On projects and in my templates I have the different categories where views are organized. In this write-up I will explain how I use the project browser to organize views into three main categories. These categories are Working Views, Sheet Views and BIM Coordination Views. Also, this mostly applies to MEP but could apply to other trades as well.
Working Views are to be used for modeling. These typically have all elements and links turned on for coordination. They are set to wireframe so they refresh faster. These are usually floorplans, ceiling plans, sections and 3D views. It is important to tell people to model and adjust the model in these views.
Sheet Views are to be used for sheets. These typically have other trades turned off or halftoned so they don’t display on the sheets (there are exceptions to this). They are typically set to hidden line for graphical reasons on the plans. These are typically floorplans, sections and 3D isometrics. We typically do not put ceiling plans on sheets since they are only used for coordination. Also, drafting views go under the sheet views and these contain details, diagrams, etc.
BIM Coordination Views are typically used on larger projects but can also be used on smaller ones. Some views I use are set up for exporting 3D to Navisworks, coordinating levels and grids, shared coordinates, coordinating spaces and anything else that could be coordinated in the model by a model manager or BIM Coordinator.
Setting up the Browser Organization Properties in the Project Browser:
1) Add a project parameter to the model.
a. Go to the Manage tab and click on Project Parameters.
b. Click on Add…
c. Use the following settings:
d. Click ok and now you have added the project parameter
2) Set up Browser Organization Properties
a. Right click on the very top of the Project Browser where it says Views
b. Click on the Folders tab and use the following settings
c. Click ok and now the Project Browser will organize the views based on this order. Each view will have instance properties.
3) The following instance properties for each individual view will affect how things are organized in the project browser.
a. The View Type is where you will type Working Views, Sheet Views or BIM Coordination Views.
b. The Sub-Discipline is where you can type different disciplines. This will make another step with a pull-down. (HVAC, Plumbing, Electrical, etc)
c. The Type is automatic depending on what type of view it is (Floorplan, Ceiling Plan, Section, etc.)
d. The View Name sorts depending on the name of the view. For example, I usually name my floorplans with a number before the level(00 Basement, 01 First Floor, etc)
Some additional Tips & Tricks:
· Use view templates to apply these properties to other views rather than selecting each individual view and changing them.
· You can use more than three main categories for the View Type. I have found these three work for my needs (Working Views, Sheet Views and BIM Coordination Views.
· Be sure to stress the importance of the difference between a working view and a sheet view to your staff. If you are using 2013 it’s a little better because they will not be able to change to sheet view properties if a view template is assigned to the sheet views.
· If there are several people working on the project it’s a good idea to have separate working views. I usually do this under the Sub-Discipline property. For example I would make a section called “Johns Working Views”.
