Connecting Timeliner to the Database

[BigAl70454]

Hello,

We are using Navisworks Manage 2010 and Shipconstructor 2008.  Is it possible to connect the dates and geometry in timeliner to the Shipconstructor data?  The objective is to link the geometry and scheduled dates in timeliner to the Shipconstructor SQL server thus when the geometry and start/end dates in the Shipconstructor database change the geometry and start/end dates in timeliner will update. Is this possible?

[JeffH_ADSK]

Hi there,

Unfortunately with Manage 2010 this would not be possible at all directly. The only solution would be to export the Shipconstructor dates data as a type of data source that can be imported into Timeliner e.g. CSV or Project, and export the Timeliner data as CSV.

With Manage 2012, it should be feasible to write your own data source plugin using the Timeliner NET API (API queries are handled via ADN) which brought dates in. However you would still need to link geometry yourself in Navisworks & the import is unidirectional. The plugin could conceivably name the tasks brought in in a manner that lent itself to more automated linkage, or you could write an additional API plugin to do that linkage for you. We are contemplating API for export plugins in future releases.

Timeliner development so far has been aimed at project planners who do not typically have access to, or direct linkage between, geometry & dates. It's refreshing to come across examples where this merging of disciplines is occuring.

As an alternative future enhancement, we have been considering whether it would be feasible to populate dates from model properties (i.e. the geometry data read into Navisworks already has dates in it). If one could arrange to get ShipConstructor data in as model properties e.g. through DataTools or custom file readers, that might in future yield an alternative route.

I'd be most appreciative if you could outline more of the workflow you envisage; this may help inform future Timeliner enhancements.

Hope that helps,

Jeff

[BigAl70454]

Jeff,

Thank you for the response.  Ideally we would like to be able to tie the timeliner tasks, dates, geometry, etc. to the Shipconstructor data.  We can already pull that data thru the properties tab.  Our goal is to use Navisworks as a sequence planning/validation tool.  For example, when the sequence order is updated in the database the timeliner will reflect this change and vice versa when the sequence order is changed in the timeliner it will update the database.  For now tho we are working on tying everything together thru csv or Project files. 

[BigAl70454]

We've downloaded the trial version of Manage 2012 and are currently reviewing.  Is it now possible thru the API tool to query timeliner data from our SQL server?  For example, if start date changes in the SQL database, can we re-sync the timeliner to reflect this change?  Would like to know if this is possible before I spend a week pulling out what little hair I have left.  Thanks.

[JeffH_ADSK]

Hi there,

For a more detailed response, I'd have to refer you to our ADN team (who may reply on this forum), but this should be feasible by making a custom data source provider. You'd synchronise & refresh as with the built-in data sources. Your provider would be queried to provide a task hierarchy and you can create this from the database as you like.

Hope that helps,

Jeff