Model Management

Introduction

Integrate BIM models and visualize them next to point clouds directly within NavVis IVION by importing IFC files.

The Model Management tool allows you to upload and align models with a point cloud. Once the model is correctly aligned, it can be visualized in the navigation mode and Mark & Measure. Refer to Working with Models.

Requirements

Navvis version 11.3.0 and greater

NavVis supports IFC files based on the following buildingSMART International (bSI) data exchange standards: IFC2X3, IFC4x1, IFC4x2, IFX4x3 RC3,...

What are IFC files?

The Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) is a file format that provides an interoperability solution between different software applications. The format establishes international standards to import building objects and their properties. IFC improves communication, productivity, delivery time, and quality throughout the life cycle of a building. It reduces the loss of information during transmission from one application to another, with established standards for common objects in the building industry.

Uploading a model

1. Select Model Management tool from the NavVis IVION side menu.
   

2. Click Upload Model in the bottom right corner.

3. Navigate to your .ifc file and click Upload.

4. Select the method of placing the model:

   • If you want to place the model using the site information (site origin), click Move model origin to site origin, then click Upload Model.

     • If you put your mouse over the information icon, it will display coordinate information that was created when the site was create.

   • If you know the referenced information from the model, click Select the coordinate system. This information would have been created when the IFC files was created in the model application. When this selection is clicked the screen extends down to display the following:

     • If NavVis IVION detected the coordinate system information from the IFC file, the fields will be pre-filled.

     • If the coordinate system information is empty, enter the information manually referencing the IFC model application.

       

   • If you want to select the location by clicking on a map or entering an address, click Select location on the map, then click Next.
     

   • The following screen is displayed, either enter the address or coordinates or click on the location in the map displayed. The location will be identified with a blue crossed circle.

     When the location is selected, click Upload.
     

Aligning a model to a point cloud

Once you have imported the model, you must now align it to the point cloud. The following shows you how to use the model alignment tools.

Viewing side and top views

Use the buttons on the top right corner to change the angle from which you are viewing the model.

Rotating the view

Use the compass button in the bottom right corner of the screen to rotate the view of the model.

Unlocking a model for transformation

1. Unlock the model by clicking on the padlock icon.

2. This will open the transformation tools tab in the bottom right of the screen.

Moving and rotating

You can drag the model and move and rotate it by changing its axis and rotation values or by aligning points manually or with the Move Model tool.

You can also change the values by placing your mouse in the box of the value you wish to change and scrolling up and down.

Aligning a model

1. Click on Move Model

2. Click on a point in the model

3. Click on the corresponding point in the point cloud to link them together.  

Note: Make sure to align the model from all angles.

Rotating a model

1. Click on Rotate Model.

2. Click on one point to define it as the center of the rotation.

3. Click on a second point to define it as the first rotation axis.

4. Click on a third point to define it as the second rotation axis.

Note: You can only rotate from the top view mode.

Visibility of model and entities

Show or hide the model by clicking on the eye icon next to its name.

Changing the color and opacity of the model and its entities

1. Expand the tree on the right side of the screen and place your mouse over the model you want to edit.

2. Click on the color wheel.

3. Select a color for that model.

4. Click the slider and move it to change the opacity of the model. Use this to check the alignment of the models and for any deviations.

Expanding to view model entities

Click the arrow to the left of the model to view the list of model entities.

Editing the name and permissions

1. Place your mouse over the model you want to edit.

2. Click on the pencil icon.

3. Edit the name of the model, and editing and viewing permissions in the pop up.

Deleting the model

1. Place your mouse over the model you want to edit.

2. Click on the pencil icon.

3. Click on the red trash icon to delete the model.

Locating the model

Click on the target icon next to the model’s name to navigate to it.

Saving & publishing the model

While changes are automatically saved, click on Save & Publish changes in the bottom right corner of the screen to make them visible to authorized users.