Quantification Gains Strength
Navisworks® 2015 introduces significant enhancements to Quantification, cloud rendering, and markups. These upgrades allow for a more seamless workflow.
3D Model Takeoff Enhancements
3D quantity takeoff in Navisworks is now enhanced by the use of parent takeoffs. In the past, to take off an item in Navisworks you had to select the model geometry node in the selection tree and perform the takeoff. This became very tedious and difficult to perform. In the new version of Navisworks, you can select the parent group and take off all the children elements with a single click. This will simplify the takeoff practice and accuracy of 3D model takeoffs.
Figure 1: Model mapping
Navisworks 2015 also introduces Property Mapping. This tool allows you to discretely specify which Takeoff Properties will be matched to model properties. This saves you time when you perform the takeoff and gives you the confidence that your mappings have been set correctly.
2D Model Takeoffs
While the world of 3D is not new to Navisworks, the second dimension is relatively new. Navisworks 2015 brings quantification to 2D drawings and allows for integration to 3D model objects via the use of dwf/dwfx drawings.
Let’s take a look at the 2D enhancements first. Model takeoffs can now be done in 3D and 2D views. What is truly remarkable about these takeoffs is that they are integrated together. When you do a model takeoff in 2D, the corresponding 3D elements will be taken off as well. The 3D model does not have to be a dwf/dwfx file for this relationship to exist.
Figure 2: Revit NWC with DWF showing the same takeoff
You can perform a 2D model takeoff using the same operation you use for 3D takeoff. Simply select the object you wish to take off, right-click and select the item to which you wish to take off the object. In addition, you can drag and drop elements.
2D Model Takeoff Tools for Non-Modeled Components
One of the most obvious changes to Quantification is the new 2D takeoff bar. This bar contains a number of essential tools necessary to accurately perform takeoffs on your 2D documents that are missing model geometry.
Figure 3: 2D Takeoff Toolbar
The first tool is the Polyline tool. This tool acts the same way that polylines work in other Autodesk products. You are able to construct a line and change its course by clicking and adding vertices. At any time you can modify a vertex by using the Select Markup tool. If there are additional vertices you wish to add, you can use the Add Vertex tool to create a vertex at any place in the existing line segment. This gives you the flexibility to make changes quickly.
If you want to make perfect rectangles, you can toggle the polyline tool to use Rectangular Polyline. This allows you to quickly get the perimeter of rectangular shapes.
The next tool is the Quickline tool, which gives you the ability to click on model segments and automatically generate a line. This is particularly useful if some components are modeled and you simply need to add a non-modeled components detail. Simply select the lines constructed from the modeled object and create the path you need to perform your takeoff. For example, quickly create line segments for crown molding that follow the perimeter of the ceiling.
The Area tool gives you the ability to accurately determine the area on 2D documents. You can draw any shape and modify the area perimeter using the Markup tool and the Add Vertex tool. When you need to back out area you can use the Backout tool. This tool creates a void in an area allowing you to take advantage of mass area tools and simply back out the exceptions.
Like the Polyline tool, you can toggle the area tool between regular area and rectangular area. The rectangular area will allow you to create a rectangular area region to takeoff.
The next tool is the Bucket Fill. This unique tool allows you to select an area and have the area automatically shaded in and bounded for you. If you click the area again, the perimeter binding the selected area will be selected. Whether you are looking to get area or perimeter, this tool helps you takeoff the data you are after.
The Quickbox tool allows you to select a group of objects by drawing a rectangle. Once selected, you can choose the mode of selection you desire for your takeoff. A flyout appears to help you decide the method of your selection. This tool rapidly increases your ability to select model items in a specified location on 2D plane.
Figure 4: Quickbox
The last takeoff tool is the Count tool, which allows you to place markers that keep track of the number of markers you have placed. You can quickly place markers on the plans and get accurate counts of the 2D objects.
The 2D world contains a couple of other useful tools. The Hide Background and Annotation tool allows you to toggle on and off annotations, gridlines, keynotes, and other non-building components. This allows you to perform takeoffs in non-cluttered areas.
The Filter Markup tool is another method of cleaning up your drawing as you are preforming your takeoff. You can toggle on and off all the markups you have made.
2D takeoffs still take advantage of the 3D takeoff object toggle tools. You can use the Show Takeoff tool to show all the objects that have been taken off and hide all the rest. Additionally, you can use the Hide Takeoff tool to hide all elements that have been taken off and show only objects that have not yet been taken off.
Because the 2D sheets you are working with are not always to the scale you want them to be. Navisworks gives you the Custom Scale tool. This tool allows you to define the scale on the sheet. You can set the scale by measuring a given segment and defining the distance of the measurement. This tool is found in View > Windows > Set Scale By Measurement.
By combining the toggle tools, catalogs, and 2D tools, you can accurately takeoff 2D and 3D elements in Navisworks.
Cloud Rendering
This new release of Navisworks has furthered the integration with BIM 360. You now have the ability to perform cloud renderings.
Figure 5: 360 rendering
Cloud rendering allows you to take advantage of Autodesk 360. Simply click the Render Tab > and Select Render in Cloud. The rendering options appear and you can select the type of rendering you wish to perform. When you are ready to render the image, click Start Rendering.
All your renderings are stored in the Render Gallery. You can access them on any machine by logging into the 360 site.
Other Rendering Enhancements
Ray Trace has been upgraded to include different quality settings. From Low Quality to Coffee Break Rendering, to Overnight Rendering, you can now select the rendering that best supports your needs.
Another enhancement essential to creating quality renderings is the ability to drag and drop Autodesk Consistent Materials onto the model. No longer do you have to select a model and click Apply Material.
Conclusion
Navisworks 2015 is packed with new estimating tools to make Quantification work for you. If you set up the right materials and items, Quantification can be a great way to get model values quickly for your estimates. With the feature now present in 2D, you will be able to accurately assess and account for the elements that were not modeled in 3D.
The upgrade to the rendering engine dramatically enhances your ability to create photorealistic designs. It also furthers the integration with Autodesk 360.
