2.2 Steel Structure - Sandbox Video Series

Available with the following Subscriptions: All Subscriptions
Available for the following Roles: All roles

The Steel Structure 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. You may request a copy for free for your learning needs. 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 follow-along style, video series largely based on the same project; designed to teach users how to create a complete site simulation using a copy of the project. The series covers creating a project, duplicating a scenario, importing drawings, schedules and BIM Models, as well as sequencing/scheduling 3D models, before demonstrating how to generate a final presentation. 

This article contains the following sections:

• What is included in the Sandbox Project
• Request a copy of the Sandbox Project
• Sandbox Tutorial Video Series
  • Part 1 - Introduction 
  • Part 2 - Steel Structure: Data Centre Construction
  • Part 3 - Presentation & Exports

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. BIM Model including structural elements (download IFC)
2. PDF site logistics plan drawing (download PDF)
3. MPP schedule file for import (download MPP)
4. Construction Resources (open article)
5. Earthworks phasing (open article)
6. Extended Map (open article)

Request a copy of the Sandbox Project

The Sandbox project is added to your account by request: please reach out via a general support ticket or the chat to request that it be added to your company's space. 

• We first recommend searching your Active and Archive projects for "Sandbox" in case your company space already has a copy. 
• 💡Before requesting a copy please ensure you have space for one more active project and mention this in your request. The Sandbox project is included in your active project count; but it can be archive at anytime when not needed. 

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.  

Part 1 - Introduction 

This video is based on the Concrete Tower instead of the Steel Structure because the topics covered are not specific to different construction methods. 

This video tutorial serves as an introduction to cmBuilder, explaining the difference between Active and Archived Projects, how to create a project and Project settings, roles and Scenarios. This video does not cover any tools inside of a Scenario, those are covered in Part 2.

Topics covered in this video include:

2:20 Active VS Archived Projects 

Access your projects from the company homepage. Active projects represent ongoing work and can be opened to continue progress. Archived projects are moved to a separate tab, become view-only, and can be restored back to active when needed. More information on these topics can be found on the Archiving Project user guide.

3:30 Create a Project 

Create a new project from the homepage by entering basic details such as name, status, and type, followed by setting up a 3D map tile. Each project is built on a selected map and can contain multiple scenarios for planning and simulation. More information on this topic can be found on the Create a Project user guide

7:40 Project Overview & Project settings 

Access key project details and manage settings from the Project Overview page. View project information, manage scenarios, and explore project-level options such as documents, coordinate systems, roles, and shared links. More information on this topic can be found on the Project Setting section and Projects user guide.

Part 2 – Steel Structure: Data Center Construction

This tutorial focuses on construction planning and site simulation using a steel-framed data center structure. Users will learn how to duplicate a scenario, navigate the 3D environment, configure site conditions, import drawings and BIM models, place resources, create project schedules, and sequence construction activities. The tutorial also covers excavation planning, terrain reference surfaces, annotations, and resource management.

Topics covered in this video include:

4:29 Duplicate Scenario

Learn how to duplicate an existing scenario to create a separate working copy. The tutorial explains how to name the duplicated scenario and choose which elements to include in the copy. For more information on this topic, visit the Create Scenario user guide.

5:35 3D Navigation Controls

Learn how to navigate the 3D environment using orbit, pan, and zoom controls. The tutorial explains how to use the mouse buttons and set the pivot point for rotating around the model. For more information on this topic, visit the Navigation Mode user guide.

6:57 Scenario User Interface Tour

Explore the scenario interface, including project navigation, editing modes, the tree, drawing import, resources, project schedules, and other available tools. For more information on this topic, visit the Scenario & Site Plan user guide.

12:25 Accessing Learning and Help Resources

Learn how to access the cmBuilder user guide, training videos, support center, and chat feature for additional assistance. For more information on this topic, visit the Learning & Support Resources user guide.

16:10 Creating Site Conditions

Create site conditions to prepare the site for construction. The tutorial demonstrates how to configure existing site elements and apply them to the project timeline. For more information on this topic, visit the Site Conditions user guide.

18:28 Importing and Overlaying Drawings

Learn how to import and position a site plan drawing. The tutorial covers drawing placement methods, reference points, and alignment with the project environment. For more information on this topic, visit the Drawing Overlay user guide.

25:25 Adding Resources – Polyline, Guided, and Point Resources

Explore different resource placement methods, including Polyline, Guided, and Point Resources. Learn how to configure resource parameters and properties and place construction resources such as fencing, gates, and cranes. For more information on this topic, visit the Resource Placement user guide.

38:00 Creating a Project Schedule – Adding Milestones Manually

Learn how to create project milestones manually and organize construction activities into a schedule. The tutorial also explains how milestones represent units of time in cmBuilder. For more information on this topic, visit the Project Schedule user guide.

40:08 Importing a Schedule File to Create Milestones

Import an existing schedule file to create project milestones. Understand how schedule imports differ from manually creating milestones. For more information on this topic, visit the Import Schedule user guide.

49:56 Assigning Resources to Milestones

Assign resources to project milestones by defining their start and end milestones. This controls when resources appear and disappear during the construction simulation. For more information on this topic, visit the Resource Schedule user guide.

51:35 Assigning Site Conditions to Milestones

Assign site conditions to milestones to represent changes to the construction site over time, including demolition activities.

53:20 Creating a Massing

Create detailed and simplified massing models to represent building volumes. Learn how to configure and edit different building levels. For more information on this topic, visit the Massing user guide.

1:06:41 Importing and Positioning a BIM Model

Import a 3D BIM model into the scenario. The tutorial covers supported file types, filtering options, model positioning, and elevation adjustments. For more information on this topic, visit the BIM and Scan Models user guide.

1:12:39 Model Split Tool

Use the Model Split tool to divide a BIM model horizontally and vertically. This helps organize large models into smaller sections for construction planning. For more information on this topic, visit the Split Building user guide.

1:19:08 Editing Tree Structure – Removing BIM Elements

Edit the imported model's tree structure to remove unwanted BIM elements. This helps organize the model before assigning elements to construction milestones. For more information on this topic, visit the BIM and Scan Models user guide.

1:22:10 Tree Functionality & Sets

Explore tree functionality and sets to manage and organize BIM model elements within the scenario. 

1:25:35 Assigning BIM Elements to Milestones – Setting the Construction Sequence

Assign BIM elements to project milestones to define the construction sequence. Learn how to control when individual building elements appear during the simulation. For more information on this topic, visit the Sequencing BIM Models user guide.

1:42:59 Earthworks

Explore earthwork operations, including Cut and Fill. The tutorial demonstrates excavation planning and reviewing earthwork quantities using the Takeoff feature. For more information on this topic, visit the Earthwork user guide.

2:00:15 Terrain Reference Surface

Create a terrain reference surface and apply it to earthwork operations. This helps define the reference elevation used for excavation planning. For more information on this topic, visit the Terrain Reference Surface user guide.

2:11:07 Annotations – Zones, Labels, and 3D Lines

Use annotation tools to add Zones, Labels, and 3D Lines to the site plan. These annotations help identify areas, communicate site information, and highlight important locations. 

2:18:20 Resource Tips & Tricks

Explore additional resource placement techniques, including multiple resource insertions, snapping, and the differences between Dynamic and Constant positioning.

Part 3 - Presentation & Export

This video is based on the Concrete Tower instead of the Steel Structure because the topics covered are not specific to different construction methods.

This tutorial concludes the cmBuilder sandbox series. It covers the Presentation Timeline feature and how to create Slides. Before detailing the various export options: Share Links, simulation Video Export, and Resource Quantity Takeoffs.

Topics covered in this video include:

1:00 Presentation Timeline & Slides 

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. 

23:50 Export Options 

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