Documentation clarification

BIM model support in Trimble Access 2022.00

In response to feedback, we are providing an updated explanation of the DWG and NWD BIM model support and the Download BIM models as TrimBIM files features that were added in Trimble Access 2022.00. The main points to note are:

  • BIM models are not supported when running Trimble Access on an Android device. This limitation applies to all types of BIM models, including IFC, TrimBIM, DWG, and NWD files.

  • Trimble Access supports the reading of standard AutoCAD entities from DWG files. In many cases, it may be better to use a DXF file rather than a DWG file.

DWG and NWD BIM model support on Windows controllers

In addition to IFC and TrimBIM files, Trimble Access on Windows now supports two additional BIM model file formats:

  • Drawing (.dwg) files created using Autodesk AutoCAD software

  • NWD (.nwd) files created using Navisworks software

Trimble Access supports the reading of standard AutoCAD entities from DWG files. Some CAD applications, for example Civil 3D, use AutoCAD extensions to create 3D objects which may not be supported by Trimble Access. Using a DXF file may be better than trying to use DWG, or you could try converting a Civil 3D drawing to a standard AutoCAD DWG format. For more information, visit Autodesk's Knowledge Network to learn how to convert Civil 3D drawings to standard AutoCAD format.

We have renamed the IFC group box in the Map options screen and the Video options screen to the BIM model (DWG, IFC, NWD, TRB) group box. Use these options to change the transparency of objects in the map and video screen, and whether individual faces or whole objects are selected in the map.

When running Trimble Access on a Windows controller you can use any supported BIM model file format for surveying fieldwork including measuring points, stakeout, and cogo calculations including scan to surface inspections, and center point or centerline calculations.

For more information, see the topic BIM models in the Trimble Access Help.

Download BIM models as TrimBIM files on Windows controllers

The Sync settings screen now provides the Download as TrimBIM check box to download BIM or 3D models (including Industry Foundation Classes (IFC), Navisworks Drawing (NWD), AutoCAD Drawing (DWG) and SketchUp (SKP) files) from Trimble Connect as TrimBIM files. TrimBIM files are smaller, faster to download to the controller, and faster to load the first time you use them in Trimble Access. Alternatively, to download IFC, DWG and NWD files in their original format, clear the Download as TrimBIM check box.

Conversion of NWD files to TrimBIM format using Trimble Connect is in BETA. It is only supported when you upload NWD files to Trimble Connect using Trimble Connect for Windows, not Trimble Connect Web.

For more information on assimilating BIM models as TrimBIM files in Trimble Connect, refer to the Trimble Connect documentation.