Importing an External Model
Introduction
External models are models generated by systems or software other than DatuBIM. To import a model into DatuBIM, the external model must consist of a point cloud (.las) file only or a combination of a point cloud (.las) file and an orthophoto (.tif) file.
Importing a new external model consists of the following steps:
1. Selecting the model to upload. This includes selecting the model files and associating a date with the model.
2. Preparing the files for upload: In other words, compressing them.
3. Uploading the files: The actual upload.
4. Generating the model.
Once all steps are completed, you can view the model and run analytics and measurements on it.
To start a model import, select the relevant site from the All Sites menu.
Once you entered the desired site, click + Add on the timeline and choose Import model.
This will open the “Import Model” dialog, which we walk you through in the below points.
Selecting the Model
In this dialog, you select the two model files you want to upload. You can click the “Select Files” button and browse to your files, or you can simply drag and drop the files.
Currently, only one point cloud file (.las) and one or more orthophoto files (.tif) may be selected.
Please note that this dialog is designed for a future expansion of the capability. Presently, if more files than what is allowed are selected, the user will receive an error message with instructions.
Once you selected the files for upload, press the “Continue” button to move to the next step.
In this dialog, you enter the mandatory model date and name of the operator. If you wish, you can add additional information.
Press the "Import" button to go to the next step.
Preparing the Files for Upload
Cloud points store detailed information about your site and are very large files. The same is true for orthophotos.
In this preparation step, the files are compressed to minimize their size. It is highly recommended to keep the dialog window active to speed up the preparation process.
When compression is complete, the next step, the actual upload, starts.
Uploading the Files
Once preparation is completed, the file upload will start automatically.
Again, you must keep the upload wizard open while the upload is in process.
Generating the Model
After the upload is complete, a new instance is placed on the timeline according to the previously selected date and marked as an "Imported model".
It will show the status of "Generating model" until the model is built and ready for viewing. Once the model is fully generated it will appear as a regular instance and can be used in any measurements or analytics.
Things You Cannot Do With Imported Models
The following is a list of things that are not available with imported models:
2. Using the GCP overlay – No GCP’s are available
3. Viewing images – Not available
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