BIM View Navigation Controls for 3D Perspective Repositioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing BIM viewer tools require multiple user inputs to reposition the perspective in three-dimensional views, leading to a poor user experience due to limited screen real estate and user error, especially when navigating in directions other than the current perspective's orientation.

Innovation Solution

A BIM viewer tool with navigational controls such as 'Walk', 'Up/Down', 'Look', '2D inset', and 'elevation' controls allows users to adjust the perspective along lateral and vertical axes and orientations with variable speed and direction, facilitating seamless navigation in three-dimensional BIM views.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional navigation controls are used in BIM viewer tools, then the system can reposition the perspective in three-dimensional views, but multiple repetitive user inputs are required leading to poor user experience and increased likelihood of user error

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser experienceVSAvoidnumber of user inputs
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-calculates and stores optimal repositioning paths between different perspectives in the BIM model. When a user selects a target perspective, the system retrieves the pre-computed path and automatically executes the repositioning sequence, eliminating the need for multiple manual navigation inputs and significantly reducing user effort and time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional navigation controls are used to reposition perspective in directions other than current orientation, then the perspective can be moved, but multiple user inputs are required including re-orientation steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenavigation direction flexibilityVSAvoidnumber of control operations
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges the repositioning and re-orientation operations into a single unified action. When moving the perspective to a new location, the system automatically calculates and applies the appropriate orientation adjustments along the path, combining what were previously separate control sequences into one seamless operation that reduces complexity while maintaining full navigational flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4390805B1Computer system and method for navigating building information model views
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 PROCORE TECHNOLOGIES INC
  • EP4390805B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4390805B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4390805B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed herein is software technology that facilitates improved navigation of a three-dimensional view of a construction project. In one aspect, disclosed herein is a Building Information Model (BIM) viewer software tool that may facilitate navigation of the view by adjusting the perspective along either or both of the lateral axes. In another aspect, the disclosed software tool may facilitate navigation of the view by adjusting the perspective directly along the vertical axis. And in yet another aspect, the disclosed software tool may facilitate navigation of the view by adjusting the orientation of the perspective along the two lateral axes and the vertical axis. To facilitate this, the software tool may generate a GUI that presents the view and one or more navigational controls. The software tool may receive a user input via the navigational controls and change the position of the perspective from which the software tool renders the view.