VisualLive Plugins

(For Navisworks and Revit)

USER GUIDE
Version 1.7
Before you get started…

Get acquainted with your Web Portal

What is this? ​The Web Portal will be the central hub for your account. You can edit certain
information for your model files, share model files, download the latest plugins, and access all of
our training tutorials.

Accessing the Web Portal

Go to the web portal by going to app.visuallive.com or go to the main website, visuallive.com,

and choose Login at the top right of the screen.

1
Sharing Individual Model Files

First make sure that the person you are trying to share the model with has a VisualLive account
(trial or paid).

In the Model Files tab, find the model that you wish to share with someone and select the button
“Share” on the far right.

Enter their user account name (this option is case-sensitive) and they will have the model sent
to their account.

Note:​ The model will be available within the applications even if the model is not visible in the
shared account’s Web Portal.

Training and Tutorials

Underneath the “User Guide” tab, you will have access to these training guides as well as
playlists of our tutorial videos. Each playlist will be separated based on your needs.

2
Versions
Make sure that you have the proper version of Navisworks and Revit

Our plugins work on specific versions of Revit and Navisworks. Without the right requirements,
you will not be able to properly continue to use the VisualLive plugins.

Note: It is possible to continue using VisualLive on the HoloLens or mobile devices without
using the VisualLive plugin

What you will need:

Verify network security

Before you try to use our plugins or applications, you will need to make sure that your
company’s network firewall is not blocking VisualLive’s IP addresses, ports and endpoints so
you can push your models.

Why?​ If a company’s security is too restrictive, our programs cannot properly transfer data. This
means that our applications and plugins cannot properly push your models or load them.

What do you need to do?​ Send these links to your IT department and make sure to tell them
that your ports need to be opened based off the port closest to your region. Your IT department
will also need to whitelist “app.visuallive.com”.

IP Ranges Port Requirements Regions & Endpoints

3
Note:​ To​ ​view​ a model in the apps, you need to open TCP and UDP connections to ​app.visuallive.com
and s​ 3.amazonaws.com​ on ports 80 and 443

Download the VisualLive Plugin

What do I need to do?​ Go to the web-app, ​https://app.visuallive. com/downloads​, and

download and install the VisualLive plugin for either Revit or Navisworks.

Open Revit/Navisworks to check that it has properly downloaded. ​(You may need to click
“Always Load” on windows pop up to make sure that it will always open)

How do I get to the plugin? ​VisualLive plugins will actually be under its own tabs at the top of
Navisworks or Revit.

Open and Login into the VisualLive Plugin

How do I open the VisualLive Plugin? ​Open a model in Navisworks or Revit before attempting
to open the plugin.

4
 (Revit)

(Navisworks)
How do I login?
1. Make sure that your VisualLive account has been approved and confirmed (you will
receive an email for both).
2. Log into your account using the VisualLive account (email address) and password that
was created when signing up.

N​ext? We will explore basic pushing procedures and then learn more about the plugin.

5
Uploading a Model: Basics
1. Open your model in Revit or Navisworks
What to do? ​Make sure that the model that you want to push is open within Navisworks and
Revit.

2. Create Worksets within Navisworks and Revit

This step is optional and is meant for large models, however, creating Worksets can improve
functionality within the application.

Navisworks

Create Selection Sets and Save Viewpoints within Navisworks

Worksets allow users to push entire models to the cloud in custom made sections. To create
these sections, save ‘Selection Sets’ and ‘Viewpoints’ within the Navisworks model before
opening the plugin.

How should the Selection Sets and Viewpoints be set up?

Selection ​Sets ​should be created from different selections within the Selection Tree. It is best
to create a Set based on the model types. For example:

Note: ​It is possible to make Selection Sets from Search Sets by right clicking a Search Set and
choosing ‘Save Selection’. However, once it is a Selection Set, they will not automatically
update like a Search Set does.

Viewpoints​ ​should be created using the section box tool to choose different views within the
model. Viewpoints are best used to separate floors. For example:

6
How do I create Selection Sets and Viewpoints?
If you are ​not experienced in using Navisworks​, we can explain how to create these workset
requirements. The ​Navisworks | VL Worksets Plugin video​ for these steps can be found ​HERE
as well.

Sets and Viewpoints

1. Open the proper windows within Navisworks by going to the View tab at the top.
Select the ‘Windows’ option and then enable both the ‘Sets’ and ‘Saved Viewpoints’
windows.

Creating Sets
1. In the Selection Tree, choose model pieces on type
2. Right-click in the empty space within the Sets window
3. Choose ‘Save Selection’
4. Name Set based on the type of the models

Example​:
1. In the Selection Tree, choose all ‘Piping’
2. Right-click in the empty space within the Sets window
3. Choose ‘Save Selection’
4. Name Set ‘Piping’
5. In the Selection Tree, choose all ‘HVAC’
6. Right-click in the empty space within the Sets window

7
 7. Choose ‘Save Selection’
8. Name Set ‘HVAC’

Note​: In order to select multiple items in a row within the Selection Tree, click on one object
then hold the Spacebar, while clicking on another object lower. Everything in between those two
models have been selected.
In order to select multiple items within the Selection Tree, click on one object, then hold
the Ctrl button, while clicking on another object. Those two objects will now be selected.
Continue holding Ctrl to continue adding to your selection.

Creating Viewpoints
1. Activate the Section Box tool within Navisworks by opening the Viewpoint tab at the top
a. Enable Sectioning on the far right
b. Planes > Box
2. Use the Move, Scale, and Rotate tool within the Section Tools tab to fit your model within
the section box
3. Right-click in the empty space within the Save Viewpoints menu
4. Choose ‘Save Viewpoint’
5. Name Viewpoint based on the floor/area that the section box covers

Note​: It is best to save the viewpoints based on the floor of the building or areas that people
would need to see isolated from the rest of the model.

Revit

Create Categories and 3D views within Revit

Worksets allow users to push entire models to the cloud in custom made sections. To create
these sections, Categories will be automatic while you will need to save different 3D views
within the Revit model before even opening the plugin.

How should the Sets and Viewpoints be set up?

Categories ​should be created before the model is pushed. Normally this is done as soon as a
Revit model is imported.
3D Views ​should be created using the section box tool. We recommend that 3D views are used
to separate a building into floors.

How do I create 3D Views?

Get started
1. Load your model in Default 3D View
2. Go to the properties panel on the left-hand side and scroll to Extents > Check-mark
‘Section Box’

8
 3. Got to the ‘View’ tab at the top of Revit
a. User Interface > Navigation Bar
b. You will need to use this Navigation Bar for creating 3D views

Creating a 3D View
1. Use the section box to cut your model into Floors or Sequences
a. If you cannot see your section box, select the lightbulb to show hidden items
b.
2. Select on the Navigate Bar on the far-right of Revit

a.
3. Hover over your view > Right Click on the Navigate Bar (anywhere within it) > Choose
‘Save View’

a.
b. Name the view based on which floor or sequence is within the section box (Floor
1, Floor 2 or Sequence 1, Sequence 2)
4. Click on the 3D view option at the top of Revit again
5. Repeat until all 3D views are made

Note​: When you save a view within Revit, you will need to open another 3D view section of the
model again, and then save the new view.

9
3. Open VisualLive Plugin

How? ​The VisualLive Plugin can be found in the top navigation bar within Navisworks and
Revit. VisualLive will have its own tab outside of the standard Addons/Plugins tab.

Open the VisualLive tab and then select the VisualLive plugin.

4. Name and describe your model

What to do?
Type the model name into the plugin and add a description to help keep track of what this model
is used for.

Why?
Better describe what settings were used when pushing the model. It is completely optional but
may help differentiate different models from each other when they are using the same base
model.

5. Choose where to place your VL Markers or Two-Points

What is a VL Marker?
A VL Marker is a small rectangle (1/4th the size of 8x11.5 paper) that is used to load your model
at a specific location.

Why use a VL Marker?

VL Markers are quickly set-up and can allow anyone else to easily load the model without
pre-existing knowledge of the model (as long as you give them access to your account/model
and the VL Markers that go with it).

How does a VL Marker work?

The QR code that is generated on the VL Markers have the information for which model needs
to be loaded and where that marker is located in your model.

10
When to use VL Markers?
Near doorways or areas that will not be blocked before, during or after construction.

What is Two-Points?
Two-Points are two positions that you chose (based on coordinates) in order to load your model.

Why use Two-Points?

Two-Points are very quick to place and open up your model without keeping track of physical
materials.

When to use Two-Points?

Two-Points works best when you have survey/control points to line it up with or if you have two
coordinates that are used as your ‘origin points’ to align the rest of the model with.

6. Place VL Markers or Two-Points

How to place VL Markers?

1. Click on the ‘Place Marker’ button on the main plugin page
2. Select the (+) icon to create a new marker
3. Select ‘Choose Marker Location’
4. Place VL Marker on your model

How to place Two-Points?

1. Click on the ‘Place Two-Points’ button on the main plugin page
2. Select the ‘Pick Point 1’ button
3. Place the First Point
4. Select the ‘Pick Point 2’ button
5. Place the Second Point

NOTE: There will be more information about both of these options on page (11-14)

11
7. Manage your Worksets

What to do?​ Click on the ‘Manage Worksets’ button in the plugin and a new window will
appear. Select your desired selection sets (Navisworks) or categories (Revit) and saved
viewpoints (Navisworks) or 3D views (Revit) to push with your model. Once confirmed hit ‘OK’
and proceed with pushing your model.

8. Push Model

How do I push the model?

Select the ‘Push Model’ button on the main plugin page and choose your prefered Model
Settings. Then select ‘Ok’.

What Model Settings do I use?

The default settings are going to work for most models. However, there is a run-down of what
the Model Settings mean for Revit and Navisworks on page.

What Model Upload Method should I use?

● Push to cloud​ will send to our Cloud server to process and send to the applications.
Note, this can take a few minutes but allows for model sharing and easy transfer
● Push to your device​ will send your model directly to your device through you own
network. Models will be found in the ‘Sync’ folder within the applications
● Push to FTP Server​ will send your model through your own FTP Server and then to the
applications.
○ This option will require additional support from our developers to enable this
option

How does the ‘Push Model’ work?

Pushing a model through our plugin pushes your model to your account. This means that as
soon as it goes through, you will have access to all of its VL Markers within the plugin and can
open it up on both our HoloLive and MobiLive applications.

12
9. Print out your VL Markers (if you used them)

Why?
The VL Markers you just placed in your model are mainly used as a reference point for the
physical VL Markers. Without the physical VL Markers, you cannot scan and load your model
properly.

Note:​ ​Cut out the VL Marker around the outside of the black line

10. Model Loading and Verification

How long will this take?

A normal process should take no more than a few minutes, however, larger models may take
approx. 10 minutes.

How will I know when it is done?

An email verifying that your model has processed on our server will be sent to the email address
that was used to create your account.

13
Differences between Navisworks Plugin and Revit
Plugin

Settings when you push your model

Navisworks:

The difference between the Navisworks and Revit VL Plugin is that in Navisworks, you have the
option between a VL Extraction Method and a Native Extraction Method.

What is the difference between VL and Native?

The VL Extraction Method allows our plugin to best optimize models for our applications. Native
is Navisworks’ Extraction Method which isn’t able to retrieve all the information that our apps
need but may work better for some models.

What does LOD mean?

LOD stands for Level of Depth. It will determine how your model will be grouped together and
which properties will go through.

Export Section

14
Export Section is used to prevent any unnecessary geometry from being pushed with the rest of
your model. Since Navisworks’ section boxes do not cut geometry or automatically hide
geometry, this is a quick method to hide geometry that is outside the current section box when
export.

It is important to keep in mind that this will only work for the section box that is currently active
while pushing the model. This means that the Export Section option will now work with multiple
viewpoints if you are using Worksets.

Revit:

The only option that needs to be chosen for Revit is the Quality Settings.

What does Quality Settings mean?

Determines how the model is grouped together.

Good ​- Needed for larger models to help it push faster

Better ​- More detail is kept in the model but may take longer to load

Excellent ​- Model will stay very detailed but may take very long to load

Properties
Make sure to connect your account to a cloud service ​within the Plugin​ before using the property
feature

Navisworks​:

How does properties work in Navisworks?

Properties are created in Navisworks based off of the LODs (Level of Depth) you decide to push
with.

15
Properties will come from the Quick Property Definitions chosen in the ‘Selection Inspector’.
Open the window called Selection Inspector and choose the Quick Property Definitions that you
would like to push with your model.

Select the ‘Push parameters to cloud’ checkbox under the ‘Push Model’ button on the main
plugin window to send properties with the model to the cloud.

How to set it up?

If the property is not on the aligning LOD then it will not push.
● How to pull up property window in Navisworks

● Check properties based on selections within the hierarchy

Revit​:

How do properties work in Revit?

Properties will work based on a schedule that you create and choose in Revit before pushing
the model.

How to set it up?

Create your schedule inside of Revit before you push your model
● Go to the View tab
● Click on Schedules drop-down
○ Choose Schedule/Quantities
● Choose the category of family that you want to push properties from

16
 ○ If you want properties from several families, you will need to choose
‘Multi-Category’ at the top
● Name your schedule in the top right of the schedule pop-up window and select ‘Okay’ at
the bottom
● Choose the property fields by selecting the name of it and selecting the icon with a green
arrow
● Click on the ‘Okay’ button at the bottom of the pop-up window
● A schedule sheet will be created in Revit as well as added to your project browser1

How to push your properties with your model using the Revit Plugin?
Select the ‘Push parameters to cloud’ checkbox under the ‘Push Model’ button on the main
plugin window. Then another pop-up window will ask you which schedule you would like to push
with your model. Make sure to choose the correct schedule and check all the boxes underneath
it for each parameter that you want to push.

How to change/add properties:

An Excel spreadsheet will be created when you push properties from either Navisworks or Revit.
This Excel spreadsheet will be created and sent to whichever cloud storage option you have set
as primary

How to change properties?

Once your sheet is created, you have access to change any of the values as long as you have
access to the Excel spreadsheet itself.
Note, changes can not be made while inside the applications.

How to add properties?

In your Excel spreadsheet, create a column and input your information. Whatever you name
your column (in row A) will become the property title of any information below it.

What does changing properties do?

As long as the property sheet is changed inside an online cloud storage option (that is available
on the plugin), the model’s properties will be updated inside the app as well. Note, you may
need to refresh and reload the model to see the changes.

What type of info can I add to a property sheet?

Any information can be added as long as it has a column name. This also means that you can
link videos or manuals to a properties sheet and be able to open it inside the mobile application
(MobiLive).

1
Anything that is blank inside the columns will not show up in our applications. You will need to find and add the
proper field to this schedule

17
Layers

Navisworks:

How does it work?

Each part of your Selection Tree is the same as our LODs.

What does this mean?

You will be able to decide how detailed your Layers are based on how many LODs you push.

How to set it up?

When you select ‘Push Model’ on the main plugin menu, you get a pop-up window asking for
your push settings. Click and drag your LOD slider to the left to have less detailed (more
grouped) Layers or to the right to have more detailed (more individualized) Layers.

Revit:

How does it work?

Revit bases Layers off of your Families and how they are organized.

How to set it up?

Revit will push your Layers ​automatically b
​ ased off of your Families and which objects are
grouped up with which family name.

Account Settings

Asking you to login again?

Why?
Account settings has some sensitive information. Signing in again ensures that a passing
individual doesn’t gain access to your Account QR or emails connected to the cloud.

 
Connecting your cloud service

What needs to be set-up?

18
You will need a PRO license in order to get access to this option. Otherwise, it will be grayed
out and not accessible.

What do I need?
You will need to have login access to any of several different cloud storage options that are
integrated with our technology:

● Google Drive
● OneDrive for Business
● BIM360 Field
● ProCore

How?
At the bottom of the VL Plugin, open Account Settings. A prompt to login again will appear.

Sign into any cloud account that you have access to

 
Account Login QR Code

What is it?
For ease of logging in, your account will have a QR code generated so that you can bypass
having to type out your email and password in the login page.This option is valuable for
HoloLive users.

How to find it?

Your personal Account QR code will be available in the Account Settings in the bottom-left of
the VisualLive plugin.

19
20
Tips and Tricks
 
How to tell when you have a large model
Large in this sense is in relation to how long a model takes to export as well as how well the
model functions on mobile or HoloLens devices

Before pushing the model from Navisworks and Revit:

A lot of the time, Revit and Navisworks files will reference other files in order to load inside Revit
and Navisworks. Due to this, it can be difficult to tell the exact size of a file before it is exported
to VisualLive.

One of the ways to tell when you have a ‘large’ file, is to check the polygon count. The polygon
count largely affects the time it takes to export models as well as how well the model works
within the application.

Inside of Navisworks, you can select: Home > Properties > Scene Statistics

From here, you can view the “Triangles, Lines and Points” at the top of Scene Statistics.

Green, Yellow, and Red models:

If the model is lower than 8 million polys, you are in the green zone. This model will push quickly
and easily.

21
If a model is between 8 million to 10 million polygons, you are in the yellow zone. This model will
push relatively easily but may need Worksets.

If a model is over 10 million polygons, you are in the red zone. This model will need to be sized
down in order to push effectively.

GREEN YELLOW RED

Polys < 8,000,000 8,000,000 > Polys < 10,000,000 Polys > 10,000,000

Where did these numbers come from?

The range you are seeing above is based on device limitations. The HoloLens device can
usually only handle 10 million polygons at a time while mobile devices range anywhere from a 5
million to 8 million polygon limit.

Why is size determined by polygons and not file size?

For a device like the HoloLens or mobile device to understand what it is ‘seeing’, it recognizes
geometry. Each piece of the model that creates a pipe or wall.

A model’s file size is not indicative of that information entirely so there is no ratio that can be
used to determine if a model’s file size is considered large.

What to do when you have a large model

Yellow Model:​ ​Creating Worksets inside Navisworks and Manage allow for most larger models
to push and load easily later on.

Red Model:​ ​You may need to section your model down and hide anything outside that area.
What we recommend is to create your sections based on ‘Zones’. Learn more about how to do
this in the next sections ‘Hidden objects will not export when pushing model’ and ‘How to quickly
section a model before exporting’.

A zone is going to be an area within your full model that can be loaded in while still allowing you
to get your work done. Sometimes this is determined by square feet, grid-lines, or areas of
construction.

22
Hidden objects will not export when pushing model

Revit
When using a section box, nothing outside that section box will be exported normally

Navisworks
Hidden objects in the selection tree will not export when pushing through the VisualLive plugin.
Section boxes do not cut or auto-hide geometry in Navisworks so it is best to hide objects
outside the section box before exporting

How to quickly section a model before exporting

Revit
1. On the properties panel to the left of your model, make sure that the section box is
selected

2. Select the ‘Reveal Hidden Objects’ icon at the bottom of Revit

3. Select the box around the model and use the arrows to section the model

23
Navisworks

1. Open the Viewpoint tab at the top and select ‘Enable Sectioning’

24
 2. Change the sectioning tool into a box and use the transform tools to fit the section
around the area you want to push
Note: We recommend that you use a section box and not a section plane

3. Once you create your section box, go back to the Home tab, change the Select tool to a
Select Box tool and make sure to grab all the model pieces in your section box
Note: Selected model pieces will be blue. You will see it selected in the Selection Tree to the left
as well

25
 4. Hide Unselected at the top of the Home tab

How does accounts/licensing work?

26
Types of accounts:
When purchasing a license, you will usually choose between two different combinations;
HoloLive or MobiLive.

Any combination of these licenses will come with one account slot and one device slot. For
more on how accounts can work, check this visual presentation ​HERE​.

How to change a license from one user to a different user:

Since each license has a certain number of account or device slots, each license has the
potential to be spread across different accounts within the same company.

Don’t close the plugin until you finish pushing the model

Why?
The information that you put into the plugin will not save until you push. Therefore, the following
information will not be saved if the model is not pushed in the plugin:

● Model Name
● Model Description
● VL Marker Placement
● Two-Point Placement

Anything that is already filled out will be empty when the plugin is opened again.

What should I do instead?

Section your model and determine your placement before opening the plugin. You can drag the
plugin out of the way while working with your model as well.

Basic Plugin Information

Model Dropdown:
The Model dropdown allows you to find information for models that are pushed. Once a model is
chosen, all information about that model is available.

27
 The VisualLive Plugin lets you delete your models

How to delete a model?

Both plugins will have a trash-can icon beside the model dropdown list. Selecting the model
from that dropdown list and clicking the trash-can icon will delete the model for you.

You can also go to our web-app and delete the model from your Model Files tab.

You can print out your VL Markers after the pop-up window goes away

Even after the pop-up for downloading or printing your VL Markers (which only shows up after
you push a model) goes away, you can still print out your VL Markers on the main plugin page.

How?
Choose your model from the model dropdown list and select the icon below the list that has a
printer on it. This will also give you the option to save it somewhere on your comput​er.

VL Markers (Pros and Cons):

PROS CONS

Quickly load a model without needing to go through the When a model is re-pushed, VLMarkers will be deleted
Load list in-app and need to be placed again

Easy to teach Can be physically destroyed or removed by others

Does not always require exact accuracy when placing Needs some adjustments if this option is taken (see left)
inside Navisworks or Revit (see Save Alignment)2

2
More detail can be found about Save Alignment in the application User Guides

28
 Two-Point Placement (Pros and Cons):

PROS CONS
Don’t need to keep track of physical materials Can only have one

No scanning needed Horizontal placement only

Easily shared Need to be farther apart to be more accurate

Other Information about VL Markers

Save Alignment ​ - a function that allows you to change the location of the virtual VL Marker
inside VisualLive’s AR applications

Multiple Markers - ​Place several markers inside a model to help with model accuracy

Horizontal or Vertical Markers - ​Place VL markers on horizontally or vertically surfaces

depending on what model piece it is placed on

Other Information about Two-Point Placement

● Lining up with objects ​- Two-Point Placement can be used to line up with structures or
corners of models to make it easier to place
● Does not scale model - ​Two-Point Placement does not change the scale of the model if
you place the points farther apart in the application. The 1st point is the anchor for the
starting point and the 2nd point determines the rotation of the model

29