Connect to a BIM cloud repository

A BIM cloud connection allows you to access content in an online BIM cloud storage repository, such as Autodesk BIM 360, and use that content in ArcGIS Pro.

BIM cloud repositories allow CAD datasets (including DWG, DXF and DGN files) and BIM file workspaces (RVT and IFC files) to be stored online. They allow you to collaborate with other teams working with the same data outside of ArcGIS. After connecting to a repository, you can browse the folders and files it contains, download the content you need, and use it in your project.

In most cases, your administrator will provide you with the information needed to configure your local computer and establish a connection to the cloud store.

Note:

Autodesk BIM 360 is the only BIM cloud repository that is currently supported in ArcGIS Pro.

Create a BIM cloud connection

Create a BIM cloud connection file (.bcc) to access a BIM cloud storage repository and use the data it contains in ArcGIS Pro.

1. Create a BIM cloud connection.
   • Open the catalog view and click Project in the Contents pane, and click the catalog view to activate it. On the Catalog tab on the ribbon, in the Create group, click the New drop-down arrow and click New BIM Cloud Connection .
   • On the Insert tab, in the Project group, click the Connections drop-down arrow and click New BIM Cloud Connection .

   The Add BIM cloud connection dialog box appears.

2. In the Connection File Name text box, type a descriptive name for the BIM cloud store you are accessing.
3. Click the Connection Type drop-down list and click the appropriate connection type.

   Note:

   Autodesk BIM 360 is the only BIM cloud repository that is currently supported in ArcGIS Pro.

4. Click OK.
5. If a Sign In window appears, provide the credentials associated with your BIM cloud repository account.

   Follow any prompts that may appear in the Sign In window, and provide responses that allow you to access content from the cloud repository in ArcGIS Pro. For example, with Autodesk BIM 360, you must authorize ArcGIS Pro to access data in the repository.

   A BIM cloud connection file (.bcc) is created in the project's home folder. An item referencing this connection file is added to the project, and the BIM cloud connection appears in the Catalog pane and the catalog view in the BIM Cloud Connections category .

6. Double-click the BIM cloud connection to browse the items it contains.

   Hover over an item in the cloud storage repository to see pop-up information that includes the item name, type, modification date, and location. Click the item location link to open the original BIM cloud repository item in a web browser. Sign in to access the repository in the browser window if you are prompted to do so.

Sign in to access content in a BIM cloud connection

When you create a BIM cloud connection, connecting to the online repository is part of the process. When you open a project with an existing BIM cloud connection, you must establish a connection to the repository before you can access its content.

If your BIM cloud repository allows you to stay signed in and you chose this option when your BIM cloud connection was created, you may be able to access content in the repository without having to sign in again.

1. Double-click the BIM Cloud Connections category in the Catalog pane or the catalog view.
2. Double-click a BIM cloud connection in the contents list.
3. If a Sign In window appears, provide the credentials associated with your BIM cloud repository account and specify any additional information necessary to access data from the repository in ArcGIS Pro.

   A green check mark appears on the BIM cloud connection's icon to indicate it is connected to the BIM cloud repository.

4. Double-click the connected BIM cloud connection to browse the items it contains.

Note:

Alternatively, you can right-click the BIM cloud connection and click Sign In to establish a connection to the repository before double-clicking the item.

Use content from the BIM cloud in ArcGIS Pro

When using data in a database connection or layers in the active portal, you add those items to a map and analyze them directly with a tool. However, items accessed from a BIM cloud connection must be downloaded before you can use them in ArcGIS Pro.

Downloading an item can be performed as a distinct operation, or as an auxiliary step when adding the item to a map or scene. Once an item has been downloaded, you can use it in the same manner as you would use any other CAD dataset or BIM file workspace item available on a local or network computer. Content from a BIM cloud repository is always downloaded to the project's home folder.

Downloaded items are linked to the original item in the BIM cloud repository. You can check the status of the local item in the repository, and update it if a new version is available.

Download an item

Before you can use content from a BIM cloud repository, you must download it to the local computer.

1. Right-click an item in a BIM cloud connection in the Catalog pane or the catalog view.
2. Click Download to Project Folder.

   The item is downloaded and stored in the project's home folder. You can use the downloaded items in the same manner as local CAD dataset and BIM file workspace items.

Note:

Instead of downloading the entire CAD dataset or BIM file workspace item, you can download a manifest that references the original item in the BIM cloud repository and does not include the data. When you right-click the item in the BIM cloud repository, click Save Manifest to Project Folder. A manifest file (.asfm) is downloaded to the project's home folder. The manifest will not appear in the Catalog pane or the catalog view. The manifest contains the information required to access and view the item online, and can be useful when developing custom workflows.

Add items to a map or scene

You can download an item from a BIM cloud connection and add it to a map or scene in one step.

1. In the Catalog pane or the catalog view, browse into a BIM cloud connection.
2. Right-click an item or press Ctrl and click the items you want to add.
3. Add the selected items to the map.
   • From the Catalog pane, right-click the selected items and click Download and Add To Current Map. This option is not available if the active view is not a map or a scene.
   • From the Catalog pane or view, right-click the selected items, click Download and Add To New, and click Map, Scene, or Local Scene, as appropriate. This option creates a map or scene and adds the items to it.

   The selected items are downloaded and added to the appropriate view.

   Learn more about adding layers to a map

Check if updates are available for a downloaded item

You can check to see if a newer version of the item is available in the BIM cloud repository.

1. In the Catalog pane or the catalog view, browse into the project's home folder.
2. Right-click the appropriate CAD dataset or BIM file workspace item in the contents list and click Check Status.

   An ArcGIS Pro notification appears when the check is complete. The message indicates if the local copy of the item matches the version of the item in the repository, if it does not match the version in the repository, or if the item was deleted from the repository.

   Learn more about ArcGIS Pro notifications

Update a downloaded item

If a newer version of your downloaded item is available in the BIM cloud repository, you can update your local copy.

1. In the Catalog pane or the catalog view, browse into the project's home folder.
2. Right-click the appropriate CAD dataset or BIM file workspace item and click Refresh From Source.

   The current version of the item is downloaded from the BIM cloud repository to the project’s home folder. The existing files associated with the item are replaced. When the update is complete, the map or scene is refreshed to show the item's current data.

Manage BIM cloud connections

You can manage BIM cloud connection files in the same manner as you manage other items in ArcGIS Pro. You can perform the following operations.

• Delete the selected connection.
• Copy or move the selected connection.
• Rename the selected connection.

However, the manner in which you repair a broken BIM cloud connection is different than it is for other items such as server connections.

Repair a BIM cloud connection

When items are renamed, moved, or deleted using ArcGIS Pro, your project is kept up to date. However, when these operations are performed outside of ArcGIS Pro, the project is unaware of these changes and the BIM cloud connection item in your project can become invalid.

When you open a project, ArcGIS Pro attempts to locate all files referenced by items in the project. If the file associated with a BIM cloud connection item can't be located, the item will not appear. You must create a new connection following the workflow above.

If the file associated with a BIM cloud connection is renamed or moved outside of ArcGIS Pro while the project is in use, and you try to access content in the repository from the existing project item, a red exclamation point appears next to the project item to indicate it is invalid. Click the exclamation point, and repair the item following the workflow below.

1. Click the red exclamation mark next to the BIM cloud connection item in the Catalog pane or the catalog view.

   The Add BIM Connection dialog box appears. The selected item's name appears by default in the Connection File Name text box. You can change this name, if needed.

2. Click OK.
3. If a Sign In window appears, provide the credentials associated with your BIM cloud repository account and specify any additional information necessary to access data from the repository in ArcGIS Pro.
4. A message appears asking if you want to repair maps and other items in the project. Click Yes.

   A new BIM cloud connection file (.bcc) is created in the project's home folder with the specified name. The project item is updated to reference the new file and the connection to the BIM cloud repository is repaired.

Sign out of the BIM cloud repository

Because you work with local copies of your BIM cloud repository items in ArcGIS Pro, you can sign out of the cloud repository when you're finished browsing online items, downloading items, and updating your local content. Your downloaded items will continue to display in your maps and be available for spatial analysis.

1. Right-click the BIM cloud connection item in the Catalog pane or the catalog view.
2. Click Sign Out.

   You are signed out of the BIM cloud repository in ArcGIS Pro. You will have to sign in again to access content in the cloud storage repository.