A Better Process for Construction and Design Input using Civil 3D and Revizto
As a bit of background, I’m not a big add-on person. I love attempting to make the software I already have do what I want to do. However, when there is a software package that enhances the workflow in a way that internal tools cannot, I’m on board. I want to spend a bit of time on one of those (although it does technically “add-in” to Autodesk AutoCAD® Civil 3D®. Revizto™, developed by Vizerra, is at its core collaboration in a 3D environment—think InfraWorks visual engine with the ability to share data with anyone who has the Revizto Viewer (free) and understands what they’re thinking about the data.
The software is divided into three major areas: the Editor, the Viewer, and the Workspace. Users are able to take AutoCAD®, Revit®, SketchUp®, and NavisWorks® files directly into Revizto seamlessly. The overall goal is to enable engaged communication during the construction process using a true BIM model, but with a lot of additional value throughout the design process.
Realistically, we are not using a true BIM solution to create construction documents in the civil space, and InfraWorks is only for concept planning. This does mean some limitations in interaction with Revizto for true construction modeling, but it also means it’s an area for innovation! The interaction with InfraWorks is also intriguing as a possibility for communication with clients on a level greater than just model viewing and phone calls. It offers the ability for stakeholders to explain what they like/don’t like and where they are concerned in a real space. Although not specifically advertised, Revizto will consume any model in .FBX format. InfraWorks provides this capability, so the ability to use the Issue Tracker (which I’ll talk about at length shortly) is alive and well for more than Civil 3D and Revit.
Before I get into the interaction and workflow with Civil 3D, a bit of information about the individual components so the interaction is more completely understood.
The Editor
The Revizto Editor is where models are converted to the Revizto file format and style. This includes all data that was created in any of the Autodesk software packages such as material of the ground or pipe. For our Revit friends it also includes all of the Object Data that was created within these packages. This is also where the model can be further stylized to match the desire of the designer for viewing. This process is all preparation—it allows for cross-sectional cuts to occur (in plane or a box), which is particularly useful for site design folks. The editor also allows for combining models to include multiple data sources (think Revit and Civil 3D data together).
The single-most useful portion of the Editor is the Issue Tracker (which also is accessible in the Viewer). The Issue Tracker allows anyone on the project team to add comments that are tagged to any location in the model. Don’t think of “issues” just in the general sense of “deficiencies” or “issues” and you’ll be able to expand the capabilities of the software exponentially. The Issue Tracker allows anyone on the team to be notified of items important to them.
My favorite feature here: all Issues are tagged to a real location, which means there’s never confusion about where issues exist in real space. The three uses I see as most impactful here:
- Construction Issue Tracking – the ability to tag voice, video, and picture allows for anyone on the site to note any construction-related activities. This is a tremendously difficult thing to do without Revizto as you’re constantly left working between three technologies.
- Design Buy-In – the reality of this industry is that everything is pushing toward 3D. Let all of your stakeholders see what reality is before you push through to construction documents. It’s a well-noted fact that changes are more difficult (expensive) the further into the design process the team is. Engaging all relevant stakeholders as early as possible helps everyone—it increases buy-in and allows for all voices to be heard and for there to not be the dreaded 80 percent complete start-over. Share the conceptual design and have all relevant parties use the Issue Tracker.
- Design Coordination – similar to the previous, but traceable through the design of a project. I like this from the standpoint of teaching and learning. If managers find that the same individuals are missing the same coordination issues on every project (or their company is missing a lot in general) then a training plan can be created to make the next projects more efficient. Design Coordination is also tricky when working between multiple pieces of Autodesk software. I think of working in Civil 3D and Revit, which really don’t have true coordination tools—they can both consume the data of the other one, but have no way to coordinate with other design team members without bringing in a third party.
The last big thing here is some of the new 3D viewing capabilities afforded to design teams with this software. Integration with Igloo and Occulus Rift is now standard, which allows for the model to really be viewed in an immersive environment. On a personal note: I’m excited to see where this capability heads as it relates to increasing engagement of the public by local governments. This seems an area ready to explode.
The Viewer
The Viewer gives all team members (even those without Revizto) access to view the model and the Issue Tracker. It also allows them to view on a series of different devices, which means a low barrier to giving feedback to the current design or construction activity. The Viewer really is what allows for those using Revizto to ensure that everyone can see what it happening through design and construction. The added bonus here is the instant feedback provided by the cloud—because all projects are saved in the cloud, any update to the model happening on a single desktop will propagate to all that are connected.
The Workspace
The Workspace is the online repository of all projects for which you’ve been given access. This is a central location for all of your project data and continues the access via the cloud to all current projects. It also allows you to share projects with others, create a public page for others to see your work, and create reports. The reporting functionality is my favorite here. From where I sit I see an interesting way to track training opportunities and design training potential by seeing what issues are tagged and where the team was in the process at that time.
How Does it Work with Civil 3D?
All right, the information you really want to know about add-ins: Revitzo works with Civil 3D because it is an AutoCAD vertical, not because it has full integration with Civil 3D data structure (yet). Because of this, the interaction is limited; however, even this limited interaction allows for tremendous value add, particularly as it relates to construction management, design validation, and integration with the architectural team.
In order to integrate anything into Revizto from Civil 3D we need to make it an AutoCAD solid. The most straightforward of this, of course, is a surface. If using Civil 3D 2016:
- Create a surface;
- Select it and visit the Context ribbon to find the Extract from Surface button;
- Choose the Extract Solids from Surface option. This will create an AutoCAD 3D solid from the surface that can be imported directly into Revizto.
If using Civil 3D 2015 you’ll need the 2015 Productivity Pack 1 to be able to use this functionality. The steps are similar though:
- Create a surface;
- Visit the Toolbox under the Subscription Extension Manager;
- Select the Create AutoCAD 3D Solids routine and execute.
In either version you also have the option to export all of the piping designed in 3D as an AutoCAD solid. Of course you can also manually create 3D solids from a number of other items within Civil 3D—I just don’t believe the value add will be there unless it’s an element that is significant to the overall design and constructability.
For piping the process is essentially the same, although you can always use the typed command ConvertTo3DSolids and select all of your objects at the same time (after using Isolate Objects) to have them all converted at the same time.
Once you have the 3D solid(s) in your drawing, visit the Add-Ins tab and select the red Export to Revizto button. This will take any information that can be consumed by Revizto and export to the Editor, creating a new model. This model can then be edited in a number of ways, merged with other models (architecture and MEP), and shared via the cloud.
What Is the Value Add?
One of the most compelling realities of working with emerging technologies is easy access to developers. Revizto is in rapid development, adding new functionality with exceptional speed. Get involved now, make the software work for you, and convince everyone that infrastructure and Civil 3D integration are important for our industry. Personally, I’d love to see the ability to take the Civil 3D model with all of the data intact and just export to Revizto as Revit users are able to do.
From a training perspective Revizto is similar to the InfraWorks environment. This means working in 3D, but also a shallow learning curve and low time to productivity with this software. The process of construction issue tracking is not clean or effective in many organizations. Revizto can help with this process.
Disclaimer
I have not been given any monetary or product benefits for writing this article. Our organization is evaluating the ability to use this software throughout our design process—just as you should.
