BIM/CAD Tiler Selection Guide
Cesium ion has two tilers for BIM/CAD Models: Design Tiler and BIM/CAD Tiler with Database. Which one you choose depends on your file format, your geometry, and how you plan to work with element properties.
Choosing a tiler for BIM/CAD models
BIM/CAD Tiler with Database
Choose BIM/CAD Tiler with Database when:
- Your file is a MicroStation Design (.dgn), AutoCAD Drawing (.dwg), or Drawing Exchange Format (.dxf). BIM/CAD Tiler with Database is the only option for these formats.
- You need to query element properties on tiles not currently loaded on screen. BIM/CAD Tiler with Database stores most element properties in an external database, making them accessible without loading the full tileset.
- Your model includes geometry types not supported by the Design Tiler, such as elements without meshes like vector-based geometry.
- You want to upload Revit files without a local Revit installation.
Supported formats:
| Format | File Extension |
|---|---|
| Revit | .rvt |
| Industry Foundation Classes | .ifc |
| MicroStation Design | .dgn |
| AutoCAD Drawing | .dwg |
| Drawing Exchange Format | .dxf |
Design tiler
Choose Design Tiler when:
- Your workflow requires custom, nested, or complex element properties.
- Your workflow requires element properties embedded in the tileset, such as for certain styling workflows.
- You need organizational structure metadata, including assembly IDs and IfcSpace groupings.
- You want texture support.
Supported formats:
| Format | File Extension |
|---|---|
| Industry Foundation Classes | .ifc |
| Revit | .rvt¹ |
| glTF | .glTF, .glb² |
¹ Requires the Cesium for ion Revit Add-in.
² Element properties in EXT_structural_metadata will be added to the tileset.
The BIM/CAD Tiler with Database is currently in Technology Preview. APIs for working with this tiler and the data it produces might change prior to General Availability.