To import a 3D model into a style catalog

You can import a 3D model into a style catalog as a new style. A 3D model in a style catalog is called an "instanced model style," and can be used to style any object.

For example, import a 3D model of a house and use it to replace the style for a house object. Import a model of a tree or shrub and use it to style or create trees and shrubs in the model. Users can also edit the spacing and variance of 3D model styles.

  1. Click .
  2. Click the 3D Model tab on the left side of the Style Palette.
  3. From the style catalog list, open the catalog for the new style.

    If necessary, open a sub-folder for the style.

  4. In the Style Editing area (at the bottom of the palette), click (Add a New Style to the Current Catalog Above).
  5. Click the Browse button for the Model URI, navigate to the model file, and open it. You must specify a file of the type FBX, 3DS, OBJ, DAE, or DXF.

    Click and drag in the preview to rotate the model image. Enlarge the dialog box to see a larger preview. You can also display the bounding box for the image, or display the preview on a grid. When you display a grid, you can control the grid spacing. To return to the original preview orientation, click Reset Preview.

  6. Indicate the model's anchor point, if necessary.
  7. Use the Render Detail settings to control how models of different sizes and levels of complexity are represented in the model.
    • 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.

      • For details on the Model Handling and Model Repair settings, see the Advanced Tips section below.

  8. Specify translation, rotation, and scaling values for each axis of the model.

    Translation moves the model along the specified axis. To change the value for the Translation, enter a positive or negative number for the X, Y, or Z axes. For example, to move the model to the right, enter a positive value for X.

    Rotation changes the angle of the model. To change the value for Rotation, enter values in degrees for the X, Y, or Z axes. For example, to turn the model perpendicular to its original position on the ground, enter 90 in the Z field.

    To resize the model, enter multiplying values for Scaling for the X, Y, or Z axes. For example, to make the model twice as tall, enter 2 in the Z field.

  9. When you are finished, click OK in the Style Editor.

    The style thumbnail appears in the catalog. Click in the name area to rename it.

Advanced Tips

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.

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