• InfoWorks ICM

Explore the InfoWorks ICM database and create database groups

Browse the database in Explorer and create database groups.


00:03

The Explorer window is a hierarchical representation of the data within the current database.

00:10

The Explorer displays the database contents as a tree and provides a range of options to manage this tree data.

00:18

It is typically docked on the left-hand side of the interface, but it can be moved.

00:23

If you need to display this window, select Window > New Explorer window.

00:29

The Explorer provides access to all groups and objects within the database.

00:35

From here, you can drag and drop objects, double-click to open, or right-click to access context menus.

00:42

Tabs at the bottom allow you to switch among other database windows.

00:47

Groups allow you to structure and organize the database.

00:51

They are like folders used to hold many different types of objects.

00:56

At the top level is the Group, which can contain global data, such as both a model group and an asset group.

01:04

All other database items, such as ICM specific objects, must be contained in a model group.

01:12

To create a new main group, right-click the Database and select New > Group.

01:18

In the New Name dialog, enter a name for the group, and then click OK.

01:24

To create a new model group, right-click the database, the main group, or another model group,

01:31

and then select New > Model Group.

01:34

Once a model group is created, you can create a new database item to reside within it.

01:40

Right-click the model group and select New InfoWorks—or Import InfoWorks—

01:46

for an extensive list of objects that can be created for that model.

01:50

InfoWorks items are the ones native to ICM.

01:55

For shared workgroup databases or large databases,

01:59

it is best practice to plan out your model group structures and data organization with careful consideration.

02:06

Navigating the database is easiest for all users when you make it obvious where specific objects are located.

Video transcript

00:03

The Explorer window is a hierarchical representation of the data within the current database.

00:10

The Explorer displays the database contents as a tree and provides a range of options to manage this tree data.

00:18

It is typically docked on the left-hand side of the interface, but it can be moved.

00:23

If you need to display this window, select Window > New Explorer window.

00:29

The Explorer provides access to all groups and objects within the database.

00:35

From here, you can drag and drop objects, double-click to open, or right-click to access context menus.

00:42

Tabs at the bottom allow you to switch among other database windows.

00:47

Groups allow you to structure and organize the database.

00:51

They are like folders used to hold many different types of objects.

00:56

At the top level is the Group, which can contain global data, such as both a model group and an asset group.

01:04

All other database items, such as ICM specific objects, must be contained in a model group.

01:12

To create a new main group, right-click the Database and select New > Group.

01:18

In the New Name dialog, enter a name for the group, and then click OK.

01:24

To create a new model group, right-click the database, the main group, or another model group,

01:31

and then select New > Model Group.

01:34

Once a model group is created, you can create a new database item to reside within it.

01:40

Right-click the model group and select New InfoWorks—or Import InfoWorks—

01:46

for an extensive list of objects that can be created for that model.

01:50

InfoWorks items are the ones native to ICM.

01:55

For shared workgroup databases or large databases,

01:59

it is best practice to plan out your model group structures and data organization with careful consideration.

02:06

Navigating the database is easiest for all users when you make it obvious where specific objects are located.

Step-by-step guide

The Explorer window is a hierarchical representation of the data within the current database. The Explorer displays the database contents as a tree and provides a range of options to manage this tree data. It is typically docked on the left side of the interface, but it can be moved.

To display the Explorer window:

  1. Select Window > New Explorer window.

In the InfoWorks ICM interface, the Window menu expanded with New Explorer window selected and called out.

The Explorer provides access to all groups and objects within the database to:

  • Drag and drop to open
  • Double-click to open
  • Right-click to access context menus

Use the Explorer tabs to switch among other database windows.

The Explorer window open, with only the Database and Recycle folders showing and the tabs across the bottom called out.

Groups allow you to structure and organize the database. They are like folders used to hold many different types of objects. At the top level is the Group, which can contain global data, such as both a model group and an asset group. All other database items, such as ICM specific objects, must be contained in a model group.

To create a new main group:

  1. In the Explorer window, right-click the Database.
  2. Select New > Group.

In the Explorer window, the Database shortcut menu with New selected, and in the flyout, Group selected.

  1. In the New Name dialog box, enter a name for the group.
  2. Click OK.

The New Name dialog box with a Name entered for the new main group, and OK selected.

To create a new model group:

  1. Right-click the database, the main group, or another model group.
  2. Select New > Model Group.

In the Explorer window, the main group shortcut menu with New selected, and in the flyout, Model group selected.

  1. In the New Name popup, type a Name for the group.
  2. Click OK.

Once a model group is created, create a new database item to reside within it:

  1. Right-click the Model group.
  2. Select New InfoWorks
    OR Import InfoWorks.

This displays an extensive list of objects that can be created for that model. InfoWorks items are the ones native to ICM.

In the Explorer window, the Model group shortcut menu with New InfoWorks selected, and in the flyout, an extensive list of objects that can be created for that model.

IMPORTANT: For shared workgroup databases or large databases, it is best practice to plan out your model group structures and data organization with careful consideration. Navigating the database is easiest for all users when you make it obvious where specific objects are located.

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