BIMx Frequently Asked Questions

What are the supported platforms?

• Windows (Xp, Vista, 7) - BIMx (Add-On, BIMx Desktop Viewer)
• OSX (10.6 Snow Leopard, 10.7 Lion) - BIMx (Add-On, BIMx Desktop Viewer)
• iOS 4.2+ - BIMx App

What devices are supported by the mobile application?

• iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPhone 4S
• iPad 1, iPad 2, iPad 3rd generation
• iPod Touch 3rd and 4th generation

Are Android based devices supported?

No, those are not supported at the moment.

I have ArchiCAD 15 installed, can I load my models to iOS devices?

You need to install the first ArchiCAD 15 hotfix build 3267 - available on 20 September 2011 (or any of the hotfixes released later) to have the new BIMx features.

What is the exact list of components launched on 20 September 2011?

• ArchiCAD 15 Hotfix build 3267 for all languages
• BIMx community portal integrated with Facebook
• BIMx App for iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch available from the App Store

• BIMx viewer for Mac/Win downloadable from the BIMx Community Site

What is new in BIMx update version 1.2.455 released on 17 April 2012?

• Retina Display support for iPad 3

How can I install the required ArchiCAD hotfix?

• open ArchiCAD

• choose Help/Check for updates

• download the package and install it

What are the different options available to create BIMx models for clients?

For all available options see: BIMx/LicenseTypes

How do I share BIMx models with my clients?

From BIMx desktop edition you can save the following formats:

• Mac executable .app that can be run on any Mac
• Windows executable .exe that can be run on any Windows computer

• .bimx file that can be opened with BIMx Desktop/Laptop Viewer (free product) on Macs/on Windows or can be transfered via iTunes to any iOS (iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad) device if BIMx App isinstalled - available as free app in the App Store. For detailed description about the model transfer see: BIMx/iOStransfer

• also you can post models directly to the BIMx Community Site

How to save in .bimx file format

The simple save button in BIMx saves .bimx files.

Who can access BIMx models on the Facebook community site?

The BIMx community site though integrated into Facebook the community site is freely accessible to non-Facebook users as well. The BIMx community site will be accessible in any of the following ways:

• Through the ArchiCAD fan page on Facebook
• Through direct page URLs: gsBIMx.com and m.gsBIMx.com
• Through direct links to uploaded BIMx models’ download page
• Through built-in links from mobile devices (iPad/iPhone)
• Through comments/likes/shares on Facebook users “Walls”

Users can search/browse and download BIMx models from the site without registration or log-in. Social functions such as comments/likes/shares require Facebook login.

Who can upload BIMx models onto the Facebook community site?

At the current moment BIMx models can only be uploaded (published) directly from the BIMx desktop application (no upload through the web browser). The first time BIMx users want to publish their models to the community site they will be required to register. At subsequent uploads the site authentication will run automatically via a personal license key that will be issued upon registration and needs to need to be entered in BIMx only once (for the first). Logon to the community site is only required to manage one’s uploaded models (edit model details/delete models etc.).

What are the different ways for people to register to the community site?

Registration requires an ArchiCAD/BIMx installation and can be initiated in the following ways:

• Register from scratch
• Login (register) with Google or Facebook ID
• Login with existing MyArchiCAD.com username/password

This way we provide very easy access (via existing Google/Facebook accounts) and also provide automatic access for users on MyArchiCAD.com. This also means however that both BIMx users and Google/Facebook users have “fast-track” registration and access to MyArchiCAD as well.

What makes BIMx for the iPad unique compared to other 3D viewers?

Most 3D model viewers for the iPad/iPhone are generic purpose viewers. This means their navigation functionalities are basically limited to 3D orbit, pan and zoom. BIMx has a lot more to offer than that (selective list):

• It is a full “natural” building explorer environment - with gravity and egress recognition just to mention examples – that is with all the necessary UI features that make or break great user experience
• It has sophisticated visual filters (views) to provide a high quality architectural presentation environment such as stereoscopic view etc.
• It is integrated with an ecosystem of the desktop application and the online model sharing community

Can I use BIMx with Start Edition 2012 (coming soon) or with Educational/Trial versions?

Yes, all versions have BIMx Add-On (BIM Explorer) as a default part of the ArchiCAD package. The executables saved in the Trial version can be opened only on the computer where they were saved, the Educational version's saved executables have an Educational version watermark.

How do I refresh BIMx?

BIMx Add-On (BIM Explorer) with a player included is a default part of the ArchiCAD 15 package so all updates are coming with ArchiCAD updates.

Where can I find the installed desktop application(s)?

Default BIMx Add-On folders (Add-On + player):

• On Mac: /Applications/Graphisoft/ArchiCAD 15/Add-Ons/BIM Explorer
• On Windows: C:\Program Files\Graphisoft\ArchiCAD 15\Add-Ons\BIM Explorer

Default BIMx Desktop Viewer folders:

• On Mac: /Applications/Graphisoft/BIMx Viewer
• On Windows: C:\Program Files\Graphisoft\BIMx Viewer

Can I use Space Navigator from 3D Connexion with BIMx?

No, it is not supported at the moment.

Can I perform a Global Illumination render in the background?

Yes, from BIMx build 3269 (comes with the first ArchiCAD 15 hotfix) BIMx can run in the background on all platforms, so you can simply alt tab/cmd tab to an other application and BIMx will run in the background.

Does BIMx have Anti-aliasing?

No, it is not supported at the moment on the desktop version, only on the mobile version.

Categories: CategoryBimx

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