The Configure Tab
The configure tab allows you to define Task Types Appearance Definitions and an Overall Start Appearance for the simulation.
Each Task has a >Task Type associated with it, which specifies how the >items attached to the task are treated (and displayed) at the start and end of the task during simulation. The available options are:
None . Choose this if you wish for nothing to happen to the items attached to the task.
Hide . Choose this if you wish the items attached to the task to be hidden.
Model Appearance . Choose this if you wish the items attached to the task to be displayed as they are defined in the model. This may be the original CAD colors or, if you have applied color and transparency overrides in Roamer or materials in Presenter, then these will be displayed.
Appearance Definitions . Choose from the list of Appearance Definitions , including ten predefined appearances and any custom appearances you have added. See >Appearance Definitions for more information.
TimeLiner comes with three predefined Task Types to help get you started. These are: Demolish (highlight the object in red at the start of the task and hide at the end); Temporary (highlight the object in yellow at the start of the task and hide at the end); Construct (highlight object in green at the start of the task and reset to Model Appearance at the end). You are free to add you own task types or even delete the predefined ones, as you wish.
Construct . For tasks where the attached items are to be constructed. The default appearance is for items to be highlighted in green (90% transparent) at the start of the task and displayed in the > Model Appearance at the end of the task.
Demolish . For tasks where the attached items are to be demolished. The default appearance is for items to be highlighted in red (90% transparent) at the start of the task and hidden at the end of the task.
Temporary . For tasks where the attached items are only temporary. The default appearance is for items to be highlighted in yellow(90% transparent) at the start of the task and hidden at the end of the task.
Choose Add to create a new Task Type. This will be added to the bottom of the list and will be highlighted, enabling you to enter a new name for it.
Click on the drop down icons to the right of each Appearance field and choose a definition from the list.
Note
Early and Late appearances can be defined here for the purpose of displaying Planned against Actual simulations.
Simulation Start Appearance allows a unique start appearance to be set on a particular task type. Some tasks need to be visible at the start of a construction project to allow the simulation of the demolition of existing structures, prior to construction of new elements. Any tasks that don't have this set will default to the start appearance set in Default Simulation Start Appearance
Choose Delete to delete the selected Task Type.
Choose Rename to rename the selected Task Type. Once the Task Type is highlighted, enter the new name, then press Enter to save it.
Managing task types
New Task Types can be added and any may be deleted or renamed. These functions are available on the context menu (accessed by right clicking in the Task Types list).
Choose Add to add a new Appearance Definition. This will be added to the bottom of the list and will be highlighted, enabling you to enter a new name for it.
In the Transparency % field, use the Up and Down controls to set the transparency level, between 0% and 100% (where 0% is opaque and 100% is fully transparent).
In the Color field, click on the color to open the color selector. From here, either select one of the basic colors available, or click Define Custom Colors to define your own color choice.
Choose Delete to delete the selected Appearance Definition.
Choose Rename to rename the selected Appearance Definition. Once the Appearance Definition is highlighted, enter the new name, then press Enter to save it.
Defining appearance definitions
TimeLiner comes with a set of ten predefined Appearance Definitions that you can use when defining task types. Appearances define a level of transparency and a color. You can add your own Apperance Definitions, delete and rename them. These functions are available on the context menu (accessed by right clicking in the Appearance Definitions list):
From the Default Simulation Start Appearance drop down, choose from the list of >Appearance Definitions that which you wish to start your simulations with.
Default Simulation Start Appearance
The Configure tab also specifies a default appearance to apply to all objects in the model at the start of the simulation. The default is Hide , which is ideal for simulating most construction sequences.