Smart Catenary: Parametric OLE/OCS Modeling with Dynamo & Adaptive Families in RVT & C3D | Presentation
© 2025 Autodesk. All rights reserved.
Smart Catenary: Parametric OLE/OCS Modeling with Dynamo
& Adaptive Families in RVT & C3D
Ayman SALEH BIM R&D Manager | Colas Rail France More than 17 years of experience in design, construction, automation, development, BIM Management and training across various global companies in different countries with a Bachelor degree in Electrical Engineering.
Currently serving as the BIM R&D Manager at Colas Rail France, responsible for design automation & creating dynamo scripts and plugins to support different projects and defining BIM workflows and processes for different departments within Colas Rail on an international scale.
Email: Ayman.saleh@colasrail.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayman-okail/
2
Agenda
1. Introduction
2. Project Examples
3. Catenary Automation Workflow
3.1 Adaptive Family Creation
3.2 Civil 3D Plugin
3.3 Revit Plugin
4. Catenary BIM workflow Adv.
Agenda
1. Introduction
2. Project Examples
3. Catenary Automation Workflow
3.1 Adaptive Family Creation
3.2 Civil 3D Plugin
3.3 Revit Plugin
4. Catenary BIM workflow Adv.
4 000+
70 000 KM OF TRACKS
IN MORE THAN
24 COUNTRIES
6 000 EMPLOYEES
IN THE WORLD
A WORLD LEADER IN RAILWAY
INFRASTRUCTURES
AN EXPERT INCONSTRUCTION
AND MAINTENANCE
& A MULTI-PROFILE INTEGRATOR
STRONG GROUPS WITH
SITES/ YEAR
12 AREAS OF EXPERTISE
SYSTEM INTEGRATOR DESIGN I CONSTRUCTION I MAINTENANCE
An integrator able to deliver turnkey projects.
Recognized Skills in BIM / Digital Twins.
INFRASTRUCTURE
MANAGEMENT
LOW VOLTAGE AND TELECOMS
HEAVY VEHICLE
RAILWAY SAFETY
ELECTRO-MECHANICAL
AND SAFETY EQUIPMENT
ROLLING STOCK
MAINTENANCE
TRAINING
TRACKS
DISTRIBUTION SUB-
STATIONS
CATENARY CIVIL ENGINEERING
12 AREAS OF EXPERTISE
RAILWAY
SIGNALING
1846 Ernest Gouin creates the Société de construction des Batignolles (SCB)
Creation of the Société Parisienne pour l’Industrie des chemins de fers et des
Tramways Électriques (SPIE)
1900
1931 Foundation of the Société d’Études et de Construction
d’Outillage
(SECO)
Creation of Seco/DG following the acquirement of Seco and
Verstraeten, Desquenne and Giral.
1978
2000 In October 2000, the group Colas acquires
all the railway activities of Desquenne
and Giral and created Seco-Rail.
2008 PURCHASE OF SPIE RAIL AND MERGER WITH SECO RAIL TO GIVE
RISE TO COLAS RAIL
1968 Merger of SCB and SPIE
which becomes
SPIE Batignolles.
OVER A CENTURY OF RAILWAY TECHNOLOGY EXPERIENCE
THE GROUPS BOUYGUES AND COLAS
€55
196 154 IN
50 COUNTRIES 50 000 SITES
IN
81 COUNTRIES
BI LLION
€16 BI LLION
2022 TURNOVER
EMPLOYEES
65 000 Civil Engineering
Safety
Railway
Construction
Roads
TELECOMS MEDIA
CONSTRUCTION
E&S
1952 1929
28% FRANCE
38% UNITED KINGDOM
18% CONTINENTAL
EUROPE
7% MIDDLE EAST
NORTH AFRICA
4% ASIA 5%
AMERICA
€1.3Bn TURNOVER
OVER 6 GEOGRAPHICAL AREAS
12 AREAS OF EXPERTISE
45% TRACKS
42% CATENARY, POWER SUPPLY, SIGNALING, TELECOM, E&M, DEPOT EQUIPMENT
6% FREIGHT
7% CIVIL ENGINEERING
BREAKDOWN OF OUR 2023 TURNOVER
France
United-Kingdom
Canada
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Chile
Malaysia Indonesia
Vietnam
Philippines
Morocco
Algeria
Tunisia
Egypt
Finland
Poland
Romania
Serbia Italy
Germany
Switzerland
Croatia
Czech Republic
SingaporeESTABLISHED IN
24 COUNTRIES ON 4 CONTINENTS
Ivory Coast
A WORLWIDE PRESENCE FOR MORE THAN 40 YEARS
INNOVATION is in Colas Rail’s DNA
DIGITAL PLATFORM
dedicated to
innovation
ANNUAL
INNOVATION
COMPETITION
INNOBOOST
A project incubator
INNOWEEK
A week dedicated to
innovation for all our
employees
INTER-SCHOOLS
CHALLENGE
S
Promote a culture of
innovation in schools
with the help of our
employees
GOVERNANCE
• An innovation board which
define the strategy.
• An innovation department
with a network of
ambassadors in each of our
entities to deploy the
strategy
OUR INNOVATION CULTURE
THEY TRUST US
Major project clients
Recurrent clients
Agenda
1. Introduction
2. Project Examples
3. Catenary Automation Workflow
3.1 Adaptive Family Creation
3.2 Civil 3D Plugin
3.3 Revit Plugin
4. Catenary BIM workflow Adv.
PHILIPPINES MANILA METRO - DEPOT
PHILIPPINES MANILA METRO - DEPOT
PHILIPPINES MANILA METRO - TUNNEL
PHILIPPINES MANILA METRO - LINEAR
Total 32 KM
Agenda
1. Introduction
2. Project Examples
3. Catenary Automation Workflow
3.1 Adaptive Family Creation 3.2 Civil 3D Plugin
3.3 Revit Plugin
4. Catenary BIM workflow Adv.
3 Steps for Linear BIM Catenary workflow
1st Parametric Family
Create Family Study the mechanism of
the Catenary Cantilever
Create Parametric Adaptive family including all rules and formulas
2nd Plugins in Civil3D
Export Excel Run C3D Plugin to Export
Excel sheet with data for each mast based on track alignment
Additional data in the Excel to be filled by the Catenary Engineer like type of mast …etc.
3rd Plugin in Revit
3D+Section+MTO Import the IFC exported from Civil
3D + filled excel & run the plugin
3D parametric mast & wire insertion
Sheet creation including sections with dimensions per mast
Detailed List of materials
→ IFC 4.3 →
• Create 3D Parametric Masts & Foundations.
• Create Contact, Messenger & Dropper Wires.
• Create Section views with dimensions per each mast.
• Create Parametric annotations in layout plan view.
• Create detailed List of materials for components & SUB-components.
• Create A4 Sheets for each mast, insert the section view and its list of material, export PDF.
• Automatic Pricing of materials with Project total cost if integrated with price database for Tendering.
OUTPUT RESULTS - LINEAR
Agenda
1. Introduction
2. Project Examples
3. Catenary Automation Workflow
3.1 Adaptive Family Creation 3.2 Civil 3D Plugin
3.3 Revit Plugin
4. Catenary BIM workflow Adv.
• Include all geometry, formulas & List of Material information.
• 1 Mast can have up to 6 cantilevers
• Each cantilever can be with different types from 1 to 8.
• So, up to 356,393 possible configuration with 1 family.
• If we add the Push & Pull, so we can multiply this number by 2 = 712,786
• Steady Arm Position ( Pos: 1 - 6 )
• Mast Type : X X X . X X X = (SA in Pos 1) (SA in Pos 2) (SA in Pos 3) . (SA in Pos 4) (SA in Pos 5) (SA in Pos 6)
• X = Steady Arm Type ( SA: 1 - 8 )
REVIT ADAPTIVE FAMILY
3.1 - Parametric Family
REVIT ADAPTIVE FAMILY
3.1 - Parametric Family
Steady Arm Position Examples 1 2 3
4 5 6
QTY = 3 . 3 QTY = 2 . 2 QTY = 2 . 1
QTY = 1 . 1 QTY = 1 . 0 QTY = 0 . 1
REVIT ADAPTIVE FAMILY
3.1 - Parametric Family
Position 1 - Steady Arm 7
Position 3 - Steady Arm 1
Position 5 - Steady Arm 8
Cantilever QTY = 2.1
REVIT ADAPTIVE FAMILY
3.1 - Parametric Family
SMART CATENARY
REVIT ADAPTIVE FAMILY
3.1 - Parametric Family
1
6 5
4
3
2 NESTED FAMILY
MAIN FAMILY
REVIT ADAPTIVE FAMILY
3.1 - Parametric Family
MATERIAL LIST INFORMATION
IN NESTED FAMILY
Agenda
1. Introduction
2. Project Examples
3. Catenary Automation Workflow
3.1 Adaptive Family Creation 3.2 Civil 3D Plugin
3.3 Revit Plugin
4. Catenary BIM workflow Adv.
CIVIL3D
1- Insert Points for Masts
Colas Rail Civil3D Plugin Tab
2- Export Excel with data 3- Additional data in excel + create object
+
3.2 - Plugins in Civil3D
1- INSERT COGO POINTS
3.2 - Plugins in Civil3D
Before running Plugin
After running Plugin
2- EXPORT EXCEL WITH DATA
3.2 - Plugins in Civil3D
Green Cells Exported Remaining data filled by Plugin by Catenary Expert
3- COMPARE FILLED DATA WITH DATABASE TO PUT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IN EXCEL
3.2 - Plugins in Civil3D
Filled data Database for Mast beams & foundation Adding Mast & Foundation data
+ =
3.2 - Plugins in Civil3D 3- CREATE 3D SOLID OBJECT + INSERT DATA IN PROPERTY SET
• Create solid objects for the top of foundation
• Store data from Excel inside these dummy foundations' solid objects Property sets
Agenda
1. Introduction
2. Project Examples
3. Catenary Automation Workflow
3.1 Adaptive Family Creation 3.2 Civil 3D Plugin
3.3 Revit Plugin
4. Catenary BIM workflow Adv.
REVIT
3- Plugin UI
1-Colas Rail Revit Plugin Tab
2- Choose type
3.3- PLUGINS IN REVIT
INSERT 3D PARAMETRIC MASTS – WIRES
Output Wires
Revit Plugin UI 3D Parametric Mast
3.3- REVIT OUTPUT RESULTS
LAYOUT & SECTIONS
Layout with
Parametric Annotations Sections with
Dimensions
Sheets
3.3- REVIT OUTPUT RESULTS
DROPPER WIRES
• Script Check the Actual Span distance between each
mast in the Revit project.
• Compare actual span with Database to obtain the Vertical
& Horizontal Spacings.
• Create the dropper's wires based on each span case.
V H
V H
Span
V H
Project
Database
3.3- REVIT OUTPUT RESULTS
LIST OF MATERIALS FOR COMPONENTS
• Detailed List of Materials for components per mast and for
the total project.
• Detailed Cable Schedule per mast & all project.
MTO Per MAST
MTO Total3.3- REVIT OUTPUT RESULTS
LIST OF MATERIALS FOR COMPONENTS
MTO Per MAST
MTO Total
• Detailed List of Materials for components per mast and for
the total project.
• Detailed Cable Schedule per mast & all project.
3.3- REVIT OUTPUT RESULTS
LIST OF MATERIALS FOR SUB-COMPONENTS
• Detailed List of Materials for SUB-components per mast and for the total project.
MTO Per MAST
MTO Total 3.3- REVIT OUTPUT RESULTS
LIST OF MATERIALS FOR CABLES / WIRES
Detailed List of Materials for wires between each mast +
total quantities per project.
o Contact wires (down wires)
o Messenger wires (upper wires)
o Dropper wires (vertical wires) MTO Per MAST
MTO Total
Contact
Messenger
Droppers
3.3- REVIT OUTPUT RESULTS
LIST OF MATERIALS FOR CABLES / WIRES
• Dropper's pieces quantities to be cut & prepared on
construction site.
• Dropper pieces length arrangement between each mast for
installation on site. Droppers Arrangement
Dropper Pieces
3.3- REVIT OUTPUT RESULTS
TENDER / PROCUREMENT
3.3- REVIT OUTPUT RESULTS
• Price of material for component per mast and per
project.
• Can be integrated with other Pricing database
during tendering phase.
The price values shown in this table are for presentation
purposes only.
Dropper Pieces
3.3- SHEETS
• Create A4 sheets with title block for each mast
• Insert section view in each sheet
• Insert the list of material for each mast
(Right & Left Cantilever)
• Export all Sheets to PDF
CAT_1 CAT_2 CAT_3 CAT_4
CAT_5 CAT_6 CAT_7 CAT_8
Agenda
1. Introduction
2. Project Examples
3. Catenary Automation Workflow
3.1 Adaptive Family Creation 3.2 Civil 3D Plugin
3.3 Revit Plugin
4. Catenary BIM workflow Adv.
4- ADVANTAGE OF BIM CATENARY PROCESS
Saving Months of work with this workflow VS normal manual workflow + more output accuracy
• Parametric adaptive families with Catenary Rules/formulas saves a lot of time VS manual modifications for Mast Arm (cantilever).
• Plugins for insertion of 3D masts, foundations, wires saves a huge amount of time and effort with more accuracy, and in case of track alignment modifications, the design update will be much easier and more accurate.
• Sections with dimensions for each mast created automatically, Imagin 1000 mast in a project and the need to create 1000 section views and add their dimensions manually….
• Detailed List of Materiel automatically created and updated in case of any modification.
LEARNED OBJECTIVES
• Catenary System Design automation workflow and where to start.
• Capabilities of Adaptive family in Revit
• Power of Dynamo and conversion to plugins in C3D & RVT
• Using IFC 4.3 interpretability between Civil 3D & Revit and storing information inside objects, and geolocation issues.
• How to create detailed list of materials / Material Take Off “MTO”.
© 2025 Autodesk. All rights reserved.
Ayman Saleh | Colas Rail
Thank you! Ayman.saleh@colasrail.com
www.linkedin.com/in/ayman-okail
Slide 1 Slide 2 Slide 3: Agenda Slide 4: Agenda Slide 5 Slide 6 Slide 7 Slide 8 Slide 9 Slide 10 Slide 11 Slide 12 Slide 13 Slide 14: Agenda Slide 15 Slide 16 Slide 17 Slide 18 Slide 19 Slide 20: Agenda Slide 21: 3 Steps for Linear BIM Catenary workflow Slide 22 Slide 23: Agenda Slide 24 Slide 25: 3.1 - Parametric Family Slide 26: 3.1 - Parametric Family Slide 27: 3.1 - Parametric Family Slide 28: 3.1 - Parametric Family Slide 29: SMART CATENARY Slide 30 Slide 31: 3.1 - Parametric Family Slide 32: 3.1 - Parametric Family Slide 33: Agenda Slide 34 Slide 35: 3.2 - Plugins in Civil3D Slide 36: 3.2 - Plugins in Civil3D Slide 37: 3.2 - Plugins in Civil3D Slide 38: 3.2 - Plugins in Civil3D Slide 39: 3.2 - Plugins in Civil3D Slide 40 Slide 41: Agenda Slide 42 Slide 43: 3.3- plugins in revit Slide 44: 3.3- Revit Output results Slide 45: 3.3- Revit Output results Slide 46: 3.3- Revit Output results Slide 47: 3.3- Revit Output results Slide 48: 3.3- Revit Output results Slide 49: 3.3- Revit Output results Slide 50: 3.3- Revit Output results Slide 51: 3.3- Revit Output results Slide 52: 3.3- Revit Output results Slide 53: 3.3- SHEETS Slide 54: Agenda Slide 55: 4- Advantage of BIM Catenary Process Slide 56 Slide 57: Learned Objectives Slide 58