Dynamics 365 Layout user guide
Use Microsoft Dynamics 365 Layout to create and design space plans on Microsoft HoloLens or on a Windows Mixed Reality immersive headset. Import 3D models and design, edit, and collaborate virtually, on a real-world scale.
Need more help? Check out the Dynamics 365 Layout FAQ for answers to common questions.
Watch how-to videos about Dynamics 365 Layout.
What you’ll need
A subscription to Dynamics 365 Layout. The Dynamics 365 Layout subscription also includes the Microsoft Dynamics 365 Import Tool (Preview) for PC.
A HoloLens device running the Windows 10 April 2018 Update and/or a Windows Mixed Reality immersive headset.
A Windows Mixed Reality–ready PC running the Windows 10 April 2018 Update.
An internet connection.
Install the apps
How you install Dynamics 365 Layout and the Dynamics 365 Import Tool (Preview) depends on how your administrator chooses to distribute the apps. Your admin might have you install the app from the Microsoft Store for Consumers, from your organization’s private store, through an email link, or with another method.
The following table describes the app/tool, and how to install them from the public store.
| App | Device | Use to | To install from Microsoft store |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dynamics 365 Layout | HoloLens |
|
On your HoloLens, go to Start  > Microsoft Store  , search for “Dynamics 365 Layout," and then install the app. |
| Dynamics 365 Layout | Mixed reality headset |
|
1. On your PC go to Start > Microsoft Store , search for “Dynamics 365 Layout," and then install the app. 2. Connect your mixed reality headset to the PC, and find the app on the mixed reality Start menu. |
| Dynamics 365 Import Tool (Preview) | PC |
|
On your PC, go to Start > Microsoft Store , search for “Dynamics 365 Import Tool (Preview)," and then install the app. |
Get started with Dynamics 365 Layout: take advantage of learning tools
Dynamics 365 Layout includes three tools that you can use to help you learn how to do common tasks such as measuring, copying, grouping, resizing, and accessing settings.
Animated out-of-the-box experience for HoloLens 2 users
If you use HoloLens 2, after you install the HoloLens app, and before you sign in, you'll see an animated 3D experience that shows the benefits and key capabilities of Dynamics 365 Layout.
Teaching moments
Teaching moments provide a series of images that make it easy to understand common tasks. To access teaching moments, air tap Help, and then air tap the area you need help with.
Demo layouts
Demo layouts use prebuilt layouts to demonstrate how to build different parts of a manufacturing plant. There are three demos to choose from:
- Move and resize
- Grouping and measurement
- Copy and paste
For example, in the Copy and paste demo, learn how to complete a conveyor belt by copying and positioning sections.
To access demo layouts, pick the demo you want from the Layouts menu.
Use Dynamics 365 Layout
To use Dynamics 365 Layout, you create space layouts on your HoloLens or PC and then use a HoloLens or Windows Mixed Reality immersive headset to place 3D models in the layouts. The Dynamics 365 Layout app comes with a set of preinstalled models, and you can also add your own.
Create a layout
There are two ways to create a layout:
Use Microsoft Visio to design a floor plan, and then export it to HoloLens or Windows Mixed Reality.
Use Dynamics 365 Layout on your HoloLens to scan a space.
Create a layout with Microsoft Visio
Step 1: Download and install the Visio Add-in for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Layout
Open the Dynamics 365 Import Tool (Preview).
Select About, and then select the 32-bit or the 64-bit download (choose the one that matches your version of Visio).
Open Visio, and then select File > Options > Add-ins.
Next to Manage, select COM Add-ins, and then select Go.
Select Visio Add-in for Dynamics 365 Layout, and then select Add.
Step 2: Create your floor plan with Microsoft Visio
- When the floor plan is ready, select the Dynamics 365 Layout tab, select Export, and then save your floor plan.
Step 3: Import your floor plan using the Dynamics 365 Import Tool (Preview)
In the Dynamics 365 Import Tool (Preview), select This PC > Add layout, and then navigate to the floor plan.
Select the floor plan, and then select Open.
The floor plan shows up automatically in Dynamics 365 Layout on a mixed reality immersive headset connected to the same PC.
To use the layout on HoloLens, you’ll need to move it there:
Connect your HoloLens to your PC using the USB cable.
Open the Dynamics 365 Import Tool (Preview) on the PC, and then select This PC > Layouts.
Select the check box on the layouts you want to copy, and then select Send.
On HoloLens, open the Dynamics 365 Layout app. You’ll find your layout on the Layouts tab.
Create a layout with HoloLens
On your HoloLens device, open the Dynamics 365 Layout app.
Select New layout, and then follow the instructions for scanning your space and creating a layout.
To move the layout to your PC so you can open it on a mixed reality immersive headset:
Connect the HoloLens to the PC using the USB cable.
Open the Dynamics 365 Import Tool (Preview), and then select the HoloLens name.
Select the check box on the layout you want to send to your PC, and then select Send.
Place, copy, resize, rotate, and select 3D models
On HoloLens and in Windows Mixed Reality, you can place, move, copy, resize, and rotate 3D models.
On HoloLens
| To | Do this |
|---|---|
| Place | Select Models, and then gaze and air tap to select the model you want to place. Use gaze to move the model, and then air tap again to place it. |
| Move | Gaze at a model, and then tap and hold it. Move your hand to reposition the model, then release. |
| Copy | Gaze and air tap to select the model, and then select Copy. Move the model where you want it, and then air tap to place it. Select Done. |
| Resize | Gaze and air tap to select a model, and then select Resize. Tap and hold any edge of the model, and then move your hand in or out. |
| Rotate | Gaze and air tap to select the model. Select one of the rotation arrows to rotate 90 degrees. For more precise rotation, tap and hold the round rotation control, and then move your hand to rotate. |
| Multiselect | Gaze at an empty spot. Tap and hold, and then move your hand diagonally to form a rectangle around all the models you want to select. Gaze at any of the models you’ve selected to see what you can do with all of them. |
On an immersive headset
| To | Do this |
|---|---|
| Place | Select Models on the app menu. Point your controller at the model you want, and then pull and hold the trigger to pick it up. Point to where you want to place the model, and then let go of the trigger. |
| Move | Point at the model and pull and hold the trigger. Move your controller, and then let go of the trigger to place it. |
| Copy | Select the model, and then select Copy. Point your controller to where you want to place the copy, and then pull the trigger again to place it. To place multiple copies, just point and select again—no need to go back to the original. Select Done on the last copy. |
| Resize | Select the model, and then select Resize. Point at one edge of the object, and then pull and hold the trigger. Drag the edge, and then release the trigger. |
| Rotate | Point and pull the trigger to select the model. Then point at one of the rotation arrows and pull the trigger to rotate the model 90 degrees. For more precise rotation, use the round rotation control: point, pull, and hold the trigger, and then move your controller to rotate. |
| Multiselect | Point your controller at an empty spot. Pull and hold the trigger and drag to form a rectangle around the models you want to select. Point at any of the models you’ve selected to see what you can do with all of them. |
Lock a layout
You can lock a layout to prevent unintentional changes. This is particularly useful when you want to share a layout with your peers for reviewing purposes.
To lock a layout, air tap Lock layout in the sidebar menu. This locks the current layout for editing.
A lock graphic is displayed in the top right corner of the layout tile.
After a layout has been locked, if someone selects a model in the layout, on the third consecutive attempt, a pop-up will appear to let them know that the layout is locked for editing. A similar pop-up is displayed when attempting to place a model from the Layout menu into the current layout.
To unlock a layout, air tap Unlock layout in the sidebar menu.
Improve performance when your models don't require texture or multiple colors
In certain scenarios, textures or multiple colors might not be important for visualizing 3D models. In these cases, to improve performance, you might want to turn off textures and use a single color. You can do this by using the Performance setting.
To turn the Performance setting on or off:
- Select Settings, select Performance, and then select Simplify objects by using just one color.
Turn off fading of holograms
By default, holograms fade when you get within 45 centimeters of them. You can use the Hologram Fade setting if you want to turn off this fade effect and get up close to your holograms.
Switch hologram fading back on at any time by switching the setting back to On.