Bentley Navigator

Screen Layout

For an overview of the tools and where to find them, see this topic.

When you open an i-model, there are nine main zones where functionality is grouped together for ease of use. Knowledge of these zones will improve your experience and make it easy to find the tool or capability you need.
  • Task-based Tools Menu is located in the upper left; displays the tools available for each task.
  • Tool Settings are centered on the top edge; when you select a tool, this zone shows any available settings for that tool.
  • Navigation Tools are located in the upper right; these tools allow navigation within the view.
  • Content Management Zone is located in the center left; allows content creation and management.
  • File Browser Zone is located in the center right; displays information about the model structure.
  • Content Details Zone is located in the lower left; provides additional information from a specific tool that you can interact with.
  • Status Bar is located on the bottom edge; displays brief reports and icons to quickly access specific actions.
  • Properties Zone is located in the lower right; this zone displays information resulting from a specific tool.
  • Backstage Panel provides quick access to all areas of the product.

Task-based Tools Menu

When you open an i-model, a set of tools displays in the upper left hand corner; this is the Task-based Tools Menu. To maximize the screen for viewing of the model, certain tools are hidden and only display when you need them. Tools with hidden subtools are noted with a small triangle in the bottom right of the tool. When you select one of these tools, the subtools display next to the tool. When you select an item in the view, context tools appear on the top edge. These tools only appear when you have an active selection.

Note: To hide the tools and panels, select and drag the Navigator icon to the left. You can still navigate the model with either the mouse wheel or touch gestures. Selecting an item displays the properties pane but no other tools are visible. To exit this mode, select the arrow that displays in the upper left.

Tool Settings

Certain tools like the Measure tool have settings and options that you can control. These settings appear on the top edge of the application and can be hidden by selecting the arrow at the bottom of the dialog.

Navigation Tools

The Navigation Tools allow you to navigate within the view. The Navigation tools are located in the upper right.

Content Management Zone

You can view, create, and manage content from the Content Management Zone, located on the center left. Content available in this zone includes sections, data visualizations, and clash detection issues.

File Browser Zone

The File Browser zone, located in the middle right, contains information about the structure of the model, such as Categories and Models.

Content Details Zone

The Content Details zone, located in the lower left, is where specific tools can provide additional information. This information can be interacted with.

Status Bar

The Status Bar is located on the bottom edge. This zone displays brief reports for active tools, such as selection count and number of clash items. The status bar also displays icons which you can select to quickly access specific actions, such as choosing snaps or working with saved views. Some icons only display on the status bar when a tool is enabled, such as data visualization or sections.

Note: From left to right, the icons visible on the Status Bar are the following: Snaps, Saved Views, Sections, Data Visualization, Item Display, and Selection count.

Properties Zone

The Properties Zone is located in the lower right. The Properties Zone displays information resulting from a specific tool, such as measurement data provided by the measure tool.

Zone Settings

Most zones display a Zone Settings icon in the top corner of the zone. When you select the Zone Settings icon, the Zone displays settings where you can merge the zone with the nearby zones by selecting the appropriate "+" icon. To undo a zone merge, select the "X" icon which appears after a zone merge. From the Zone Settings, you can also select the minimize icon, which minimizes the zone. To exit the Zone Settings, you can select the Back button.

Backstage Panel

The Backstage Panel has all the options to access settings or open another i-model. This panel displays by selecting the Navigator icon in the top left corner.