Preparing Design Objects for Progress Tracking
Introduction
Once you have identified the work you want to monitor, the next step is to make sure the corresponding elements in your project design are available as design objects.
Design objects give DatuBIM a structured way to work with individual construction elements such as manholes, drainage structures, foundations, walls, utility elements, or other project components. These objects can then be connected to schedule activities and used within the Progress Tracking workflow.
Before You Begin
Make sure the applicable design has been uploaded to your DatuBIM site.
- Object-based BIM designs, such as IFC
- 2D CAD designs, including DWG, DXF, and DGN
How much preparation is required depends on the structure of the source design.
Understanding Object-Based and 2D CAD Designs
How design objects are prepared for Progress Tracking depends on the type of design file and how the source CAD was created.
For 2D CAD designs, DatuBIM provides two workflows for preparing geometry as design objects:
- Identify Objects: Use when the source CAD contains defined elements, such as CAD blocks, that DatuBIM can automatically identify and convert into design objects. Existing block properties and values are carried into the resulting objects.
- Manage Objects: Use when the elements you want to track were not defined as usable objects in the source CAD and need to be created manually from the available CAD geometry.
Working with an IFC Design
IFC designs are already object-based. Individual 3D elements contain object structure and properties and do not need to be recreated or converted from design geometry.
After the IFC design is uploaded, select the applicable 3D elements to review their Properties and Progress information and enrich them with additional project data as needed.
Helpful Note: You do not need to run Identify Objects or manually recreate elements that already exist within an IFC design.
Working with a 2D CAD Design
2D CAD designs may contain geometry such as lines, polylines, blocks, and points. Before these elements can be used in the object-based Progress Tracking workflow, the applicable geometry must exist as DatuBIM design objects.
- If the source CAD contains defined elements, such as reusable CAD blocks: Run Identify Objects to automatically convert them into DatuBIM design objects.
- If the required elements are not available as usable objects in the source CAD: Use Manage Objects to create the necessary design objects from the available CAD geometry.
Preparing Objects from a 2D CAD Design
Automatically Identify Existing CAD Objects
If the source CAD contains defined elements such as blocks, use Identify Objects to allow DatuBIM to automatically convert those elements into design objects.
To open the Identify Objects workflow:
- Locate the applicable design in the Designs panel.
- Open the design's three-dot menu.
- Select Objects.
- Select Identify Objects.
- Allow DatuBIM to process the design (indicated by "Objects Processing..." beneath the design file name).
After objects have been identified, review the detected objects before using them for Progress Tracking.
Confirm:
- The expected objects were created.
- The object types or classifications are appropriate.
- Object names are correct.
- The objects represent the physical design elements you intend to track.
Helpful Note: Use Identify Objects when the source 2D CAD contains usable blocks that DatuBIM can automatically convert into design objects. If the elements you need are not available as usable blocks, or are not identified correctly, use Manage Objects to define them manually from the CAD geometry.
Manually Define Objects When Needed
If the elements you want to track were not defined as objects in the source CAD, use Manage Objects to create design objects from the applicable CAD geometry.
The Manage Objects option opens the Design Object Editor, where selected 2D CAD geometry can be converted into manageable design objects.
How to Manually Define Design Objects
Open Manage Objects
To open the Design Object Editor:
- Locate the applicable CAD design in the Designs panel.
- Open the Design's three-dot menu.
- Select Objects.
- Select Manage Objects.
Create or Choose an Object Type
Within the Design Object Editor, select an existing object type or create a new one.
Object types should reflect how your team wants to organize and monitor the work. Examples may include:
- Manholes
- Catch basins
- Pits
- Foundations
- Wall segments
- Other repeatable construction elements
Helpful Note: If the required object type does not already exist, use the + option to add a new object type.
Define the Objects
Once the appropriate object type is selected:
- Select the CAD geometry that represents the object or objects you want to define. You do not need to hold CTRL when adding CAD entities to the selection. Click an entity to add it; click a selected entity again to remove it. Selected CAD entities appear red.
- Select individual CAD entities when defining a specific element.
- Use the rectangle or polygon selection tool when the object is made up of multiple CAD entities.
- Save the object definition and allow DatuBIM to process the selected geometry.
Helpful Note: Objects can be grouped under the same object type even when their geometry or size differs. The goal is to organize elements in a way that makes sense for how your team plans to track and report the work.
Review your Design Objects
Once processing is complete, return to the site and review the objects created from the selected CAD geometry.
Before continuing, confirm that:
- The intended construction elements were created as objects.
- Objects are grouped together under the appropriate object type.
- The objects you plan to track can be selected as individual design objects or as the intended group.
Ready to Continue?
Once the applicable elements in your design are available as design objects, you are ready to connect them to the corresponding activities in your project schedule.