0.5 Sandbox Project

The Sandbox project is a completed project set up by the cmBuilder team to serve as a learning resource for users to open, explore, and edit. The Sandbox project comes pre-loaded with examples of typical inputs for user convenience so there is no need to worry about obtaining a model, drawings, or schedule for practice purposes. There is also a training video series -see below- made for users to watch and follow along in their own duplicate of the Sandbox scenario.

The Sandbox project is added to your account by request. If added, you'll find in the Company Projects page. If you aren't able to locate it please reach out via the chat to request that it be added to your company's space. Note the Sandbox project is included in your active project count, but you can always archive it when not needed. 

What is included in the Sandbox Project

The Sandbox project contains example data for many of the most common project inputs that you will likely use on your own projects. The elements included in the Sandbox project are listed below along with links to additional information explaining how you can bring in similar data to your own projects in the future. 

1. Structural Model (Revit Model)
2. Architectural Model (Revit Model)
3. Upgraded Surrounding Buildings (Google Mesh)
4. Map tile upgrade (Google satellite imagery)
5. Construction Resources (cmBuilder Resource Library)
6. Earthworks phasing (cmBuilder Excavation)
7. Sketched Roads (Create Roads or Streets)

How to use the Sandbox Project

The Sandbox project can be used during onboarding sessions conducted by the cmBuilder team or used for self directed learning.

• To book an Onboarding Session with us please visit our Onboarding Session Booking page to view our availability and book a session. 
• For self directed learning, check out our Sandbox Tutorial Videos (below) which provides step-by-step instructions, designed to allow users to follow along in their own scenario inside the Sandbox project.
  
  

Sandbox Project Video Series

See below the three videos included in the series, as well as a list of sections/topics covered in each video with links to relevant support materials. 

Video 1: cmBuilder Sandbox Tutorial - Part 1

Topics covered in this video include:

Duplicate "Duplicate Me" Scenario

To maintain the original Sandbox scenario for future use by others in you organization, it is highly recommended that you duplicate the scenario for your own use. More on how to duplicate a scenario can be found on the Create Scenario user guide.

Become Familiar With The User Interface and Navigation Controls

Once inside a scenario you will be launched into the Site Plan and will need to learn the interface and how to navigate the 3D space. More information on these topics can be found on the Site Plan  user guide.

Using Drawing Overlay

Bringing 2D drawings into your site plan is great place to start your 4D site planning journey. Your duplicated Sandbox scenario will come with a drawing that is ready for you to scale and position. Instructions on how to scale and position a drawing can be found on the Drawing Overlay user guide.

Inserting and Positioning Resources

cmBuilder users have access to our library of over 2000 resource models. The Sandbox project makes use of fencing, tower crane and concrete pumping resources among others. Resources are meant to be placed in site plans to communicate and validate construction plans. For more information on the types of resource and how to use them in your site plan visit the Resource Placement user guide.

Video 2: cmBuilder Sandbox Tutorial - Part 2

Topics covered in this video include:

Importing A Schedule

The Sandbox project is preloaded with a schedule outlining the build sequence, giving users an opportunity to import the schedule and create milestones in bulk. Milestones are used to capture key events in the construction process such as excavations, equipment placements and build progress. More information can be found on the Import Schedule user guide. 

Importing and Positioning 3D Models

The Sandbox project, comes preloaded with structural and architectural BIM models. These models will need to be positioned in 3D space. Detailed information on this can be found in the Position 3D models section of the BIM and Scan Models user guide.

Sequencing The 3D Models

Communicating the build sequence is accomplished by associating specific parts of a BIM model to Milestones in cmBuilder. Both a schedule and a BIM model are provided in the Sandbox scenario for users to try for themselves. Visit the Sequence BIM Models user guide to learn more about this process.

Using Excavation Operations

Excavation operations used in the Sandbox project include Cut and Positive Ramp. Learn more about these and other excavation operation types in the Excavation  user guide.

Video 3: cmBuilder Sandbox Tutorial - Part 3

Topics covered in this video include:

Finalizing Simulation & Presentation Visuals

A range of tools and features are used in this portion of the video, including:

1. 1. 1. 1. Inserting resources and tying them to the timeline with Resource Sequencing.
         2. Use of the 3  Annotation types: Zones, 3D Labels and 3D Lines
         3. Using Lasso Select to select multiple resources
         4. Excavation Fill operation with a Customized Excavation Color

Using Presentation Tools

cmBuilder has a variety of tools as part of the Presentation & Slides feature to help users easily create powerful presentation content from their site plan. The Sandbox project is a great place for users to try using the tools in this feature like camera angles, callouts, dimensions and more. For more information on the range of tools and how to use them check out the following support articles: Create a Presentation, Presentation Settings, Markups. 

Export Options

There are a variety of output formats available to share from your site plan such as: sharing a live link link, still images, slides and videos. To learn more about these options visit the Share and Export section of our support guide.