Splitting BIM Model Elements
Available with the Following Subscriptions: All Subscriptions
Available for the Following Roles: All Roles
Use the Split Building tool to split imported BIM models. This feature allows you to break down a single element into multiple separate parts, and assign each part to a different milestones. For example you can break a single slab into multiple sections for concrete pour sequencing.
đź’ˇ If you prefer to follow along a video, there is a video at the bottom of the page on this topic
In this article we cover:
Creating a Model Split
The Split Building feature allows you to split your imported BIM models by selecting model elements and splitting objects like line. To use this feature:
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Select Objects to Split: Select BIM element from your model that you want to split.
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Draw Splitting Objects: Draw a splitting object such as a line and click confirm to split.
Here is a step-by-step guide on creating your model split:
- Upload a BIM model:
- Navigate to Buildings → BIM Import → Upload File to load your BIM model into the scene.
- If you already have a BIM model loaded, right-click on the model and select Edit BIM Model to open the side sheet.
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Accessing Split Buildings:
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From the Buildings Panel:
- Click on Buildings → Split Building to access the tool.
- Click on Buildings → Split Building to access the tool.
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From the BIM Model Side Sheet:
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You can also access the tool by selecting Split from the side sheet’s toolbar.
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Select objects to split
- By default, the Object to Split card will be selected when you enter the Split Building tool.
- Select the BIM elements you wish to split, either directly from the scene or from the object tree.
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đź’ˇTIP: Only select enclosed objects to split. Do not select open geometry.
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Draw splitting objects
- Once the objects are selected, click Create Line to enter Sketch mode and draw your splitting object.
- Draw a line along the location where you want to split the model. When done, click Confirm to finalize the shape.
- Once the objects are selected, click Create Line to enter Sketch mode and draw your splitting object.
- You will notice the drawn line gets added to the 2nd card which is Splitting Object card (1). You will also notice a blue color dashed line (2) appears in the scene, that is the splitting line which will extruded to split the elements.
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Generate Preview or Confirm:
- At this stage, you can either Generate Preview or click Confirm to finalize the split operation.
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Preview the Split:
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Click on Generate Preview to see the result before creating the split.
- The Resulting Objects will appear in the side sheet, and the BIM elements will be visually split in the scene, highlighted by green and maroon colors.
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Click on Generate Preview to see the result before creating the split.
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Confirm the Split:
- If satisfied with the preview, click Confirm to finalize the split. Depending on the complexity of the operation, this may take some time.
- If satisfied with the preview, click Confirm to finalize the split. Depending on the complexity of the operation, this may take some time.
- At this stage, you can either Generate Preview or click Confirm to finalize the split operation.
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After the Split Operation
Once the split operation is complete, you'll see a notification confirming the split. The selected BIM elements will now be divided into multiple parts.
- Split Building Table:
- In the Split Building table, you'll find details of the split.
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Object to Split (1) displays the original BIM elements that were divided, while Objects After Split (2) shows the number of new objects created from the split.
- Updated Model Tree:
- The BIM elements that have been split will also be reflected in the object tree.
- The icon for the split element will update, and the element’s name will include Split 1 (or the respective split number) to indicate the part of the split.
Editing a Model Split
Each model can only be split once. You have two options to access editing of an existing split operation.
đź’ˇ Keep in Mind: Editing a split will remove sequencing and properties of split elements.
- From the Split Buildings Menu: Click Split buildings → 3 Dot Menu → Edit Split.
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From the BIM Model: Select BIM Model → Right click and Edit BIM model → Split.
Add/Remove Model Elements
When you are editing a split, you can add more BIM elements or remove the existing ones.
- Add objects: To add, simply click on model elements and the new elements will be added in the Objects to Split card.
 - Remove Objects: To remove, simply click on the the Remove icon to remove the BIM element from the split operation.Â
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Edit Cutting Object
- To edit the cutting object, click Edit (pen icon)Â under the Splitting Object card.
- Adjust the sketch to your desired shape and press Confirm to finalize the new sketch.
- The split operation will update automatically when you add/remove elements or modify the cutting object.
- You can either Generate Preview to review the changes or Confirm to finalize the split.
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Remove Cutting Object
You can remove the cutting object and start again if you prefer that flow.
- To remove the cutting object, click Remove under the Splitting Object card.
- Once removed, the cutting object will disappear from the card, and you’ll need to draw a new splitting object.
Deleting a Split Operation
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You can delete a split at any time, from two locations:
a. Click Delete (trashcan icon) in the Split Buildings side menu.
b. Or, go to the 3-Dot Menu → Delete Split.
- After clicking Delete, a confirmation modal will appear where you decide to delete or not.
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Once deleted, the model will lose all split operations and revert to its original tree structure.
Tips & FAQ:
Model Split General Tips:
- A model can only be split once. If you want to modify a previous split, use Edit Split instead of creating a new one. You won’t be able to select elements from an already split model.
- Only enclosed objects can be split. Open objects must be split outside cmBuilder.
- Updating the model will permanently remove all associated split operations.
- Editing a split will remove sequencing and properties of split elements.
- Deleting a split operation cannot be undone
User Workshop video covering Split Building:
Follow along this video to learn how to use the Split Building (Geometry) tool
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