The Building Information Modeling (BIM) Compare feature brings 3D insights into how a project tracks against design. Stakeholders can compare actual site conditions from any Walk with the BIM model within DroneDeploy.
What is BIM Compare?
BIM Compare allows users to view a side-by-side comparison of captured ground data and the design model. This tool helps identify deviations from the plan and ensures project accuracy.
BIM Compare provides a side-by-side view of a Walk and a 3D model.
Availability: Who has access?
Enterprise (Platinum) and Enterprise Projects.
Available as a paid add-on for Enterprise projects.
Contact your Customer Success Manager or Account Executive to add this functionality.
Requirements
To use this feature, ensure your files and projects meet these criteria:
File size limit: 2GB.
File formats: NWD or NWC.
Project roles: Only Project Admins or Coordinators can upload or delete models.
Data requirements: A Walk must exist in the project to open BIM Compare.
How to use BIM Compare
Follow these steps to upload your model and begin comparing data.
1. Upload the BIM model
Open the project Explore page.
Navigate to the Layers section in the sidebar.
Click Add. (Note: Upload models from the exterior level).
Select a Navisworks file (NWD or NWC) from your local drive.
Wait for processing to complete. This can take up to 1 hour. You will receive an email if the process fails.
Try BIM Model Management in the Interior BETA:
Head to Project Settings
Select BIM to manage your BIM models
Choose Add Files
Choose from Local Storage or Autodesk Import
2. Open the comparison view
Open any Walk or Pano in your project.
Click the BIM Compare button in the top-right corner.
Wait for the green loading bar in the lower-left corner to finish before aligning.
3. Navigate and align
Link Views: Click the Lock button to link the Walk and model panning. This ensures the model updates to match your movement.
First Person Mode: Use the Forge Viewer navigation controls to manipulate the model.
Model Browser: Use the Properties controls to view metadata or adjust settings.
Alignment: If the model requires alignment, refer to the BIM Alignment Workflow article.
Key Features/Details
Side-by-Side Comparison: View the Walk on the left and the BIM model on the right.
Linked Navigation: The model position updates automatically as you move through a Walk.
Metadata Access: View specific model properties using the built-in viewer tools.
Replace the BIM model
To update the model while maintaining existing alignment:
Navigate to Project Settings.
Select BIM in the left panel.
Click Replace.
Upload the new file.
Try BIM Model Management in the Interior BETA:
Click on Project Settings
Click on the BIM tab
From the 3-dot menu choose Replace Model
Here, you can also preview, rename, or delete the model.
Limitations
BIM Compare does not support viewing the model without an associated Walk.
Multiple BIM models are supported when using the Interior BETA view.
FAQs
Q: Does BIM Compare work with interior models?
A: Yes, once you upload a Navisworks file and have a Walk present, you can compare interior site conditions to the design.
Q: Who can delete a model?
A: Only Project Admins and Coordinators have permission to delete or replace models.
Q: What should I do if my model fails to load?
A: If the model is not visible after a few hours, retry the upload. For persistent issues, contact support@dronedeploy.com
V2.1