Debugging Model Upload Issues

When uploading 3D model files to cmBuilder, you may encounter an error such as “Conversion of model failed. No solid geometry found.” This guide walks through common causes and fixes.

Summary

1. cmBuilder supports solid 3D models and surfaces made of triangle surfaces. It does not support point clouds, line/wireframes, drawings, or pure annotations - files that contain only these will be treated as empty.
2. Some products export files that don’t follow standard conventions; those exports may fail to convert.
3. Sometimes the source file is truly empty (or was exported in a view with nothing visible).
4. IFC imports can be filtered: if all BIM classes are turned off, the converted model will be empty. Re-enable IFC classes in User Settings → Import and re-upload.

1) Unsupported geometry types

What’s supported: triangle-based 3D surfaces/volumes.

What’s not supported: point clouds (LAS, XYZ, RCS, etc.), linework/wireframes (DWG, DXF, etc.), pure 2D drawings/annotations (pdfs, labels, etc.). If a file only contains these, the converter reads it as “empty”.

Fix:

1. In your authoring tool (or in a 3D model viewer), confirm the model contains actual 3D surfaces/solids (not just points/lines).
2. Export to a supported format and workflow:
   • For drone or lidar scans, follow 4.7 Importing Drone Scans to export as a FBX or OBJ with embedded textures.

2) Non-standard or incompatible export settings

Some products export geometry or materials in ways that don’t match IFC/FBX expectations. Symptoms include “processed” uploads that still look blank, or failed models flagged as empty or unsupported.

Fix (use a proven export path):

• Converting from Revit.
• Converting from Navisworks
• Converting from SketchUp

If issues persist, try a different target format (such as IFC instead of FBX), then re-upload.

3) The file is actually empty (or exported with nothing visible)

Open the file in its native app and confirm there are selectable objects. If you exported from a view that hides everything, the result will be an empty container.

Fix:

• Double-check it is not empty in another model viewer.
• Re-export using a view with the elements you want visible (e.g., in Revit enable “Export only elements visible in view” during IFC export).

4) IFC filters removed all elements

If IFC category filters were applied prior to conversion, cmBuilder will exclude those classes - potentially all of them - producing an “empty” model.

Fix:

1. In cmBuilder open User Settings (top-right user menu).
2. Go to the Import tab and turn all relevant BIM classes ON.
3. Save and re-upload the IFC.

Quick checklist & tips

• File size sanity check: If your upload is less than 1MB, it’s probably empty.
• NWD/NWC direct support: Upload NWD/NWC straight to cmBuilder instead of converting to FBX.
• Follow pre-processing best practices: See 4.1.1 Preparing BIM Models for Import.

Further reading

• 4.1 BIM & Scan Models — supported formats & upload flow
• 4.1.1 Preparing BIM Models for Import — export tips by authoring tool{index=14}
• 4.1.2 Converting from Revit — recommended IFC/NWC exports
• 4.1.3 Converting from Navisworks — NWD/NWC guidance
• 4.1.4 Converting from SketchUp — IFC4 recommended; FBX options when textured
• 4.7 Importing Drone Scans — OBJ→FBX with textures (Blender/Recap)
• 0.3 User Settings — Import tab (IFC/RVT options & filters)

Still stuck?

If your file still appears empty after following these steps, attach your source file and describe the export path (tool + format + key options) when contacting support. Links to the specific guides you followed (above) help us reproduce the issue quickly.