Model Viewer (BIM)

  • Updated on Jun 26, 2025
  • Published on Jun 25, 2025
  • 3 minute(s) read
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You can visualise an IFC file,  IFCZIP file or a federated folder with a combination of IFC and IFCZIP files. You have many tools to adjust the view based on your requirements. Model Viewer is one such tool.

1.How to Visualise an IFC file or an IFCZIP file

  1. In the 12d Synergy Client application, select the required IFC or IFCZIP file you want to visualise.

    The Visualise icon is displayed in the quick-access toolbar.


  2. Click the tiny arrow displayed on the right of the Visualise icon and select the Visualise file option.
    The file is opened in the Model Viewer.

2.How to Visualise a Federated Folder

A federated folder is marked as such when it is created, and it contains IFC files or IFCZIP files.

To create a federated folder, the Is a federated model folder checkbox has to be selected in the Create a Folder window. Alternatively, an existing folder can be edited to be a federated model folder. (Right-click the folder, select Edit folder option, and select the Is a federated model folder checkbox in the General tab > General tab.)

  1. In the 12d Synergy Client application, select the federated folder that has the IFC files.

    The Visualise icon is displayed in the quick-access toolbar.

  2. Click the little arrow displayed against the Visualise icon and select the Visualise Folder option.
    All the IFC files are opened in the Model Viewer. To confirm that, you can click the Select Models to show  icon to view the list of models displayed in the view.

     

    You can visualise a federated folder from the Edit a folder window also.

    To confirm which IFC files are shown in the federate viewer, click the Select Models to show  icon to view the list of models displayed in the view.



    You can select/clear the checkboxes to visualise/turn off the IFC files in the federated model viewer.

3.Icons on the BIM Viewer

Icon

Name

What it does

Version of the file list

You can select the version of the IFC file you want to view.

However, if you are visualizing a federated IFC Folder, then this list is not displayed.

Select Models to show

When you visualise an IFC folder, the different models that make up the federated folder are displayed when you click this icon. You can select a single model or a combination of models to view.
However, if you select a single IFC file, then only one model (the one you are viewing) is displayed as an option.

Object Browser

You can select the required entity(element) from the object browser. The selected entity is highlighted in the view.
Also, if any issues are raised, you can view them from this panel.

Properties

You can see the properties of the entity(element) selected in the Object Browser panel (described above).

Ruler

You can use this to measure the actual distance between any two points on the view. Also, the distance of the points from the X, Y and Z axis are displayed.

Create an issue

You can create an issue with an anchor point in the model.

 

Pan

You can move the view laterally.

Orbit

To orbit the view around the centre of the view or any selected drag point.

Zoom

You can zoom in and zoom out.

Slice

You can slice all models in the view along a predefined axis (x,y or z axis).

Render Mode

You can render the view in the following modes:

  • Wireframe

  • Flat Shading

  • Gourad

  • Flat headed with Wireframe

Perspective

You can select an area on the view to be able to see a zoomed in version of that area.

Background Colour

You can change the background colour of the view.

Regenerate All

If any of the IFC files in the Federated folder have been edited/updated, you can regenerate the federated model view with the latest IFC files.

Reload

You can always go back to the original view by reloading the view.

Clash Detection

This icon is displayed only when you select a federated folder.

Right-click Option

What it does

Hide

You can hide the selected entity (element) from the view. For instance, you can hide a door from the file view.

Show all

Once you hide an entity(element), you can view it again by selecting this option.

Show Properties

You can view the properties of a selected entity (element) by clicking this icon. This action can also be completed by using the Properties icon on the ribbon.

Clear Selection

Clears any selection made on the view