Export Models

It is quick and easy to export models or selected surfaces for the next stage of your workflow, in Autodesk, Teckla Structures, Revit, or ArchiCAD, for example.

The Trial version of PointFuse lasts 15 days. You can request the ability to export a number of mesh models (whether to Autodesk BIM 360, Procore, or files on your PC), including up to 3,000 square feet of BIM exports. A full license of PointFuse gives you unlimited mesh exports and BIM exports.

Export to Autodesk (Construction Cloud or BIM 360) or Procore

1. The process and dialogs for Autodesk and Procore exports are almost the same, and both vary according to what you are exporting.
2. If you’ve selected and classified surfaces, the classification hierarchy will be uploaded with the model.

Prerequisites: 

• An Autodesk (Cnstruction Cloud or BIM 360) account with admin rights: add PointFuse as an app, as explained in the Autodesk article To Add Apps & Integrations. Or a Procore account.
• A full PointFuse license or PointFuse trial with at least one of the three exports remaining. 

Export Single Mesh Model to Autodesk or Procore

1. Before exporting, click Save on the toolbar.
2. To upload the whole model, or selected surfaces, select Autodesk Export , and sign in to your Autodesk account and Project Files Folders or Procore account .
   1. Select the destination folder and click Next to open the upload page.
   2. Select the File name, the Export file type, and for FBX, whether to include a Texture or Color.
   3. Click Next to upload the model.
   4. When done, select Show file in Autodesk or Show file in Procore to view it in your default browser.
   5. Browser functions include: preview (with markup tools), download, move, copy, rename, lock, share, and delete.

Export Single Classified Mesh Model to Autodesk or Procore

1. This is essentially the same as for a mesh model, but the lower part of the dialog where you select items has additional fields relating to the BIM classifications.
2. There are two IFC formats for exporting classified mesh models and BIM models:
   1. IFC Absolute Positioning (Recommended): All geometry in the IFC output is positioned relative to a zero-based origin, according to their absolute position in space. This may cause issues if the geometry is located far from the origin.
   2. IFC Relative Positioning: All geometry in the IFC output is positioned relative to the lower bound of all the classified mesh modelscontained in the classified mesh model group. This may cause issues when combining geometries from different or external output formats.
3. Check and uncheck BIM Hierarchy stories and BIM Classification elements to determine exactly what will be exported.

Export to Files on your Computer

1. You can export the model currently in the viewport by selecting Export  from the main menu and then Export or Batch Export, or you can right click in the Project Explorer and select Export or Batch Export.
2. The dialogs vary according to what you are exporting.
3. Export Single Mesh Model:
   1. Click Save on the toolbar.
   2. Display the mesh model in the viewport, select Export .
   3. In the dialog, choose a File Name and click the Browse button to select an export format: DAE, FBX, IFC, NWC, OBJ, SKP, STEP, STL, or X3D.
      1. If you’ve selected and classified surfaces, FBX and IFC retain the classification hierarchy.
      2. There are two IFC formats for exporting classified mesh models and BIM models. See Export Single Classified Mesh Model to BIM 360, above.
      3. If exporting to OBJ, DAE or FBX, you can include RGB or intensity texture in the export.
      4. For single (not batch) you can choose whether to export the whole model or selected groups and layers.
   4. Click OK to create the export files. You can open them in a CAD or similar program, but not in PointFuse.
4. Export Single Classified Mesh Model:
   1. This is essentially the same as for a mesh model, but the lower part of the dialog has additional fields relating to the BIM classifications. Check and uncheck BIM Hierarchy stories and BIM Classification elements to determine exactly what will be exported.
5. Batch Export:
   1. If you have a Full license, you can export multiple files of the same type, but you can't select which surfaces and layers to include. Select the models in the Project Explorer, right click, and select Batch Export.