Mobile BIM Viewer (With Offline Mode)

Overview

Cellular data and Wi-Fi connectivity can be a challenge on construction sites, which can make it difficult to leverage BIM in the field. To address this issue, OpenSpace BIM+ includes an offline mode. Users can download their model while connected to the internet, caching that file to their local device for offline access later. When using offline mode, users can navigate their model in the app in the following  ways: 1) sheets-based navigation (sheets must have been aligned to the BIM in OpenSpace prior to model download), 2) joystick-style navigation for walk-through mode, and (future) 3) Saved Views (coming soon to offline mode, currently available in BIM Compare).

Permissions

How to use offline mode

1. Open up the project in our mobile app, and click the BIM.

• Select the desired sheet. 
• The viewer will load. To download the model for offline access, tap the download button  in the top right corner to bring up the model list.

• Tap the download button next to the model name to begin downloading a model.

• You can close the model list but make sure to keep the app open while the file continues to download. 

• When the download completes, that model (along with associated sheets and Saved Views) will be accessible on this device, even when offline.
• The user can delete BIM from offline mode via the trash can button on the model list.

• If a model is available for offline use, it will display a checkmark cloud icon on the BIM tab .

FAQ

How long will a model remain cached for offline use once downloaded?

App updates will NOT clear the model cache. The BIM will stay in the cache indefinitely unless one of the following events occurs:

• The BIM cache is manually cleared (see the “How to” section above)
• The OpenSpace mobile app is deleted (doing this is generally not recommended since it can clear pending capture data)

If I can cache the model, can I also cache an associated capture for offline viewing?

We do not currently support caching of an OpenSpace capture for offline viewing, but please let your OpenSpace representative know if you’d find a lot of value in this functionality.

If you have any additional questions please reach out to the OpenSpace Support team at support@openspace.ai.