I want to bring this topic into attention as I feel like the tool has waymore potential (although from what I saw, it is seldom used, at least currently).
So what it can currently do:
1. consistently freeze Archicad (at least on my end)
2. Import MS project exploded tasks (.txt) - but I haven't be able to make it open (.mpp) files.
2. Make a video (quick time or AVI).
What I think it can also be improved upon, and the why:
1. Allow for categories and subcategories (for example, on large project, first 20 columns are installed in week 14, next 20 in week 15 and so on). So a general "column" category with collapsible sub-categories would be nice.
2. Have a new field: "delivery" date - so you know when your materials have to be on-site and be able to be notified if this date is established after the start date.
3. Be able to have a timeline slider (or just a date input menu) on both 2D and 3D environment - that would hide anything installed after a certain date. The "show built" feature, currently, it doesn't retrieve anything in my Archicad 27.
4. Be able to generate 3D views from it (example a weekly sequencing graph) - this can be more visually appealing to a construction crew/ client/ etc - on a stand-alone, printable layout.
5. Be able to retrieve the start/finish date in autotext and maybe generate a "timeline" drawing set. some details are only possible to be made with thoughtful sequencing. The timing component is important because some elements can hinder access for the installation of others.
6. Be more flexible in case of rescheduling - it would be nice to be able in case something gets delayed to readdress the timing of all the impacted elements at once
7. Be visible on third party browser-based hosts (the timeline at point 3) to help with presentation.
A workaround option (although I haven't actually tested it) would be to create a "week" or "day" property in classifications and assign that to all elements and then do a control F to show up to that certain value and update the 3D according to that. But saving individual layouts manually would be quite cumbersome.
At last, I know these ideas are more on the project management/ construction side and may not be of interest to the design phase - but in my opinion it is something worth checking out.
Open