Creating an Object from an Object Type

You can create and insert objects with predefined building and civil types from an object type. BIM managers create object types specific to a project so that BIM technicians can use ready-to-use objects. This procedure is aimed at BIM technicians so that they create smart content.

Objects created from an object type comply with the specifications provided by BIM managers in terms of exposed parameters and semantic geometries. For more information about the object type creation, see Creating Object Types.

This task shows you how to:

Before you begin: Object type resources are created and made available by the BIM manager (leader role) of the project in a standard collaborative space. For more information, see Building and Civil Assemblies Access to Content.
See Also
Tagging and Publishing Semantic Geometry Elements
About Skeleton Representations
Creating a Skeleton Representation
About Object Types
Assigning an Object Type to an Object

Use Add > New Content

You can create an object from an existing object type using Add > New Content.

  1. From the Compass, click Building and Civil Assemblies.
  2. In the top bar, select Add > Content in the list (or press CTRL+N).
    The New Content panel appears.
    Note: Only the building and civil types of interest are available.
  3. Specify a design range for the object.

    Note: For more information about design ranges, see Introducing Design Range Management.

    The default value reflects the design range option that is defined in Me > Preferences.
  4. In the Object Type tab, select an object type.
    1. Click to search for the object type of interest in the list of available object types.
      The object types listed in the Search Results panel are those whose instantiation method is Reference, and whose product-based design items have a range compatible with the choice made in first tab of New Content panel only.
      Note: For more information about instantiation methods, see About Object Types.
    2. Click an object type to determine the object to create (for example a door)
    3. Possibly select a configuration in the Configuration tab.
    The creation of the new object depends on the object type choice:
    • Not defined by type: A new reference is created.
    • Defined by type: A reference is duplicated or an engineering template is instantiated. In this case, details in the 3D Part tab are useless.
  5. Optional: Select Create Skeleton Representation check box to create this specific representation along with the object.

A new building and civil object is created with a specialized skeleton representation.

Use Insert > New Content

When inserting a new object, you can choose an object type.

  1. Right-click a product in the tree.
  2. Select Insert > Extended Product.
  3. In the Object Type tab, select an object type.
    The insertion of the new object depends on the object type choice:
    • Not defined by type: A new reference is instantiated.
    • Defined by type:
      • If a reference object type is selected and no attributes are overloaded, then the reference or the engineering template is instantiated. In this case details in the first tab are useless.
      • If a reference object type is selected and attributes are overloaded, then a duplication of the reference is instantiated or the engineering template is instantiated.

The new object is inserted accordingly in the selected product.