Which Mobile Device Will Run Your BIMx Model?

When you save the model in the BIMx Desktop Application, the appearing Save BIMx Model dialog box gives quick feedback on the size of your model: Small, Medium, Large or Extra Large.

The following chart is a guideline to the mobile devices that can handle a model of the given size. Supported devices are iPad (1 or 2), iPhone (3GS or 4) or iPod Touch 4th generation.

For best results, iPad 2 or iPhone 4 is recommended.

The BIMx model size that your mobile device can handle efficiently depends on many factors, including system memory, graphic card memory and the settings used for the active 3D window (global illumination, outlines, map etc.); thus, the information in the chart is only a guideline.

	Small	Medium	Large	Extra Large
Runs on Device	All devices	Probably will run on all devices. May be slow on iPad 1, iPhone 3GS, and iPod Touch 4.	Will run on iPad2 or iPhone 4.	Probably will not run efficiently on any supported device.
Geometry	< 15 Mb	< 25 Mb	< 100 Mb	> 100 Mb
GI Texture (sum of GI of Flat and Curved Surfaces) (Relevant only if model rendered using Global Illumination)	< 20 Mb	< 25 Mb	< 100 Mb	> 100 Mb

If your model size is too large for the device you want to view it in, you have to go back to ArchiCAD and simplify the model, then re-export it to the BIMx Desktop Application, then save it again as a BIMx document.

For tips on how to simplify the model, see Optimizing the ArchiCAD Model for BIMx.

Optimizing the ArchiCAD Model for BIMx

This document contains recommendations for optimizing your ArchiCAD model if you plan to save it to BIMx format, especially if you plan to view it on mobile devices.

Why should you optimize your ArchiCAD models?

Model optimization in ArchiCAD improves your 3D performance and navigation experience, even if you do not export the model to BIMx. However, the following problems may arise in BIMx in particular, due to limitations of the device used to view the BIMx file:

• slow navigation speed and low frame rate in 3D
• application freeze due to lack of memory
• slow upload/download speed due to excessive file size

Optimizing the model in ArchiCAD can achieve the following results:

• increasing navigation speed
• allowing your projects to run on devices with limited memory
• improving the navigation experience of your clients

Consider Limitations of Mobile Platforms

Before displaying your ArchiCAD model in BIMx on mobile devices, you must take into consideration the memory and performance limitations of your mobile device.

The main limiting factors to consider:

• CPU
• Memory
• Video card

BIMx models intended for mobile devices must be further optimized compared to their desktop version.

If your model exceeds the limits of your device, you may encounter the following problems:

• Projects which run smoothly on desktop computers may be slow on mobile platforms.
• Some large models can't be loaded due to the lack of memory.
• Certain display options for the model will automatically be eliminated in BIMx.

Optimization Essentials

You must consider two aspects of the ArchiCAD model - size and quality - and take steps to optimize them.

• Reduce size of ArchiCAD model. Do this by reducing the number of 3D polygons and the number and size of textures.

See: Optimizing Model Size.

• Improve model quality. Do this by correcting modeling errors and taking other steps to improve navigation.

See: Optimizing Model Quality.

Optimizing Model Size

Too many 3D polygons in the BIMx model can significantly slow down the 3D navigation. Excessive polygon count may even prevent BIMx from loading the project.

Please note that a large polygon count and large file size do not necessarily mean a big building. In many projects, a significant proportion of the 3D polygons are generated from library parts. A detailed furniture object can easily contain more polygons than the structural model of the entire building.

Thus it is essential to keep the 3D polygon count within an acceptable range. The following section contains useful tips for how you can check and control the number of polygons within your ArchiCAD project.

Model size checking in ArchiCAD: The PolyCount add-on

PolyCount is an ArchiCAD “goody” add-on that helps to analyze and control the number of 3D polygons in ArchiCAD models. The advantage of using this tool is that you can control the size of your ArchiCAD model before you export it to BIMx.

PolyCount displays the number of 3D polygons grouped by element types (walls, slabs, doors, windows, objects etc.) and their percentage compared to the complete model size.

The add-on also allows you to change the 3D detail level of certain library parts in your projects. Most objects in the ArchiCAD library include a “3D Detail Level” parameter with options for “Detailed”, “Simple” and “Off” representations. In the PolyCount dialog box, the “Default Level of Detail” function allows you to toggle between these values for all 3D objects in the projects.

Download PolyCount Add-On

The PolyCount add-on can be downloaded by clicking on the “ArchiCAD Downloads” link in the ArchiCAD Help menu. After successful installation, PolyCount can be activated from Window > Palettes > PolyCount. Please refer to the PolyCount ReadMe file for more information on using this Add-On.

The Interface of the PolyCount add-on

Model Size Checking in BIMx Desktop Application

The 3D model size can be checked within the BIMx Desktop Application.

1. In the BIMx Desktop Application, click Esc to access the commands.
2. Click on the Info command to see how much memory the model will use on the Desktop Application and on mobile devices.

The following information is shown on the Info page of the Desktop Application:

Memory Data for the Desktop Application

Number of Triangles: Please note that this value is approximately two or three times that of the polygon count displayed in PolyCount add-on in ArchiCAD, due to the different geometry calculation algorithms used.

RAM Usage and Video RAM Usage is given in bytes.

Components of Video RAM Usage on Mobile Devices

This data refers to the Video RAM memory required to view the model on the supported iOS mobile devices.

• Geometry: Based on the triangle count.
• Textures: The BIMx App automatically optimizes your textures to a certain degree, but if your BIMx model is too large to be run on your device, you can try to reduce their size and complexity.

If you save your BIMx model using Global Illumination, additional video RAM memory is required to handle the following two texture components:

• GI of Flat Surfaces: the illumination texture applied to flat surfaces; and
• GI of Curved Surfaces: the illumination texture applied to curved surfaces

You will notice that curved surfaces are less memory-intensive than the flat surfaces.

How to Reduce 3D Model Size

The following tips can help you to keep the ArchiCAD model size in an acceptable range:

1. Make Layer Combinations
   Layer Combinations allow you to show only those elements of the Virtual Building model that are actually needed in the active 3D window. For example, you can create a layer combination dedicated to external views, such as renderings or elevations, in which you turn off all the elements located in the building's interior, so they can't be seen. Other layer combos can be defined for internal renderings or sections, in which the external trees, vehicles or other environmental elements are hidden.
2. Use the Marquee
   To show only a part of the building (e.g. a room or a story), select it with a marquee. This simple trick can significantly decrease the model size and speed up navigation in BIMx.
3. Turn OFF the 3D of Unwanted Objects
   Each library part (except for 2D symbols) that you place on the floor plan has a representation in 3D views, even if you only intend to show them on the floor plan. Moreover, many of these elements generate a large number of polygons in 3D.
   To avoid generating these polygons, turn off the 3D representation of these objects with the corresponding parameter on the object's parameter list.

   3D Detail Level

   
   Since all library parts in the ArchiCAD library have the same parameter name for this function, you can select multiple objects on the floor plan and collectively turn off their 3D. You can also use the "Default Level of Detail" function of the Polygon Count add-on for this purpose.
   See: Model Size Checking in ArchiCAD: the PolyCount Add-On.
4. Control the Objects' Level of Detail
   Most library parts in the ArchiCAD library have a parameter for 3D detail level (simple, detailed, off) and curve resolution. Set these parameters to the minimum that is appropriate for the required 3D view. Too many segments in a curved shape can greatly increase the number of 3D polygons in a model. In some cases you can get better representation of the object with fewer polygons if you keep the 3D Detail level on "detailed" but reduce the curve resolution.

   Library Part Detail Options

5. Avoid Using Memory-Intensive Library Part Options
   Some optional features of ArchiCAD objects can generate a significant number of 3D polygons without producing noticeable differences in the final BIMx models. Use the following parameters with care:
   
   • Handles for doors and windows
   • Taps for bath tubs and lavatories
   • Curved railings on stairs (including StairMaker stairs)
   • Too many leaves on plant objects

   Door Handle Off

   
   The following table shows the polygon count of some ArchiCAD library parts. Note that a single "Man Hands in Pocket" object generates as many polygons as 1066 walls! A further example that underlines the importance of polygon reduction is an office chair (Office Chair 01), which by default has 3759 polygons in 3D view - the equivalent of 626 walls. Such an office chair may be placed many times over in an office project, yet can be optimized out for purposes of BIMx navigation.

   Element Type	3D Polygon Count
   Wall without opening Wall with empty openings	6 10
   D1 Door D1 Door with handle (Style 1)	80 1544
   Basin 01 (Detailed) Basin 01 (Simple) Basin with tap (Detailed) Basin with tap (Simple)	1031 685 1335 869
   Man Hands in Pocket People Bitmap 1	6396 1
   Office Chair 01 (Simple) Office Chair 01 (Detailed Resolution = 8) Office Chair 01 (Detailed Resolution = 16)	2594 3759 7433
   Car 01 Vehicle Bitmap	5583 1
   Straight StairMaker stair/“Post with Baluster” railing Straight StairMaker stair/“Simple Surface” railing	2093 789

6. Pay Attention to Complex Modeling Elements
   Advanced modeling tools such as Curtain Walls and Complex Profiles or solid operations may also produce large numbers of 3D polygons. When optimizing a model destined for BIMx, consider omitting or limiting these situations that typically produce many 3D polygons:
   • Detailed or curved Curtain Wall frame profiles
   • Detailed Curtain Wall Accessories (e.g. shaders)
   • Complex profiles with many line segments
   • Solid operations between curved elements
   • Many solid operations between model elements
7. Regularly Check the Model with PolyCount
   Data in the PolyCount dialog may help you to identify other high-polygon-count elements (in addition to regular library parts) in the model such as:
   • Complex Mesh models (e.g. site model)
   • Elements imported from external applications (e.g. 3D Studio, SketchUP, 3D DWG, Cinema 4D, etc.), which are usually very detailed models, intended for use in high-end renderings rather than architectural visualizations.
8. Filter the Content of the 3D Window
   In addition to the Marquee Tool and Layer combinations, you can filter the 3D view using View > 3D View Options > Filter elements in 3D to define which stories should be displayed in 3D.

   Filter 3D Elements

9. Use Texture Mapping
   Use texture mapping and alpha-channel transparent pictures instead of physical models. This solution can be extremely useful if you do need a large number of trees, vehicles, fences and other complex objects in the model.

Optimization of Textures

Carefully selected and correctly applied textures will enhance the quality of your BIMx models and improve the navigation experience in 3D. However, you should pay special attention to the number and size of the texture images. Oversized image files can significantly increase the BIMx project's memory usage and slow down navigation without noticeably improving the quality of your model. The following guidelines will help you to keep the size of your texture library in the optimum range:

• Use the same texture images for similar finishes
• There is no need to apply textures to elements which are not noticeable because of their size or position in the model
• The size and quality of texture images should be reduced to the minimum. You can compare the result of using different image sizes in the ArchiCAD 3D window.
• Prefer compressed image file formats (e.g. JPG) to uncompressed ones (e.g. BMP)
• Use photo-editing applications to reduce the size and increase the compression level of your texture images

Shut Down Background Applications on your Mobile Device

Apple mobile devices have built-in memory optimization algorithms. Applications that you started, but are not currently in use, run in the background, consuming only minimal memory. In some cases, when you want to open large BIMx models, you might have to close all these applications to allocate the maximum amount of memory to BIMx.

1. Double-click the main button of your iPad/iPhone.
   This will display the open applications in a row.
2. Press and hold any of these icons until the red “delete” flag appears on the icons.
3. Click each icon to close them one by one (including BIMx).
4. Start the BIMx App again and load the required model.

Optimizing Model Quality

The accuracy and precision of the ArchiCAD model greatly affects the viewer's experience when navigating in BIMx. The following recommendations will help you to provide the best possible BIMx model for your customers:

Before you export the model to BIMx:

Carefully check its exterior and interior in the ArchiCAD 3D window (with the OpenGL engine). Check for the following modeling mistakes:

• Missing or incorrectly applied textures
• Too dark or too light textures and materials
• Overlapping surfaces (the surfaces of different elements in the same plane). These will cause a flickering effect during navigation.
• Rooms that are not accessible (missing doors, other elements blocking the entrance)
• Unnecessary elements in the model, such as elements hidden by other elements (ducts behind the ceiling)
• Incorrectly joined elements (walls, beams, slabs etc.)

When exporting the model to BIMx:

Before you initialize the Global Illumination calculation, look at the model again:

• Turn on the gravity and navigate across the building, checking for the mistakes listed above.
• Return to ArchiCAD and correct the problems if necessary.

After taking these steps, save the project in .bimx format and open it with the BIMx App. If the project doesn't fit into the memory of the mobile device, return to the ArchiCAD model and reduce its size as required.