4.5 Geolocation

Available with the Following Subscriptions: All Subscriptions
Available for the Following Roles: Project Editor, Project Admin

Follow the steps in this article to geolocate your BIM Models after setting up the geo-coordinates.


Cartesian coordinates are a way to pinpoint locations on the Earth's surface. They use a grid system that divides the world into zones, like slices of an orange, to make it easier to specify a location accurately.

World map divided into UTM coordinate zones

Map of Australia with a highlighted UTM zone between grid lines and the equator Ā  Ā  Ā  Ā  Ā  Ā Ā UTM coordinate example in zone 53S, showing easting 639822.87 m and northing 8222849.25

Every UTM coordinate is composed of 3 main variables:

  • Zone (only for some coordinate systems) - Predefined "slice" of the earth. Each zone has its own set of coordinates, making it simpler to communicate precise locations.Ā 
  • Easting (E/W) - Distance in meters of how far to the right a point is within its zone
  • Northing (N/S) - Distance in meters of how far up it is from the equator.

You can use this system to quickly position your Revit (or other) models in your cmBuilder scenario and here is how:

1. Add your coordinate system to your cmBuilder project

To learn how to add a geo-coordinate to your project refer to this user guide.

To determine what coordinate system your project is using, refer to this user guide.

2. Geolocate your model

Once you have uploaded your model in your Scenario, you can perform this step.

BIM model right-click menu with Edit BIM model, used to start geolocating the modelBIM model Transform panel with Project Origin, coordinate system and Easting/Northing position fields highlighted

  1. In your model sidesheet, click Move.
  2. Choose Project Origin from the drop down.
  3. Change the Coordinate System to the one you intend to use for geolocation
  4. Enter your coordinate values. Note that there are 3 different situations for locating your model:
    1. You have the Latitude & Longitude values for your model
    2. You have the Easting & Northing values for your model
    3. Your model's origin has an Easting & Northing of 0,0.
      • In Revit, you can identify #2 or #3 by the values of your project origin:Revit Project Base Point showing shared site N/S and E/W coordinates, elevation and angle to True North
  5. If you have situation #2, you will want to also apply your rotation to 0 in your Coordinate System.
  6. If you have situation #3, you should apply the Transform that is provided (it will adjust the position and rotation).

    Position (Global) panel warning about coordinate distortion, with the Transform button and E/N fields at 0

3. Auto-position additional models

šŸ’”Note: Make sure to use the same IFC export settings for any other models in this project that are using the same coordinates so they will align in cmBuilder.

Once these models are imported, use the "Snap to position using Another Model" function to align models together:

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Edit BIM model side sheet with Snap to position using another model highlighted to align additional models

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