1 - Key Frames and Animation

1- Key Frames

A Key Frame is a saved sate in time for a resource within ToBe Builder. The Key Frame saves data that is presented in Resource Animation Tab of the selection inspector.

When two Key Frames are in sequence in ToBe Builder the resource will move between the two saved states or "Interpolate" between frames. This is how we make resources move within ToBe Builder.

2 - Rigged Resources and Animation Sliders

A Resource that is "Rigged" means that the resource has been made with moving parts. Think of a Rig like a skeleton for the resource allowing the resource to move and rotate around joints and bones.

We change these joints using Animation Sliders that appear In the Selection Inspector. Some Common animation sliders on cranes would be the slew, block height, boom elevation, boom extension for instance.

Now that we understand these concepts we can move forward with learning to animate.

2- Deliveries and Traffic Plans

1 - Creating a Path for the Delivery

Plan a path for materials to be delivered to your site.
Select the Girder 1 task.
Open the Paths window and click create path.
Click out the route your deliveries will take to reach your site.
Rename the Path to Delivery Route.

2 - Creating a Resource Prefab from BIMs

Select the BIM element/s that you want to turn into a Resource Prefab
In the Inspector Open the Action Tab
Click 'Create Prefab from Sub-Selection
Enter the Prefab Details
Adjust the BIM Pivot by hitting Center then manually adjusting the pivot.
Take a thumbnail for your resource.
Click Create and the resource will be added to the resource Library.

3 - Mounting Resources to follow a Path

Under the Library Resources menu Click and place a Girder Prefab and a Semi trailer Jinkers
Select the Semi and open the Resource animation Tab then Path.
Select the Delivery Route and snap the resource to the Path.
Select the Girder Prefab and open the Resource animation Tab, Mount, Carrier.
1. This will trigger green dots to appear at all mount location. You can mount by left-clicking on the green dot.
Select the Mount point on the semi then snap the prefab to the Semi Jinkers.
Adjust your Girder to sit nicely on the trailer Jinkers.

4 - Animating along the Path

Open the Resource Timeline
Adjust any exciting keyframes to be at the start of the task.
Move the Time pick to be 1/3 the way through the task.
Adjust the Distance % to be close to the end of the new path and create a Keyframe.
Press F to see where the truck ends up and adjust the final spot.

You can also add additional Keyframes around the corners to improve the path the truck follows.

3 - Lifts and Mounting Resources

1 - Setting up the Lift

Under Edit Tool; Library Resources
Locate and bring into the world, 1 of any Crane, 1 Lifting Sling T1 4 and 1 barge.

2 – Mount the sling to the crane's hook

Adjust the Crane to be in a start position.
Select the sling.
On the sling’s inspector window, under Resource animation select Mount.
Under Carrier select mount and mount to the crane.
Once selected the mount, press Snap to Mount
In the animation section, alter the sling lengths and angle to create a lifting beam of the required size.

3 - Starting Your Lift

Move the time pick to be just past the first key frame of your crane.
Animate the Crane to place the block over the top of girder.
1. To better line up the block you can use Orbit Mode and Orthographic mode to ensure that the girder and block are aligned
Adjust the rotation and Animation of the Sling to roughly be in position on the girder.
Mount the girder to the Sling to get ready to lift the girder.

4 - Keyframe the position of the crane through a series of movements

Using the Resource Timeline create 4 equal distance keyframes on the Crane Resource after you have picked up the girder.
The first keyframe will establish the girder being lifted off the ground.
The Section keyframe will show the crane turn to place the girder in its intended location.
The third keyframe will have the Crane lower the girder into its final position.
1. HINT: It may be easier to switch into orthographic view from the top, to line up the crane lifts with the correct positions.
While aligned with the third keyframe, select the girder and unmount it from the crane when it is in the final location.
The fourth and final keyframe will show the block the boom moving away from the final position of the girder.