Order Contextual Data

You can acquire contextual data, such as terrain, for the Forma scenario to which your Revit model belongs.

Note: As a Forma Connected Client, Revit offers Forma capabilities that are part of a technology preview (tech preview), which means that it's new and continuously improving. Learn more.

Before ordering data, prepare the model to access Forma tools.

To order contextual data for your model

1. Click Massing & Site tab > Model site > (Contextual Data).

   The Contextual Data panel displays the types of data that are available for use in Revit. If any data types are disabled, they may be available for use with other Forma tools and applications.

   Tip: Order terrain first, then order buildings and other types of data. This approach ensures that the building elevations are automatically aligned to the terrain elevation.
2. Click Order contextual data.

   The Forma Contextual Data | Data Marketplace window displays information about data currently available for the model's geolocation.

3. Click a filter to narrow the results to a selected type of data.
4. To see details about a data offering, click Add.

   The window displays more information about the selected data. It also shows a map of the model's geolocation and a boundary for the selected data.

5. Adjust the boundary to define the extents of the data to be acquired.
   • If you define an area that is less than 2 kilometers square, the data can be converted to Revit elements.
   • If the defined area is more than 2 kilometers square, the data can be used for reference with the Revit model, but it cannot be converted.
   Note: Parcels and roads cannot currently be converted to Revit elements. This capability may be offered in the future.
6. Click Order.

The contextual data set is added to the scenario as a coordination model. It displays in the scenario list. In the list, its name reflects the date and time when the contextual data was acquired.

The contextual data is immediately visible in any view that displays coordination models. If you don't see it, try switching to a 3D view, and zoom in or out. Also, make sure you've defined the model elevation so the contextual data is correctly positioned relative to the model.

To adjust visibility settings of the contextual data in the view, type VG to open the Visibility/Graphics dialog. On the Coordination Models tab, for the row that lists the contextual data set, change the settings as desired.

When you select the contextual data set in a view, the Properties palette displays information about its origins under Identity Data: This data came from, Attribution License, and Attribution URL. These properties help to preserve details of its source.