4D Construction

The 4D Simulation App is located in the Construction tab of the Fuzor App Menu. The Ctrl + 8 hotkey opens the 4D Simulation App. Importing and exporting options are located in the bottom panel of the 4D Simulation Toolbox.

The Task Table and Gantt chart can be collapsed and opened in an external window. For more information see Workspace Management.

For each task there is a row in the Task Table and an adjacent time block in the Gantt Chart. The Task Table is generally used to organize tasks and edit data directly whereas the Gantt Chart is used to display and manipulate the schedule timeline in a visual manner. As the current date in the schedule changes the Gantt Chart scrolls.

To Scroll through tasks, rotate the mouse wheel.

To Pan through the Task Table or the Gantt Chart use the scrollbar on the bottom of each view.

To Zoom into the Gantt Chart, click and drag the timeline bar at the top of the window.

The time blocks in the Gantt Chart reflect different durations and time stamps in the task. A primary duration appears orange in the Gantt Chart. A secondary duration appears teal in the Gantt Chart.

The Data Date is a vertical blue line in the Gantt Chart. The data date is the date on which the status of the schedule is being determined. Tasks with no actual durations are forced to occur after the data date.

The Current Date is a dotted black line in the Gantt Chart. This time stamp is use for simulation. The current date controls what is being animated in the 3D view. The Current Date changes as the simulation is played through.

Auto Scroll Gantt Chart is a setting in the 4D Settings. When enabled the Gantt Chart will scroll so that a currently selected task is in view. A left click changes the current date to the end of the task. A right click changes the current date to the beginning of the task. For more information see 4D Settings.

While the 4D Simulation App is open the Date and Time can be displayed in the top center of your window. If you select any task in the 4D Task Table the date is be updated to the Primary Start of the task. The most intuitive way is by using the time line below. Simply select a point on the time line and the schedule time is changed to the specified time. If you need a more precise control of the time, you can use the 4D Time Controls to specify exact date and time.

Changes the various time stamps in the schedule. Possible times stamps are Current Date, Data Date, Schedule Start, and Schedule Finish.

Zooms into the schedule.

Plays the animation.

Zooms out of the schedule.

Pauses the animation.

Scrolls forward in the schedule. The Shift + Addition Symbol hotkey can also be used

Scrolls backwards in the schedule. The Shift + Subtraction Symbol hotkey can also be used.

The Simulation Speed slider sets the speed for your simulation.

The Use Duration check box allows you to set a total playback time for your entire 4D Simulation.

The Adjust Playback for Animations checkbox slows down the animation during content vehicle animations based on the durations set in the Animation Manager.

When working with an elaborate schedule it is important to be properly organized. Descriptive task names, proper Work Breakdown Structure, and clever filters will make working with complex task schedules easy. Additionally understanding the functionality and best practices for basic tasks selection greatly improves workflow speed.

Tasks can be selected from the Gantt Chart or the Task Table. Select multiple tasks by holding either Ctrl or Shift. Holding Shift while selecting tasks selects the task that is clicked and any other tasks that exist between the last selected task and the currently selected task, retaining any current selections. Holding Ctrl while selecting tasks previously unselected tasks selects the task that is clicked, retaining any current selections. Holding Ctrl while selecting tasks previously selected tasks unselects the task that is clicked, retaining any other current selections.

When a task is selected all assigned objects are highlighted in the 3D view. Everything is deselected if multiple tasks are selected.

To rename a task double click in name column of the task with the left mouse button.

Indenting and Outdenting tasks changes the task with respect to the Work Breakdown Structure.

Indents any selected tasks. This can be used with multiple tasks selected.

Outdents any selected tasks. This can be used with multiple tasks selected.

Promotes any selected tasks. This can be used with multiple tasks selected.

Demotes any selected tasks. This can be used with multiple tasks selected.

Removes any selected tasks. This can be used with multiple tasks selected.

The Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) is defined by indenting and outdenting tasks. A task indented one time is the child of the closest preceding task in the top level. In the example below both Curtain Walls and CIP Structural Walls are children of Walls whereas Roof is not. WBS from external software is imported into this hierarchy.

Collapsing a group hides the children of the group from the 4D Simulation App. This is a good way of simplifying the content to operate on a larger scope. Expanding a collapsed group will show the group’s children.

Expands the associated WBS hierarchy

Collapses the associated WBS hierarchy

The Expand All button expands all WBS hierarchies.

The Collapse All button collapses all WBS hierarchies.

Opens the Task Background Color Tool. This can be used with multiple tasks selected.

The Task Background Color Tool changes the background color that appears in the task table for any selected tasks. Tasks must be selected before opening the Task Background Color Tool. This is a useful tool for color coding your Task Table, increasing legibility.

The Default Color checkbox ensures that the task is colored using the default color of the task that is determined by its type.

The Override Color allows you to select a color for the background of the task.