BIM models

To display a BIM model in the map, tap in the map toolbar to open the Layer manager and select the Map files tab. Tap the BIM model file once to make it visible (), and tap it again to make items in the file selectable (). For more information, see To manage map files.

To make only some layers visible or selectable, tap the arrow next to the file name and then tap each layer once to hide it, or twice to make it visible but not selectable. Tap the layer again to make it visible and selectable. Note that for IFC files, layers are named based on the IFCPRESENTATIONLAYERASSIGNMENT attribute in the IFC file.

To see more clearly inside a model, use the Limit box to exclude parts of the model such as floors or exterior walls. See Limit box.

Objects in BIM models can be displayed as solid objects, or you can make the object semi-transparent. To make the object more transparent, tap and select Settings. In the BIM models group box, select a Transparency value greater than 0%.

You can also display the model as a wireframe rather than as a solid object. Displaying as a wireframe enables you to see more detail in the BIM model and makes it easier to select the correct points or lines for stakeout. To view the model as a wireframe, tap and select Settings. In the BIM models group box, select Wireframe in the Display field. If you frequently switch between wireframe and solid views, you can configure a function key on the controller to switch between the wireframe and solid view of the BIM model. For more information, see Map settings.

To rotate the BIM model in the map, tap and then tap the map and drag to rotate the view. The icon in the center of the map indicates the point of orbit.

To improve performance, the map may not display very small items or details until the map is zoomed in to an appropriate zoom level.

If the controller is connected to a Trimble SX10 or SX12 scanning total station, you can view data from BIM models overlaid on the video feed. To show or hide individual files, or individual layers within a file, tap in the Video toolbar to open the Layer manager and select the Map files tab.

To display the model as a wireframe, a solid object, or both, in the Video screen tap and then select Settings.

You can select items in the BIM model from the map and then use them in other software functions, for example to perform a Cogo calculation, create a surface, or stake out. Tap an item in the BIM model to select it. You cannot drag a box around multiple items in a BIM model to select them.

You can select vertices, edges, curved edges (polyedges, such as the rim of a cylinder), grid lines, or surfaces.

To select a surface the BIM model must be shown in the map as a solid object, not as a wireframe.

You can choose whether selecting surfaces in the map selects Individual faces or selects the Whole object. To change the Surface selection mode, tap and select Settings. In the BIM models group box, select your preferred option from the Surface selection mode field. See Map settings.

For example:

• When measuring to the top of a concrete slab, select the Individual faces option and then select the top surface of the slab to ensure that when measuring to the surface the software will measure only to the top surface rather than to the closest point of the whole concrete slab.

• When performing a surface inspection of a square pillar, select the Whole object option so that when you tap the pillar all 6 faces of the pillar are selected and used in the inspection.

To select all surfaces in the map, tap and hold on the map and choose Select all surfaces. Trimble Access selects every selectable surface in all BIM models that are currently set to selectable in the Layer manager. If the Surface selection mode is set to Individual faces, then each face is selected as separate surfaces. If the Surface selection mode is set to Whole object, then all surfaces in the map are selected as a whole object surface.

A selected surface is oriented so that it faces outward from the object it is part of. The outside surface is highlighted blue and the inside surface is highlighted red. Sometimes BIM models are not oriented correctly and the surfaces are back to front. In many instances this does not matter, for example Compute center point, Compute center line and Measure to surface are not sensitive to which surface face is selected. However, Surface inspection and the Point, edge, plane method when performing an object oriented setup are both sensitive to the displayed surface orientation. To select the other face of the selected surface, tap and hold in the map and select Reverse faces.

To measure to a surface in a BIM model, select the surface in the map and then select Measure to selected surface from the tap and hold menu. This is useful in determining the perpendicular distance from the physical surface to the design.

To review attribute information for vertices, edges, and surfaces in a BIM file, select the items in the map and then tap Review. If you selected more than one item, select it from the list and tap Details.

To compute the center point of a surface in a BIM model, select the surface in the map and then select Compute center point from the tap and hold menu. This is useful to find the center point of a bolt or cylinder so you can then stake it out. See Compute center point.

To compute the centerline of any tube-like item in a BIM model, such as a pipe or cylinder, select it in the map and then select Compute centerline from the tap and hold menu. The software computes a polyline that runs along the center of the item. See Compute centerline.

You can stake vertices and stake them as points or select edges, curved edges, or grid lines and stake them as lines directly from BIM models.

1. Tap in the map toolbar to open the Layer manager and select the Map files tab. Tap the BIM model once to make it visible (), and tap it again to make items in the file selectable ().
2. Tap the items in the map to select them. You must tap each point or line in the BIM model you want to select.
3. Tap Stakeout or press Enter on the controller keypad.
4. To save the BIM model attributes for the selected item with the as-staked point, tap Options in the Stake out screen and set the As-staked code to Design file attributes. See As‑staked point details.

If required, you can create points from vertices in the file and save the points to the job.

1. Select the vertex (or vertices) in the map.
2. Tap and hold in the map and select Create point.

3. For each vertex, enter the Point name.

4. If required, enter the code for the point in the Code field.

5. Tap Store.