Knowledge Base
Find answers to frequently asked questions about our services, products, and processes.
How to successfully convert a Revit BIM model into a lightweight augmented reality experience for a construction site?
Export the Revit model as FBX or IFC, then decimate the mesh in Blender or Autodesk 3ds Max to mobile-friendly polygon counts (under 200K polygons). Divide the model into location-based sections, partitioned by floor or zone, that load independently based on the user's GPS or AR-tracked position on site: as the worker moves into a new section, the relevant 3D chunk streams in while distant sections unload from memory, keeping the app within typical mobile memory limits of 1 to 2GB usable. Use physical marker placement throughout the building so the AR app can use image recognition to accurately overlay the BIM plans onto the physical construction in real-time.
Can augmented reality be used effectively to detect structural MEP clashes before physical construction begins?
Yes. By overlaying the BIM model's MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) systems onto the physical construction site via AR, project managers can identify clashes between planned systems and actual as-built conditions in real-time. This "clash detection" during construction catches conflicts that even thorough BIM coordination misses, preventing expensive rework. Mixed reality headsets like Microsoft HoloLens are designed specifically for this use case: load the BIM model's MEP layers and you can walk the site seeing holographic overlays of ductwork, piping, and electrical conduits rendered at their planned positions within the physical space, one of the highest-value applications of AR in commercial construction. Tools like Dalux, Trimble Connect, and Autodesk BIM 360 support on-site AR clash visualization.