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In this section, you will learn how to navigate the 3D model, use the tools in the taskbar, and customize the view as needed. The viewer provides you with a simple and efficient way to explore the models directly in the browser. Some features are somewhat simplified in the viewer for model based issue management but still cover the main needs for viewing and follow-up.

 

Basic Navigation

When the 3D model opens, you start in a bird’s-eye view outside the model, looking down on it. From here, you can navigate and orient yourself by choosing one of three modes: Explore Mode, Walk Mode, or 2D Drawing Mode.
 

Explore Mode

In Explore Mode, you can move freely within the model. This gives you full control over the perspective and is especially useful for inspecting details or viewing the entire project from different angles. This mode is enabled by default.

How to use this mode:

• Rotate the model by clicking and dragging with the left mouse button.

  • The model rotates around the point where you press the mouse button.

• Zoom with the mouse wheel.

• Pan by holding down the right mouse button and dragging.

• Using the Keyboard (A, W, S, D) can be used to move forward, backward, and sideways. The Q and E keys can be used to rotate around your own axis.

Tip: Explore mode works best when you want an overview or want to see the model from the outside.

 

Walk Mode

In Walk Mode, you simulate walking inside the model, as if you are physically moving through the building. It is often used for visual reviews or inspections. The mode can be enabled via the taskbar ( ). 

How to use this mode:

• Use the W / A / S / D keys to walk forward, backward, and sideways.

• Alternatively, use the arrow keys for the same tasks.

• Hold the left mouse button to look around.

• Pan by holding down the right mouse button and dragging.

Tip: Walk mode is ideal for experiencing the model from a human perspective.

2D Drawing Mode.

In 2D Drawing Mode, you can directly navigate to the desired position in the 3D model by clicking on a specific room or area. The mode can be enabled by clicking the 2D button. By clicking fullscreen, you can view the drawing at full size.

How to use this mode:

• Click 2D to display the generated floor plan.
• (Optional) Click Fullscreen to display the floor plan across the entire screen.
• Use the settings at the bottom of the screen to select the discipline and/or floor you want to navigate to.
• Use the mouse wheel to zoom in/out.
• Hold down the left mouse button and drag to pan (move) within the drawing.
• Click with the left mouse button in the drawing to move to the desired location in both 2D and 3D.
• Close the 2D view. You will then see that you have moved from outside the model to the selected location.

Tip: To more easily confirm that you have arrived at the correct position, we recommend using split view. This way, you have an overview of where you are in both 2D and 3D views.

Taskbar

The taskbar is centered at the bottom of the screen. It looks like this , and contains the following functions:

• Home Button - Sends you out to the same overview image as when you open the model. All other settings remain enabled.
   
• Measurement Tool - The user can choose between two different measurement tools: "Measurement" and "Multiple Axes".
  • Measurement (Point to Point)
    • Click on a point. This becomes the starting point for the measurement.
    • Click on point no. 2. This becomes the end point for the measurement (The result is shown immediately).
    • To change the measurement, click and hold one of the points and move it to the desired position (The new measurement is shown immediately).
    • If the measurement is at an angle, the user will see the horizontal and vertical lengths in addition to the desired measurement.
  • Multiple Axes (Cross Measurement)
    • Click on the object the user wants measured. Automatically, measurements in vertical, horizontal, and perpendicular directions to the object are shown (stopping at the opposing object).
    • To adjust the placement of the measurement, click on the center of the laser and move to the new desired measurement. (The new measurement is shown immediately).
    • If you want to move the measurement point (e.g., next object edge), use the arrows for adjustment . 

Both measurements are ended by clicking the measurement icon and then "remove all".

Note! All measurements with less than 2mm deviation are not shown in the viewer

•  

  • Section Tool - The user can choose between two different section tools: "Section Plane" or "Section Box".
    • Section Plane (Single Section)
      • Click on the section plane to create a single section.
      • Select the object where you want to create a section (The section is automatically created perpendicular to the point the user selects)
        • To move the section, you can choose either:
      • Click and hold with the left mouse pointer on the arrow button and drag back and forth. 
      • Click on the eye above the taskbar to hide the section plane view.
      • Click "Flip direction" to rotate the section plane 180 degrees.

  

• Section Box (Section on all 4 edges of the object)
  • Click on "Section Box" to create a box.
  • Select the object where you want to create a box (the box is automatically created in all directions around the object).
  • Click and hold the left mouse pointer on the arrow button and drag back and forth in all directions to increase the area the box includes in the view.
  • Click on the eye above the taskbar to hide the section plane view.
    
    

• Reset
  • The user clicks on and all adjustments or tasks performed are reset to the original view and viewing window.
• Settings
  • Language - Options are Norwegian, English, and Swedish.
  • Measurement Unit - Options are m, cm, and mm.
  • Highlight on Hover - Shows transparent boxes of room volume (if available in the model).
  • Navigation Cube - For easier viewing perpendicular to the model from multiple angles. 
  • Background Color - For personal expression, you can choose the background color in the view yourself.

Working with an Object

To work with an object, right-click on the object in the model to bring up a task menu. The following action points can be done from here:

Hide / Show All

By clicking "Hide," the user can hide the display of the object. Click Show All for all hidden objects to reappear in the view. 

 

Make Transparent

By clicking "Make Transparent," the selection is not completely hidden but made transparent.

Isolate

By clicking "Isolate," all other objects are hidden, and the user can focus only on the selected object.

Information and Filter

Information and filter are located at the top right of the view and contain information about objects. This allows the user to filter at the object level or higher level (model, floor, object types, etc.).

Information

The information field shows all available information that the object carries from the IFC file.

Filter

The filter contains all parameters found in the IFC file and filters based on them.

Hierarchy

Filter between all higher-level groupings found in the IFC file. The most used here is filtering based on categories: Wall, floor, windows, etc...