Synchro Pro PDF
Synchro Pro PDF
Synchro Pro PDF
Basic Training
2015
Synchro PRO Basic Training: Contents
CONTENTS
1. Overview .................................................................................................................................................. 1
1.1. Why Synchro PRO? ..........................................................................................................................1
1.2. Why 4D? ...........................................................................................................................................1
1.3. Who uses Synchro PRO? .................................................................................................................1
1.4. How does Synchro PRO apply to you? ...........................................................................................1
1.5. Course Description ..........................................................................................................................1
2. Workspace Layout .................................................................................................................................... 2
2.1. Windows in Synchro .......................................................................................................................2
2.2. Workspace Management ................................................................................................................3
3. Importing Schedules/Plans ....................................................................................................................... 5
3.1. Importing a schedule from Microsoft Project XML .......................................................................5
3.2. Gantt Chart Navigation....................................................................................................................7
3.3. Date Display .....................................................................................................................................8
4. Auto Save ................................................................................................................................................. 9
5. Importing Models ................................................................................................................................... 10
5.1. Importing 3D Files......................................................................................................................... 10
5.2. Understanding Resources ............................................................................................................ 11
5.3. Resource Wizard ........................................................................................................................... 11
5.4. Resource Creation Options .......................................................................................................... 13
5.5. Load 3D Objects ............................................................................................................................ 16
5.6. Duplicate Names Warning ........................................................................................................... 17
6. 3D View .................................................................................................................................................. 21
6.1. 3D Window Navigation................................................................................................................. 21
6.2. Preferences ................................................................................................................................... 21
7. 4D Linking Process – Assigning Resources to Tasks ................................................................................. 22
7.1. Resource Selection ....................................................................................................................... 22
7.2. 3D Sets........................................................................................................................................... 24
7.3. Resource Appearance Profiles ..................................................................................................... 26
7.4. Basic Linking Process .................................................................................................................... 27
7.5. Correcting Resource Assignment Mistakes ................................................................................. 31
7.6. Linking Options ............................................................................................................................. 32
8. Review and Investigate Assignments ...................................................................................................... 34
8.1. Saving and Opening Projects........................................................................................................ 34
8.2. Review ........................................................................................................................................... 34
8.3. Play ................................................................................................................................................ 34
8.4. Select “Assigned To” Tasks from an Object................................................................................. 34
8.5. Select Assigned Resources from a Task ....................................................................................... 35
9. Creating New Tasks ................................................................................................................................ 36
9.1. Inserting New Tasks Manually ..................................................................................................... 36
9.2. Editing Durations .......................................................................................................................... 37
9.3. Adding Logic Links......................................................................................................................... 37
9.4. Model-Based Scheduling .............................................................................................................. 39
10. Custom Resource Appearance Profiles ................................................................................................... 41
10.1. Transparency Interpolation .......................................................................................................... 41
10.2. Growth Simulation ........................................................................................................................ 41
10.3. Grouping Objects for Growth ...................................................................................................... 42
11. 3D Subdivision ........................................................................................................................................ 44
11.1. Subdivide by Slice ......................................................................................................................... 44
11.2. Subdivide by User Slice ................................................................................................................. 46
11.3. Subdivide by Freehand ................................................................................................................. 47
11.4. Troubleshooting............................................................................................................................ 48
11.5. Editing Subdivisions ...................................................................................................................... 50
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Contents
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Overview
1. Overview
1.1. Why Synchro PRO?
At Synchro Software, we are passionate about improving construction project performance because we understand the
impact construction has on global resources and we recognize the importance of the industry to quality of life and economic
prosperity. We have also experienced how significantly digital technology improves results over the tried and true methods
that have been standard in the industry for generations. Imagine crystal clear communications and engaged team
collaboration. Imagine the ability to easily create a shared vision of the project among your stakeholders, the ability to
identify spatial and resource clashes in the planning phase rather than the costly construction phase, imagine a project
schedule that gives you confidence to deliver according to plan!
At the end of the course you will be able to import a model and schedule, fully link the model to the schedule using colour
coding and growth simulation, review the construction sequence, and export a video to present to stakeholders.
It is time to Synchronise your projects. As always, we welcome your feedback at any time, we look forward to seeing your
results and we hope you will share your experience with Synchro Software with others to spread the word. Thank you for
investing your time in learning Synchro PRO, together we will make a positive change in how projects are planned and
delivered.
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Workspace Layout
2. Workspace Layout
This section will present the various windows in Synchro and how to reorganize and manage your workspace.
Toolbars
Navigator, Resources,
& 3D Objects Gantt Chart Window Properties
• Quick Access Toolbar contains commonly used icons. The Quick Access toolbar can be customized by left clicking on the down arrow
and selecting More Commands.
• Ribbon contains commands, sorted by category. In the top right corner of the Ribbon is the Help menu which can be used to find
more information about a particular feature
• Toolbars contain shortcuts and useful commands found in Synchro. Right click in the blue space below the Ribbon to view and select
available toolbars. Select Customise to create your own custom toolbar of commonly used commands
• Gantt Chart window displays the list of Tasks, which can be created, modified, linked, etc.
• 3D Window displays the modelled resources at any defined point in time.
• Navigator contains project-wide datasets logically grouped by the categories shown above; for example Project Details, Task and 3D
Filters, Viewpoints
• 3D Objects contains the list of 3D Objects and Workspaces (including those imported and those created in Synchro)
• Resources contains the list of Resources (including those imported and those created in Synchro)
• Task Properties contains data related to the selected Task(s) including Task Status (in the General panel), assigned Resources, and
Budgeted Costs
• Resource Properties contains data related to the selected Resource(s) including Costs, assigned to Tasks, and User Fields
• 3D Properties contains data related to the selected 3D Object(s) and allows the user to manipulate them using commands including
Rotate, Translate, Scale, and Measurements.
• 3D Path Editor contains data related to the selected 3D Path and allows users to edit the existing path
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Workspace Layout
NOTE: If you need to download the training files, select Synchro Training and this will present you with the link to the FTP
site to download the latest material
2.2.1. Resizing Windows
2. Place the cursor at the top of the 3D Window so the double arrow icon appears.
3. Select it with a left mouse click, hold down and drag the 3D window up. All windows in Synchro can be resized
by this method
2.2.2. Undocking and Relocating Windows
4. To undock a window, double click in the window header.
5. To undock a single tab, left click on the tab and keep holding the mouse button while moving the mouse. The tab
8. To re-dock the window in the previous location, simply double click the window header.
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Workspace Layout
9. To re-dock the window in a different location, left click and drag in the window header. Move the mouse over
another window until the smart window placement icons appears. Hover over one of the icons – a blue preview of
where the window will be place will be shown. Release the mouse button to place.
11. To reset the window layout to the default, select WindowsLayoutReset Layout
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Importing Schedules/Plans
3. Importing Schedules/Plans
This section will demonstrate how to import a schedule/plan from another source and manipulate the Gantt Chart display
options.
You can import a range of different schedule/plan files into Synchro PRO. The types of plan/schedule files that can be
imported:
• Synchro PRO and Synchro Scheduler (.SP file extension)
• Asta Powerproject
• Microsoft Project XML
• PMA NetPoint
• Primavera P3
• Primavera P6
• IFC
NOTE: Asta Powerproject, Primavera P3, and Primavera P6 require additional set-up before schedules can be imported.
Please contact [email protected] for more information.
Synchro PRO and Synchro Scheduler are both complete CPM scheduling tools for construction – users can create a schedule
from scratch, calculate the critical path, manage resources and costs, create baselines, track progress, and compare
schedules. Synchro Scheduler is essentially Synchro PRO without 3D/4D capability and is available for free to anyone whose
company owns a Synchro PRO license.
For this training, we will import a schedule in Microsoft Project XML format
2. Select Browse to locate and select the Training Project Schedule.xml file, then select Open
3. Select Next
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Importing Schedules/Plans
6. Select Finish
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Importing Schedules/Plans
7. Select (left mouse click) the Gantt tab (at the bottom of the Support Panel) to display the Gantt Chart.
The imported schedule should look like this:
In Synchro, the left side of the Gantt window is called the Task List and the right side is referred to as the Gantt Chart.
12. Click on the minus button next to any WBS summary to collapse the schedule to that level. When collapsed, click
the plus button to expand the summary task.
13. Right click in the Task List and choose Collapse All to view only the top level Task.
14. Right click again and choose Expand All to see all the tasks again.
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Importing Schedules/Plans
16. In the “Customise Columns” window, select a Task Parameter on the right under “Available Columns” and press the
outlined arrow (above) to move the Task Parameter to the left under “Selected”.
17. Conversely, to remove a column, highlight a Task Parameter under “Selected” and press the left arrow to move the
parameter back to “Available Columns”
18. Once you have finished adding and removing Task Parameters, you can re-order the columns by highlighting a Task
Parameter in the “Selected” Column and pressing “Up” or “Down”. Similarly, you can rename the Columns titles by
highlighting the parameter and pressing the “Rename” button.
NOTE: The first Task Parameter in the “Selected” column is the furthest left column in the Task List.
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Auto Save
4. Auto Save
This section will teach you how to use the Auto Save and Backup functions in the Options menu to ensure your will lose no data
while working on your Synchro Project.
At this stage it is worth activating the Auto Save and Backup functions.
1. In OptionsGeneralAuto Save, enable Auto Save Project and designate 30 minutes (optional)
NOTE: The time specified for the Auto Save will depend on the size on the file. Larger files take longer to save and the file
will be un-editable during the auto save process, so you should pick a frequency that balances time waiting and amount
of work you are willing to lose if the file or computer crashes.
2. Enable Backup project file when opened and Browse to select a convenient location.
NOTE: You will need to empty this folder from time to time as a time-stamped backup file is created every time you open
a project. These automatically generated backups can be very useful to return to an older copy if you find a mistake later
on or want to access work you’ve since deleted. The Auto Save file and any DMP (dump) files will also save in this folder
3. If Auto Save is enabled, it is recommended to enable Delete auto saved file on normal exit. This command will delete the
Auto Saved files (but not the Backup file) when you close Synchro normally. Otherwise, the file will be available to the
last Auto Save point if necessary.
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Importing Models
5. Importing Models
In this section, you will learn how to import various external 3D model files and what settings to use to optimize the model
within your Synchro Project.
Synchro PRO can import 58 file types for 3D models including DWF, DWG, DGN, SKP, 3D PDF, and IFC. Multiple file types can
be imported into the same master Synchro Project.
NOTE: For a full list of importable file types, please see Appendix A: 3D File Formats.
Additionally, there are Synchro plugins available on the Synchro website to convert Revit (RVT), Navisworks (NWC, NWD,
NWF) and Bentley (i-Model and DGN) to Synchro Project format (SPX). For more information on the Bentley and Revit
workflows, please see Appendix B and Appendix C, respectively.
1. Select FileImport 3D
2. Select Add files. Browse to locate the training models. By holding down the Ctrl key you can select multiple files
for import. Select the following files:
• Site.dwfx
• Landscape.dwfx
3. Select Open
4. Select Next to view the import settings. Ensure that your settings match those in the image below right.
• Read Unit Information – when enabled, processes the unit information of
the 3D Object (i.e. cm, inches)
• Read 3D Text Annotations – when enabled, Synchro will process any text
assigned to the 3D Object in the CAD file
• Process User Fields – when enabled, Synchro will import system- and user-
generated parameters (or tags) with the 3D geometry as User Fields
• Ignore Hidden 3D Objects – when enabled, objects that are hidden by
filters or other display controls in the 3D file will not be imported into the
SP file
• Ignore Wireframe 3D Objects – when enabled, polylines, lines, circular
arcs, circular arcs, circles, elliptical arcs, ellipses, and nurbs curves objects
will not be imported into the SP file
• Load 3D Objects into memory - controls whether imported objects are
automatically loaded into memory. If disabled, imported objects will not
be loaded into memory and will not be visible in the 3D window. Disabling
this option tends to reduce the time to import and is recommended
especially for large files.
NOTE: To load/unload an object from memory after importing, check the
box next to the object name in the 3D Objects window
• Default Tessellation Accuracy – allows the modelling engine to determine
its own Tessellation accuracy to control Tessellation.
NOTE: “Tessellation” means the surface of the geometry is built using
triangles. High tessellation will slowly render very detailed geometry
surfaces. Low tessellation will quickly render less detailed geometry
surfaces.
• SKP Format (Process Layers as Filters) – when enabled, processes Sketchup Layers as Filters
5. Select Next to view additional import settings related to the geometry location, scale and rotation. We do not
need to edit any of these settings for this training.
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Importing Models
NOTE: The Rotate (DWF Format) option can be enabled to apply a 90º rotation about the X Axis specifically to
Autodesk published DWF where the Y axis is set as vertically up.
6. Select Import. A progress bar will display while the files are importing.
7. When the import is finished the Resource Wizard will appear.
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Importing Models
9. Enter Site for the Name and make sure the Type is set to Material.
10. Then select Next. The Resource Creation options will show next. This step merits further explanation in the next
section
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Importing Models
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Importing Models
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Importing Models
At this point Synchro will read-in the 3D files, analysing their content and creating associated material resources
13. In the Resources window, under Material Resources expand the Site node to see that both files have been given a
separate node in the Resource tree.
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Importing Models
17. In the 3D Objects window, enable the check box beside Landscape.dwfx. The Landscape geometry will show in the
3D Window.
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Importing Models
18. Enable the check box beside Objects of scene to load all 3D Objects into memory
NOTE: The first click of the box may unload all objects if some objects are already loaded. A second click will then
load all objects
NOTE: Objects and/or files can be selectively unloaded from memory to help increase the performance of large files
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Importing Models
You will be presented with the following Duplicate Names in 3D file! Warning
This warning will sometimes appear when you import a file that had been exported from Revit. Within this Revit file,
there are SubParts that appear at the bottom level of the 3D object tree, which is a result of copying and pasting in Revit.
These SubParts have no unique IDs, making it nearly impossible to identify any resource. If you select Finish, 3D Objects
with duplicate names will be assigned to Resources. If you ignore this warning and begin assigning Resources to Tasks,
and later synchronise from an updated 3D file, some Resource assignments will be lost because Synchro cannot
distinguish which 3D object is assigned to which Resource as they have the same name.
It is therefore important to ensure all names for 3D objects are unique! In the case of SubParts this can be done by
limiting the 3D tree depth on import.
29. Select Back. Note that the 3D Object tree is 6 levels deep
30. At this point, you could select Cancel to undo the 3D import and start again. For the purposes of training, select
Next and then Finish
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Importing Models
33. Type SubPart in the Find 3D dialog and select Find Next
th
You can see that the SubParts are at the bottom or 6 level of the
th
tree. The unique object name is at the 5 level of the tree.
34. From the Quick Access Menu at the top of the screen, use the drop-down arrow to the right of the Undo icon to
view the list of recent commands. Select the first item in the undo stack (import) to undo the import of the Office
Building 3D files.
We will now re-import the Architecture and Structure models, but this time, limit the 3D Object tree to a depth of 5
to eliminate the SubPart duplicate names.
th
NOTE: SubParts are always at the bottom level of the tree, but this is not always the 6 level. When the duplicate
name warning is encountered, use the Back button in the Resource Creation dialog to see the current 3D Object
tree depth (step 29 above), then limit the tree to 1 level less than the current depth.
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Importing Models
35. When you get to the import options (step 22), set the value for Limit 3D Object tree level by: to 5
36. Continue importing and creating Resources by repeating steps 23 through 28. You will not receive the Duplicate
Names warning this time and will be able to successfully synchronise the file later.
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: 3D View
6. 3D View
In this section, you will learn how to navigate and customize the 3D View window.
• Zoom All - This will show all the objects from the front as the models have been created- it can be used if the view
becomes disoriented.
o Within the 3D window click the right mouse button and select Zoom Zoom All
o Or from the Ribbon, select 3D Zoom Zoom All
• Rotate - Hold down the left mouse button at a point in the 3D View that you want to rotate about, then move the
mouse
• Zoom - Scroll the middle mouse button forward to zoom in and back to zoom out
• Pan - Hold down the middle mouse button and move the mouse left, right, up and down
• View Cube - Left click on points or faces on the cube and the view will rotate to that viewpoint, or hold down the left
mouse button on the circle to rotate
6.2. Preferences
This tutorial will teach you which custom settings are available in the 3D View Window.
• In 3D RibbonFast Settings, you can change the colour of the background for the selected and other 3D views.
• The ground plane grid can be turned on and off by right clicking in the 3D Window and selecting
Visual Indicators Grid
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: 4D Linking Process – Assigning Resources to Tasks
• Left Click -Single left click an object in the 3D window to select. Any object that you click twice will be deselected.
NOTE: If a single left click does not select an object, right click in the 3D window and enable Selection ToolSelect
on Click
• Shift Select - When Select on Click is disabled, holding down the Shift button on the keyboard and single left clicking
with the mouse will select objects in the 3D View. You can continue to select objects while holding Shift. Objects
that you select twice will not be deselected
• Ctrl Select - When Select on Click is disabled, holding down Ctrl on the keyboard will work similar to using the Shift
selection, except that any selected object that is clicked will be deselected.
• Navigator Lists - You can highlight the name of the 3D Object or Resource in the 3D Objects, Resources, or
Navigator3D Sets windows
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: 4D Linking Process – Assigning Resources to Tasks
Hold down both the Shift button and the left mouse button then move the mouse so you can select by a window box.
Selection depends upon the direction you draw the box:
a. Top Left to Bottom Right- All objects within the window box and all that it touches that are visible.
Selection: Result:
b. Bottom Right to Top Left- All objects completely within the box that are visible.
Selection: Result:
c. Top Right to Bottom Left- All objects within the window box and all that it touches that are visible and non-visible.
Selection: Result:
NOTE-You can also hold Ctrl on your keyboard instead of Shift to select and deselect objects using the window selection
methods shown above
• Cancelling Selection - If you left click anywhere within the 3D Window then press Esc on your keyboard, the selection
will be cancelled.
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: 4D Linking Process – Assigning Resources to Tasks
7.2. 3D Sets
3D Sets, or filters, can help with the 3D Resource selection process by limiting the objects visible in the 3D window. The
most commonly used filter (the built-in 3D Object Filter) is explained here. Users can also create their own custom filters,
which will be demonstrated later in the training. For more information, please see Section 12.1 User Fields.
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: 4D Linking Process – Assigning Resources to Tasks
4. Open the 3D Sets 3D tab. Right click within the 3D list and select
Collapse All. Then click on the icon left of the Objects of scene node
(circled right) to expand it.
If you expand each file, you will see that you then have the layer the items
are on.
Click to expand a layer and you will see the individual items which you can
hide or unhide as you so wish.
Enabling (checking) the box next to the File Name, Layer, or Object Name
will show the objects associated with each in the 3D View (Disabling/un-
checking will hide these objects the 3D View):
TIP: You can unload selected 3D Objects from the 3D View via Right-ClickEdit Unload Selected Objects.
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: 4D Linking Process – Assigning Resources to Tasks
These are the predefined Resource Appearance Profiles you can use.
Later in this tutorial you will create your own profiles where you can:
a. Set the Action
b. Change the Colours
c. Add Transparency
d. Set Different Start & Finish Transparencies
e. Show Growth Simulation
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: 4D Linking Process – Assigning Resources to Tasks
1. Single left click to select the task Temporary Hard Standing in the Task List. It will be highlighted yellow
2. Enable the 3D Object Filter in Navigator 3D Sets to limit the displayed objects in the 3D view
3. Check the box to show only Site.dwfx
4. Rotate in the 3D view so that you are looking down on the site:
5. Left click to select the hard standing beneath the site trailers (you may need to zoom in using the mouse scroll
wheel)
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: 4D Linking Process – Assigning Resources to Tasks
6. From the Fast Options toolbar located beneath the ribbon, ensure that Install is selected for the Resource
Appearance Profile
7. Right click in the 3D window and select Assign to Selected Task(s) from the context menu
8. You will notice that a the 3D Resources column in the Task List turns blue for that task, indicating that a 3D Resource
has been assigned. The column also indicates the number of 3D Resources assigned. For this task it should read “1”
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: 4D Linking Process – Assigning Resources to Tasks
Open Task PropertiesResources (on the right of the screen) and you will see the 3D model resource that you have
assigned to that task.
The hard standing model object may have disappeared from the 3D view. Once an object is assigned to a task, its visibility
is controlled by the red Focus Time bar in the Gantt Chart. In the Gantt Chart, The Focus Time is indicated by the red
dashed line with a triangle symbol on top.
NOTE: The Data Date is indicated by a vertical blue dashed line. This defines the project scheduling date for progress
reporting and can be confirmed and edited in NavigatorProjectGeneral
9. Left click and hold in the Timeline where the red triangle is and move the Focus Time bar left and right. This will
move the focus time to any point in time in the schedule.
TIP: You can also single left click anywhere in the Timeline and the Focus Time will jump to that point.
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: 4D Linking Process – Assigning Resources to Tasks
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: 4D Linking Process – Assigning Resources to Tasks
1. Right click within the Task PropertiesResources window and select Unassign All to remove all the resources.
2. If you want to remove just one resource, right click on each item’s lowest level (shown as Floor [854875]) and select
Unassign
3. Also you can select the object in the 3D View, right click and Unassign from ‘Assigned to’ Task(s)
4. If you have assigned using the wrong profile you can change it
by selecting the lowest tree level of the resource in Task
PropertiesResources and selecting the correct Appearance
Profile from the dropdown box below.
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: 4D Linking Process – Assigning Resources to Tasks
NOTE: With this method, you do not need to pre-select the desired task so that it is highlighted. The selected
Resources can only be assigned to 1 task at a time using this method
NOTE: The selected Resources can be assigned to multiple tasks using this method. You must have clicked in the 3D
window last to use this shortcut (ie. select task first, then objects in 3D window)
NOTE: With this method, you do not need to pre-select the desired task so that it is highlighted. The selected
Resources can only be assigned to 1 task using this method.
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: 4D Linking Process – Assigning Resources to Tasks
Using any of the above methods, practice assigning Resources to Tasks for the following items:
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Review and Investigate Assignments
8.2. Review
1. In 3D View right click and select Zoom Zoom All
2. Rotate in the 3D window so you can see the whole site
3. Drag the Focus Time back to the start of the project and drag along to the right at your own discretion though time.
8.3. Play
The Play Ribbon contains all the commands needed to control the Focus Time. Alternatively, you can drag the Focus
Time marker along through time manually.
1. From the Play Ribbon, select Move to Start
2. Select Play
3. The speed can be adjusted by selecting from the Ribbon- PlayPlay Speed then chose an option, for example 1
Week. Note that in this instance, the red “Focus Time” line will move ahead in intervals of one week.
4. Select Stop
4. Left click in the 3D Window then press Esc to cancel all selections
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Review and Investigate Assignments
You can also see all the Resources assigned to a task in Task PropertiesResources
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Creating New Tasks
This will create a new task as a child task, or sub-task, of the selected task which has now been turned into a parent, or
summary task. The new task will initially be given the duration of the parent task (20d in this case)
3. With the New Task selected, select TaskCreateBelow to insert a second new task below the first. Repeat this
step once so that there are a total of three new tasks. Tasks inserted Below will automatically be given a duration of
1 day.
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Creating New Tasks
4. Rename the first new task to Piles 1 by double clicking on the name cell or right clicking and selecting Rename Task
5. With the Piles 1 task selected, you will see this symbol within the bottom right of the Name cell. Move the
cursor over this symbol until it becomes a crosshair. Select this with a left mouse click, hold and drag over the
cells below until the tasks are named Piles 1, Piles 2, and Piles 3
NOTE: Order matters - selecting Piles 3 followed by Piles 1 would link the tasks in reverse order
10. Choose the FinishStart Link type from the Fast Options toolbar. A Finish to Start link will prevent a downstream
task from being started before the Finish of the upstream task
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Creating New Tasks
12. Select F9 on your keyboard to reschedule the project. The Reschedule command is also available in the Home
ribbon. The result in the Gantt Chart is shown below (notice how the summary task Structural Piles is 20 days again)
TIP: To display logic links in the Gantt Chart, go to OptionsGantt ChartLinks and select All under Link Display.
To assign the piles to the tasks, begin by showing them in the 3D window.
TIP: Right click in the list and choose Find 3D Object to quickly locate
“Piles”
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Creating New Tasks
15. Click the TOP face of the Viewcube in the 3D window to view the piles from above
16. Right click in the 3D window and choose Isometric. This will make it easier to select the piles using window box
selection
TIP: You may wish to change the Selected View Background colour in the 3D RibbonFast Settings to provide more
contrast between the piles and the background
17. Use window box selection from top right to bottom left (as described in section 7.1) to select the Piles in Group 1,
then assign to the task Piles 1 using the Install Resource Appearance profile.
18. Repeat step 17 to assign the correct group of piles to the tasks Piles 2 and Piles 3.
19. Right click in the 3D window and select Isometric to turn off this setting.
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Creating New Tasks
3. Select the task Slab on Grade in the Task List so it is highlighted. We will insert the new tasks as subtasks of this one.
4. With the 3 slabs selected, right click in the 3D window and choose Create Task(s)Under selected Task.
NOTE: Selecting “Under selected Task” will create a new task as a child task. If you select “At root level” the selected
task will become a child task. Selecting “Below selected Task” will create a new task below the selected task; neither
task will be parent or child to each other.
5. The following dialog will appear. Select Yes to create a new task for each selected resource.
You will notice that 3 tasks (titled the same as their Resource name) have been added as subtasks of Slab on Grade.
The total duration of these tasks is automatically created to sum to the parent task and they are linked as a chain.
6. Please rename the three Tasks created Floor [166617], Floor [821844], and Floor[693039] to Slab on Grade Area 1,
Slab on Grade, Area 2, and Slab on Grade Area 3, respectively.
NOTE: See OptionsDefaults for New ObjectsCreating Tasks from Resources to change settings for how tasks are
created in model-based scheduling. For example, you can choose not to link tasks when creating.
7. Drag the Focus Time forward to see the slabs installed in the order that you selected.
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Custom Resource Appearance Profiles
1. In Navigator Resource Appearance Profiles, create a new user defined user profile by
right clicking in the window then selecting Add
2. Rename the profile Transparency Interpolation and ensure it is highlighted
3. In the General tab, ensure the Action is set to Install
4. In Active Appearance, enable Original Colour by checking the box next to it (or change the
colour if desired)
5. Enable Transparency Interpolation (check the box next to it)
6. Change the Start Transparency to 100 (%) and set Finish Transparency to 0 (%)
7. In Navigator 3D Sets, show Roofs (2) within the Architecture file.
8. Select Part [1084292] and assign to the task Thermal and Moisture ProtectionLow Roofing
under Construction in the Gantt Chart.
9. Select the task and use the GanttFocus Start command to jump to the start of the task.
10. Drag the Focus Time slowly through the task to see the Transparency Interpolation. (You may
want to zoom in the Gantt Chart to make this easier to see)
1. In Navigator Resource Appearance Profiles, create a new user defined user profile by
right clicking in the window then selecting Add
2. Rename the profile R-L Growth and ensure it is highlighted
3. In the General tab, ensure the Action is Install
4. In Active Appearance enable Original Colour by ticking the box next to it
5. Select Right – Left from the Growth Simulation dropdown
Active Appearance should look as the picture to the right
6. Select Part[1084295] and assign to the task Thermal and Moisture ProtectionHigh Roofing
7. Move the Focus Time through the task- you will see the roof ‘grow’ as it is being installed
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Custom Resource Appearance Profiles
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Custom Resource Appearance Profiles
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: 3D Subdivision
11. 3D Subdivision
In this section you will learn how to use the 3D Subdivision tools: Slice, User Slice, and Freehand.
The 3D Subdivision tool can be used to divide a model object into smaller sub-parts. The sub-parts can be selected
individually and assigned to separate tasks. This may be used, for example, to divide a single concrete slab into individual
concrete pours or split continuous columns and walls by level without having to ask the modeller or architect to make the
changes in the original file.
st
You will notice that the Slab on Deck, 1 Floor task is broken into 3 areas, each of which has multiple pours scheduled. There
are only 3 slab objects on that level, however. The separate pours are not modelled – therefore, we will use the 3D
Subdivision tool to create them in Synchro. There are 3 options for Subdivision Type: Slice, User Slice and Freehand, which we
will demonstrate in the following sections.
2. From the 3D Ribbon select the 3D Subdivision tool. The 3D Subdivision window will appear at the bottom of
your display. Ensure that the entire 3D Subdivision window is shown as below by using the cursor to resize.
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: 3D Subdivision
3. Select the “Area 1” slab in the 3D Window. The selected item will be displayed in the 3D Subdivision window, as
shown below
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: 3D Subdivision
6. Close the 3D Subdivision Window to finish by selecting the ‘X’ in the top right, then left click in the main 3D Window
and press Esc on the keyboard.
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: 3D Subdivision
6. Close the 3D Subdivision Window to finish. Then left click in the Main 3D Window and press Esc on the
keyboard.
7. Select and assign the subdivided floor slab to the matching Slab on Deck, 1st Floor, Area 2 subtasks
NOTE: If you have several splits that you want to use the User
Slice on you can toggle between the splits with the arrow keys
as shown
NOTE: Subdivision Polylines must extend from one edge of the object’s bounding box to another (even if the
object is irregularly shaped so that its edge is not the same as the rectangular bounding box)
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: 3D Subdivision
11.4. Troubleshooting
If an object disappears or displays other unexpected behaviour upon subdivision, you may need to adjust your
subdivision settings.
NOTE: For some files, the Advanced Toolkit may work better than the Simple and vice versa. You may also need to
adjust the Triangulation Type setting and enable/disable Try sewing to solid
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: 3D Subdivision
4. Select the polyline from the list box in the 3D Subdivision window and choose the Remove Selected Polyline button
5. Right click in the 3D Subdivision window and select Create Subdivision Polyline, and then redraw the polyline as in
step 7 of section 11.3 above.
6. To add a second cut, right click in the 3D Subdivision window, select Create Subdivision Polyline again, and left
click on one edge and across to the other as below:
7. Close the 3D Subdivision window to finish. Then left click in the main 3D Window and press Esc on the keyboard.
8. Select and assign the subdivided floor slab to the matching Slab on Deck, 1st Floor, Area 3 subtasks as indicated
above
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: 3D Subdivision
1. Move the Focus Time after the end of the Slab on Deck, 1st Floor, Area 2 task
4. Click the Select subdivided Object button to select the entire original object. You can now edit, add or remove splits.
5. Change the Columns division to 0.6 and press Apply
NOTE: Selecting None for Subdivision Type will remove all splits if needed. If you select none, or decrease the number of
rows, columns, or layers, you will be presented with a warning. If you meant to remove the subdivision, press Yes. Any
existing subdivisions will be removed, and any associated 3D Resources will be deleted and unassigned from any tasks
that may have utilised them. The 3D Object and Resource trees will be updated accordingly.
6. Close the 3D Subdivision window to finish. Then left click in the main 3D Window and press Esc on the keyboard.
7. If Subdivisions were added or removed you would need to assign the subdivisions to the appropriate tasks,
but since we only changed the size of the existing subdivisions, they have remained assigned to the correct
tasks. You can confirm this by selecting one of the subdivisions in the 3D window, right clicking and choosing
Display Assigned to Task(s)
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: 3D Subdivision
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: 3D Subdivision
10. Assign the 3D Subdivisions to the associated Tasks as indicated below using the Install Resource Appearance Profile
11. Each Task should now have four 3D Objects assigned to them:
NOTE: When subdividing multiple objects, all selected objects will be split into the same number of subdivisions
according to the settings specified. This may result in subdivisions listed in the 3D Objects list which do not have a
physical geometry. This will happen, for example, when all the cutting planes in the 3D Subdivision window do not
intersect each selected object.
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Auto-Matching with User Fields
The Auto-Matching feature in Synchro provides a facility to automatically assign Resources to Tasks using custom filters and
search rules. The match is based on Resource Names or User Fields as well as Task Names, ID, Comment, User Fields or
Activity Codes. Using the Auto-Matching function greatly simplifies the task of linking resources to tasks.
Previously when we imported the 3D Models (section 5.1), we selected “Process User Fields”. In this tutorial, we will create
User Fields for select Tasks to match the existing User Field values of certain
Resources.
There are over 850 3D Resources. Rather than assigning each Resource to its
respective Task, we can instead create a custom field or User Field for each Task
to match the User Fields already assigned to the 3D Resources.
10. Select any 3D Object shown in the 3D View, then select the Resource Properties window and expand the User Fields
tab. For this tutorial, we want the value stored in “Task Location” (shown below).
NOTE: The User Field values shown above are user defined Object Parameters in the CAD files. Upon 3D Import,
these parameters are created as User Fields in Synchro using the command “Process User Fields”.
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Auto-Matching with User Fields
16. Left click in the Task Location column cell of the Structural Framing, Area 1 task, type in “Area 1”. For Structural
Framing Area 2, Structural Framing Area 3, and Structural Framing, Area 4, enter the User Field values “Area 2”,
“Area 3”, and ”Area 4”, respectively.
17. Task User Fields can also be defined in the Task Properties window under the User
Field tab. Select the task Plumb/Bolt/Weld Area 1 and go to Task PropertiesUser
Fields.
18. Select “Task Location” from the User Field drop-down. Leave Type as String. Enter
the Value as “Area 1”
19. Select “Add” (circled right).
20. Repeat steps 10-11 for Plumb/Bolt/Weld Area 2-4 assigning their respective Areas 2-
4 under Task Location.
NOTE: You can edit User Field values directly in the Task List by clicking on the cell
which holds the value and typing. Additionally, under Task ParametersUser Fields,
select the User Field you want to edit, type the new Value and press Change to enter
the desired new value.
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Auto-Matching with User Fields
In the next section, we will use these assigned User Field values to Auto Match 3D Resources to these eight tasks.
1. Select all Resources shown in the 3D View: [Structural Columns (63) and Structural Framing (791)]
2. Left click on Task Structural Framing, Area 1, hold down Shift and select Structural Framing, Area 4.
NOTE: Please ensure you do not de-select the 854 Resources and 4 Tasks selected.
4. Select New to add a new Auto-Matching rule in the Add New Rule... dialog (shown below).
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Auto-Matching with User Fields
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Auto-Matching with User Fields
24. The 3D Resources columns for tasks Plumb/Bold/Weld Area 1-4 and Structural Framing Area 1-4 will have the same
number of assigned Resources, respectively. (i.e. Structural Framing Area 1 and Plumb/Bolt/Weld Area 1 will have
121 assigned 3D Resources).
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Adding Equipment
1. Select FileImport 3D
2. Select Add files. Browse to locate the training models. By holding down the Ctrl key you can select multiple files for
import. Select the following files:
• Detailed Crawler Crane.dwf
• Excavator.dwf
3. Select Open, then Import
4. Activate Assign to a new Resource, then Next
5. Change the name to Equipment
6. Set the Resource Type to Equipment then Next
7. Activate Add Resources underneath, don’t build tree and select Finish
The equipment models will be imported to (0,0,0) and will need to be moved to the correct locations
1. In Navigator Resource Appearance Profiles, create a new user defined profile by right
clicking in the window then selecting Add
2. Rename the profile Equipment Install and ensure it is highlighted
3. In the General tab, ensure the Action is set to Install
4. In Active Appearance, enable Original Colour by checking the box next to it (or change the colour if desired)
5. Create 2 more new Resource Appearance Profiles with these settings
Name Action Active Appearance
Equipment Remove Remove Original Colour
Equipment Temporary Temporary Original Colour
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Editing 3D Objects
Synchro provides control over geometry by allowing you to move, rotate, and scale 3D objects using graphic manipulators.
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Editing 3D Objects
To use the Advanced Manipulator, select the required icon with left mouse button, then hold and move mouse to
either translate or scale
We will use the Advanced Manipulator to move the Excavator to the correct location
1. Select the Foundation Excavation task. From the Task ribbon, select FocusStart to move the Focus Time to the
beginning of the excavation task
2. Select the Excavator in the 3D View.
3. Right click in the 3D view and select Edit Advanced Manipulator.
4. Use the Z axis translation icon (“A” in the image above) to move the excavator so it is sitting on top of the
excavation surface.
5. Use the Z axis rotation icon (“B” in the image above) or the 3D PropertiesRotate tab to rotate the excavator
90° clockwise.
6. Use the XY plane manipulator (“C” in the image above) to move the excavator to the edge of the excavation.
The excavator should be located as shown below:
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Editing 3D Objects
The same Crawler Crane is to be used on all four MetalsStructural Framing tasks. It will need to be located in a
different location for each of these tasks, so we will use the Edit as Assigned command.
1. Select the Crawler Crane and assign it to Structural Framing, Area 1; Structural Framing, Area 2; and Structural
Framing, Area 3 using the Equipment Install Resource Appearance Profile
2. Select the Crawler Crane and assign it to Structural Framing, Area 4 using the Equipment Remove Resource
Appearance Profile
3. Select the Crawler Crane and right click in the 3D window and hover over Edit as Assigned. You will see the tasks the
selected 3D Resource is assigned to
4. The Crawler Crane is already in the correct location for Structural Framing, Area 1, so select Edit as
AssignedTask[Structural Framing, Area 2]Edit Resource (complex)
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Editing 3D Objects
8. Beginning before the start of Structural Framing, Area 1, drag the Focus Time through all four Structural Framing
tasks to see how the crane appears on site at the beginning of the first task, moves to a new location for each task,
and then disappears from the site at the end of the last task.
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: 3D Paths
15. 3D Paths
In this section, you will learn how to create and edit a simple 3D path.
3D Paths can be created to show the planned movement of a piece of equipment or other object. We will create a 3D Path to
show the Excavator moving during the Foundation Excavation task.
3. Ensure that Enable Snapping and Snap to Face are the only options turned on
TIP: Before creating a 3D Path, click in the 3D window and press Esc on the keyboard to deselect all 3D objects.
If an object is selected when a 3D Path is created, the first point on the path will be the center of the objects’
bounding box.
4. Right click in the 3D view and select Create 3D Path from the context menu
5. As you move the cursor, object faces will be outlined in green and a green dot will preview where you can start
the path. Move the cursor so that it is over the orange Excavation surface. Double left click to place the first
point in front of the Excavator.
6. Double left click at the opposite end of the Excavtation on the brown ground surface to place the second point.
A blue line will indicate the path.
NOTE: To continue adding points to a path, continue double clicking where each vertex should be
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: 3D Paths
7. Click in the 3D window and press Esc on the keyboard to deselect the Excavator.
8. Drag the Focus Time through the Foundation Excavation task to see the Excavator move along the path
9. We can also apply a growth simulation to the Excavation so that the earth appears to be removed as the
Excavator moves.
10. In Navigator Resource Appearance Profiles, right click the Remove System Profile and select Add which will
create a new User Profile with the same settings in the General tab (ie. Action=Remove and Active Appearance
Colour=orange). Name the new profile Excavation
11. In the General tab, set the Growth Simulation to Front – Back
12. Select the Excavation 3D object and with the Foundation Excavation task selected, in Task
PropertiesResources, change the Appearance Profile to Excavation
13. Click in the 3D window and press Esc on the keyboard to deselect
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: 3D Paths
14. Now as you drag the Focus Time through the Foundation Excavation task you will see the earth being excavated
as the excavator moves
4. Under 3D Path EditorKeyframes, Keyframe 1 displays the starting point of the 3D Path and Keyframe 2 displays the
ending point.
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: 3D Paths
For this tutorial, we want the excavator to travel along a straight path to follow the R-L growth for the task Foundation
Excavation.
5. Make sure your Axis Indicator is on: Right click in the 3D View and
select Visual Indicators Axis Indicator. In the 3D Ribbon,
uncheck the box next to View Cube to ensure you are looking at
the axes.
6. As you can see, we want the excavator to travel along the Y-Axis.
7. Below you can see the original 3D Path(left) vs. the desired 3D Path (right).
We need to change the X and Z values of Keyframe 2 to equal the values in Keyframe 1 for our 3D Path to travel along a
straight line in the Y-Axis; only the Y value should vary.
8. Copy the X and Z values from Keyframe 1 and paste them over the
X and Z values in Keyframe 2.
9. Keyframe 2 should now have the same X and Z coordinates as
Keyframe 1, but a different Y Coordinate.
10. Move the Focus Time through the task to see the excavator move
along the edited path.
11. To hide the 3D Path indicators in the 3D window, right click in the
3D window and select Visual Indicators 3D Paths
NOTE: You can also edit 3D Paths using the 3D Path Manipulator. In Navigator 3D
Paths, right click on Foundation Excavation and select Modify 3D Path. You will see a
Manipulator that you can drag, which will automatically update the coordinates of each
Keyframe. Press the esc key in the 3D View to get rid of the 3D Path Manipulator
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Copy and Create 3D Objects
1. In Navigator 3D Sets, select Clear to hide all objects, then show the Site file
2. Select the Field Office & Temporary Hard Standing objects as shown:
3. Right click in the 3D view and select Copy from the context menu
4. Right click again and select Paste
The copied site office & temporary hard standing will be created in the same location as the original site office
and we will need to assign it a resource.
5. The Resource Wizard is displayed. Select Assign to a new Resource, then Next
6. Rename BIM Office, change the Type to Material, then select Next
7. Select Assign to this Resource, don’t build tree, then Finish
The copied site office will appear in the same position as the original one and we will need to move it to a new
location
8. With the BIM Office still selected, right click in the 3D view and choose Edit Simple Manipulator
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Copy and Create 3D Objects
10. Press Esc on the keyboard to exit the manipulator and deselect the object
11. Use the Install Resource Appearance Profile to assign the BIM Office to the Field Office task.
1. In Navigator 3D Sets, select Clear to hide all objects, then show Roofs in the Architecture file
2. Move the Focus Time to the end of the project so all the objects are shown
3. We will ensure the correct snapping options are enabled. Snapping allows for precise input of object geometry.
Disable all functions except for Enable snapping & Snap to vertex
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Copy and Create 3D Objects
12. Change the colour to a light blue and set the transparency to approximately 50% as shown above right. Then
select OK
13. Click in the 3D View then press Esc on the keyboard to deselect the box and see the colour
14. Select the Temporary Roof object and assign to the Temporary Roof at Skylight task using the Install Resource
Appearance Profile
NOTE: Even though the roof is temporary, we are using the Install profile because the task is for the
installation of the Temporary Roof. The Temporary Roof will be assigned using a Remove profile to remove
the Temporary Roof when the Skylight is installed. The Temporary profile should be used only when an object
is used exclusively for the duration of the task it is assigned to.
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Synchronising 3D Models
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Synchronising 3D Models
NOTE: Any 3D Objects that have been added during Synchronisation will not
automatically be assigned to tasks. The easiest way to locate these Objects is to go
to the beginning of the project before anything has been installed.
For the purposes of this tutorial, please assign the exterior walls to the task Exterior
Metal Siding/ Backup Framing (Right) and the exterior doors to the task Exterior
Doors, Frames, Hardware.
11. Select the 3D Objects and assign them to the task Punched Windows (Right)
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Synchronising 3D Models
12. Select the Punched Windows(Right) task and select GanttFocusCenter. You should see the following:
Let’s compare the same section of the model before and after Synchronisation. (For the purposes of this tutorial,
please use the images below for this comparison). Notice below:
1. 2. 3. 4. 1. 2. 3.
i. In the Original Model (above left) there are 4 window pane sections (top & bottom)
ii. In the Updated Model (above right), there are only 3 of these window pane sections (top & bottom).
SUMMARY: The merging of the 2&3 Window Pane sections accounts for the 3D Objects the recorded as deleted in the
Synchronisation Report. If you select the individual Window Panes, as well as the metal borders, you will see that one
window pane section is comprised of multiple 3D Objects. Ultimately, if the Synchronisation Report records deleted 3D
Objects, this does not necessarily mean the Objects no longer exist.
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Baselines & Synchronising Schedules
3. Right click again in the task list and choose Baseline Selected Tasks
4. You will be prompted to name the baseline. Change the name to Original Schedule
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Baselines & Synchronising Schedules
5. When the following message appears, select Yes to calculate the Critical Path
6. In the current schedule, the critical path tasks are white outlined in red, whereas tasks not on the critical path are
solid green as shown below. The Baseline is directly over the current schedule, with critical tasks in solid blue, and
non-critical tasks outlined in blue but hollow.
7. To turn off the Baseline display in the Gantt Chart go to Navigator Baselines and Scenarios and deselect Original
Schedule:
8. To turn off the Critical Path display, toggle off Compute Critical Path in the Home ribbon.
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Baselines & Synchronising Schedules
NOTE: All files imported or exported will be listed here. If you’ve imported multiple schedules, make sure you
select the correct one.
2. Right click on [Training Project Schedule.xml] [Import] [dd/mm/yy] and select Synchronise From
3. Browse to Training Project Schedule Updated.xml, select Open then Next
4. When synchronising a schedule, you will be asked to choose Synchronise, Consolidate, Integrate, or Skip for each
of the different schedule attributes.
The Synchronisation options (Synchronise, Consolidate, Integrate or Skip) are explained in the chart below.
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Baselines & Synchronising Schedules
SYNCHRONISE
If you choose to Synchronise, the existing schedule in Synchro will be completely replaced with the updated external schedule.
Outcome: External schedule takes precedence over Synchro schedule when Synchronising according to the following rules:
• Attributes ADDED externally ADDED in Synchro
• Attributes DELETED externally DELETED in Synchro
• Attributes MODIFIED externally MODIFIED in Synchro
• Attributes ADDED or MODIFIED in Synchro OVERRIDDEN
NOTE: In the current version of Synchro Pro 5.1, the option to Synchronise is not available for P6 global objects (such as
Calendars, Resources, Risks and Activity Codes) since these cannot be deleted. Synchronise is the default choice for Primavera
P3.
CONSOLIDATE
If you choose to Consolidate, any schedule changes made externally or in Synchro will still exist, NOTHING IS DELETED.
Outcome: Merges the External and Synchro Schedules when Synchronising
• Attributes ADDED externally ADDED in Synchro
• Attributes MODIFIED externally MODIFIED in Synchro
• Attributes ADDED or MODIFIED in Synchro MAINTAINED
INTEGRATE
If you choose to Integrate, any modifications made to the selected external schedule in Synchro will be overridden. However, any
additions to the schedule in Synchro will be maintained.
Outcome: External schedule takes precedence over Synchro schedule for all Attributes not originally created in the external
schedule.
• Attributes ADDED externally ADDED in Synchro
• Attributes DELETED externally DELETED in Synchro
• Attributes MODIFIED externally MODIFIED in Synchro
• Attributes ADDED in Synchro MAINTAINED
• Attributes MODIFIED in Synchro OVERRIDDEN
NOTE: Integrate only affects schedule attributes associated with the selected schedule being Synchronised. Thus the option to
Integrate is most commonly used when multiple schedules have been imported into Synchro so no project data is lost upon
Synchronisation. Integrate is the default choice for Resources and Resource Assignments. The option to Integrate is unavailable
for Microsoft Project XML.
SKIP
If you choose to Skip, the associated attribute will not be modified or updated.
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Baselines & Synchronising Schedules
Use the following flowchart to determine whether to Skip, Synchronise, Consolidate, or Integrate each attribute. For each
attribute (eg. Links, Calendars, etc) substitute the attribute name wherever “[tasks]” appears in the flow chart.
Start
Yes
Yes Yes
Integrate
Were [tasks] deleted in the No
Consolidate
source program?
Yes
Yes
SUMMARY: Any attribute that you have added or modified in Synchro since importing will need to be considered. For
example, if you have not created any tasks, calendars etc. in Synchro but have just created Resources and Resource
Assignments, those are the only two options that you will be required to Consolidate or Integrate instead of Synchronise
to ensure that Synchronisation works correctly and that all assignments are retained.
See “"Appendix F: Synchronisation Scenarios" for further information and to test your knowledge of these options.
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Baselines & Synchronising Schedules
9. The Data Date has been updated (as indicated in the Gantt Chart by the blue dotted line). Before rescheduling, in
Navigator ProjectDetails, ensure that Schedule From is set to Data Date. In ProjectDetails you can also view
the new Data Date
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Baselines & Synchronising Schedules
10. Select F9 on the keyboard to manually reschedule the tasks that were created in Synchro.
11. In Navigator Baselines and Scenarios, select the Original Schedule to display it in the Gantt Chart and see
how the schedule has changed. You can see that the Notice to Proceed has been delayed about a month, lag
has been added between Award Subcontractors and the Material Procurement tasks and tasks have been
updated for actual progress.
1. From the Windows Ribbon select 3D to create another 3D View (which is typically positioned above the
first 3D View)
2. Left click in the title bar of the new 3D window and drag the new 3D window over the first 3D window,
and release the mouse button over the right side of the smart window placement icon.
A preview of where the window will be placed will be shown before you drop it in place.
3. Modify one of the 3D views so that you can see the whole building.
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Baselines & Synchronising Schedules
4. Right click in the modified 3D view and select Viewpoint Apply Viewpoint to all 3D Views so that the camera
angle in both windows is the same.
5. In Navigator Baselines and Scenarios, ensure that the Original Schedule is selected. Right-click in the first 3D
View and select Dates To Use Baseline from the context menu. This will display the geometry in the window
according to the baseline dates. The other window should be set to Dates to use Best by default which will
show the current schedule.
6. Move the Focus Time through the project to review how the new schedule (below right) compares to the baseline
(below left).
7. Click the X in the top of the 3D window using Baseline dates to close it
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Cutting Planes
1. Ensure that the Focus Time is at the end of the project and all objects are shown
2. Right click in the 3D Window and select Cutting PlanesCutting Plane Z
3. Left click to place the cutting plane on the roof which will appear as shown below.
NOTE: To set a Cutting Plane, you must click on an object, not in empty space
4. A simple manipulator appears. Move the cursor over the manipulator until the vertical icon ‘grows’ then hold
down the left button and drag the cutting plane up and down in the Z direction, so that you can see into the
Level 1 space.
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Cutting Planes
10. Select Invert Direction to change the direction of the cutting plane-
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Viewpoints
20. Viewpoints
In this section, you will learn how to create and save a Viewpoint.
Viewpoints can store Focus Time, Camera Angle, applied 3D Sets, and Cutting Planes. A saved Viewpoint can be reactivated at
any point in one or all 3D windows. This can be useful for returning to a particular time or view after updating a schedule or
model to see what has changed, or to quickly jump to points of interest when presenting to stakeholders.
6. Change the Focus Time in the Gantt Chart, and then edit
Camera Angle and turn off the Cutting Plane in the 3D
window.
NOTE: If you update the Camera Angle and/or Focus Time and wish
to resave with the new values, select the Set Camera/Focus Time
button. You can also enable/disable Cutting Planes and 3D Sets to be
saved with the Viewpoint using the checkboxes.
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Animations
21. Animations
In this section, you will learn how to create and edit an animation, and export it to an AVI video.
Having created your 4D schedule within Synchro it also possible to create a scheduling animation that can be communicated
to third parties or exported as a video and used as presentation material (without the need to install Synchro). Animations
can show an overview of the whole project, or you may prefer to create an animation that focuses on a few tasks or a few
days of construction (e.g. a particularly complicated sequence).
1. In order to avoid clipping the sides of the view when exporting the animation, set the 3D window to roughly the
same aspect ratio as the desired output before creating the animation. To do this, undock the 3D window by double
clicking in the header bar or left clicking and dragging.
2. You will notice that the size of this 3D window is stated in the top left hand corner so you can alter the size to
the required aspect ratio size that you want. Resize the 3D window to 800 Wide x 450 High (or approximately
16:9 ratio to suit the size of your screen)
3. In Navigator Animations, right click and select Add to create a new animation.
4. Select the New animation , rename it Site Tour and ensure that it is highlighted
5. From the Windows ribbon, open the Animation Editor
6. Move the cursor into the Animation Editor (do not left click!) and roll the mouse wheel to rescale to the
required timescale, in this case 30 seconds
Animations are made of a series of Keyframes which define the viewpoint (camera-angle, position and zoom) and
contents (Focus Time) of the 3D Windows at a given point in time within the Animation.
A Keyframe is added by left-clicking in either the Camera or Focus Time channels of the Animation Editor Window.
The added Keyframe records the current settings of the camera or the Focus Time. Camera Keyframes are marked
by a grey diamond in the Camera animation channel. Focus Time Keyframes are marked by a yellow diamond.
7. To define the start of the animation; move the Focus Time in the Gantt Chart to just before the start of the project.
8. Left Click in the focus time channel of the animation editor at 0sec. A yellow Keyframe marker will appear.
9. To define the end of the animation move the focus time in the Gantt chart to just after the end of the project.
10. Left Click in the focus time channel in the animation editor at 30sec. Another yellow Keyframe marker will
appear.
11. Select and drag the red Focus Time Marker in the animation editor to review the stored timeline. This can also be
done with the options in the Play Ribbon by selecting Play Animations. Then click Move to Start followed by Play
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Animations
13. To create a Camera viewpoint Left click in the camera channel of the animation editor at 0sec. This defines
the view at a particular point in time.
14. Move the Focus Time Marker in the Animation Editor (not the Gantt Chart) forward to about 5 seconds.
15. Modify the 3D view by zooming into the work area as shown
16. Left click in the camera channel of the animation editor at 5 seconds to set this view at this time.
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Animations
17. Move the Focus Time Marker in the animation editor forward to 10 seconds
18. Modify the 3D view by orbiting around to the side of the building as shown
19. Left click in the camera channel of the animation editor at 10 seconds to set a view at this time.
20. Repeat steps 17 – 19 four times in order to orbit around the entire building setting camera points every 5
seconds.
21. Review the animation by dragging the Focus Time Marker in the animation editor or click Move to Start followed
by Play in the Play Ribbon.
TIP: Pressing the space bar on the keyboard (while an animation is selected in NavigatorAnimations) will play
and stop the Animation.
1. Right click on the grey marker in the camera channel and select Snap To Viewpoint
2. Modify the 3D window to get the desired camera angle.
3. Right click on the grey marker in the camera channel and select Use Current Viewpoint.
NOTE: Snap to Focus Time and Use Current Focus Time work similarly.
TIP: If many Keyframes appear to be overlaid, scroll the mouse wheel forward to zoom in on the timeline.
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Animations
21.3. Interpolation
At the end of the animation you may want to rotate the project for a final overview (or you can use this feature at
any time in your animation). This is achieved using a Turntable camera interpolation
NOTE: Interpolations are always between two neighbouring Keyframes. The interpolation type assigned to the
first (left) Keyframe defines the transition to the next(right) Keyframe
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Animations
1. To set up a Turntable interpolation, select an object in the 3D View that you want to rotate about. The camera will
rotate about the centre of the selected object’s bounding box.
TIP: If you want to spin around the entire
model, select an object that is central to
the model or spans the whole model
(e.g. the Glass Skylight).
2. Find the Glass Skylight task in the Task List, right click to Select Assigned Resources.
3. Right click on the Camera node at 30 seconds and select Interpolation TypeTurntable
4. You will be presented with the Animation Turntable Options where you can decide on Rotation degrees, Direction
and move the Preview bar to review. Keep the settings as default then select OK
5. Decide how long you want the rotation to last for- we will have this for 10 seconds so create another camera point
at 40 seconds in the Animation Editor
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Animations
NOTE: You also have the option to export the AVI in a JPEG format. Frame rate will determine how many JPEG files
are created per second. You can combine the images in an Animation software package if required. If you want to
export to a series of JPEGs, enable the checkbox and choose what image quality you wish to use.
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Animations
NOTE: Anti-aliasing increases the quality of the output, but greatly increases the time it takes to export.
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Output
22. Output
In this section you will learn how to save a Viewpoint as an image, how to print from the Gantt Chart, and how to export the
Gantt Chart to a PDF.
1. If you have a saved Viewpoint that you would like to export as an image, in Navigator Viewpoints, select the
Viewpoint name, right click and choose Save as Image
2. Name the file and choose the file type (PNG, BMP, or JPEG) from the drop-down list.
3. The Save as Image dialog will appear. There are options to change the image size (or keep it the same as the 3D
window), set the graphics driver Type, Antialiasing (higher values improve quality), and apply Effects including
Shadows.
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Output
1. When printing the Gantt Chart, what you see is what you get,
so use Customise Columns in the Task List to choose which
columns to include in the printout
2. Before printing, set up the printer and page layout by
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Output
1. Move the Focus Time in the Gantt Chart to show any view you would like to export.
2. In the Home Menu Select Export 3D
3. In the Export 3D Window, Select Browse to choose where you would like to save your 3D PDF
i. Choose a file name
ii. Set “Save as Type” to 3D PDF(*.pdf).
iii. Select “Save”
4. Select the following Options
i. Export Mode: Export in accordance with the current Focus Time
ii. Dates to use: Using Dates [Best]
iii. Check: Take into account global 3D Filter
NOTE: By enabling Global 3D Filter, you will only export 3D Objects that
are loaded in the project in the 3D Objects window.
5. Select Export
NOTE: You cannot export an animation in 3D PDF format.
6. When the 3D PDF has finished exporting, open your file inside of a PDF
compatible program to view the 3D Model.
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Synchro PRO Basic Training:
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Appendix B: Bentley 3D Workflow
1. There are currently two versions of the Synchro plugin: SELECTseries 2 & SELECTseries 3
2. You can determine your installed version of Microstation from the HelpAbout dialog.
i. If you have a SELECTseries 2 product, please install that version of the plugin
ii. If you have SELECTseries 3 or higher (SS4,SS5) product (including Microstation and AECOSim), please install
the SS3 plugin.
3. Run and install the setupMicrostationSynchroPlugin.exe (double click on the set up file and follow the on screen
instructions)
4. Once the Plugin has been installed, open up the DGN in Microstation.
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Appendix B: Bentley 3D Workflow
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Appendix B: Bentley 3D Workflow
8. You will now see the Synchro Plugin Window. There are a number of export options available to you:
• Coordinate System – Can be used to export in world
coordinate system or in local “Global Origin” coordinates
system. The “global origin” can be queried by typing “go=”
command in Microstation. NOTE: Microstation exports files in
local “global origin” coordinate system (export to FBX, JT,
etc.), but when you x-ref the file into another DGN – it appears
in global “world” coordinate system.
• Ignore Wireframe 3D Objects – Can be used to skip the import
of polylines, lines, circular arcs, circles, elliptical arcs, ellipses,
nurbs curves objects
• Ignore Text Elements – When disabled, causes Synchro to also
read and store any text attributes that may be defined against
the geometry when it is imported. These attributes may be
converted into User Fields if required.
• Ignore Dimension Elements – When enabled, skips geometry
elements with type of dimension – usually represented as
lines, arrows, labels, etc.
• Ignore Hidden 3D Objects – When enabled, elements hidden
by their level’s global visibility and element visibility attributes
are skipped.
• Process Level Display - Skip levels that are not added to “Level
Display” in selected 3D View.
• Process Displayset – Skip objects that are not added to
“Displayset” in selected 3D View
• Export Named Groups – When enabled converts Bentley
“Named Group” to Synchro 3D Sets
• Export Tags - When enabled, converts Bentley “Tagsets” and
“Tags” to Synchro “User Fields” and “User Field Values”
• Export Element Properties – When enabled, converts element
properties to Synchro User Fields. Each element is analyzed to
see if it is an instance of an “Engineering Component Class” –
if it is an EC instance, properties are converted to Synchro
User Fields. A 3D Set is created for each EC Class.
• Break Cells – When enabled, creates separate nodes for each
3D element under leaf cell
• Limit 3D Object Tree Levels By – This option determins the
depth of the 3D file. NOTE: This featue is especially suitable for
models containing multiple hierarchies, all of which are not
required in order to map the 3D geometry to 3D resources.
• Optimise 3D Data – When enabled, will attempt to further optimize the imported model data
• Tessellation Accuracy – This option controls the precision of triangulation during conversion of geometry elements with solid
representation.
• Build Results – When enabled, creates resources by 3D entity tree on export.
9. Select the options you wish to export in Synchro Plugin Window(shown above) Select Save As Icon
10. In the Save As Window, Select the location of where you wish to save, name the file and select Save.
11. Select Export on the Synchro Plugin window and the progress bar will appear to give you the status of the export.
12. When the export is complete, you will receive a message indicating the export finished successfully. Select OK.
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Appendix B: Bentley 3D Workflow
24.2. Importing .sp files generated from the Microstation plugin into Synchro
1. Open up Synchro PRO, Select File Import Synchro Project
2. In the Import Synchro Project Window, select “Add Files.” Locate and Open the .spx File. Select Next (Below Left)
3. Select “Import” to import all available attributes. (If required, attributes can also be skipped). (Below Right)
4. The progress bar will appear to display the status of the import. Upon completion, select Finish.
NOTE: In this Basic Training, new resources are automatically created to correspond with the imported 3D Models.
The Synchro file that is created using the Microstation plugin will NOT have these associated resources, so they will
need to be added.
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Appendix B: Bentley 3D Workflow
5. In the 3D Objects window, right click on the .sp model name and select “Resources Wizard”
6. In the Resource Wizard Window, select “Assign to a new Resource” and Select Next.(Below Left)
7. Rename the Resource and Select Next. (Below Right)
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Appendix C: Revit 3D Workflow
5. The Synchro Export Settings dialog will appear. There are a number of options available to you:
• Include Linked Documents – If checked, exported tries to export all
linked documents in addition to master file; Otherwise, only master
file will be exported
• Use Shared Coordinates – If checked, all linked 3D Data will be
exported using their Revit Shared Coordinates (similar to
“Positioning: By Shared Coordinates”) option in Revit “Import/Link
RVT” dialogue). Otherwise, their origins will be used (similar to
“Positioning Origin to origin” option in Revit “Import/Link RVT”
dialogue)
• Create Viewpoints for Each Level – If checked, creates Viewpoints in
Synchro for each Level in Revit. Each Viewpoint is defined by a
cutting plane above and below that level.
• Export Workspaces – If Checked, Revit Rooms are exported as
Synchro Workspaces; Otherwise no Workspaces will be exported.
• Export Matching User Fields Only – If checked, all User Field (Revit
Parameter) names will be checked against strings presented in a list
box (below this option): If the User Field name contains any of the
strings from the list, that User Field will be exported; otherwise, it
will be ignored. If unchecked, all User Fields will be exported.
• Parameters to Export – Only available when “Export Matching Using
Fields” is enabled. To enter a new String, Type it in the Text Box and
select the “Add” button to the right of the Text Box. Conversely, to
Remove a String, highlight the String and select the “Remove” button at the top right of the List Box.
NOTE: The values in the List Box are CASE-SENSITIVE. Additionally, any strings added to the List Box will remain there
until you manually remove them.
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Appendix C: Revit 3D Workflow
6. Once you have selected your desired Export Settings, Select “Close”
7. These Export Settings will be saved for future use.
8. Please set up the 3D View in Revit according to how you wish to export your model – as you would with the
DWF/DWFx export.
9. When you are ready to export your model, Select Add-InsSynchroExport to Synchro
When the export is complete, you will have an .SPX file containing the 3D Geometry from Revit.
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Appendix D: Auto-Matching
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Appendix D: Auto-Matching
• The Add button is used to define a new rule – this will open the “Add New Rule…”window described below.
• Edit can be used to modify an existing rule – this will open the Edit Rule window which is identical to the Add New
Rule window (described below) except that it contains the saved rule.
• The Remove button will delete the currently selected rule
• The Remove All will delete all currently defined rules
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Appendix D: Auto-Matching
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Appendix D: Auto-Matching
NOTE: At least one search expression must be defined before you can close the dialog, or press Cancel to stop the
Auto Matching rule creation.
6. Select Add to define a new Expression. This will enable the Term, Algorithm, Operator, and Options panels below.
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Appendix D: Auto-Matching
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Appendix D: Auto-Matching
7. You can change the assigned Resource Appearance Profile for each matching group by clicking within the Use Profile
column (which will display a drop-down list of the available Resource Appearance Profiles).
8. Press the Assign All button to apply your proposed Linkages (assigning all matched Resources to matched Tasks in
the list)
9. The Clear button will clear the list. You can then select another Rule in the dialog and repeat the Auto Matching
operation again until you reach the desirable result.
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Appendix E: Synchronisation -Basic Rules for Scheduling Software
Therefore:
• If the original schedule and P6 database are used to update, Synchro will look for GUID’s when synchronising.
• If the original schedule has been copied then updated, a different P6 database has been used, or if the GUIDs are
not found, then Activity IDs will be compared, provided they have not been changed.
• It is possible to change the IDs in both P6 and Synchro, as long as GUIDs remain unchanged.
• The schedules can be synchronised using a different computer and can have a different file name
P3
Comparison uses Activity IDs, therefore it is possible copy a schedule then update, provided the Activity ID’s are retained.
In P3 activity IDs are unchangeable
The schedules can be synchronised using a different computer and can have a different file name
Asta
When making copies of the original schedules that are created in other systems; the global unique ID of each task will be
changed in the process of copying.
Therefore when a copy is made and introduced into the synchronisation workflow the change will be made to the original
task’s own internal UID (unique identifier).
This will result in Synchro not recognising the task as the same, therefore all prior resource assignments will be lost. It is
essential that the original import/export schedule is used throughout the workflow. If copies are introduced, it is important
that they are only for side reference or saved as an archive as required, but at all times updates and changes are
synchronised between Synchro and the original or original updated schedule.
In essence, the original and updated schedules throughout the workflow process should be from the same source schedule
and NOT copied versions.
The programme can be synchronised using a different computer and can have a different file name
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Appendix F: Synchronisation Scenario
Below are simplified example schedules, with durations in parentheses after the tasks. The left one was created in P6 and
imported into Synchro to begin. The middle one is the result of modifications made to the schedule in Synchro by the
Synchro specialist, and the right one reflects the changes the scheduler has made in P6.
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Appendix F: Synchronisation Scenario
a) b)
c) d)
In which of the following windows has the Synchro specialist selected the correct options to synchronise without losing any
of the work that he and the scheduler have conducted since the first version of the schedule was originally imported into
Project1.sp?
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Appendix F: Synchronisation Scenario
Answer: b)
Explanation:
The attributes of concern in this scenario are Tasks, Links, Resources, and Resource assignments. The original schedule has
been modified in Synchro, so choosing Synchronise for Tasks and Links will override and replace the modified schedule in
Synchro with the updated P6 schedule. All the subtasks and equipment movement tasks created by the Synchro specialist
will be lost. Therefore, a) is not the correct answer.
The scheduler has deleted tasks. If the Tasks and Links are consolidated, the tasks that the scheduler has deleted will remain
in the consolidated schedule because Consolidate keeps the greatest number of tasks compared to the other options: any
tasks that are in either schedule (Synchro or P6) will be in the new schedule – no tasks will be deleted from either schedule.
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Synchro PRO Basic Training: Contact Details
Berkeley, CA
WeWork Berkeley
2120 University Ave.
Berkeley, CA
94704
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