Overview

4D & 5D Simulation in CUBE lets you connect your construction schedule to the 3D model so you can visualise how the project will be built over time, and optionally how cost will accumulate alongside it. By linking schedule activities to model elements through Selection sets and Resources, you can play back the build sequence date-by-date (4D) and overlay cost progression (5D) — making the schedule easier to review, communicate, and validate against the planned vs. actual position.

Prerequisites

• Access to the Project and the Schedules module.
• A Schedule available in the Project (or permission to create one) with activities defined.
• One or more model files (3D / FBX) uploaded to the Project that you want to drive the simulation.
• Permission to create and edit Selection sets and Resources in the Schedule.

Key concepts

• Schedule — the list of activities with planned start/finish dates that drives the simulation timeline.
• Selection set — a saved set of model elements that represents what is being built (or installed, or demolished) by an activity.
• Resource — a logical wrapper that links Selection sets (and queries) to one or more activities, and carries the appearance and behaviour applied during the simulation.
• Task type — the action a Resource represents during simulation (for example, Construct, Demolish, Temporary) and the visual appearance attached to it.
• 4D simulation — playback of the schedule against the model over time, showing what is planned, in progress, or complete on each date.
• 5D simulation — 4D playback with the cost component of activities included, so you can see cumulative cost progress alongside physical progress.

Setting up a 4D simulation

1. Open the Schedule

• Open the Project.
• Select Schedules.
• Open the Schedule you want to simulate, or create a new Schedule by adding a title, description, and Space.