To import 3D models

Import three-dimensional models created with Autodesk 3ds Max, Autodesk Revit, or AutoCAD Civil 3D to make your base model more realistic. You can also import 3D models into style catalogs and use them to style other objects in the model.

Do one of the following:
- Drag and drop the model file onto the InfraWorks 360 window.
- Click .
On the Data Sources panel, do the following:
- Click (Add File Data Source).
- Click 3D Model.
- Open the model file.
  InfraWorks 360 supports FBX, IMX, 3DS, OBJ, DAE, and DXF files.
Double-click the new data source to configure it.
On the Data Source Configuration screen, do the following:
- Specify a name for the model and, optionally, a description.
- Click the entry under Type and select an appropriate entry.
  For example, select Buildings if you are importing a 3D building model.
To change the coordinate system, origin, offset, scale, or rotation for the data, click the Geo Location tab.
Generally, InfraWorks 360 can position the incoming data automatically, based on the data itself.
To add a tooltip for the layer, access the Tooltip tab.
A tooltip displays at the top of the right-click menu for the data. For more information, see Create Tooltips During Data Import.
Click the 3D Model tab to adjust the model.
The preview display on this tab shows how the 3D model is affected by your settings. Those settings include:
- Render Detail — Use these settings to control how models of different sizes and levels of complexity are represented in the model.
  - Simplify Model reduces the number of triangles that define the shape of the model, which reduces detail.
  - Model Handling specifies how the model will be rendered. Try the Auto-adjust setting first, and make further adjustments only if necessary.
- Model Repair — Use these settings if the model does not appear as expected.
Click Close & Refresh to apply your changes and see the results in the model.

Advanced Tips

To add a 3D model to a style catalog, see To add a 3D model style.

If you change the coordinate system, specify the coordinate system of the incoming data (not the coordinate system of the model). If the imported data uses a different coordinate system than your model uses, InfraWorks 360 will transform the data to the model's coordinate system, without changing the original data store.

To control the positioning of a 3D model manually, enter X, Y, Z coordinates for the position settings, or click Interactive Placing to position the data in the model using your mouse.

When you place the 3D model interactively, you can use the mouse wheel in conjunction with a modifier key to adjust it. This is useful for 3D models that have no world file.

CTRL+mouse wheel	Scale the 3D model
ALT+mouse wheel	Rotate the 3D model
SHIFT+mouse wheel	Adjust the vertical translation of the 3D model

If you need to adjust the model handling, use these guidelines:

Auto-adjust	InfraWorks 360 determines the settings for the 3D model.	If the automatic setting applies LOD, you can change the LOD Distance setting by selecting LOD explicitly and then adjusting the LOD Distance.
Direct Display	InfraWorks 360 applies your settings for Simplify Model and the options under Repair Model, but does not adjust how the model is rendered.	Use this setting if the model uses a small number of triangles to define its shape, for example, a house with little detail.
Use LOD	InfraWorks 360 uses LOD (Level of Detail) to generate a series of simplifications, assigning the best one based on viewing distance. If you select this option, specify the LOD Distance.	Use this setting if the model has a great deal of detail with many triangles defining its shape, for example, a detailed city furniture model. LOD reduces the complexity of a 3D model as it moves away from the camera. The number of triangles defining the model are reduced to one quarter their previous value at each transition distance. (The transition levels are determined by the application.) The LOD Distance setting represents the first transition distance. At distances smaller than this, the model appears with full detail. Note: If you reduced the value for Simplify Model, the level of detail starts with the reduced value.
Tile	The surface of an InfraWorks 360 model is tiled to display graphics smoothly and efficiently. When a single object spans multiple tiles, its display can be erratic. If the object is on the periphery of the visible area of the model, it may not appear at all, or it may suddenly appear when the viewer pans closer to it. The Tile setting avoids these issues by permanently attaching the 3D model to multiple tiles. It does not affect your ability to view or manipulate the model.	Use this setting if the model has a large bounding box, and if much of the bounding box is empty. For example, a model of a bridge might span several kilometers, and the bounding box would contain a lot of empty space. The model will be imported in such a way that it can span multiple tiles in the model effectively.

Use the Repair Model settings to adjust the model when it does not appear as expected.

Invert Orientation — Inverts the direction of the face normals that make up each surface of the model.
Invert Transparency — Makes the transparent areas of the model solid and the solid areas transparent.
Invert Up Axis — Flips the model upside-down.
Flip Y and Z — Controls whether the 'up' axis runs along the Y or Z axis. Some applications use the Y axis as the 'up' direction while others use the Z axis.
Texture Blend Mode — Controls how texture images are combined with surface colors and lighting. Modulate tends to darken images while Decal lightens them.

Importing large 3D models (100 megabytes or larger, approximately) can affect performance. Models over a gigabyte in size cause the import operation to fail. If you have large 3D models, simplify them in their source applications (for example, in Autodesk Revit or 3ds Max) before importing them.