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Generate Timeline

TimeLiner tasks from a selection set folder

Generate Timeline builds the TimeLiner task tree from a selection set folder: one summary task per folder, one task per set, each task attached to its set. A sequence blueprint decides the order, and planned dates run one after another or all at once from a chosen start date.

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Navisworks Manage and Navisworks Simulate, Navisworks 2021 to 2027 Autodesk App Store
Navisworks Manage ยท Generate Timeline
TimeLiner pane with the tasks Generate Timeline built: a summary task per level and one UniFormat task per selection set, scheduled one after another

What it does

Build TimeLiner tasks from a selection set folder

Pick a selection set folder and get the matching TimeLiner task tree, ordered by a construction-sequence blueprint, with planned dates laid out from a start date.

  • Three built-in blueprints: UniFormat by level, Revit categories by level for models without assembly codes, and Folder order
  • Levels are sorted by height and UniFormat codes are put in construction order, from site preparation through furnishings to site improvements
  • Levels are staggered so the structure runs ahead of the fit-out; rooms, masses, topography and rebar are marked as not built
  • Planned dates run in sequence or all at once from a start date, optionally skipping weekends
  • The task type and the replace existing tasks option are selectable
  • Tasks attached to search sets follow the search when the model is updated, and not-built tasks are created disabled so they do not animate

How it works

Three steps inside Navisworks.

  1. 01

    Pick a folder

    Choose the selection set folder that holds the breakdown. Every folder becomes a summary task and every set a task attached to that set.

  2. 02

    Choose a blueprint

    Use UniFormat by level or one of your own. Edit shows how the blueprint matches the chosen folder and previews the order.

  3. 03

    Lay out the dates

    Set the start date, choose sequential or simultaneous planned dates, skip weekends if needed, and generate. Open TimeLiner to refine.

Sequence blueprints

Blueprints are JSON files. The Edit button opens a blueprint editor that matches the blueprint live against the folder you chose: which depth each dimension binds to, how many values every rank pattern catches with the UniFormat title next to each code, the values still unmatched with a one-click rank selected, the not-built list and the raw JSON, plus a preview of the resulting order.

Recognisers match your own folder naming by grouping rule, regular expression or fixed list, and rank patterns accept wildcards. Saved blueprints are kept per user and listed next to the built-in ones. Import and export move single files between machines. Durations per phase are planned for a later release.

Works from the sets you already have

A selection set folder built by Group Elements with a level, UniFormat and category rule is the natural input. Use the Selection Set Manager to check which sets pick up an element before generating the timeline. Refine the dates in TimeLiner afterwards; the tasks are ordinary TimeLiner tasks attached to ordinary sets.

At a glance

Where it lives and what it needs.

Ribbon panel
Other Tools
Commands
Generate Timeline
Editions
Navisworks Manage and Navisworks Simulate
Navisworks releases
2021 to 2027
Availability
On the App Store, version 3.0.0

Pressing F1 on any of these ribbon buttons opens the help page for that command on this site, which forwards to the section of the user guide that documents it.

Related modules

Try it on your next coordination run.

30 days, unrestricted. Download it from the Autodesk App Store and run the installer; no administrator rights needed.

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