3D Visualisation Frequently Asked Questions
Assigning Objects to Resources
| Q. | I have some 3D elements which must have been imported with the No Assignment (to a Resource) option. How can I now assign these elements to Resources? |
| A. | First press the Esc key in the 3D Window to deselect any existing selected elements, and then Ctrl-select the element(s) required. The selected element(s) will highlight in the Navigator 3D tab list. Right-click over the highlighted listed item(s), and select Resources Wizard from the context menu. The Resource Wizard window is displayed and the Assign to a new Resource (or Assign to existing Resource, as required) option can be chosen, just as if the 3D elements were being imported for the first time. |
3D Objects
| Q. | How important is it to name elements in the CAD application, prior to exporting to SYNCHRO? |
| A. | It depends on the hierarchical level of access required to the imported elements, and then how likely it is that that one or more of these elements will be subsequently modified by the CAD application and thus require synchronisation to automatically update the corresponding SYNCHRO Resource representations. |
| Where the entire element file is assigned as a single Resource to one Task (in the Training Project: Tower Crane.dwf), then the names of the constituent elements are unimportant, even if synchronisation with a modified element file is required. |
| However, when the contents of an element file are to provide Resources shared between 2 or more Tasks (in the Training Project: Office Building.dwf), then the element names should help to identify the Resource being represented, otherwise the correct element can only be verified by selection from the 3D window. Furthermore, if synchronisation may be required, then the elements should be named uniquely. Duplicate names will be reported by the synchronisation process, and some Resource assignments may be lost as a result. |
| Q. | I have Ctrl-selected a Resource element from the 3D window. How can I determine its name? |
| A. | When a 3D element is selected, it’s name is highlighted in the 3D Objects Window list. If the element has been assigned to a Resource, then it’s name is also highlighted in the Resource Window list. |
| Q. | Why is the 3D geometry being clipped in the 3D View, when there is no clipping plane defined? |
| A. | This effect can occur when some geometric elements are separated by extremely large distances, typically when the 3D geometry in files imported is defined with incompatible origin coordinates. The effect can only be eliminated by finding and removing imported files which display with a bounding box extending far beyond the established limits of the project. |
| Q. | My imported 3D geometry is displayed as a wireframe |
| A | This can occurs if the geometry was created as a custom object or entity in the authoring application. |
| When this occurs with AutoCAD (DWG) files, it may be necessary to install the related Object Enabler to enable SYNCHRO to display the object correctly. Please see Working with AutoCAD. Object Enablers for additional information |
3D Performance
| Q. | How can I improve my 3D Window Performance for Speed (responsive navigation through the model, rotation and zooming etc)? |
| A. | The following settings may improve your SYNCHRO experience for responsive navigation in the 3D window, but are largely dependant upon the size of your 3D model, as well as its composition (transparencies etc) and the capabilities of your graphics card. |
| Note: | These changes may also have an adverse effect of the quality of the 3D model render, so visual effects such as shadows will be lost |
You should also make sure you have the latest drivers for your card, and check Interoperability: CAD Systems regarding Graphics Card compatibility with our 3D technology
| Q. | How can I improve my 3D Window Performance for Quality (rendering colours and visual effects etc)? |
| A. | The following settings may improve your SYNCHRO experience for responsive navigation in the 3D window, but are largely dependant upon the size of your 3D model, as well as its composition (transparencies etc) and the capabilities of your graphics card. |
| Note: | These changes may also have an adverse effect on the Speed of the 3D window, so navigation through the model, rotation or zooming may be slower |
You should also make sure you have the latest drivers for your card, and check Interoperability: CAD Systems regarding Graphics Card compatibility with our 3D technology
