How to use SEQUENZA

Sequenza is a Revit add-in that extracts construction sequence data from a building model and exports it as CSV files ready for import into Navisworks TimeLiner and 3ds Max for 4D construction simulation.

Buttons at a glance

All three buttons appear in the Sequenza panel on the Add-Ins ribbon tab. They are only active when a Revit project is open; they are disabled inside family editors.

Button	Ribbon label	What it does
Generate Files	Generate Files	Opens the setup dialog, validates the model, writes shared parameters to elements, and exports three CSV output files.
Edit Sorting	Edit Sorting	Opens the sorting editor where you can change the construction sequence order for any group and designate an ORI anchor element.
Setup Guide	Setup Guide	Displays a step-by-step guide for importing the exported CSV files into Navisworks TimeLiner.

Before you start

Open the Revit project that contains the building model you want to simulate.
Confirm the model has at least one level defined.
Confirm the model contains at least one element in a supported category (see the Supported element categories table).
Confirm that Navisworks and the NWC Export Utility are installed if you plan to use the output for 4D simulation in Navisworks.
Confirm you have write access to %APPDATA%\Autodesk\Revit\Addins\{RevitYear}\ — this is where output files are saved.
Close any other active session of the same model. Writing shared parameters while another user is running the tool on the same model will produce conflicts.
Ungroup any Revit groups that contain elements you want to include in the simulation. Grouped elements are automatically excluded.

Core workflow

Generate Files              Edit Sorting              Setup Guide
       |                          |                         |
Open Setup dialog          Load groups from          Open step-by-step
Select categories          SIMULATION param          Navisworks guide
Set start date                    |
       |                  Choose sort method
Validate model            Set ORI anchor
       |                          |
Write shared params       Apply and close
SIMULATION, SIM_PART      Writes SIM_PART
LO_Level, LO_Building     and SIM_ORI
       |
Export CSV files
  Simulations Identification.csv
  Simulations Components.csv
  MaxScript_Animation.csv
  MaxScript_Animation_Template.ms
  SimulationConfig.json
       |
Open output folder

Run Generate Files first on every new project. Run Edit Sorting after that to adjust sequence order before re-running Generate Files to produce the final CSVs.

Scenarios

Scenario 1: First simulation run on a new project

Context: The model is complete up to Level 3. No Sequenza parameters exist in the model yet.

Click Generate Files in the Sequenza panel on the Add-Ins tab.
In the Setup dialog, set the Project Start Date to the planned construction start.
Review the category list. The dialog shows only categories present in the active view. Deselect any categories that are not yet modelled — for example, deselect Furniture if furniture families have not been placed.
Click Generate simulation.
Sequenza validates the model. If validation passes, it writes the SIMULATION, SIM_PART, LO_Level, LO_Building, and SIM_ORI shared parameters to every element in the selected categories.
Three CSV files and one MaxScript template are generated in the output folder.
In the success dialog, review the element count and location resolution statistics, then click Open Output Folder to verify the files.
Open the Setup Guide and follow the eight steps to import Simulations Identification.csv into Navisworks TimeLiner and run the 4D animation.

Expected outcome: All elements in the selected categories have shared parameters written. The three CSV files are present in the output folder and ready for Navisworks import.

Scenario 2: Updating the simulation after new floors are added

Context: Three additional levels have been added to the model since the last run. The existing CSV files are stale and do not reflect the new structure.

Click Generate Files.
In the Setup dialog, adjust the Project Start Date if the construction programme has been updated.
Confirm all required categories are still selected, including any new categories present on the new levels.
Click Generate simulation.
Sequenza re-validates the model, detects all levels including the new ones, writes shared parameters to every element on the new levels, and overwrites the existing CSV files.
In Navisworks, remove the previous data source, re-import the updated Simulations Identification.csv, and rebuild the task hierarchy.

Expected outcome: The CSV files now include all levels. The Navisworks simulation covers the full height of the updated model.

Scenario 3: Changing construction sequence order for a structural group

Context: The structural framing on Level 2 must be sequenced from the structural core outward rather than by element ID. The default sequence does not reflect this.

Click Generate Files and complete a standard generation to ensure all SIMULATION parameters are current.
Click Edit Sorting.
In the Groups panel on the left, select Level 2_StructuralFraming.
In the right panel, open the Sorting Method dropdown and select ProximityToORI.
In the center element sequence list, scroll to find the element at the structural core. Select it.
Click Set as ORI anchor. The element is marked [ORI] in red and moves to position 1 in the list.
Confirm the sequence now radiates outward from the anchor by reviewing the gradient colors in the list — the element at position 1 is the brightest and position N is the darkest.
Click Save group.
Repeat steps 3–8 for any other levels that require the same treatment.
Click Apply and close. Sequenza writes the updated SIM_PART and SIM_ORI values to the model.
Click Generate Files again to regenerate the CSV files with the new sequence order applied.

Expected outcome: The Simulations Components.csv reflects the outward-from-core sequence for Level 2 structural framing. Navisworks TimeLiner will animate construction radiating from the core.

Scenario 4: Structural-only export for a progress review

Context: The client requires a structural-only animation for a programme review meeting. MEP and architectural finishes categories must not appear in the simulation.

Click Generate Files.
In the Setup dialog, click Deselect All to clear the entire category list.
Check the following categories only: StructuralFoundations, StructuralColumns, StructuralFraming, Floors, Roofs, and Walls.
Confirm the project start date and click Generate simulation.
Sequenza validates the model using only the selected categories. Only elements in those categories receive updated parameters.
The three output CSV files contain structural data only.
Import Simulations Identification.csv into Navisworks as usual.

Expected outcome: The 4D simulation shows only the selected structural categories. MEP and architectural elements are absent from the CSV files and will not appear in TimeLiner.

Validation status types

Each generation run produces a validation result. The result type determines whether generation can proceed.

Status	Meaning	Action required
Critical error	Generation cannot proceed. The listed condition must be resolved before the export will run.	Fix the issue and run Generate Files again.
Warning	Generation can proceed, but a condition was found that may affect output quality. Sequenza shows a confirmation dialog before continuing.	Review the warning. Click Yes to proceed or No to cancel.
Info	Informational only. No action is required and generation continues automatically.	None.

Common critical errors

Message	Resolution
Model has no levels defined. At least one level is required for 4D simulation.	Create at least one level in the Revit project before running Sequenza.
No processable elements found in the model.	Place at least one element in a supported category. Ensure those elements are not inside Revit groups.
Configuration is null.	Close and reopen Revit, then run Generate Files again.

Common warnings

Message	Meaning
X elements could not be assigned to a level automatically.	Those elements have no direct level parameter. Sequenza attempts bounding-box and host-element resolution. The success dialog shows resolution rates per strategy.
Model contains N elements — export may take several minutes.	Normal for large models. Do not close Revit during generation.
Estimated project duration exceeds 1 year.	The calculated timeline based on element count and working days exceeds 12 months. Review the start date and confirm the project timeline is correct.

Sorting methods

Method	How it sequences elements	Best used when
ElementId	Ascending order by Revit element ID. Stable and reproducible across runs.	No specific spatial preference is needed. Default for all groups.
ProximityToORI	3D distance from the ORI anchor element outward. Closest element to ORI is built first.	Construction radiates from a core, entry point, or structural start location.
XYZPrint	Sweeps left-to-right (X first), then front-to-back (Y), then bottom-to-top (Z).	Floor-by-floor, left-to-right row construction.
YXZPrint	Sweeps front-to-back (Y first), then left-to-right (X), then bottom-to-top (Z).	Bay-by-bay construction where depth is the primary direction.
ZXYPrint	Sweeps bottom-to-top (Z first), then left-to-right (X), then front-to-back (Y).	Level-by-level construction with column-row priority.
ZYXPrint	Sweeps bottom-to-top (Z first), then front-to-back (Y), then left-to-right (X).	Level-by-level construction with depth priority.

The ORI anchor applies to all methods. For ProximityToORI it defines the outward origin. For all print methods, the element at ORI is placed at position 1 and the global print-axis order continues from there — elements that would have appeared before ORI in the axis sweep wrap to the end of the sequence.

Supported element categories

Category	Typical use in construction model
StructuralFoundations	Pad foundations, strip footings, pile caps
StructuralColumns	Concrete or steel columns
StructuralFraming	Beams, braces, joists, trusses
Floors	Concrete slabs, composite decks
Roofs	Flat or pitched roof elements
Walls	Load-bearing and partition walls
Doors	Door families hosted in walls
Windows	Window families hosted in walls
Ceilings	Suspended or direct-fix ceilings
CurtainPanels	Curtain wall panels and glazing
PipeCurves	Plumbing pipe runs
DuctCurves	HVAC ductwork
Conduit	Electrical conduit runs
CableTray	Cable management trays
PipeAccessory	Pipe fittings, valves, accessories
DuctAccessory	Duct fittings and dampers
MechanicalEquipment	Air handling units, fan coil units, pumps
ElectricalEquipment	Panels, transformers, switchboards
PlumbingFixtures	Sinks, WCs, showers
LightingFixtures	Luminaires and light fittings
LightingDevices	Switches, outlets, sensors
GenericModels	Custom families and generic BIM content
Furniture	Loose furniture families
FurnitureSystems	Modular workstations, system partitions
SpecialityEquipment	Custom or specialty equipment families

Elements placed inside Revit groups are automatically excluded and counted in the skipped-elements total shown in the Edit Sorting dialog header.

Tips

Run Generate Files again after every Edit Sorting session. The CSV files are not updated automatically when you change the sequence order or ORI anchor.
Use the live preview in Edit Sorting to confirm that gradient colors in the Revit view match the list swatches. The element with the brightest color in the list appears brightest in the view — this is intentional and confirms the two are in sync.
In Edit Sorting, click Pick from view to select an ORI anchor by clicking directly on an element in the Revit viewport instead of finding it in the sequence list.
Large models with more than 5,000 elements may take two to three minutes to generate. Leave the Revit window active and do not switch views during generation.
If elements appear as unresolved in the success dialog, check that they are not inside Revit groups, and that they have geometry (bounding boxes cannot be computed for elements with no visible geometry).
After renaming levels in Revit, run Generate Files again. The SIM_PART values written to elements include the level name and will be stale after a rename.
The SimulationConfig.json file written to the output folder is a human-readable record of the exact settings used for each generation run. Store it alongside the CSV files for audit purposes.
The MaxScript_Animation_Template.ms file is a ready-to-use starting point for 3ds Max. Edit the object name mapping section if your imported geometry uses a different naming convention from the CSV element names.

Sequenza — How to use