0.2 Create Your First Site Plan

Justin Khabra

Updated July 30, 2025 21:36

Available with the Following Subscriptions: All Subscriptions
Available for the Following Roles: All Roles

Know before reading:
Site plans are known as Scenarios in cmBuilder, the two terms are used interchangeably. Its within a Scenario where the 3D/4D planning will take place. Scenarios are saved inside of Projects, Projects can contain multiple Scenarios.

💡Note: If you haven't already, before attempting to create a site plan/Scenario you will need to:

🔗Setup your user account
🔗Edit Browser GPU Settings for the best possible experience using cmBuilder.

This article is meant to serve as a quick-start guide to get new users up to speed on the basics of cmBuilder, and enable them to build their first Scenario (AKA site plan). For a more in-depth introduction, make sure to read all articles in our 🔗Getting Started Section or check out our 🔗Video Tutorials, (specifically our 3 parts Sandbox Tutorial videos).

This article contains the following sections:

1. Create or choose a Project to work in

The company homepage lists all active Projects. Click the Create Project button (1) to create a new Project. Alternatively choose from the existing Active Projects listed (2),

💡Note: to create a Project there must be space for an additional Active Project, also you will need the necessary Role/Permission, contact your cmBuilder Admin to request Role/Permission changes.

To learn more about creating a Project, read the 🔗Create Project user guide section.

2. Create or choose a Scenario to work in

Creating a Scenario is done from within a Project -the first Scenario is automatically created upon Project creation. A Project can have multiple Scenarios, but all Scenarios within a Project will be based on the same map tile. There are multiple ways to create a new Scenario including: Create New (1) or Duplicate Scenario (2). Alternatively choose an existing Scenario (3) to work in.

To learn more about creating a Scenario, read the 🔗Create Scenario user guide section.

3. Learn the Scenario User Interface

The Scenario workspace is where all the 3D/4D magic happens. It is within a Scenario where users will upload their Project Schedule, Overlay Drawings and BIM Models, insert Resources, add Annotations, set up Presentation Slides and more. Options to adjust visual setting, performance settings and view modes are also available from within a Scenario.

To learn more about the Scenario user interface, read the 🔗Scenario user guide section.

To navigate through 3D space within a Scenario it is recommended to use a mouse. The most complete and up-to-date list of all navigation controls and keyboard shortcuts is available to you at anytime from within cmBuilder. Simply click the "?" button in the upper right corner of the screen, and select “Key Shortcuts”.

Here is a summary of the controls to navigate the 3D space:

4. Recommended Workflow

Although there isn't a right or wrong way to use cmBuilder, for smoothest project execution we recommend the following high level order of actions:

Create the Project Schedule

cmBuilder uses a series of Milestones (snapshots in time) to build a project timeline. BIM Elements, Resources, Annotations and other object types can then assigned to the different Milestones. Users can opt to manually create Milestones individually or import a schedule file to create multiple Milestones from a selection of dates. For new users it is recommended to begin with manually created Milestones.

To learn how to manually create Milestones, read the 🔗Create Milestones user guide section.
To learn how to import a schedule file, read the 🔗Import Schedule user guide section.

Overlay a 2D Logistics Plan

An overlayed PDF drawing of a logistics plan will help with the subsequent steps of positioning BIM Models, adding Resources and Annotations. You will first need to upload a drawing, then use the Align & Position to easily scale and locate the drawing to align with the 3D map tile. The same process can be used to import images like Drone captured orthomosaic or satellite images to overlay on the map tile.

Learn more about importing PDFs/Images and Align & Position, from the 🔗Drawing Overlay - Align & Position user guide section.

Import and Position BIM Models

💡Note: in lieu of a BIM Model, you may create a building representation using the🔗Massing Tool.

cmBuilder accepts BIM Models in .rvt .ifc .nwd and .stp format; mesh files are also accepted (typically for as-built/reality capture) in .fbx format. Once imported the models may need to be positioned in 3D space, based on Overlay Drawings. Lastly, in order to visualize the construction process, you will need to Sequence the model -to Sequence a model is to attach its elements the Milestones.

To learn how to import & position BIM Models, read the 🔗BIM & Scan Models user guide section.
To learn how to sequence a BIM Model, read the 🔗Sequence BIM Models user guide section.

Earthwork

The maptile topography can be modified by using the Excavation toolset or applying a Custom Terrain. The Excavation feature set, makes it easy to rapidly model, simulate, and quantify the bulk and detailed excavation phase. A Custom Terrain can be applied to the map to alter the default/initial topography if needed.

To learn how to use the Excavation feature set, read the 🔗Excavation user guide section.
To learn about altering the initial topography, read the 🔗Custom Terrain user guide section.

💡Note: Excavation Operations require use of the sketch tool to define Excavation boundaries, read more about the 🔗Sketch Toolkit .

Resources

cmBuilder’s catalogue of Resources is organized by categories and includes thousands of 3D parametrically adjustable objects including construction equipment from cranes to site trailers to fences as well as common items like public vehicles vegetation and street signs. Many of the Resources are created to match existing makes and models to help you plan your project with confidence.

Learn how to add and position Resources in the 🔗Resources user guide section.
Click here to learn how to 🔗Sequence Resources that is to tie it to a Milestone.

Annotations

The Annotation toolset contains a versatile set of tools including Labels, Callouts, 3D Lines and Zones. These are useful to communicate information but can also be used to "dress up" a Scenario for aesthetic reasons.

To learn more about the Annotate toolset, read the 🔗Annotate user guide section.

Presentation & Slides

The best way to "package" a Scenario for sharing is to build a presentation using Slides that showcase the Scenario at each Milestone. For each Slide setup a viewpoint, set transition and slide duration times, and add markups like callouts, measurements and more. The Slides can be viewed in a playable presentation, or exported out of cmBuilder. The presentation can be exported as a video, or shared via a view only link.

To learn how to create a Presentation, read the 🔗Presentation user guide section.

Outputs: Export and Share

There are a number of options to output content authored in cmBuilder. Click the Export/Share button (1) to view these options which include: view-only live links, HD images, presentation slides or a video of the Scenario presentation.

To learn more about cmBuilder exports, visit the 🔗Share and Export user guide section.