Create visualization settings to view the project status of model objects in a specific time frame.

1. On the Manage tab, click Project status to open the Project Status Visualization dialog box.
2. Modify the visualization settings.
   1. In the Object representation list, select one of the predefined object representation settings.
   2. Define a start and end date for the time scale slider.
   3. Define the length of the time step.
3. Select the Refresh view automatically check box.
4. Enter a unique name in the box next to the Save as button.
5. Click Save as to save the visualization settings.
6. To view the visualization in the model, click the step buttons.

You can copy project status visualization settings to another model. The visualization settings files are located in the model's \attributes folder, and they have the file name extension .4d.

1. In the model's \attributes folder, select the visualization settings you want to copy.
2. Select where you want to copy the settings.

   • To make the settings available in another model, copy them to the \attributes folder of the destination model.

   • To make the settings available in all models, copy them to the project or firm folder, defined by the advanced option XS_PROJECT or XS_FIRM.

3. Include a copy of the object representation settings file (.rep) and object group files (.PObjGrp) in the \attributes, project, and firm folders to ensure that all the files will work correctly.
4. Restart Tekla Structures.

Delete the project status visualization settings that have been created using the Project Status Visualization tool.

1. Delete the visualization settings file located in the model’s \attributes folder.

   Project status visualization settings have the file name extension .4d.

2. Restart Tekla Structures.

This example shows how to visualize erection schedules using the Project Status Visualization tool.

1. Define an erection schedule for parts using the Planned start user-defined attribute.
   1. Double-click a part to open the part properties in the property pane.
   2. Click UDAs.
   3. On the Workflow tab, modify the value of the Planned start user-defined attribute in the Erection section.

      

   4. Select the Planned start check box.
   5. Ensure that all other check boxes are cleared.
   6. Select all the parts for which you want to use the same erection date.
      Tip:

      To make it easier to select parts, create a separate selection filter for each group of parts.

   7. Click Modify.
   8. Repeat the steps for each group of parts in your model.

      You can use a different erection date for each group of parts.

2. Select objects for the visualization by creating an object group that defines which objects are shown in the model during the visualization.
   1. On the View tab, click Representation to open the Object Representation dialog box.
   2. Click Object group... to open the Object Group - Representation dialog box.
   3. Create an object group that includes all objects whose Planned start user-defined attribute is earlier than or equal to the review date.

      Define the following settings:

      • In the Category list, select Object.
      • In the Property list, select PLANNED_START_E.
      • In the Condition list, select Earlier than or equal.
      • In the Value list, select Select date....
      • In the Select Date dialog box, select Review date and click OK.
   4. In the box next to the Save as button, enter a name for the group. For example, plan_same_or_before_review_date.
   5. Click Save as.

      

3. Define the color and transparency of the selected objects using color and transparency settings that define how the objects are shown during the visualization.
   1. On the View tab, click Representation to open the Object Representation dialog box.
   2. Define color and transparency settings for the object group that you created in step 2:
      • Click Add row.
      • In the Object group list, select the object group you just created.
      • In the Color list, select Color by class.
      • In the Transparency list, select Visible.
   3. Define another set of color and transparency settings to hide the rest of the parts from the model:
      • Click Add row.
      • In the Object group list, select the object group All.
      • In the Color list, select Color by class.
      • In the Transparency list, select Hidden.
   4. In the box next to the Save as button, enter a name for the settings. For example, planned_start_erection_date.
   5. Click Save as.

      

4. Define a time period for the visualization.
   1. On the Manage tab, click Project status to open the Project Status Visualization dialog box.
   2. Define the length of the time step.
   3. Define a start and end date for the time scale slider.
   4. In the Object representation list, select the object representation setting you created in step 3.
   5. Select the Refresh view automatically check box.
   6. In the box next to the Save as button, enter a name for the visualization.
   7. Click Save as to save the visualization settings.

      

5. View the erection schedule using the Project Status Visualization tool.
   1. On the Manage tab, click Project status to open the Project Status Visualization dialog box.
   2. In the list next to the Load button, select the visualization setting you created in step 4.
   3. Click Load.
   4. To view the visualization in the model, click the step buttons.

      The images below show how the objects are shown when you change the review date:

      Review date	Visualization
      November 02
      November 05
      November 08
      November 11
      November 14
      November 17
      November 20