Open & edit models
The following article describes how models and point clouds can be opened, viewed and edited with the model viewer.
Directly to the following sections:
Supported file formats
Open models and point clouds in the viewer
Overview model viewer
Navigating the model
The navigation bar and its roles
Measure in the model
Create cuts
Merge models
Save model combinations
Editing models, objects and types
Display of metadata / IFC attributes
Coloring models
Create model views
Navigating with floor plans
Display options & navigation optimization
Fix display problems
Troubleshooting for GLB models
Archicad export options for IFC files
Buildagil supports the following file formats:
Models:
IFC
PLY
STL
GLB
Point clouds:
E57
LAZ & LAS
PCD
The file size limit for IFC models is 1.2 GB. For point clouds, the limit is 20 GB. For all other types, the limit is 400 MB.
If a single model is too large, it can be subdivided and then merged.
The following section describes how models can be merged: Merge models
Please note that models and point clouds are processed first when they are opened for the first time, which may take a moment. You will be notified as soon as the model / point cloud is available in the viewer.
To open a model with the model viewer, the model can be stored under the documents in buildagil and then opened.
Open model in local app Open documents & folders locally
Download the model file to the local computer.
Automatically create an e-mail and send the model.
Menu bar (open folder / show visibility / copy link to model / view version history / open model in separate tab / close model)
Set status (this can trigger a check chain)
Show and hide Explorer (overview of models, floors etc.)
Reset view (all is faded in and section zooms to entire model)
Open views
Open floor plan navigation
Tasks
Add model
Collapse / expand model structure
Show / hide objects
Search model
Filter model
Change model structure
Navigation bar
Navigation cube (select sides or edges to customize the view)
By default, point rotation is set for moving the model. To rotate the model, any point in the model can be clicked and used as a rotation point as long as the button is held down. The model is then rotated by moving the mouse in the desired direction. Zooming can be executed with the mouse wheel and panning with the right mouse button.
If you press the CTRL key while zooming in the model, you can navigate through the model more slowly and precisely.
You can also navigate using the "WASDQE" and arrow keys.
Zoom in on visible objects
Switch to 2D view
Switch between point and location rotation (with location, the view rotates from the point of view)
Measure in the model
Create cuts
Create BCF / model tasks
Create journal entry (with linked Model section)
Create model sections
Display options & navigation optimization
The model can be measured using the roles Distance measurement, Dimension measurement, Distance measurement (ortho.), Distance measurement (horiz./vert.) and Point measurement. Measurements can be saved in Views and BCF / model tasks.
If the Snap option is activated, corners and edges are automatically recognized when setting points for measurements. If Snap is active, the point lying at right angles on the opposite side is selected.
The latching function can be deactivated by holding CRTL.
Distance measurement:
Distance measurement measures the distance between two points. Distance measurement is easier to use when Latch is activated.
Dimension measurement:
With dimensional measurement, the dimensions of a surface can be measured.
Distance measurement (ortho.):
When measuring distances, a beam is drawn at right angles to a surface and measured to the next surface.
Distance measurement (horiz./vert.)
In contrast to orthogonal distance measurement, the measurement is not taken at a right angle to the surface, but always horizontally or vertically.
Point measurement:
When measuring points, the coordinates of a point are displayed.
Dimension lines can be deleted via Remove measurements.
Enlargement:
The magnifying glass can be activated for each measurement using the slider. Alternatively, the magnification is displayed by holding the ALT button.
To create a cut, click on Cut and then on a surface in the model. The cut is then aligned based on the clicked surface. To save a cut, a Model view can be created.
The following roles are available for editing cuts:
Cut area (move the arrows to move the cut).
Add a new cut
Hide cuts (hides the cut areas)
Deactivate cuts
Remove / delete cuts
Engage cut along axis
Activate magnification
It is possible to set a cut along an edge, line or axis. Snap must be activated.
In buildagil, it is possible to merge several models. One advantage of this merging is that when individual models are updated, the merged model is also updated automatically.
To merge models, you can first open a model that is to be combined with other models. You can then click on + Add and select the desired models.
To save the merging of the models, a model combination must be created: Save model combinations
The models can then be moved using drag & drop.
Right-click on the desired model to rename it or remove it from the compilation.
Model compilations can be used to merge several models and save views.
To save the compilation, click on Save compilation. Then enter the file name and select the storage location. The compilation is saved as a ".bam" file.
Alternatively, the model compilation can be copied and then pasted into tasks, topics, comments, etc. With CTRL + V.
This simplifies the loading of models for individual topics and their use at the desired location.
To do this, click on Copy compilation.
By expanding the model tabs, the smaller and smaller levels of the model structure are displayed.
The eye symbol can be used to show and hide models, objects or elements.
The structure symbol can be used to switch between the model and type structure.
The following roles are available via the three dots or by right-clicking on models, objects or elements:
Display of metadata / IFC attributes
Isolate object (all except the selected object is hidden)
Coloring
Show object transparent (makes the selected object transparent)
Hide object
Hide remaining objects
Remaining objects transparent (all except the selected object becomes transparent)
Show all objects
Multiple selection of elements:
If the CTRL key is pressed when selecting elements in the model or in the object explorer, several models/submodels, objects, classes or individual elements can be selected at the same time. The selected elements can then be isolated or colored, for example.
The metadata of elements can be displayed in the model viewer. To display the object information, right-click on the desired element and then click on the information button.
Model elements can be colored as desired. An entire model, an object, a class or an individual element can be selected and then assigned the desired color via Color.
To save colorings, a Model view can be created.
Views of the model can be saved here. Cuts, markings, hidden/hidden objects and coloring are transferred to views. If the view is clicked again later, the model jumps back to the view that was saved.
To save the created views, a model compilation must be created: Create model compilations
Open view window
Add view (always the view that is currently displayed in the model viewer), assign a name to the view
Reset view (standard view)
QR codes for model views
Record new view
Rename view
Remove / delete view
The floor plans can be used for navigation in the model.
A floor plan is automatically generated for each floor. You can click on these floor plans, which are divided into floors. The viewpoint is then automatically moved to the point in the model that was selected in the floor plan (also on the correct floor). The direction of the view can be seen in the floor plan.
Open floor plan navigation
Open 2D view of the floor plan in bird's eye view
Set the viewpoint by clicking on the floor plan
The display options include roles for customizing the model display and displaying rooms (IFCSpace).
Smoother navigation can be achieved by moving the slider to the right in Navigation optimization. As a result, some elements may be hidden or displayed in a lower quality during navigation. The Dynamic navigation optimization automatically adjusts the display of the model based on the performance of the device.
Options for models:
Activating the Translucent selection means that edges are also displayed in the background when selecting elements. The Marked selection causes the edges to be displayed thicker. The Overlay reduction improves the display of the model if several surfaces lie on top of each other in the model. The selection without transparent objects makes it possible to select objects behind transparent objects.
Navigation optimization
Automatic navigation optimization
More direct navigation
Translucent selection
Striking selection
Selection without transparent objects
Show / hide edges
Show / hide shadows
Overlay reduction
Colored transparency
Show / hide rooms (IFCSpace)
For models with textures (glb & glTF files) there are the following additional settings:
Show / hide textures
Activate / deactivate gloss
Options for point clouds:
If Dynamic point size is activated, the point size is automatically adjusted based on the distance to the viewing point.
Navigation optimization
Point size
Dynamic point size
Display errors may occasionally occur in older models.
We are constantly improving the processing of models. Most display problems can be solved by new processing of existing models.
To reprocess older models, click on the model and then on Reprocess model.
If you have display problems that cannot be solved with the new processing, you can proceed as follows:
Check whether the model is displayed correctly in other model viewers (this way it can be determined whether the discrepancy occurs exclusively in buildagil)
Find out from which program the file was exported
Contact the buildagil support team
It may happen that certain textures are not displayed on GLB models or that models cannot be opened on buildagil.
The following possible causes can be checked:
At least one texture image is stored as a JPG instead of a PNG
The dimensions of at least one texture are too large (width/height of the texture image in pixels)
The dimensions of at least one texture are too small ((width/height of the texture image in pixels))
Details on unsuccessful processing can be requested via Support.
In rare cases, there may be inconsistencies in the display of models exported from Archicad.
In such cases, we recommend the settings "Break down complex components into individual elements" and "BREP" when exporting the model.
Further information on exporting IFC models can be found in the Archicad help:
Help page Archicad
BIM, BCF, combine models, connect models, merge models, optimize loading times, improve loading times, prevent stalling
Directly to the following sections:
Supported file formats
Open models and point clouds in the viewer
Overview model viewer
Navigating the model
The navigation bar and its roles
Measure in the model
Create cuts
Merge models
Save model combinations
Editing models, objects and types
Display of metadata / IFC attributes
Coloring models
Create model views
Navigating with floor plans
Display options & navigation optimization
Fix display problems
Troubleshooting for GLB models
Archicad export options for IFC files
Supported file formats
Buildagil supports the following file formats:
Models:
IFC
PLY
STL
GLB
Point clouds:
E57
LAZ & LAS
PCD
The file size limit for IFC models is 1.2 GB. For point clouds, the limit is 20 GB. For all other types, the limit is 400 MB.
If a single model is too large, it can be subdivided and then merged.
The following section describes how models can be merged: Merge models
Open models and point clouds in the viewer
Please note that models and point clouds are processed first when they are opened for the first time, which may take a moment. You will be notified as soon as the model / point cloud is available in the viewer.
To open a model with the model viewer, the model can be stored under the documents in buildagil and then opened.
Overview model viewer
Open model in local app Open documents & folders locally
Download the model file to the local computer.
Automatically create an e-mail and send the model.
Menu bar (open folder / show visibility / copy link to model / view version history / open model in separate tab / close model)
Set status (this can trigger a check chain)
Show and hide Explorer (overview of models, floors etc.)
Reset view (all is faded in and section zooms to entire model)
Open views
Open floor plan navigation
Tasks
Add model
Collapse / expand model structure
Show / hide objects
Search model
Filter model
Change model structure
Navigation bar
Navigation cube (select sides or edges to customize the view)
Navigating in the model
By default, point rotation is set for moving the model. To rotate the model, any point in the model can be clicked and used as a rotation point as long as the button is held down. The model is then rotated by moving the mouse in the desired direction. Zooming can be executed with the mouse wheel and panning with the right mouse button.
If you press the CTRL key while zooming in the model, you can navigate through the model more slowly and precisely.
You can also navigate using the "WASDQE" and arrow keys.
The navigation bar and its roles
Zoom in on visible objects
Switch to 2D view
Switch between point and location rotation (with location, the view rotates from the point of view)
Measure in the model
Create cuts
Create BCF / model tasks
Create journal entry (with linked Model section)
Create model sections
Display options & navigation optimization
Measure in the model
The model can be measured using the roles Distance measurement, Dimension measurement, Distance measurement (ortho.), Distance measurement (horiz./vert.) and Point measurement. Measurements can be saved in Views and BCF / model tasks.
If the Snap option is activated, corners and edges are automatically recognized when setting points for measurements. If Snap is active, the point lying at right angles on the opposite side is selected.
The latching function can be deactivated by holding CRTL.
Distance measurement:
Distance measurement measures the distance between two points. Distance measurement is easier to use when Latch is activated.
Dimension measurement:
With dimensional measurement, the dimensions of a surface can be measured.
Distance measurement (ortho.):
When measuring distances, a beam is drawn at right angles to a surface and measured to the next surface.
Distance measurement (horiz./vert.)
In contrast to orthogonal distance measurement, the measurement is not taken at a right angle to the surface, but always horizontally or vertically.
Point measurement:
When measuring points, the coordinates of a point are displayed.
Dimension lines can be deleted via Remove measurements.
Enlargement:
The magnifying glass can be activated for each measurement using the slider. Alternatively, the magnification is displayed by holding the ALT button.
Create cuts
To create a cut, click on Cut and then on a surface in the model. The cut is then aligned based on the clicked surface. To save a cut, a Model view can be created.
The following roles are available for editing cuts:
Cut area (move the arrows to move the cut).
Add a new cut
Hide cuts (hides the cut areas)
Deactivate cuts
Remove / delete cuts
Engage cut along axis
Activate magnification
It is possible to set a cut along an edge, line or axis. Snap must be activated.
Merge models
In buildagil, it is possible to merge several models. One advantage of this merging is that when individual models are updated, the merged model is also updated automatically.
To merge models, you can first open a model that is to be combined with other models. You can then click on + Add and select the desired models.
To save the merging of the models, a model combination must be created: Save model combinations
The models can then be moved using drag & drop.
Right-click on the desired model to rename it or remove it from the compilation.
Save model combinations
Model compilations can be used to merge several models and save views.
To save the compilation, click on Save compilation. Then enter the file name and select the storage location. The compilation is saved as a ".bam" file.
Alternatively, the model compilation can be copied and then pasted into tasks, topics, comments, etc. With CTRL + V.
This simplifies the loading of models for individual topics and their use at the desired location.
To do this, click on Copy compilation.
Editing models, objects and types
By expanding the model tabs, the smaller and smaller levels of the model structure are displayed.
The eye symbol can be used to show and hide models, objects or elements.
The structure symbol can be used to switch between the model and type structure.
The following roles are available via the three dots or by right-clicking on models, objects or elements:
Display of metadata / IFC attributes
Isolate object (all except the selected object is hidden)
Coloring
Show object transparent (makes the selected object transparent)
Hide object
Hide remaining objects
Remaining objects transparent (all except the selected object becomes transparent)
Show all objects
Multiple selection of elements:
If the CTRL key is pressed when selecting elements in the model or in the object explorer, several models/submodels, objects, classes or individual elements can be selected at the same time. The selected elements can then be isolated or colored, for example.
Display of metadata / IFC attributes
The metadata of elements can be displayed in the model viewer. To display the object information, right-click on the desired element and then click on the information button.
Coloring models
Model elements can be colored as desired. An entire model, an object, a class or an individual element can be selected and then assigned the desired color via Color.
To save colorings, a Model view can be created.
Create model views
Views of the model can be saved here. Cuts, markings, hidden/hidden objects and coloring are transferred to views. If the view is clicked again later, the model jumps back to the view that was saved.
To save the created views, a model compilation must be created: Create model compilations
Open view window
Add view (always the view that is currently displayed in the model viewer), assign a name to the view
Reset view (standard view)
QR codes for model views
Record new view
Rename view
Remove / delete view
Navigating with floor plans
The floor plans can be used for navigation in the model.
A floor plan is automatically generated for each floor. You can click on these floor plans, which are divided into floors. The viewpoint is then automatically moved to the point in the model that was selected in the floor plan (also on the correct floor). The direction of the view can be seen in the floor plan.
Open floor plan navigation
Open 2D view of the floor plan in bird's eye view
Set the viewpoint by clicking on the floor plan
Display options & navigation optimization
The display options include roles for customizing the model display and displaying rooms (IFCSpace).
Smoother navigation can be achieved by moving the slider to the right in Navigation optimization. As a result, some elements may be hidden or displayed in a lower quality during navigation. The Dynamic navigation optimization automatically adjusts the display of the model based on the performance of the device.
Options for models:
Activating the Translucent selection means that edges are also displayed in the background when selecting elements. The Marked selection causes the edges to be displayed thicker. The Overlay reduction improves the display of the model if several surfaces lie on top of each other in the model. The selection without transparent objects makes it possible to select objects behind transparent objects.
Navigation optimization
Automatic navigation optimization
More direct navigation
Translucent selection
Striking selection
Selection without transparent objects
Show / hide edges
Show / hide shadows
Overlay reduction
Colored transparency
Show / hide rooms (IFCSpace)
For models with textures (glb & glTF files) there are the following additional settings:
Show / hide textures
Activate / deactivate gloss
Options for point clouds:
If Dynamic point size is activated, the point size is automatically adjusted based on the distance to the viewing point.
Navigation optimization
Point size
Dynamic point size
Fix display problems
Display errors may occasionally occur in older models.
We are constantly improving the processing of models. Most display problems can be solved by new processing of existing models.
To reprocess older models, click on the model and then on Reprocess model.
If you have display problems that cannot be solved with the new processing, you can proceed as follows:
Check whether the model is displayed correctly in other model viewers (this way it can be determined whether the discrepancy occurs exclusively in buildagil)
Find out from which program the file was exported
Contact the buildagil support team
Troubleshooting for GLB models
It may happen that certain textures are not displayed on GLB models or that models cannot be opened on buildagil.
The following possible causes can be checked:
At least one texture image is stored as a JPG instead of a PNG
The dimensions of at least one texture are too large (width/height of the texture image in pixels)
The dimensions of at least one texture are too small ((width/height of the texture image in pixels))
Details on unsuccessful processing can be requested via Support.
Archicad export options for IFC files
In rare cases, there may be inconsistencies in the display of models exported from Archicad.
In such cases, we recommend the settings "Break down complex components into individual elements" and "BREP" when exporting the model.
Further information on exporting IFC models can be found in the Archicad help:
Help page Archicad
BIM, BCF, combine models, connect models, merge models, optimize loading times, improve loading times, prevent stalling
Updated on: 15/11/2024