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Importing a 3D file

You can import various 3D models into Innobrix. Innobrix has 4 types of Libraries, of which 3 can be used to import 3D files.

These four Library types are:

  • Models
  • Configurables
  • Home Types
  • Terrains

A 3D file can be imported into the following Libraries:

  • Models
  • Configurables
  • Terrains

Your BIM models are imported into the Models and Configurables libraries. Projects like BIM Publisher, Home Configurator, and Plan Configurator are driven by the content in these Libraries.

3D file formats​

Innobrix supports the following 3D formats:

  • IBX (.ibx)
  • glTF (.glb)
  • OBJ + MTL (.obj + .mtl and textures)
  • FBX (.fbx)

See also this link for more on importing and processing these files.

Models​

In the Models library you import models with no options. These are models exported using the Export without options button. Models can be styled in the Model Editor.

Model Import

Models with options

It is not possible to import models with options into a Models library.

Configurables​

In the Configurables library you import models with options. These are models where you used the Innobrix parameters in Revit and exported via the Generate and export button.

Configurable Library

Models without options

You can also import optionless models exported with the Export without options button into the Configurables library. You will not have option toggles that way, but you can still apply material switches.

Home Types​

Home Types are derived from Configurables (and to a limited extent Models) and are already configured with specific options and Home properties. You cannot upload models here. Hometype Library

Importing into a Configurables or Models Library​

Importing via the Configurables or Models page is the primary and recommended workflow to process your BIM models for use in projects and plans.

  1. Click the Configurables or Models page in Studio.

    • If your model has options, choose Configurables.
    • If your model has no options, choose Models.

  2. If no Library exists yet, or you need a new Library for the upcoming project, create one here. Otherwise choose an existing Library to import the model into.

  3. Click + Create new model or + Create new configurable to open the screen where you can drag and drop an IBX file. Alternatively, click the drag-and-drop field to open the file explorer and select an IBX file manually.

Model Library Import

Upload options​

There are several options when uploading a 3D file. These options generally improve the performance of models uploaded to the web.

Upload Configurable

  • Decimate complex mesh -> Reduces polygon count by simplifying geometry
  • Merge geometry -> Reduces polygons by merging vertices that overlap
  • Draco compression -> Compression algorithm that shrinks 3D model file size.

optimize model

All options above are enabled by default because they optimize the model for web use. Except in rare cases there is no reason to disable them. The optimization during processing is separate from the optimization you might apply yourself.

Points of attention​

Although importing usually goes smoothly, processing can sometimes stall and never progress beyond a certain percentage.

Common causes:

  • Use of incorrect or invalid parameters.
  • Extremely heavy model or heavy model group(s).
  • Corrupt geometry that cannot be processed correctly.

In these cases review the groups exported from Revit. If incorrect parameters are used, a Revit schedule can help track and verify them.

A heavy model or model groups often appear when you also send the full MEP model to Innobrix without a proper LOD. A concrete example is exporting a washing machine with all display elements, buttons, and hookups instead of a simple white mass placeholder.