Import CAD & BIM models

Contents

• Import overview
• Specific import scenarios
  • Same coordinate system and the same unit
  • Same coordinate system and different units
  • Different coordinate systems and the same unit 
  • Different coordinate systems and different units

Import overview

• Navigate to File > Import, select Drawing File Format from Files of type, and select your file. 
• From the Offset drop-down, choose: 
  • A point cloud that shares the same coordinate system as the model. 
  • Origin, if the model and point cloud are not in the same coordinate system.  
• Select the relevant Unit conversion option to display the model in the same unit as the point cloud. You can convert feet, inches, centimeters, and millimeters into meters. 
• From the Use case dropdown, choose 
  • Fast Rendering for high-performance rendering. This mode supports nearly all entities. If you are aiming to visualize models, choose this option. Be aware that in this mode, you won't be able to clone models or snap to models.  
  • Editing mode for special cases like importing custom grids or small and simple drawings. In Editing mode, only point, line, arc, and circle entities are supported. 
• Then, press Open to import the model. 
• The imported model will be listed in the Object List. 
• Not supported entities of your model will be listed in the Console.
• If your model covers a large area, you may need to increase the Far plane of the active camera.

For a list of supported DWG & DXF entities, see here.

Specific import scenarios

If your model and point clouds are exported from separate software packages, they may be in different coordinate systems or units. Please review the scenarios below for the right import setup. 

Same coordinate system and the same unit

• From the Offset dropdown, choose the point cloud with the same coordinate system as the model.  
• Leave Unit conversion at None. 
• The model will then be automatically positioned during import. 

Same coordinate system and different units

• From the Offset dropdown, choose the point cloud with the same coordinate system as the model. 
• Choose the right Unit conversion.
• The model will then be automatically positioned and correctly scaled during import. 

Different coordinate systems and the same unit 

• From the Offset dropdown, choose Origin. 
• Leave Unit conversion at None. 
• Manually align the model after import. 

Different coordinate systems and different units

• From the Offset dropdown, choose Origin. 
• Choose the right Unit conversion.
• Manually align the model after import.

Explore about manual alignment.

If you imported a floor plan with Offset > Reference point cloud, and the plan appears above or underneath the point cloud, follow this easy fix: select the plan in the Object List, click the translation icon  in the toolbar, and drag the z-axis handle to bring the plan to the desired level.

If you imported an elevation or section plan with Offset > Reference point cloud, but the point cloud and the plan are not visible in the same frame, then re-import the plan with Offset > Origin and manually align it.