Schedule animation
The 4D model and the schedule animation represent the ultimate product of connecting elements of the 3D model with the schedule. If there are several schedules in the model, the schedule displayed in the animation must be selected in the Schedule Editor tab. Also, before creating an animation, updating the schedule within the Schedule Editor is necessary. The animation is visible only in the Schedule view. In the Schedule Animation tab, there are additional options for editing an animation of the schedule.
Schedule animation is generated automatically within BEXEL Manager. To review an animation of a certain schedule, the Schedule Animation and the Schedule View tab should be activated. The process is as below:
Choose a schedule in the drop-down menu within the Schedule Editor tab → Activate the Schedule view above the main viewport window and the Schedule Animation tab → Click on the Update Animation button → There are two options in the Display window in the Schedule Animation tab; choose option Task and click Play to start the animation.
BEXEL Manager enables the creation of animation within the Scenes and Animations tabs to better represent a project. For this purpose, you can create a standard animation and then convert it to the schedule animation.
All changes in the active schedule will consequently be reflected in the schedule animation. To include changes in the schedule animation, an update of the schedule and animation is required.
Schedule animation settings
4D animation settings are activated by clicking the Options button in the top right corner of the Schedule Animation tab. It is possible to set the length of the animation and the number of frames per second, the interval in which the construction is updated, and whether the project costs and the percentage of performed activities will be visible during animation. Also, it can be selected how active, completed, and unfinished elements are displayed. The exact time at which the animation will take place can be set as well.
In the tab General, the Duration, Frame rate, Start Date, and Finish Date of the animation can be defined. This will determine the dynamic settings of the video.
Field Interval defines intervals of progress update in animation, and it can be Hourly, Daily, Weekly, or Monthly, with the option to specify the duration of intervals for progress update. This tab also has the option to skip non-working intervals to speed up animation.
The Animation Tasks tab defines which properties should be displayed in the schedule animation window. It is recommended to activate Show Task During Animation to display all executed tasks.
The Group of commands on the right side of the window referred to color coding and display settings of elements. It is possible to define the distinction between elements in progress and completed elements, to color-code elements by schedule tasks, or make a distinction for incomplete or elements on a critical path.
The simulation can be color-coded according to created Custom Breakdown rule (CBS). To view the color-coded simulation, Custom Breakdown rule must be activated in the Custom Breakdown window and the Schedule Animation Settings changed to the Color Coded View Colors option.
The animation update interval can be set at an hourly, daily, weekly, or monthly rate. The shortest interval gives a better schedule animation. This means if the interval is set at an hourly rate, the animation will present the construction of almost every element. With a daily interval, the animation will show the construction of groups of building elements that were completed that day. For a quick overview, the interval is set to a daily or weekly rate. For the final animations, it is recommended to set an hourly rate.
Schedule animation export
The animation can be exported in a video or in image files format, for example, PNG, JPG, GIF, and BMP. To export the animation, follow the steps below:
Click Export → Within the Export Schedule Animation, define the Export type: Image or Video → Depending on the export type, define other parameters → If needed, define an export of certain frames and visual settings → Finish the process by clicking Export → In the Save As window, define the file’s location and finish the process by clicking Save.
