3.2 Massing

Create building representations and 3D objects using the massing tool.

Summary

• Massing allows you to create 3D geometry for building (or object) representations in the site plan
• Access from Buildings > Massing

There are two types of massing:

1. Simple Massing - for everything out of the scope of your project - a single level massing and cannot be sequenced between milestones, it is either shown or hidden for the entire sequence
2. Detailed Massing - for buildings/objects within the scope of your project - a multi-level massing that can be sequenced and edited per level

1. Simple Massing

• Go to Buildings, followed by Massing
• From the Massing side menu, select the Simple Massing drop-down and click Add Volume
• Draw points on the map with the polyline tool to create a polygon (3 points min.)
• Click Done

Edit a Simple Massing:

• To edit; double-click the object, or right-click the object or the element in the model browser, and select Edit
  • Click Apply to all milestones to apply the same settings to every milestone
  • Click Reset to original to restore default settings
• Use the translation, rotation and snapping functionalities to edit position
• Click the adjust (cog) icon to edit the height of the massing
• Adjust the color and opacity of the massing from the right side menu
• Click Edit Sketch to adjust the shape of the massing

2. Detailed Massing

• Go to Buildings, followed by Massing
• From the Massing side menu, select the Detailed Massing drop-down, and click Create Massing
• Draw points on the map with the polyline tool to create a polygon (3 points min.)
• Click Done
• On Massing Setup, select number of floors, height of floors, and color
• Click Confirm

Modify a Detailed Massing:

• The detailed massing tool gives user the ability to create a unique floor plan and shape for every floor
• Edit the massing by either clicking on the pencil icon on the massing card, by double clicking the object, or right-click-edit the object or tree element
  • Modify geometry by moving existing points or adding new points
  • Click Done
• Click the three dots on the floor to be modified
• Click Edit floor perimeter
• Select either Current and All Above or Current Only

Sequence a Detailed Massing:

• Create milestones for the sequence of construction to be shown
• Access the model tree from the model browser
• To see created the massings, go to Site Planning, Buildings, Detailed Massing
• Navigate to the first milestone of the scenario and hide the whole massing, to propagate this hide to all subsequent milestones
• Navigate to the first milestone where the building should show Eg. "Level 1"
• Show the relevant floor for the milestone by clicking on the eye icon next to the floor name in the tree
• Repeat for every subsequent milestone, showing one floor per milestone, until the building is complete

Alternative Applications:

So far, we have discussed using the massing tool with creating building representations in mind. As it is the creation of an adjustable 3D shape massing may be useful to create building elements too. 

• Massing can be useful for quickly representing building elements, particularly for concrete
• Use the detailed massing to create building elements, such as:
• Structural Elements - footings, slabs, columns, and walls
• Architectural Elements - façade and window panels, curtain walls, etc.
• MEPF Elements
• In all of the above cases, you can alternatively submit a resource request to have a parametric model to use
• Several resources already exist in the Resources and Equipment library, under Building Elements