Marking Up InfraWorks Models

By Michelle Rasmussen

Considering the fact that Autodesk InfraWorks does not have a print function, most people think that they cannot mark up (red line) models created in it. I am here to tell you, that is not true. InfraWorks is all about doing things differently so why would marking up a model be any different? Actually, the tools I am going to introduce you to in this article are available in AutoCAD and other Autodesk software products. They just happen to be so new that few people know about them.

Shared Views

Shared views are stored in the cloud and can be viewed and commented on by any web enabled desktop, tablet, or mobile device. The links created for sharing views expire after thirty days but can be extended or terminated at any time.

Shared Views Palette

A history of the shared views which have been published is displayed in the Shared Views palette, as shown in step 1 below. Click on the ellipse next to the Shared View to see a list of available commands.

How To: Create a Shared View

1. In the Utility Bar, click  (Shared Views) to display the Shared View palette. Then click New Shared View, as shown in below.
   
2. In the Create a Share View dialog box, type a name and set the view extents, as shown below. Click Share.
   
    
3. When the Create a Shared View dialog box indicates that the "Sharing successfully uploaded", as shown below, click Copy to share the link, View in Browser to view to model yourself, or Close.
   
    

Autodesk Viewer

The Autodesk Viewer opens the temporary view link in a browser on your desktop, tablet, or other mobile device. This allows you to share the view with stakeholders who do not have Autodesk software without having to email files back and forth. Nor do they need to install any software. Using an Internet browser, they can review and markup the design for better communication. The figure below shows the Autodesk Viewer interface for models created in InfraWorks.

 

1. Palettes Bar: Multiple palettes are available to help navigate, share, and analyze the model. Palettes include: Views, Model, Properties, Settings, Comments, Print, Screenshot, and Share.
   1. Views: Lists all the model and sheet views shared when the view link was created.
   2. Model: Provides control over the visibility of model features. Select the eye to toggle the features on and off in the active view.
   3. Properties: Lists the properties of the currently selected object in the active view. Properties can include any table data: ID, Name, Description, etc.
2. A360 Sign in: Sign in to your A360 account to be able to open views and save markups.
3. Active View: The active view displays the model and proposal shared from InfraWorks.
4. Tool Bar: The Tool Bar contains navigation and communication tools, as shown below. The Fit, Pan, and Zoom tools help you quickly navigate the active view. The Measure and Markup tools help you communicate with other team members about the design.
   
    

Measure and Markup

Measure

The Measure tool contains additional tools for measuring shared view objects including: distance and angle. You can also calibrate distances by placing a distance measurement and defining the distance you measured, as shown below.


The following object snap options are available for more accurate measurements:

Tooltip	Osnap	Tooltip	Osnap
	Endpoint		Nearest
	Midpoint		Perpendicular

How To: Set Which Units Display

1. On the Toolbar, click  (Measure).
2. In the Measure toolbar, click  (Settings).
3. In the Settings dialog box, select the unit type and precision, as shown below.
   
    

How To: Measure Objects

1. On the Toolbar, click  (Measure).
2. In the Measure tools, select the type of measurement you want to make. (  Distance or  Angle).
3. Click on the points you wish to measure. Note that Object snaps are enabled automatically, as shown below.
   
    

How To: Calibrate Measurements

1. On the Toolbar, click  (Measure).
2. In the Measure toolbar, click  (Calibrate).
3. Click on the points you wish to measure. In the Calibration dialog box, define the size and set the unit type, as shown below. Click Set Calibration.
   
    

Markup

The Markup tool contains tools for redlining and marking up shared views including text, arrows, clouds, etc., as shown in Figure 8–18. When you click (Markup), the Markup toolbar replaces the original toolbar. Markups must be saved or canceled before the original toolbar can reappear. In order to save a markup, you must be signed into your A360 account.

 

Please let me know if this helps you be more efficient so you can "Work Smarter, Not Harder".