In your company environment you can see an overview of all the models for which you have viewing and/or editing rights.
This is the place where you can access, create, delete, clone and publish models (depending on the role that you have). Administrators can also view and restore backups here.
To get to the model overview, you can click on the BriefBuilder logo, or click on project models management in the menu that is available in the upper right corner of your screen.
Creating new models
Want to create a new project model? Watch our quick guide video or read the text below.
If you want to create a new model, click on the icon right above Create model.
A new window will pop up where you will be able to
(1) Choose the language for the project.
(2) Put in a project name (which has to be unique).
(3) The option to create the project as a sandbox project.
(4) Select the trees you wish to use for your project.
Click on Add to add this new project model to your ‘Active Project Models’ list. It will appear first in the list.
Please note: the ‘tree selection’ (read: the requirement topics) is by default set on:
– Objectives & principles (strategic / high level requirements)
– Spaces & locations (spatial / geometric requirements)
– Systems & elements (technical requirements)
But you can easily change this – both in the screen above, or at a later stage via the settings menu.
Actions for models
Behind the name of each model (version), there is a series of controls visible (for users with edit rights). Each represents a different action. If you hover your cursor over the symbols you will be able to see what you can use them for.
Below, we will explain the main actions for a project.
Exporting
By clicking on the Export button, you will be able to create an export of your entire project model. A pop-up window will allow you to choose a format (JSON, XML or Excel) as well as what data to include (analysis, verification, RFC, etc.).
You can use this export to easily upload a project model to a different BriefBuilder environment. It is not meant as a backup or storage mechanism, however. If you want to know more, please refer to this article about exports.
Versioning
By clicking on the versioning button, you create a ‘view only’ version of the model, which you can then also publish if you want to.
Typically, you create a dedicated version at the beginning of each project stage (e.g. concept design, detail design etc.). See more about versioning here.
To see the differences between two project versions, use the aforementioned compare button.
Comparing versions
By clicking on the compare button, you will get a Word report that outlines the differences between this version and the previous version of the model (sometimes also referred to as baselining).
You can find the “diff report” in the download folder of your computer. This report can be quite extensive, but it also very useful in communicating the changes that have been made in between two versions.
In the Word report, deleted data is marked in red, new data in green, and modified data in een yellow.
TIP: provide the project team with a diff report each time you publish a new version.
Cloning models
Projects can be cloned to create new models. This is particularly relevant if you have developed a template or library model (e.g. “Template for schools”) that you want to use as a basis for specific project models (e.g. “School ABC”).
To clone a model, click on the clone symbol in the project model’s task bar.
A new window will pop up where you will be able to put in the cloned model’s name.
Click Save to clone the model under its new name. You will be instantly transported to the Project Homepage of the cloned model.
Good to know: when you clone a project model as the basis for a new project model, BriefBuilder immediately makes a static version of that new project model. That way, you can easily track in what ways your project model is different from the original model.
Editing a model’s name
To edit an existing model’s name, click on the edit button in the model’s task bar.
A new window will pop up where you will be able to edit or change the model’s current name into a different one.
Deleting models
If you want to delete (or restore) a project model, watch our quick guide or read the text below.
To delete models, click on the in the model’s task bar.
A new window will pop up asking you for confirmation of the model’s deletion. Click delete to confirm. The model will be removed from the model overview and you will no longer be able to view it.
Please note: Deleted models are moved to the bin, which can be accessed by clicking Deleted Project Models in the upper left corner.
There, you will be able to find a list of models that have been deleted in the past 7 days. Any deleted model will remain here for that same duration.
You will be able to undo a deletion by clicking on the icon in the model’s task bar.
Archiving models
To archive a model, click on the icon in the project’s task bar.
When you archive a project, it will be moved to the archive section in the model overview. There, the model will no longer be editable. All account rights will be revoked.
Your administrator can easily restore archived models by clicking on the icon in the model’s task bar.
The number of projects you can archive depends on your subscription. It is equal to the number of active projects that you have a subscription for. Contact your BriefBuilder administrator for more information on your subscription or if you wish to scale up.