Interactive Model

[thomas.stright]

I have been tasked with taking our 3D piping models and submitting them to the owner of the project. Not a big deal since we always do that.

But now they want the ability to mouse over the model in Navis and have system, equipment and valve information "pop-up". We do not have Navis, What needs to be done to the objects in Cad for this to happen in Navis?

TIA

[m20roxxers]

You would have to create a database if you are using standard CAD and datalink it to all equipment. If you have CAD-Duct or something then the client is going to need a copy aswell.

I imagine Navis is the Key, with a datalink and cleanup of equipment should be fine.
I guess it depends on what software you are using to build ur models and the data contained with them. I would then setup an SQL and remap information by entity ID's.

Something that is automatic is Artra which is built ontop of navis.

For this specific information you would only need Navisworks Simulate unless you want to do clash detection internally.

You could try a DWF export but it really depends on the software your using to how successful that will be.

[thomas.stright]

Using Cad-Pipe on Vanilla 2010.

I will look into the DXF export.

Thanks for the information. This is more complicated than I anticipated.
(Glad I have not quoted a price yet)

[amixam]

Something that is automatic is Artra which is built ontop of navis.


Quick clarification. ArTrA is not built ontop of Navis. It uses a portion on the Navisworks API (ActiveX viewer) but is a standalone application with its own licensing requirements.

[thomas.stright]

If I get a seat of Navisworks Simulate, Can I tag the items in Navis?

[m20roxxers]

Sorry, I know it's a separate search/storage/link engine, but for these purposes I doubt it really makes a difference. It still relies on Navis to provide the visibility and interaction with 3D objects, you get alot more in the back end though. I think in this case it would be overkill.

Thomas: Yes you can not an issue, and you have have saved views setup for your client with the information appearing as you see fit.

[JeffHUK]

For the 'mouse over popup' functionality, you'll want to look at Smart Tags in Navisworks. Any data you can get into the model as properties, either via import or DataTools, should be able to be displayed as a Smart Tag (effectively a tooltip).

As a side-note, with large models, you'll probably want to consider setting up your database queries, and then publishing to NWD with database properties embedded for pure viewing. This will take a while, but means that the person browsing the NWD will have a faster navigation experience.

Please note that DataTools is not available in Navisworks Freedom.

Hope that helps,

Jeff