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Access models and elements in BIMx Mobile Apps via hyperlinks

Csaba_Kezer
Graphisoft Alumni
Graphisoft Alumni
Easy data access is essential for streamlined communication. BIMx offers a custom hyperlink system for accessing models and locating 3D elements with a single tap — from outside the application. Insert such hyperlinks into any website, Facility Management database, or Product catalog application to share models easily, check 3D elements on site, and create issues with markups.

This technology is based on Graphisoft's multi-platform ‘custom url scheme’ technique (bimxapplication://...). This scheme is registered by the operating system (iOS/iPadOS/Android) when you install the BIMx app on your mobile device. From that point on the device will recognise that this URL is associated with BIMx when the link is tapped.
 

Prerequisites

BIMx iOS or Android application must be installed to make hyperlinks work. To use such URLs to open a model or 3D element(s), the Hyper-model must be imported to BIMx on the mobile device. 

 

1. Hyperlink to import a Hyper-model

Download and import a BIMx Hyper-model to the mobile app with one tap from any web-enabled public or private cloud storage. The prerequisite of automated download is that the .bimx file must be available on a basic http or https URL without any further query parameter.

 

Use the below-described model import URL instead of sharing a model's BIMx Model Transfer website URL (e.g. this simple link), ask your client to open it, and import the model to the app with BIMx Model Transfer's Download button.


Copy link from BIMx Model Transfer

The easier way is to copy the model import URL with a long tap on BIMx Model Transfer's Download button on a mobile device, e.g. Chrome on iPad:

RolandSzabo_1-1731520375466.png

Copied URL:

bimxapplication://bimx-storage.graphisoft.com/Download/dff02b7d-af0e-4a51-9da3-b3c49dd140c0?name=Two...


Same URL inserted: Import to BIMx Mobile.
Tapping the URL immediately starts importing the model to BIMx:

RolandSzabo_0-1731519370765.png


Create link manually

You can also set up the link manually (recommended when the model is on your own storage):

  • Scheme:
    bimxapplication://...
  • Required query parameters:
    • name: - the name of the Hyper-model defined in BIMx Publisher Wizard or Publisher Set Properties (text, URL encoded, so "Two-wall example model" = "Two-wall%20example%20model")
    • folderId: - the unique identifier of the Hyper-model on your model storage server (integer)
    • type: HyperModel
  • Optional query parameters:
    • protocol: — text, default “https”. Change to "http" if needed
    • trsite: 1 — only for BIMx Model Transfer

By parameters:

bimxapplication://bimx-storage.graphisoft.com/Download/dff02b7d-af0e-4a51-9da3-b3c49dd140c0?
name=Two-wall%20example%20model&
folderId=586117&
type=HyperModel&
protocol=https&
trsite=1

 

2. Hyperlink to open a Hyper-model

You can define a model open URL that will work if the model is already imported.

Template:
bimxapplication://showHypermodelContents?hypermodel=hypermodel_name


The
hypermodel_name part needs to be replaced with the URL encoded Hyper-model name.

Example:
bimxapplication://showHypermodelContents?hypermodel=Two-wall%20example%20model

Result:
RolandSzabo_2-1731521157529.png
 

3. Hyperlink to 3D element(s)

You can create hyperlinks directly to 3D elements. This allows you to simplify getting into context. No need to search the Hyper-model in BIMx, open a 3D model, and navigate to the proper camera position. 


Copy link from BIMx

The easier way is to copy the link from BIMx, which also preserves the camera position. Select one or more elements in 3D and choose the Copy Hyperlink option in the "..." menu of the  Selected elements palette. The Hyperlink will be copied to your device's clipboard.
RolandSzabo_5-1731523147872.png
Copied link:

bimxapplication://showelementin3dcontext/?cameraPos=6.91545%2C8.29903%2C4.22256&element_guids=86f49e...

 

Same link inserted: Open wall element in BIMx. Result:

RolandSzabo_6-1731523350295.png


The copied hyperlinks work the same way on iOS, iPadOS and Android.
Note: Hyperlinks for quick-checking can be also generated in the Web application on BIMx Model Transfer (with 24h expiration, see Help). However, there is no transition between browser and mobile apps.


Create link manually

You can also create hyperlink to 3D element(s) without BIMx. 

Template:
bimxapplication://showElementIn3dContext?hypermodel=hypermodel_name&element=Unique_ID1,Unique_ID2,...,Unique_IDn
 

The hypermodel_name part needs to be replaced with the URL encoded Hyper-model name.
The third part contains the Unique_ID of the element(s) that you want to access with the hyperlink. The hyperlink can contain multiple Unique_IDs, so BIMx will open the 3D model with all listed elements, selected in green color.These IDs can be obtained in Archicad by listing the Unique ID field in an Interactive Element Schedule:
RolandSzabo_3-1731522568400.png

Example for two walls:
bimxapplication://showElementIn3dContext?hypermodel=Two-wall%20example%20model&element=86F49E7E-0A4F... 
Result:
RolandSzabo_7-1731523881725.png
 
Navigate to a 3D element from a schedule sheet in BIMx:
BIMx automatically recognises email addresses, website links and also the IDs of elements in schedule sheets if the Markers and Hyperlinks toggle is enabled. This way elements can be browsed from a list and appear selected in 3D. Interactive markers appear as blue highlights on rows:
RolandSzabo_8-1731524268918.png

In addition to this automatic hyperlink between 2D and 3D, you can add any BIMx hyperlinks to schedules as custom texts. E.g., element hyperlink with camera position (copied from BIMx) or without it (created manually):

RolandSzabo_0-1731526640604.png
You can also add hyperlinks to schedules to import or open another hyper-model without leaving BIMx.

Any questions? Contact us at bimx@graphisoft.com!
Comments
Robs_archiradar
Participant

is it possible to do this also with the BIMx desktop version?

Norbert Kucsma
Graphisoft
Graphisoft

Hi,


Unfortunately it is not possible to access model elements with hyperlinks in BIMx Desktop Viewer. However it would be a nice improvement, we will take it into consideration in future developments.

 

Kind regards,

Norbert Kucsma

 

Technical Support Engineer, Technical Support Team
GRAPHISOFT SE, Budapest

Robs_archiradar
Participant

this feature would definitely be very useful!

thanks a lot

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