Articles on: BIM

Overlaying Plans & Models


Benefits of Superimposing Plans and Models

By overlaying PDF plans onto the model, information can be incorporated that is either only available in the plan or that would be very time-consuming to model in 3D. This includes, for example, labels, symbols, detailed specifications, or spatial information that is missing from the model. In this way, the model is supplemented with additional content, which expands the information it contains and improves clarity.



Adding a PDF plan in the Model Viewer

In the Model Viewer, a PDF plan can be added to the model. Once added, the plan is processed by the system. Only PDF files are supported for overlaying plans.


Only the first page of the PDF will be processed. For multi-page plans, each page must be uploaded separately.



During processing, the model can be saved as a model assembly. For more information on creating model assemblies, see the following article: Creating Model Collections.



As soon as processing is completed, a notification will appear in Reporting Center.



Positioning a PDF Plan

After processing, the model assembly will display a message indicating that the plan has not yet been positioned. Using the plan's options, you can start the positioning process, rename the plan, open it, or remove it from the model assembly.



The scale is set at the beginning of the positioning process. The starting point can then be determined within the model. This point can be placed anywhere and aligns the plan with the selected area on which the starting point is set. To make positioning easier, the model can be cut to the desired area or certain elements can be hidden. If defined in the model, floor plan views can also be used.


To ensure that the overlay is displayed correctly, the plan must be at the correct scale.



In the next step, the plan is roughly aligned in the model. It can be moved horizontally and vertically, as well as rotated. Use the arrow keys for fine alignment. Press "Shift + arrow keys" to rotate the plan.



Saving the Position and Scale

The position and scale of a plan are saved project-wide. This means that once a plan has been positioned, it automatically appears in the same location and at the same scale when used in another model assembly of the same project. This allows the same plan to be reused in other model assemblies of the same project.


Positioning and scaling are only applied to new plan versions. If a plan is downloaded and then uploaded again, this information is lost.


Changes to a plan's position affect all model assemblies in which that plan is used. You can reopen and adjust the positioning at any time using the options. You can also change the scale or reset the starting point. You can cancel or save the positioning at any time.



Options for Editing and Viewing PDF Plans in Models

PDF plans added to a model assembly can be filtered, searched, and color-coded in the Model Viewer, just like the models. For more information on filtering and searching models, see the following article: Filter & Search Models.


You can customize the plan's display using the options in the viewer: If "Ignore Sections" is enabled, only the model is cut, not the plan. If this setting is disabled, the plan is also cut. The "Background Transparency" setting allows you to change the transparency of the plan. This setting is only saved when a view is created. For more information on creating model views, see the following article: Creating Model Views.



Effects of Changes to the PDF

Comments and drawings added to the PDF plan via online editing or in a local PDF program are transferred to the plan and also displayed in the model viewer. After changes are made to the PDF, the system reprocesses it. During this time, the plan cannot be displayed in the model. For more information on editing PDF documents, see the following articles: Online Editing of PDF Documents, Editing PDF Documents with Local Programs.


Updated on: 25/06/2026