Frequently Asked Questions - SYNCHRO 4D

What is Bentley SYNCHRO 4D’s primary market?

AEC Sector (Architectural / Engineering / Construction) is our primary market.
Expanding our focus and leadership in Civil Construction.

What types of companies utilize SYNCHRO 4D?

General Contractors: 37 of the top 50 contractors
Subcontractors
Owners
Specialty Subcontractors
Consultants
CAD / BIM Service Providers

What types of projects utilize SYNCHRO 4D BIM/VDC?

Vertical Construction of all types
- Building: High Rise, Educational, Healthcare, Sports, Entertainment, Government
- Discrete Manufacturing: Industrial / Plant
- Process Manufacturing: Power / Oil & Gas / Chemical / Nuclear
- Defense
- Marine
Horizontal Construction of all types
- Civil: Infrastructure / Roads / Bridges, Railway / Subway, Heavy Civil
- Airports
- Mining
Miscellaneous
- Offshore / Shipbuilding

Who are the primary users of SYNCHRO 4D?

Planners / Schedulers / Project Controls Team Members
VDC / BIM Team Members
Construction Managers
Superintendents
Field Engineers
Estimators / Quantity Surveyors
Safety Managers
Consultants

What are the main differences between Navisworks and SYNCHRO Pro?

SYNCHRO Pro is a complete planning and scheduling / project management system opposed to a “Viewer” for design review.
Navisworks is capable of providing a video for construction sequence; however, it is not a planning and scheduling / project management system. Editing and tracking is not properly supported or meant to be done in Navisworks.
- Video: SYNCHRO Pro vs Navisworks Timeliner
- Video: Scheduling in SYNCHRO Pro

Can SYNCHRO Pro provide control over the CAD Model?

SYNCHRO Pro provides control over the CAD element, after it has been imported into SYNCHRO Pro, allowing you to:
- Split or group 3D objects from the CAD file to match the planning and scheduling detail.
- Move a 3D object on a user defined path to plan logistics.
- Provide data analysis, sorting, filtering and unique parametric calculated fields.
- Provide for 3D object color and transparency changes.
- Provide Ray Tracing effects for high end rendering.
- Provide “schedule controlled” model notes, annotations and call outs.
- Provide site logistics and equipment elements in the model and schedule.

Is SYNCHRO Pro interoperable with MS Project, Powerproject and Primavera P6?

A schedule can be created directly in SYNCHRO Pro and exported to these legacy systems. SYNCHRO Pro also digitally integrates with these systems: imports original data, edits and synchronizes back to these same systems to maintain consistent bi-directional data exchange to ensure legacy systems can keep pace with the modern age of digital construction.
If users have a requirement to use legacy systems to create and/or update the project schedule, we synchronize these in SYNCHRO Pro to ensure that the project team can “see” what is being done in these 2D systems. SYNCHRO Pro provides the visual information required to understand the actual details of the project plan so that they can be reviewed, validated, analyzed and optimized for safe, productive and reliable delivery.
Video: Using P6 with SYNCHRO Pro

Can SYNCHRO Pro show multiple side by side 4D or 5D views of the Baseline and latest plan including actual progress updates?

Yes, SYNCHRO Pro provides a complete set of side by side views for visual analysis and presentation including; the proposed, baseline, best and actual schedules as well as side by side with resource status history for materials, procurement and logistics management
Step by Step Video: Comparing Baseline to Actual

Can SYNCHRO Pro be used on mobile devices?

Technically no. Control and Field from the new Bentley SYNCHRO portfolio allow data to be exchanged and leveraged from the Office to the Field. If user must run SYNCHRO Pro on a tablet such as Microsoft Surface Pro, minimum system and hardware requirements must be met.
SYNCHRO “Goes Mobile” on the iPad for site / field use. SYNCHRO Site and Field iPad applications are designed for daily near real-time site data exchange for resource status and task progress tracking, issues, RFI’s, photo capture, GPS location, documents, inspections within online and offline modes.
SYNCHRO Site and Field are part of the SYNCHRO portfolio. The SYNCHRO Site iPad application emphasizes the model-based workflow for progress tracking, and SYNCHRO Field iPad application will soon integrate such capabilities into its existing form-based workflow.

Can a project planner plan, schedule and control a project in SYNCHRO Pro directly as the primary authoring source for the project without the need for P6, MSP or Powerproject?

SYNCHRO Pro is a complete stand-alone planning and scheduling system offering no limitations to the project planner and scheduler to author the project delivery approach with or without a three-dimensional BIM.

Can I create a schedule strictly based on the 3D model?

SYNCHRO Pro provides the ability to create a schedule directly from the 3D model at “digital speed” by automatic task creation directly from the 3D model view.
Video: Model based scheduling

Can SYNCHRO Pro provide cost management capabilities for project earned value and cost measurements?

Yes, SYNCHRO Pro can be used to plan and view task and resource costs as well as to track project progress using the EVA graph
Video: Cost Management in SYNCHRO Pro

Can I utilize SYNCHRO 4D to prepare a 5D cost estimate?

SYNCHRO Modeler, new product and now part of SYNCHRO 4D, allows a user to extend their construction model into a 5D model by allowing for detailed quantity breakdown and assignment of construction work steps to aid in estimating workflows.

How can I learn how to use SYNCHRO Pro?

Watch our SYNCHRO 4D demo.
Now available in a consumption-based pricing model updated on a quarterly basis.
Your license will include tutorials and manuals on your computer and can be accessed anytime.
F1 within the product to access Help documentation.
Attend a hands-on group training session hosted by the Bentley Construction Team. Please visit our website (filter by brand SYNCHRO) to find a listing of dates and locations.
Request a customized training in your office or at your project site.
Sign up for SYNCHRO Academy where you will find self-paced online training material, case studies and best practices.
Follow SYNCHRO Construction on YouTube.