full Navigation Wheel Mini Full Navigation Wheel The size of a wheel controls how large or small the wedges and labels appear on the wheel; the opacity level controls the visibility of the objects in the model behind the wheel.
3 In the Options Editor, the SteeringWheels page under the Interface node, select the Show Tooltips check box in the On-Screen Messages area. Tooltips are displayed for each wedge and button on a wheel when the cursor moves over the wheel. 4 Click OK. To enable tool messages for wheels 1 Display a wheel. 2 Right-click the wheel, and click SteeringWheels Options. 3 In the Options Editor, the SteeringWheels page under the Interface node, select the Show Tool Messages check box in the On-Screen Messages area.
■ Fit to Window. Resizes and centers the current view to display all objects in the Scene View. This is equivalent to clicking View All on the Navigation Tools toolbar in the Classic user interface. ■ Restore Original Center. Restores the center point of the view to the extents of the model. ■ Level Camera. Orients the camera such that it is level with the 'ground'.
NOTE When the mini wheel is displayed, you can press and hold the middle mouse button to pan, scroll the wheel button to zoom in and out, and hold the SHIFT key while pressing and holding the middle mouse button to orbit the model. To switch to the mini View Object wheel ■ Right-click the wheel, and click Advanced Wheels ➤ Mini View Object Wheel.
NOTE When the mini wheel is displayed, you can press and hold the middle mouse button to pan, scroll the wheel button to zoom in and out, and hold the SHIFT key while pressing and holding the middle mouse button to orbit the model. To switch to the mini Tour Building wheel ■ Right-click the wheel, and click Advanced Wheels ➤ Mini Tour Building Wheel.
Mini Full Navigation Wheel The mini Full Navigation wheel wedges have the following options: ■ Zoom (Top wedge). Adjusts the magnification of the current view. ■ Walk (Upper right wedge). Simulates walking through a model. ■ Rewind (Right wedge). Restores the most recent view. You can move backward or forward by clicking and dragging left or right. ■ Up/Down (Lower right wedge). Slides the current view of a model along the Z axis of the model. ■ Pan (Bottom wedge).
Control the Field of View You can define the area of the scene that can be viewed through the camera. For the current viewpoint, you can move the FOV slider on the ribbon to adjust the Horizontal Field of View. For previously saved viewpoints, you can use the Edit Viewpoint dialog box on page 161 to adjust the values for both vertical and horizontal angles of view.
The tilt angle is indicated in the scene's units below (negative) or above (positive) horizontal (0) at the base of the window. You can use the Tilt window with the Walk tool on the navigation bar to look up and down. If your mouse has a wheel, you can use it to adjust the tilt angle. To toggle the Tilt window ■ Click Viewpoint tab ➤ Camera panel ➤ Show Tilt Bar . Command entry: CTRL + F7 To roll camera up/down ■ Drag the slider up or down on the Tilt window to roll the camera.
When you align the camera position along one of the axis: ■ Aligning with X axis toggles between front and back face views. ■ Aligning with Y axis toggles between left and right face views. ■ Aligning with Z axis toggles between top and bottom face views. NOTE You can customize the location of the front face by using the ViewCube tool. This change is global, and affects all viewpoints. To align with X-axis ■ Click Viewpoint tab ➤ Camera panel ➤ Align Camera drop-down ➤ Align X .
■ Position Readout. Shows the absolute X, Y, Z position of the camera (or the avatar's eye position if the avatar is visible). The Position Readout is located at the bottom-left of the Scene View. To toggle XYZ Axes 1 Click View tab ➤ Navigation Aids panel ➤ HUD drop-down. 2 Select or clear the XYZ Axes check box. To toggle Position Readout 1 Click View tab ➤ Navigation Aids panel ➤ HUD drop-down. 2 Select or clear the Position Readout check box.
To use the Plan View 1 Click View tab ➤ Navigation Aids panel ➤ Reference Views drop-down ➤ Plan View check box. The Plan View window opens with the reference view of the model. 2 Drag the triangular marker on the reference view into a new location. The camera in the Scene View changes its position to match the position of the marker in the view. Alternatively, navigate to a different location in the Scene View.
To focus on an item ■ Click Item Tools tab ➤ Look At panel ➤ Focus on Item . Toolbar: Navigation bar ➤ Look tools ➤ Focus Menu: Classic user interface: Viewpoint ➤ Navigation Tools ➤ Focus Shortcut menu: Scene ➤ Focus Hold When you navigate around a model in Autodesk Navisworks, it is possible to “pick up” or hold selected items and move around with them in the model. For example you may be viewing a plan for a factory and would like to see different configurations of machine layouts.
Crouching NOTE This function only works in connection with collision. When walking or flying around the model with collision 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.
Third Person View This function allows you to navigate scene from a third person perspective. When third person is activated, you will be able to see an avatar which is a representation of yourself within the 3D model. Whilst navigating you will be controlling the avatar's interaction with the current scene. Using third person in connection with collision and gravity makes this a very powerful function, allowing you to visualize exactly how a person would interact with the intended design.
Control Model Appearance and Render Quality 7 You can control both the appearance of the model in the Scene View and the quality of rendering in real time. Control Model Appearance You can use the tools on the Render Style panel on the Viewpoint tab to control how your model is displayed in the Scene View.
NOTE Autodesk Navisworks does not convert all native CAD file’s textures. For more details, see “Use File Readers” and “Use File Exporters” on page 68. To select Full Render mode ■ . Click Viewpoint tab ➤ Render Style panel ➤ Mode drop-down, and click Full Render Menu: Classic user interface: Viewpoint ➤ Rendering ➤ Full Render Shaded In Shaded mode, the model is rendered with smooth shading and without textures.
Full Lights This mode uses lights that have been defined with the Presenter tool. To use lights defined with the Presenter tool Viewpoint tab ➤ Render Style panel ➤ Lighting drop-down, and click Full Lights ■ . Menu: Classic user interface: Viewpoint ➤ Lighting ➤ Full Lights Scene Lights This mode uses the lights that have been brought through from the native CAD file. If no lights are available, two default opposing lights are used instead.
To adjust Head Light intensity 1 Click Home tab ➤ Project panel ➤ File Options . 2 In the File Options dialog box, click the Headlight tab. 3 Move the Ambient slider to adjust the brightness of the scene, and the Headlight slider to adjust the brightness of the directional light. TIP Turning on Head Light mode before following this procedure lets you instantly see the effect your changes have on the scene rendering. 4 Click OK. No Lights This mode switches off all lights.
Plain background ■ Graduated - the background of the 3D scene is filled with a smooth gradient between the two selected colors. Graduated background ■ Horizon - the background of the 3D scene is split across the horizontal plane giving the effect of a sky and the ground. The resulting artificial horizon gives you an indication of your orientation in the 3D world. By default, the artificial horizon respects the world up vector as set in File Options ➤ Orientation.
3 Select the first color from the Top Color palette. 4 Select the second color from the Bottom Color palette. 5 Review the new background effect in the preview box, and click OK. To set an artificial horizon background 1 Click View tab ➤ Scene View ➤ Background . 2 In the Background Settings dialog box, select Horizon in the Mode drop-down list. 3 To set a graduated sky color, use the Sky Color and Horizon Sky Color palettes.
Points Points are real points in the model, for example, the points in a point cloud in a laser scan file. You can toggle the rendering of points in the model. You can also change the size of drawn points by using the Options Editor. To toggle the rendering of points . Click Viewpoint tab ➤ Render Style panel ➤ Points ■ Menu: Classic user interface: Viewpoint ➤ Display ➤ Points To change the size of points 1 Click the application button ➤ Options.
Control Render Quality Use Culling Culling lets you navigate and manipulate large and complex scenes at interactive rates by intelligently hiding less-important objects as you work. In Autodesk Navisworks, you can use the following methods of culling objects: ■ Area - the objects’ size in pixels determines whether the objects are rendered or not. By default, any objects smaller than 1x1 pixels in size are discarded.
4 Select Automatic for the Far clipping plane. 5 Click OK. Autodesk Navisworks automatically controls the position of near and far clipping planes to give you the best view of the model. To constrain the position of the clipping planes manually 1 Click Home tab ➤ Project panel ➤ File Options . 2 In the File Options dialog box, click the Culling tab. 3 Select Constrained for the Near clipping plane, and enter the desired value in the Distance box.
Control Rendering of Objects Adjust Scene Rendering During Navigation Your models can range in size from small models to complex supermodels. As you navigate a scene in real time, Autodesk Navisworks automatically calculates which items to render first, based on the size of items, distance from the camera, and the specified frame rate. This customizable frame rate is guaranteed by default, but can be turned off, if necessary. Items that Autodesk Navisworks does not have time to render are dropped out.
2 In the Options Editor, expand the Interface node, and click the Display option. 3 On the Display page, Transparency area, select the Interactive Transparency check box. 4 Click OK. To render parametric primitives NOTE Modifying this option requires a restart of Autodesk Navisworks to take effect. 1 Click the application button ➤ Options. 2 In the Options Editor, expand the Interface node, and click the Display option.
Adjust Presenter Materials You can adjust the appearance of Presenter materials in the Scene View to get optimum performance from your graphics card when navigating around heavily textured scenes.
Review Your Model 8 Select Objects Autodesk Navisworks provides several methods to interactively select items. Interactive Geometry Selection In Autodesk Navisworks, there is a concept of an active selection set (the currently selected items, or the current selection) and saved selections sets. You cannot save any selection or search sets yourself, but you can use the selection or search sets saved in the model (the Sets tab on the Selection Tree).
Autodesk Navisworks uses this hierarchical structure to identify object-specific paths (from the file name down to a particular object). By default there are four tabs: ■ Standard. Displays the default tree hierarchy, including all instancing. ■ Compact. Displays a simplified version of the hierarchy on the Standard tab, omitting various items. You can customize the level of complexity of this tree in the Options Editor. ■ Properties. Displays the hierarchy based on the items' properties.
To customize the contents of the Compact tab 1 Click the application button ➤ Options. 2 In the Options Editor, expand the Interface node, and click the Selection option. 3 On the Selection page, select the required level of detail in the Compact Tree box. Choose from the following options: ■ Models - the tree is restricted to displaying model files only. ■ Layers - the tree can be expanded down to the layer level.
NOTE When using a SpaceBall in conjunction with the standard mouse control, the SpaceBall can be configured for navigation and the mouse for selecting. See “SpaceBall” on page 112 for more information. Selecting geometry in the Scene View automatically selects the corresponding objects in the Selection Tree. Holding the SHIFT key whilst selecting items in the Scene View cycles through the selection resolution, allowing you to get more specific with your selections.
Selection Commands Selection commands enable you to quickly alter the current selection using logic. You can select multiple items based on the currently selected items’ properties, or quickly invert the set, select everything or nothing. To select all items within the model ■ Click Home tab ➤ Select & Search panel ➤ Select All drop-down ➤ Select All . To deselect all items ■ Click Home tab ➤ Select & Search panel ➤ Select All drop-down ➤ Select None .
NOTE Using the Select Same command works by comparing items' properties. If you have multiple items selected when you perform a selection command of same name or type and so on, all the types, names and properties of the items in the current selection are compared with all items’ properties in the scene. The items with properties matching any properties of the currently selected items are selected.
To customize the way objects are highlighted 1 Click the application button ➤ Options. 2 In the Options Editor, expand the Interface node, and click the Selection option. 3 Make sure the Enabled check box is selected. 4 Use the Method drop-down list to select the type of highlighting you want (Shaded, Wireframe or Tinted). 5 Click the Color palette 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 reveal all hidden objects Click Home tab ➤ Visibility panel ➤ Unhide All drop-down ➤ Unhide All ■ . Shortcut menu: Scene ➤ Reset All ➤ Unhide All Find Objects You can run simple manual searches of the model by item property. To do this: On the Selection Tree, click the Properties tab, and click the saved property search in the list. The corresponding model geometry is selected in the Scene View. ■ Quick Find To locate and select the objects quickly, use the Quick Find feature.
Object Properties Properties Window The Properties window is a dockable window, which has a dedicated tab for each property category associated with the currently selected object. Internal file properties, such as transform and geometry properties, are not shown by default. The Options Editor enables you to switch this on. To toggle the Properties window ■ Click View tab ➤ Workspace panel ➤ Windows drop-down, and select or clear the Properties check box.
Comments Window The Comments window is a dockable window that enables you to view comments. The Comments window shows the name, time and date, author, ID, status, and subject (or first line) of each comment. There are different icons helping you to identify the source of each comment at a glance. To toggle the Comments window ■ Click Home tab ➤ Comments panel ➤ View Comments . To view comments 1 Open the Comments window. 2 Go the source of your comments. For example, open the Saved Viewpoints window.
To view redlines and tags ■ Click Viewpoint tab ➤ Save, Load & Playback panel ➤ Saved Viewpoints drop-down, and choose the viewpoint that you want to recall. The viewpoint is displayed in the Scene View together with any redline annotations and tags.
You can use the Options Editor to toggle the display of each of the link categories, and also to control their appearance. Display Links You can switch links in the Scene View on and off. You can also toggle the display of each of the link categories. Autodesk Navisworks remembers the selected visibility setting between sessions. When links are switched on, you can reduce the screen clutter by restricting a number of links can be shown in the Scene View, hiding colliding icons, and using culling.
6 Click OK. To hide links without comments 1 Click the application button ➤ Options. 2 In the Options Editor, expand the Interface node, expand the Links node, and click the Standard Categories option. 3 On the Standard Categories page, select the Hide Icons Without Comments check box for all required link categories. By default, links without comments are also displayed. 4 Click OK. Customize Links You can customize the default appearance of links in Autodesk Navisworks.
To customize appearance of standard links 1 Click the application button ➤ Options. 2 In the Options Editor, expand the Interface node, expand the Links node, and click the Standard Categories option. 3 On the Standard Categories page, use the Icon Type box to specify how you want a link to be drawn for each of the available categories. You can choose between an icon and text. By default, label links are shown as text, and the rest of the link categories are shown as icons. 4 Click OK.
To follow a link 1 Make sure links are switched on. If not, click Home tab ➤ Display panel ➤ Links . 2 Click the desired link in the Scene View to open the attached data source. Shortcut menu: Follow Link Quick Properties You can switch quick properties in the Scene View on and off. Autodesk Navisworks remembers the selected visibility setting between sessions.
7 Click OK. NOTE You can add as many definitions to your quick properties as you like. To delete quick properties definition 1 Click the application button ➤ Options. 2 In the Options Editor, expand the Interface node, expand the Quick Properties node, and click the Definitions option. 3 On the Definitions page, click Grid View to display quick properties definitions as table rows. 4 Click the Category or Property for the definition that you want to delete. 5 Click Remove Element . 6 Click OK.
Use Viewpoints and Sectioning Modes 9 Viewpoints are snapshots taken of the model as it is displayed in the Scene View. Viewpoints may include a variety of comments and redline tags, which have been previously added to a viewpoint. You cannot create viewpoints in Autodesk Navisworks, but you can use any of the viewpoints and viewpoint animations saved in the model. Viewpoint animation typically contains both the user movement through the model and views of the model.
represents a viewpoint saved in perspective mode. represents a viewpoint animation clip. represents a cut inserted into a viewpoint animation clip. You can select more than one viewpoint by either holding down the CTRL key and left-clicking, or by left-clicking the first item, and then clicking the last item while holding down the SHIFT key. You can drag viewpoints around the Saved Viewpoints window, but you cannot save any changes.
NOTE Clicking Edit over an animation keyframe, opens the Edit Viewpoint dialog box; and clicking Edit over an animation cut, opens the Edit Animation Cut dialog box. Update Updates all keyframes in the viewpoint animation with the current render style, lighting, and navigation tool or mode. NOTE Clicking Update over a single keyframe will only update that frame with the current modes. Transform Opens the Transform dialog box. It enables you to transform the camera position.
This opens the Saved Viewpoints window, and makes it the active window. 2 Right-click an empty space in the Saved Viewpoints window, and click New Folder. 3 Type in a new name, and press Enter. 4 Drag the required viewpoints into your new folder. Edit Viewpoints You can edit any viewpoints attributes, including camera position, field of view, speed of motion and saved attributes. All entries are measured in Display Units.
To edit a viewpoint 1 Click Viewpoint tab ➤ Save, Load & Playback panel ➤ Current Viewpoint drop-down ➤ Manage Saved Viewpoints. 2 In the Saved Viewpoints window, right-click the viewpoint you want to modify, and click Edit. 3 Use the Edit Viewpoint dialog box to adjust the viewpoint’s attributes. 4 Click OK. To delete a viewpoint 1 Click Viewpoint tab ➤ Save, Load & Playback panel ➤ Current Viewpoint drop-down ➤ Manage Saved Viewpoints.
150 | Chapter 9 Use Viewpoints and Sectioning Modes
Play Back Animations In Autodesk Navisworks there are two types of animation: viewpoint animation and object animation. 10 Viewpoint animation contains pre-recorded user and camera movements in the model. Object animation contains pre-recorded object movements in the model. You cannot record any animation in Autodesk Navisworks, but you can play back animations saved with the model. If there are any animation scripts, you can switch them on and interact with animated objects.
Control Purpose Moves forward to the end of animation. The playback time slider. The playback time spinner. To play an animation 1 Click Animation tab ➤ Playback panel ➤ Available Animations drop-down list and select the animation you want to play back. 2 On the Playback panel, click Play . Use the VCR buttons on the Playback panel to control the animation. The Playback Position slider enables you to quickly move forward and backward through the animation.
Share Data 11 Print You can print a hard copy of the current viewpoint to any printer or plotter. Print Preview Before you print out a copy of the model you are working on, you may wish to see how it will appear. To preview model before printing 1 Click Output tab ➤ Print panel ➤ Print Preview . 2 Use the Zoom In and Zoom Out buttons to do just that with the preview image. 3 Click Print. 4 In the Print dialog box, click OK.
Print Current Viewpoint When the print option is selected, Autodesk Navisworks prints the current viewpoint scaled to fit and centered on the page. To print the current viewpoint 1 Click Output tab ➤ Print panel ➤ Print . 2 Check the printer settings are as required, and click OK. NOTE The maximum image size is 2048x2048 pixels. The Properties button controls printer-specific ink and paper settings.
TimeLiner Playback TimeLiner Playback enables you to view a TimeLiner construction sequence. In this section, you will learn how to simulate your TimeLiner sequence throughout the duration of the project schedule. 12 Overview of TimeLiner Tool The TimeLiner tool adds 4D schedule simulation to Autodesk Navisworks files. In Autodesk Navisworks Freedom 2011, TimeLiner has a playback-only option, allowing any externally created project data to be simulated, but no changes to be made to that data.
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. If the Actual Start and Finish dates are the same as the Planned Start and Finish dates, the bars are displayed in green. Any variations between Planned and Actual dates are displayed in red. Missing Planned or Actual dates are shown in grey.
will play the simulation from the currently selected time. Play Step Forwards Forward will step forwards a single step size. will fast forward the simulation to the end. 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.
158 | Chapter 12 TimeLiner Playback
Autodesk Navisworks Reference 13 Background Settings Dialog Box Use this dialog box to choose a background effect to use in the Scene View. Mode Selects the type of background effect. Choose from: ■ Plain ■ Graduated ■ Horizon Color Sets the color for a plain background. Top Color Sets the top color in a graduated background. Bottom Color Sets the bottom color in the graduated background. Sky Color Sets the sky color (top) in a horizon background.
Collision Select this check box to define a viewer as a collision volume in Walk and Fly modes. As a result, a viewer acquires some mass, and cannot pass through other objects, points, or lines in the Scene View. NOTE Selecting this check box changes the rendering prioritization so that objects around the viewer are displayed with much higher detail than normal. The size of the region of high detail is based on collision volume radius and speed of movement.
Viewer Radius Specifies the radius of the collision volume. Height Specifies the height of the collision volume. Eye Offset Specifies the distance below the top of the collision volume, where the camera will focus upon if Auto Zoom check box is selected. Third Person Enable Select this check box to use Third Person view. In Third Person view, an avatar is shown in the Scene View to represent the viewer.
Hide/Required Select this check box to save hidden/required markup information about objects in your model with the viewpoint. When you use a viewpoint again, the hidden/required markups set when the viewpoint was saved are reapplied. NOTE Saving the state information with each viewpoint requires a relatively large amount of memory. Override Material Select this check box to save material override information with the viewpoint.
Autodesk Navisworks uses the provided value unless doing so affects performance (for example, makes the whole model invisible), in which case it adjusts the far clip plane position as necessary. Fixed Select this radio button to set the far clipping plane to the value provided in the Distance box. Distance Specifies the closest distance between the camera and the far clipping plane position in constrained mode.
NOTE To see the effect your changes have on the model in the Scene View, apply Head Light mode. Scene Lights Tab Use this tab to change the intensity of the scene’s ambient light for Scene Lights mode. Ambient Use the slider to control the overall brightness of the scene. NOTE To see the effect your changes have on the model in the Scene View, apply Scene Lights mode InfoCenter Settings Dialog Box Use this dialog box to specify InfoCenter Search and Communication Center settings.
Autodesk Channels Page Use the settings on this page to adjust the settings for Communication Center. By default, all available channels are selected. You cannot add or remove channels from the grid, and you cannot edit data in the grid. Select Channels to Display in the Communication Center Panel Select the channels and the number of articles you want to display in the Communication Center panel.
Buttons Export Displays the Select Options to Export dialog box, where you can select the global options you want to export (or “serialize”). If an option cannot be exported, it is unavailable. Import Displays the Open dialog box, where you can browse to the file with the required global option settings. OK Saves the changes, and closes the Options Editor. Cancel Discards the changes, and closes the Options Editor. Help Displays the context-sensitive help.
Interface Node Use the settings in this node to customize Autodesk Navisworks interface. TIP If you want to restore the default values, click the Defaults button. Display Units Page Use this page to customize the units used by Autodesk Navisworks. Linear Units Use the drop-down list to select the desired linear value. Meters are used by default. Angular Units Use the drop-down list to select the desired angular value. Degrees are used by default.
Color Click to specify the highlight color. Tint Level (%) Use the slider to adjust the tint level. Measure Page Use the options on this page to adjust the appearance and style of the measure lines. Line Thickness Specifies the thickness of the measure lines. Color Click to specify the color of the measure lines. In 3D Select this check box to draw the measure lines in 3D. If the measure lines become obscured by other geometry, clear this check box to draw the lines in 2D over the top of geometry.
Override Material Select this check box to save viewpoints with material override information. When you use a viewpoint again, the material overrides set when the viewpoint was saved are reapplied. By default, this check box is clear, as saving the state information with each viewpoint requires a relatively large amount of memory. Override Linear Speed By default, the linear navigation speed is directly related to the size of your model.
Visible Select this check box to display this link category in the Scene View. Viewpoints Icon Type Specifies how to display this link category. Select one of the following options: ■ Icon - links are represented by default icons in the Scene View: - links to viewpoints saved in perspective mode - links to viewpoints saved in orthographic mode ■ Text - links are represented by text boxes with link descriptions in the Scene View.
TIP If you want to restore the default values, click the Defaults button. Show Quick Properties Toggles the display of quick properties in the Scene View. Hide Category Clear this check box to include category names in the quick properties tooltips. If you don’t want to see category names in the quick properties tooltips, select this check box. Definitions Page Use the options on this page to set up the quick properties categories. Buttons Add Element Click to add quick properties definitions.
Transparency Interactive Transparency Select this check box to render transparent items dynamically during interactive navigation. By default, this check box is clear, therefore, transparent items are only drawn when interaction has stopped. NOTE If your video card does not support hardware accelerated OpenGL, selecting this check box can affect display performance.
Walk Tool Use Classic Walk Select this check box if you want to switch from the standard Walk tool to the classic Autodesk Navisworks Walk mode on the navigation bar. Constrain Walk Angle When this check box is selected, the Walk tool will keep the camera upright while navigating. If this check box is clear, the tool will allow the camera to roll while navigating (resulting in behavior almost like the Fly tool).
When Clicking on the ViewCube Fit-to-View on Change When this check box is selected, clicking the ViewCube rotates around the center of the scene and zooms out to fit the scene into the Scene View. When dragging the ViewCube, prior to the drag, the view changes to look at the scene center (but does not zoom) and continues to use that as the pivot point while dragging. If this check box is clear, clicking or dragging the ViewCube rotates around the current pivot point and does not zoom in or out.
On-Screen Messages Show Tool Messages Toggles the display of tooltips for navigation tools. When this check box is selected, the tooltips are shown below the cursor as you use the tools. NOTE This setting is always on for View Object and Tour Building wheels, and cannot be turned off. Show Tooltips Toggles the display of wheel tooltips. When this check box is selected, the tooltips are shown when you hover over wedges on the wheels.
Model Node Use the settings in this node to optimize Autodesk Navisworks performance, and customize parameters for NWD and NWC files. TIP If you want to restore the default values, click the Defaults button. Performance Page Use the options on this page to optimize Autodesk Navisworks performance. Memory Limit Auto Indicates whether Autodesk Navisworks automatically determines the maximum memory that can be used.
When you open NWC/NWD files, Autodesk Navisworks locks them for editing. By selecting this check box, you instruct Autodesk Navisworks to close NWC or NWD files as soon as they’ve been loaded into memory. This means that the files can be opened and edited by other users while you are viewing them. Create Parametric Primitives Select this check box to enable creation of parametric models (models described by formulae not vertices).
Write Cache Select this check box to save cache files when native CAD files are converted. Generally, cache files are much smaller than original CAD files, therefore, selecting this option does not take up too much disk space. Clear this check box if you don’t want to save cache files. Geometry Compression Enable Select this check box to enable geometry compression when NWC files are saved. Geometry compression results in less memory being required and therefore smaller NWC files.
■ Standard - gives you access to some of the advanced Presenter features. ■ Advanced - gives you access to the advanced Presenter features, such as extra materials, lights, render styles. Smoothed Textures Select this check box if you want textures to look smooth; this takes longer to render. When this check box is clear, the textures render faster, but appear pixelated. Filtered Textures Select this check box to turn on mipmapping. Using this option improves the appearance of textures in the distance.
NOTE This option can only be used on machines with OpenGL 1.5 compliant graphics cards. Hardware Marble Select this check box to display hardware-rendered marble materials during navigation. To use this option, enable Hardware Shading first. NOTE This option can only be used on machines with OpenGL 1.5 compliant graphics cards. Scripter Page Use the settings in this node to customize the Scripter options. Message Level Selects the contents of the message file.
Glossary Glossary of technical terms relating to Autodesk Navisworks Freedom 2011. 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.
item type Every item in Autodesk Navisworks has a type. Examples of types are reference files, layers, instances (sometimes called inserts), and groups. Every CAD package also has a number of geometry types, for example, polygons, 3D Solids, and so on. selection resolution The selection resolution is the level in the selection tree you start selecting at. You can cycle through items in the tree by holding down the SHIFT key during a selection.
Index 3D space 71 A align viewpoint 71 animation enable scripts 151 play 151 Animation toolbar 44 Animator options 180 annotations 137 Autodesk Channels 13 B background effects 120 Background settings 159 C cameras 108 align 111 orthographic 108 perspective 108 straighten 110 tilt 110 Center tool 76 CIP (Customer Involvement Program) 16 close toolbars 41 collision 115 Collision 159 Auto Crouch 159 Gravity 159 Third Person 159 Viewer 159 comments 137 clash result 137 search set 137 selection set 137 Time
links 139 categories 139 control display 140 customize 141 find 142 follow 142 standard 139 user-defined 139 Links options 169 Locations 60 Locations options 166 look around 89 Look tool 78 Global Options 56 Developer 61 Display Units 60 Environment 32 export 57 import 57 Location 60 graduated background 120 gravity 114 H hardware accelearation 127 head-up display 111 Help access more information 15 concepts 10 displaying 10 print 12 procedures 10 quick reference 10 search 11 searching multiple Help sourc
orientation 71 S Scene Area 45 scene views 45 resize 45 Scripter options 180 search InfoCenter 6 search directories 62 searching InfoCenter 13 selection 129 commands 133 pick radius 131 Selection options 167 Selection Tools toolbar 42 Selection Tree 129 sort 129 share print 153 shortcuts 52 Show Internal Properties 61 Site Directory 60 Snapping options 168 SpaceBall 112 SpaceBall options 172 stand-alone installation 17 Standard toolbar 42 start 29 Status bar 50 SteeringWheels 102 SteeringWheels options 17
Undo 51 Undo options 166 unhide objects 135 up direction 79 Up/Down tool 83 updates 8 updating Communication Center updates user interface 29 User Interface options 175 V view fit model to Scene Area 93 fit selection to Scene Area 93 hold items 114 set focal point 113 third person perspective 116 View menu 40 View Object wheels 105 View Object Wheels 102 ViewCube 93 appearance 93 compass 93 lock to selection 99 ViewCube options 173 Viewpoint Defaults options 168 Viewpoint menu 40 viewpoints 145 delete 148
