March 2020
We live in a 3D world, and everyone is curious to see how Nearmap’s large-scale content can benefit their workflows. Nearmap's Judy Chang shows you how to import Nearmap's Point Cloud or Textured Mesh into Infraworks.
Since Nearmap launched 3D in June 2019, we’ve received tremendous interest from our customers and prospects. Among all the queries we get, the most frequently asked is: “Can I put Nearmap 3D into Revit?”
Many people use Revit for BIM designs and would like to visualize their models with some context of the surrounding environment. Nearmap offers four different types of 3D PRODUCTS: Textured Mesh, Point Cloud, Digital Surface Model (DSM) and TrueOrtho. Yes, our 3D point cloud does go into Revit, but you shouldn’t be putting our 3D Textured Mesh into Revit if you’d like to visualize your BIM with a background mesh.
We’ve been working closely with many CAD and BIM software vendors to help our mutual customers best utilize both products. And Autodesk is one of them. It has been established that Autodesk Infraworks is the most suitable solution for visualizing your Revit BIM design with Nearmap 3D. You can import either our Point Cloud or Textured Mesh into Infraworks.
Visualize BIM model with Nearmap Point Cloud
After you download the Point Cloud file from Nearmap’s new Exporting 3D within the MapBrowser, follow the below steps:
- If you’re using Revit 2019 or later, you’ll need to use ReCap to Autodesk Recap 360 - Point Cloud Integration. If you have Revit 2018 you can use Revit to convert .LAS to .RCP.
- Autodesk InfraWorks - Point Cloud Integration
- Generate Point Cloud Terrain to get a new ground surface layer to replace the default one at around sea level (optional – however it is easier if you do, so every object imported later will be placed at the correct z level without you having to shift)
- From Data Sources inside Infraworks you can then add your Revit model.
- When you configure the Revit model, choose Interactive Placing and you’ll be able to put your model wherever you double-click.
For more detailed instructions we’ve made a short tutorial video.
I put a white building next to the carpark in the example below.
Visualize BIM model with Nearmap Textured Mesh
For those who prefer to work with Textured Mesh, Nearmap 3D Export provides Textured Mesh in .3MX, .SLPK, Cesium Tiles, OBJ and .FBX formats. And amongst them .FBX can be imported into Infraworks the most seamlessly.
After you download the Textured Mesh file from Nearmap’s new 3D Export within the MapBrowser, follow the below steps:
- Open a new model in Infraworks
- Import your .FBX file from the white Add icon from Data Sources
- Configure the imported .FBX file by right clicking on the added mesh in Data Sources
- Open the “.fbx.ofs” file that comes with the mesh file from our MapBrowser
- Put the offset values in and set Type to Buildings and set Coordinate System accordingly
- In the 3D Model tab, set the Model Handling to Direct Display and click Close & Refresh
From there you can add your Revit model and configure with Interactive Placing too. Depending on the area you’re working on you’ll need to shift your Revit model vertically to place it at a suitable z level.
Visualizing BIM models with surrounding context can help you communicate your projects more effectively. Give Infraworks a try and let us know how you go or if you have any questions!
Judy Chang
Product Marketing Manager based in Sydney, Australia
Judy has been working in the geospatial industry for more than 10 years. She has extensive technical experience, and loves putting it to use to help customers work more efficiently and solve problems.
She’s worked at Sensis, HERE Technologies, NBN and MapData Services. Judy’s previous experience as a consultant providing professional services opened up her career in presales. She enjoys connecting with Nearmap users.
