Introduction
In this guide you can learn how to navigate BIM models and use the available BIM Viewer tools on both the Web and Mobile application to efficiently support your quality and safety management workflows directly within the 3D model.
Beta
The BIM Viewer is currently in beta, and your feedback helps us shape its future development. Whether you encounter a bug, experience performance issues or have suggestions for improvements, we'd love to hear from you.
When reporting an issue, please include the device/browser, IFC file size, steps to reproduce and screenshots or a short screen recording where possible.
Please contact your dedicated Customer Success Manager or Account Manager to communicate improvements, suggestions, bugs or other feedback.
Table of Contents
System Requirements
How to upload and open an IFC model
Interface Overview - Web version
BIM Viewer Navigation - Web version
Objects menu - Web version
Interface Overview - Mobile version
BIM Viewer Navigation - Mobile version
Objects menu - Mobile version
Creating Points in BIM
Relevant Known Limitations & Unsupported Features
Practical Bèta Troubleshooting
1. System Requirements
Minimum required specifications Windows Desktop:
Windows 10, Windows 11 (or newer)
At least 8 GB system RAM, on a 64-bit browser with WebGL 2
Minimum required specifications iOS/Android :
iOS 18 (or newer) with at least 6 GB device RAM
Android 8 / API 26 (or newer) with at least 6 GB device RAM
Note: for the best user experience for navigating the 3D View building model on BIM Viewer Web, we highly recommend to use a mouse instead of a trackpad.
2. How to upload and open an IFC model
Uploading and opening IFC models follows a similar process to managing documents and 2D plans in the application. Once uploaded, the model becomes available in the BIM Viewer.
Related FAQ: How to Upload a Document – Help Center
FYI – Automatic 2D Floor Plan Generation
When uploading an IFC file, the application automatically detects the building's floors and generates the corresponding 2D floor plans.
This functionality is still being further developed and improved. We're also exploring the possibility of manually adjusting floor levels and 2D plans when they aren't correctly detected or generated.
3. Interface Overview - Web version
A) Title of the .IFC file.
B) Expand/Collapse object panel/2D View.
C) Choose between Free Roam and Floor level view modes in the 3D View.
D) 3D View options.
E) Reset 3D View.
F) Hide/Show 3D View.
G) Toggle on/off Adaptive Navigation.
H) Display 2D View on the left/right, or turn off.
I) Add a new point.
J) Close BIM Viewer.
K) Expand/Collapse properties/points panel.
L) Current location in the 3D View.
M) 2D Viewer plan options: hide/show Room names.
N) Your current view location in the 3D View.
O) 2D View plan.
P) 3D View model.
3D View Modes - Web version
To choose the view mode your camera uses in the 3D Viewer, click on the Level drop-down menu shown in the image below:
Free roam: lets you move through the model in any direction, exploring it at your own pace.
Ground Floor: shows the model from the ground floor level, so you can focus on the spaces at street level.
Roof: shows the model from above, with the roof and upper levels in view.
Note: with the Ground Floor, Roof, or other floor view modes, your camera will remain locked to the storey.
4. BIM Viewer Navigation - Web version
Use these controls to navigate the BIM Viewer with your mouse and keyboard.
Look around
This enables the user to view their surroundings. This is active as long as no object is selected.
Look around model (orbiting)
Hold left-mouse-button + drag:
Look around with camera (look around)
Hold right-mouse-button + drag:
Move, Strafe, Pedestal
This enables the user to move in the plane of the screen.
Keyboard movements:
Move forward = QWERTY: W (AZERTY: Z)
Move backward = QWERTY: S (AZERTY: S)
Move left/Strafe = QWERTY: A (AZERTY: Q)
Move right/Strafe = QWERTY: D (AZERTY: D)
Move up-down/Pedestal = Hold middle mouse button + move up-down
Using Move/Strafe/Pedestal while looking around:
Click and hold the right-mouse-button while moving with the keyboard keys to choose your direction while looking around.
Click and hold the left-mouse-button while moving with the keyboard keys to choose your direction while moving around the model.
Move
Move forward = W
Move backward = S
Strafe
Strafe left = A
Strafe right = D
Pedestal
Hold the middle mouse button + slide cursor up/down:
Moving around (ie. “Walk around”)
This enables you to move orthogonal to the screen.
Move cursor + move backward/forward with keyboard (or use the mouse-scroll-wheel to zoom in/out):
Select/Un-select Object
Click on the object to select it / click on the selected object to un-select it:
Rotate around Selected Object
This allows you to orbit around points of interest. Rotation only works if the objects are selected [Check exception for cursor keys on web]. The rotation takes place around the center of selected objects.
Hold left-mouse-button + drag to orbit around the selected object:
Note: this action can only be performed in the Web application.
Select Multiple Objects
Press and hold Command (Mac) / Control (Windows) + left-mouse-click on an object:
Note: this action can only be performed in the Web application.
5. Objects menu - Web version
1. To access the Objects menu, click on the side panel button in the top-left corner:
2. The Objects menu consists of a search bar, the Objects tab, Storeys tab, and the Classes tab:
Objects tab: Displays the individual BIM objects available in the model, organised into groups. Expand a group to view its objects and use the checkboxes to show or hide them.
Storeys tab: Groups BIM objects by building level, allowing you to easily show or hide objects belonging to a specific floor.
Classes tab: Groups BIM objects by their IFC classification, such as walls, doors, windows or columns. This makes it easy to manage the visibility of similar objects throughout the model.
Tip: Use the Classes tab to quickly hide all objects of a specific type, such as walls, to get a clearer view of the building's interior.
3. To hide a selected object, click on the checked box; the object will be invisible when the box is unchecked:
4. To hide an entire Object or Storey group, de-select the group's checkbox and all the objects within that group will be invisible:
6. Interface Overview - Mobile version
A) Objects, Storeys, and Classes menu.
B) Choose between Free Roam and Floor level view modes in the 3D View.
C) Add a new point.
D) Switch between 3D model files by tapping on the arrows.
E) Tap the cross to close the BIM Viewer.
F) Title of the .IFC Building model file.
G) List of added points. If no point is added, you can add a new point via this button too.
H) 3D View building model.
3D View Modes - Mobile version
To choose the view mode your camera uses in the 3D Viewer, tap on the button shown in the image below:
Free roam: lets you move through the model in any direction, exploring it at your own pace.
Ground Floor: shows the model from the ground floor level, so you can focus on the spaces at street level.
Roof: shows the model from above, with the roof and upper levels in view.
Show 2D window: displays the model’s windows as flat 2D elements, so you can review their positions and sizes.
Note: with the Ground Floor, Roof, or other floor view modes, your camera will remain locked to the storey.
7. BIM Viewer Navigation - Mobile version
Look around
This enables the user to view their surroundings. This is active as long as no object is selected.
Drag 1 finger over the screen to look around:
Strafe/Pedestal
This enables the user to move in the plane of the screen.
Strafe
Use a 2 finger drag horizontally to strafe sideways:
Pedestal
Use a 2 finger drag vertically to pedestal up/down:
Move back and forth (ie. “Walk around”)
This enables the user to move orthogonal to the screen.
Move forward= Zoom in/2 finger expand
Move backward= Zoom out/2 finger pinch
Walking around: You can walk around by combining zooming in (2 finger expand) + looking around (1 finger drag).
Select object/Un-select object
Tap on the object to select it. Once selected, the object is highlighted in red. Tap on the selected object to un-select it:
8. Objects Menu - Mobile version
1. To access the Objects menu, tap on the Objects meny button in the bottom-left corner:
2. The Objects menu consists of a search bar (magnifying glass), the Objects tab, Storeys tab, and the Classes tab:
Objects tab: This tab contains all the unique object groups. Tap on the arrow to the left of the object group's checkbox to expand and view all the unique objects within the group.
Storeys tab: The Storeys tab works the same way as the Objects tab. Its main difference is that it groups objects by storey (floor level).
Classes tab: On the Classes tab, objects are listed by type, so every door appears together, every column appears together, and every wall appears together. The Objects tab works differently: it lets you group items individually, so you can create a unique door or wall and keep it with related items.
3. To hide a selected object, Tap on the checked box; the object will be invisible when the box is unchecked.
4. To hide an entire Object or Storey group, de-select the group's checkbox and all the objects within that group will be invisible.
9. Creating Points in BIM
Creating Points in the BIM Viewer is similar to creating Points on 2D plans. Instead of placing a Point on a drawing, you can create it directly on a 3D object in the BIM model and fill in the usual Point information.
BIM-linked Points can be managed through the application's existing Points interface, just like Points associated with 2D plans. You can review their snapshots & other details, update information and follow up on their status.
Related FAQs:
10. Relevant Known Limitations & Unsupported Features
The BIM Viewer is currently available in beta. The following capabilities are not yet supported or are still being evaluated for future development. Their inclusion in this list does not guarantee a future release.
Only .IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) files are supported. The .RVT(Revit) file format is not yet supported.
IFC files up to approximately 450 MB are currently supported.
It is possible to only view 1 model at a time.
Clash detection.
Model versions are not yet supported.
Out-of-the-box integrations (ex. BIM collab, Autodesk Forma/Docs, Revit) are not available.
Support for local BIM object catalogs.
BCF import/export to bring Aproplan/Quality Management issues linked to objects in/out of the app.
Measurement tools.
Specific navigation tools: Clipping planes, standard views, object transparency.
Forms workflows with BIM.
11. Practical Beta Troubleshooting
Issue | Recommended guidanc |
Model won't upload | Check file format, size and supported IFC version. |
Model doesn't load | Check browser/device compatibility, available memory or network/connection. |
Poor performance | Try a smaller or optimised model and close unnecessary applications. Check network/connection. |
Missing floors or rooms | Verify the IFC structure and report unexpected detection results. |
Missing objects | Check whether the object, class or storey is hidden. |
BIM-linked Point not visible | Check project/list access, filters and model context. |
Got a problem? Contact our support here or ask your questions online directly on the app!