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Positioning and editing PDF plans in models


Advantage of overlaying plans in models

By overlaying PDF plans with the model, information can be integrated that is either only available in the plan or would involve a great deal of effort to model in the 3D model. This includes, for example, labels, symbols, details or spatial information that is missing from the model. In this way, additional content is added to the model, which increases the information content and improves clarity. This facilitates coordination between planning and execution, supports coordination on the construction site and enables better quality assurance.


The overlay of plans in models is currently still being introduced on buildagil and is only available in the preview version. As this is a development status, there may still be changes until the general release.



Adding a PDF plan in the model viewer

A PDF plan can be added to the model in the model viewer. After uploading, the plan is processed by the system.


Only PDF files can be added to the model compilation.



During processing, the model can be saved as a model compilation. For more information on creating model compilations, please refer to the following article: Creating model compilations.



As soon as processing is completed, a notification is displayed in Reporting center.


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



Positioning a PDF plan

After processing, it is marked in the model compilation that the plan has not yet been positioned. Positioning can be started via the plan options and the plan can be renamed, opened or removed from the model compilation.



The scale is defined at the start of positioning. The starting point in the model can then be determined. This can be set anywhere, even vertically on a surface. To make positioning easier, the model can be cut to the desired position or certain elements can be hidden. If defined in the model, floor plan views can also be used.


In order for the overlay to be displayed correctly, the plan and model must be at the same scale.



In the next step, the plan is roughly aligned in the model. It can be moved horizontally and vertically and rotated. The arrow keys are available for fine alignment. The plan can be rotated using "Shift + arrow keys". The left arrow key rotates to the left and the right arrow key rotates to the right.



Saving the position and scaling

The position and scaling of a plan are saved project-wide. This allows the same plan to be reused in other model compilations of the same project. If a plan is downloaded and uploaded again, this information is lost unless the existing plan is overwritten on buildagil. Changes to the position of a plan affect all model compilations in which this plan is used. The positioning can be reopened and adjusted at any time using the options. You can also change the scale or set a new starting point. The positioning can be canceled or saved at any time.



Editing and display options for PDF plans in models

PDF plans that have been added to a model compilation can be filtered, searched and colored in the model viewer, analogous to the models. Further information on filtering & searching models can be found in the following article: Filter & search models.


The display of the plan can be adjusted via the options in the viewer: If "Ignore cuts" is activated, only the model, but not the plan, is cut. If the setting is deactivated, the plan is also cut. With the Background transparency setting, the white area of the plan is displayed transparently. This setting is only saved when a view is created. You can find more information on creating model views in the following article: Creating model views.



Effects of changes to the PDF

Comments and drawings added to the PDF plan via online editing are transferred to the plan and also displayed in the model viewer. After changes have been made to the PDF, the system processes it again. During this time, the plan cannot be displayed in the model. You can find further information on editing PDF documents online in the following article: Online editing of PDF documents.


Updated on: 29/10/2025