Revit, IFC, or 3D CAD files are georeferenced in an ArcGIS Pro scene with the tools on the Georeference tab. If you need to reposition your BIM model after confirming you have a valid projection file defined for your CAD or BIM file, you can reposition BIM feature layers using the Locate, Move to Display, Move, Rotate, and Elevate To Ground tools on the Geoprocessing toolbar on the BIM Data tab on the ribbon.
The workflows for these tools are described below.
Define the projection
To define or confirm the existence of a coordinate system for a BIM file or CAD file, use the Define Projection tool on the BIM data tab under the Building tab on the ribbon. If the BIM or CAD file was drawn to a known geospatial coordinate system when it was created, assign the appropriate projection. The file will draw in the expected location. If it was not created in BIM or CAD software using a known geospatial coordinate system, choose one of the coordinate systems that match the linear units and the geographic location of the data. If, after defining the coordinate system, the BIM or CAD data is redrawn in the correct location, you can stop here; there is no need to georeference the CAD or BIM file.
You can also validate and define the coordinate system of a BIM file from the Validate Position tab on the BIM file properties accessed from the context menu of a BIM file viewed in the Catalog pane.
If the data does not redraw in the expected location after defining the proper coordinate system, you can continue to the georeferencing workflow by clicking the Georeference tool on the BIM Data tab under the Building tab on the ribbon, which displays the Georeference tab.
The georeferencing of a BIM or CAD file is performed on a single feature layer but applies to all feature layers of the BIM file workspace (Revit or IFC file) or CAD dataset (DWG, DXF, or DGN file). It is recommended that you add enough information to properly locate the file, such as Floors or ExteriorShell, and not the entire file. This speeds up the process. You can add the entire file once the georeferencing is complete, and it will apply to all feature layers from the CAD or BIM file. It is also recommended that you enable snapping to more accurately position the selected feature layer in geoprocessing using the Move and Rotate tools.
Locate
Use the Locate tool to search for an area using keywords related to the approximate location where the file should appear in the view, such as the address of the building. Once you have the area of interest, you can create a bookmark for that location to help you return to it.
Move to Display
The Move to Display tool shifts the target BIM or CAD feature layer to the current display extent and places it near the surface of the ground. Make fine adjustments using other tools to accurately position the data.
Move
The Move tool allows you to move the file using coordinate or x,y,z values of the destination's location. The anchor point location can be moved to another location for more accurate placement. Press Ctrl while you drag the anchor point to modify its placement. The georeference Move tool and its user controls are modeled after the Move tool used for feature editing.
To move a file, complete the following steps:
- Select a subset of the features you want to reposition.
Selecting a subset is not required, but it reduces processing time.
- On the Georeferencing tab, in the Prepare group, click Move
. The graphic move control is shown, which allows you to move the data to the desired location by dragging in the direction of the arrows, or unconstrained by moving the anchor of the control.
- Move the selected feature layer using one of the following methods:
- Hover over the target BIM or CAD feature layer. The pointer changes to a move symbol . Drag the feature layer to the new position. To choose different anchor points, press the Ctrl key. The pointer changes to an orange cone, and you can drag the anchor to a new location.
- Press the A key and type the x, y, and z coordinates of the move destination. Press the Enter key to apply the transformation.
- Hover over the target BIM or CAD feature layer. The pointer changes to a move symbol
- When you're finished, press the Esc key.
Elevate To Ground
The Elevate To Ground tool allows you to elevate the selected feature layer on top of the scene's elevation surface based on the location of an anchor point. The anchor point location can be moved to another location for more accurate placement.
To change the location, follow these steps:
- Click a BIM or CAD feature layer in the Contents pane.
- Click the BIM data tab.
- Click the Georeference button
. - On the
Georeferencing tab, in the Prepare group, click the Move button
.The location of the anchor point is highlighted.
- Press the Ctrl key while you drag the selection anchor.
- Click the Elevate To
Ground button
when the anchor
point is at the correct location.
Rotate
The Rotate tool allows you to rotate a BIM or CAD dataset by dragging it or specifying the angle.
The rotation angle is measured beginning at zero degrees. Positive values rotate the dataset in a counterclockwise direction, while negative values rotate the dataset in a clockwise direction.
To rotate the dataset, complete the following steps:
- On the Georeferencing tab, in the Prepare group, click Rotate
. A selection anchor and a rotation disk are enabled on the map.
- Press the Ctrl key while you drag the selection anchor.
- Rotate the selected feature layer by doing one of the following:
- Hover over the rotation disk. The pointer changes to a rotation symbol. Drag the rotation disk.
- Press the A key and type the angular value on the dialog box. Press the Enter key to apply the transformation.
- Press the Esc key when you're finished.
Save
The Save tool allows you to save the current state of the offset transformation to the appropriately named world file (.wld3). A world file with the name of the BIM or CAD file with a .wld3 file extension in the same folder will be created or overwritten.
Optionally, use the Save As tool to save the world file with any name you choose; for example, when you know you have another CAD or BIM file that will use the exact same transformation information. Optionally, use the Save To Workspace tool, which creates a universal world file named ESRI_CAD.wld3 in the file folder of the CAD or BIM file. This is useful when you know multiple CAD or BIM files will use the same world file information.
Close Georeference
The Close Georeference button closes the Georeference tab. You will be asked to confirm the cancellation of any unsaved transformation information.