A Gantt chart is a table that visually represents a schedule. This function has the basic function of setting individual tasks included in the schedule. It also includes a function to display holidays in gray if work hours and holidays are set.

▲Gantt chart

The Gantt chart shows the scheduled tasks. Tasks can have subtasks, and can be displayed in a tree structure. In the Gantt chart display, parent tasks and child tasks are displayed differently so that they can be easily distinguished. In addition, you can change the display color of the tasks, to easily visualize the relationships and contents of the tasks.

Each task has a start date and time and an end date and time, and can be set by date (year / month / day) and time (hour: minute: second). Task management tools include task hierarchy manipulation, such as adding tasks and subtasks, deleting or duplicating tasks, and editing the parent-child relationship of tasks by dragging them in the tree.

The zoom function allows you to view different levels of detail in the schedule. The zoom is continuous, and you can check the contents of the calendar while zooming in and out smoothly by dragging the slider or operating Ctrl + mouse wheel. At a fine zoom level, an hourly calendar can be displayed. By changing the zoom, it is possible to switch continuously to and form a daily, monthly, and yearly calendar display. This allows you to use 4D features to simulate long time-spans for general work planning, examine details of work in minutes, evaluate feasibility, and optimize complex work procedures.

▲Differences between zoom levels

To quickly add a 3D model read into UC-win/Road to the simulation, the user can select tasks to simulate and control a specific model. Clicking on a model will bring up a screen where you can assign that model to any task. You can set the timing to show or hide the model from at the schedule start, task start, task end, and schedule end.

▲Correspondence between tasks and models

• Move: along a curve (flight path) or set two points and move between them over time.
• Model behavior: The movement of the parts of the model is controlled by time. It is possible to use predefined movements of a 3D model, for example the rotational movement of a crane boom.
• It can also be used to display a temporary object that does not move for a specified time period in a certain place. An example of the use of temporary objects is to place a sign around a building during construction and remove it after completion.

▲Resource operation settings

A task can have multiple actions that have different resources assigned. This allows you to group and configure resource behavior in one complex task, rather than distributing work across many subtasks. Gantt charts can be created independent of model behavior, improving readability.

We have added costs calculations, workloads, material values, and more to the 4D simulation. This means that each of these variables can be added, tracked over time, and visualized in the graph display below the 4D simulation’s Gantt chart.
The 3D view and the visualization of construction schedule, cost, and number of materials by graph allows you to examine, plan, and assess conditions related to construction such as safety, transportation route, traffic regulation, material management, weather, time and sunshine, and lighting at night comprehensively.

▲nD simulation and graph

Once all tasks, resources, and behaviors have been set up, you can play back the simulation and watch the project progress. Simulation provides the ability to view within the project period. Simulation speed can also be set. By changing the time scale in the simulation settings, users can run simulations in real time, or faster than the real world to see long-term schedules.
During the simulation, a time cursor indicating the date and time on the simulation is displayed on the Gantt chart. You can pause the simulation and move it back and forth from the user interface.
With a simple click, you can view a specific date and time, instantly check the status of your project, and efficiently perform investigations and checks.

▲Replay interface

When the user saves the UC-win/Road project, the 4D simulation data is saved together with the RD file. It is also possible to save the data created by the 4D simulation plug-in to a csv file. This file contains all schedules, all linked models, resources, and resource actions.
You can also import schedules from the same csv file. It is possible to link a 3D model file to a csv file, and it is possible to collectively arrange models on a schedule simply by reading a csv file.
This enables linkage with other applications. For example, it is possible to export a pre-set schedule to UC-win/Road and pass it to other applications. Conversely, a schedule created with third party software can be imported into UC-win/Road to perform a 4D simulation that incorporates 3D space, and to check feasibility and space conditions.