3D 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 more fields:

     • If NavVis IVION detected the coordinate system information from the IFC file, the fields will be filled with that data.

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

     • We support the uploading of IFC files that incorporate embedded projected metric coordinate systems and accurately position them for display.

     • Examples of supported systems include UTM-based projections such as ETRS89 / UTM zone 32N (EPSG:25832), which is widely used in Europe.

       Note: Global geographic coordinate systems (e.g., WGS 84 EPSG:4326), as well as projected systems that do not use metric units (e.g., those using feet, such as NAD83 / California zone 3 EPSG:2227), are not supported.

       

   • 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

Moving the model in place

1. Click Move Model.

2. Click on a point in the model

3. Click on the corresponding point in the point cloud to link them together and the model with move to that point.

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

Rotating the model in place

1. Click Rotate Model.

2. Click on a 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.

Checking alignment in the 3D view

To check the alignment, you can switch to a 3D view. If you see any mis-alignment in the 3D view, you can go back to the 2D view and make minor alignment adjustments to the model.

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.

   • Select a color for that model.

   • Select the default color scheme.

   • Select random colors for the entites inside the model.

   • Adjust the slider to modify the model's opacity. This feature allows you to verify the models' alignment and identify any discrepancies.

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.

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.

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

Saving & publishing the model

Click Save & Publish changes in the bottom right corner of the screen to make them visible to authorized users.

Sharing the 3D Model

To share and collaborate on the 3D model with other people, copy the URL of the page.