‘One Size Fits All’ Quick Properties

We know you work with models from various disciplines and CAD applications, we also know that they come with a multitude of different properties and property names, which can make setting up Quick Properties (formerly Smart Tags) for each model you load in a real pain point. For those that haven't seen them before, Quick Properties when switched on, appear when you hover over an item with a list of pre-defined properties for that item.

As you can see, there's a long list of possible properties that can be used, and a smart tag in action. They can also be used in 2D sheets as below.

To set these up you need to load a model and go to Options > Interface > Quick Properties > Definitions. You will then be able to add Quick Property Definitions dependent on the properties available in the model.

You can save these for use in other models by going to Export and selecting Quick Properties > Definitions, which will save an XML with those saved properties.

Opening the XML you can see the file structure comprises of an Optionset, Option Name, Data Type and Internal Name, before moving on to the next option.

The problem many people now come across is that the majority of (in this example) DWF properties, will be completely ignored by models from other applications such as Revit, Civil3D, Inventor, AutoCAD. This is where you might want to create a 'one size fits all' Master XML file that can be imported into any project that will contain the relevant properties from each model type.

You will need to open example models from each discipline (Revit MEP, Revit Architecture, AutoCAD, Civil 3D) and create Quick Property Definition XML files containing Properties for each type of model.

Then open the XML in Notepad or other editing application and copy the relevant properties from there to a 'master XML' file. Just ensure you don't copy across duplicates, otherwise they will later appear multiple times when available in the model.

You will then be able to Import this Master XML to each users machine and it can be used in multiple projects.

Now when hovering over an item when Quick Properties is switched on, Navisworks will ignore all the irrelevant Properties for that model and only display those available.

Let us know how you get on and Submit a Tip if you have any other ways you manage to repurpose data and settings between projects.

Comments

[Paul Jordan]

Excellent post Michael. I'd like to add a little bit to it so that users can figure out how to select all those categories and properties.

Have the users open up the Properties tab, then select an object they want to see the quick properties on. Say they select a pipe and it shows all those tabs in the Properties palette. Anything shown in the properties palette can be made into a quick property by making the category the name on the tab of the properties palette (i.e. PipeObject) and the Property being PipeSize or System or whatever it is they want to see.

I work with a LOT of new users on my team and I show them how to do some of this in a one hour intro class but, usually show them later on one on one at thier computer when they become curious about it.

Keep up the great work guys!

[Lee Mullin]

Cheers Michael, we know how popular they are by the number of comments I hear about them each week. We'll try to promote anything which can save you guys some time in set up and let you get on with the real work. I won't be at AU but Paul will be, make sure you say hi if you see him.

[Michael Smith]

Paul & Lee,
Great post. I am an avid user of Quick Properties for all the reasons discussed. Your "one size fits all" tip is quite valuable. You just validated all of my thinking regarding the use of this utility. As an AU 2011 Speaker this year, I am providing a lecture called "BIM from a contractor's perspective" and I'll mention this in my lecture.
Regards,
Michael Smith
Director of VDC