Using import-export utility

Import-export utiltiy helps in converting project data from different applications to XML and vice versa.

The operation supported are:

• Importing 4D data
• Importing simvision data
• Importing cost data: from excel
• Importing relationships between cost items and building components (from XML file)
• Saving project data as XML (as local file or to database)
• Loading a XML file from database
• Saving loaded data as VFE (4D)
• Saving cost and component relations (as XML)
• Add notes, specifications, name, description, background color to loaded project information
• Add the loaded scenario to a project
• Set requirements for a project

Converting project data to XML

• Load schedule and component data from 4D using the "Import VFE" option
• Load schedule and resource data from Simvision using the "Import MPX" and "Import VRX".
  • MPX file is obtained by using the export MPX option in Simvision
  • To get a VRX file run the Simvision simulation for a case and then save the results as VRX.
• Import cost information using "Import Excel". This brings up a dialog box in which you can manually make any relationships between cost items and components

  

• Import existing component and cost relations if you saved them from a previous model using the option "Import cost relations"
• You can change scenario color by clicking on "Select/Change Project color"

  

• Specifications can be added using "Add specification menu item". Relationship between the specification and activites-components can be made by selecting the appropriate nodes

  

• Note can be added using "Add note" option
• Name can be given to a scenario by typing in "Scenario name" text box
• Description can also be given to a scenario by filling in "Scenario Description" text box
• Select the "Save as XML" option to save the loaded data. The data can be saved as a local XML file or directly to the database (However loading to databse option option may take a long time if the data is large)

Instead of using VFE as base data you could also import an existing project XML file and add simvision, cost, spec data to it. To import a XML file stored locally use "Load new locally" option. To load XML from database use "Load new from database" option.

Specifing database and other locations

The location of the database, event heap server and heap name can be specified using the "Project preferences" option

The import-export application provides the ability to send event to the workspace. You can send date events using the dateslider or by clicking on an element in the scenario hierarchy and selecting "highlight in workspace" you can send construction activity name command, building component name command or view command depending on the element type selected (project hierarchy can be viewed by clickin the "show scenario hierarchy" button)

The project requirements, adding scenarios to project, defining project requirement options are still under developement.