Scene - Overview
When you open a scene, you gain access to a variety of menus, including 3D View, Details, Files in Scene, Share, Library, Properties, and others depending on your user permissions and project setup. These menus are briefly explained below.
Use the Editor View menu to start the walk-through of your 3D model prepared for virtual reality. You can walk through it either directly in this menu—in a 3D view—or in virtual reality (VR). If you have the necessary permissions, you can also edit it. To walk through your scene in VR, press the "VR" button at the bottom right.
The 3D View menu includes various features related to scene functions, navigation, and object manipulation. These are explained in the following sections.
In the "Details" menu, you define the name of your scene. Below the name field, you’ll find a text field for a short description of your scene. In the "Tags" field below it, you can define keywords (tags) that help classify and search for scenes.
In this menu, you’ll find all files that have been imported for this scene. With the appropriate permissions, you can upload additional files. For detailed information, see the article: Files in the scene.
Scenes can be georeferenced. With georeferencing, you can visualize the planned project in the context of its real surroundings—such as neighboring buildings and topography—using the HEGIAS.navigator. Georeferencing enables sun/shadow studies as well as the visualization of sightlines and views.
For detailed information, see the support article Location.
With the appropriate permissions, you can generate an invitation link to share your scene. This allows others to visit the scene. For more detailed information, see the article: Share.
This menu gives you access to all public and private objects and materials that you can apply to your scene.
The "Objects" submenu gives you access to your private and all publicly available furnishing objects. You can sort them by category, arrange them alphabetically, or search specifically by product name or category.
Similarly, the "Materials" submenu gives you access to your private and all publicly available materials for the interior design of your property.
To apply a furnishing object or material in your scene, open the respective submenu, press the left mouse button, move the cursor to the desired object or material, and drag it into your scene to the respective position or surface on which the object or material is to be applied.
The Issue Management Tab allows existing issues from BIMcollab to be viewed and/or changed. The issues are synchronized directly via the cloud, i.e., all adjustments are saved directly to your user profile on BIMcollab and are always up to date. Detailed information can be found in the support article: Set up BIMcollab for BCF Issues Management.
With viewpoints, you can teleport to predefined locations in the model. A viewpoint stores not only the position data but also the viewing direction and the scale of the model.
The "Save" function belongs to the group of scene functions in the "Editor View" menu. The "Save" button can be found at the top left edge of the Editor view. With the appropriate permissions, you can use it to save changes made in your scene. If you leave a scene without saving first, your changes will be lost.
The "Save As" function also belongs to the group of scene functions in the "Editor View" menu. With the appropriate permissions, you can use this function to save changes you made to your scene as a new scene, creating a duplicate that includes all your recent edits without overwriting the original. This allows you to preserve the original scene while working on variations or backups. You can rename the new scene to distinguish it from the original. If you leave the scene without saving the changes, they will be lost.
The "Screenshot" function also belongs to the group of scene functions in the "Editor View" menu. The "Screenshot" button is found to the right of "Save". With the appropriate permissions, you can use it to take a screenshot of your current view and save it as the cover photo of your scene. The title photo will be displayed both on the project level and in the Details menu.
The "Reset Scene" function is part of the scene functions in the "Editor View" menu. You’ll find the "Reset Scene" button to the right of "Screenshot". With the appropriate permissions, you can use it to reset your scene to its original state and cancel any changes made since opening the scene—without reloading it.
When you open a scene, you always start in walk mode.
The "Walk Mode" function in the "Editor View" menu enables you to navigate your model with a walk-through perspective, allowing movement primarily along horizontal planes.
The "Model View" function is part of the navigation tools in the "3D View" menu. It allows you to switch from the first-person walk-through perspective to an overall view of the entire model. This mode lets you see the full model at once instead of navigating from within it. To move vertically or switch floors in a multi-story model while in 3D view, you need to switch to flight mode.
The "Move" function belongs to the group of object functions in the "3D View" menu. It allows you to move a previously selected object horizontally along the x- and y-axes and vertically along the z-axis.
All standing objects (e.g., armchairs, vases) automatically snap back to the nearest supporting surface (e.g., floor, tabletop) after vertical movement. To move an object, first select it with your cursor. This embeds the object in a 3D coordinate system, and a small surface appears in each of the three spatial planes of the object. Then press the left mouse button and move the cursor to one of the surfaces or one of the arrow-shaped axis handles to move the object accordingly.
As part of the placement functionality, automatic alignment activates when an object is positioned on or near a wall. When you drag an object directly onto a wall or place it close by, it automatically aligns parallel to the wall surface.
Note: This automatic alignment is currently only available in the editor (browser) version and not in the VR version.
The "Rotate" function also belongs to the object functions in the "3D View" menu. It allows you to rotate a selected object along the three spatial axes. To rotate an object, select it with your cursor. The object will be embedded in a 3D coordinate system, and three rings (circles) will appear around it, each with a diamond-shaped handle. Then press the left mouse button and move the cursor to one of the three circles to rotate the object around the corresponding axis.
A. Standard Rotation (Snapping)
When placing or rotating materials and objects, rotation is performed by default in 15-degree increments. This snapping feature allows for consistent alignment along defined angles.
Note: This function is currently available only in the editor (browser) version, not in VR.
B. Smooth Fine Adjustment
For precise alignment, hold the Shift key while rotating in the browser. This enables smooth, continuous rotation without angle snapping.
In VR, smooth rotation is the default.
The "Scale" function belongs to the group of object functions in the "Editor View" menu. It allows you to scale a selected object along any of the three spatial axes, i.e., to stretch/enlarge or compress/shrink it. To scale an object, first select it with your cursor. As in the "Move" mode, this will embed the object in a three-dimensional coordinate system and project three small surfaces into the respective spatial planes. Then press the left mouse button and move the cursor either to one of the three surfaces or to one of the three rectangular ends of the coordinate system to scale the object in the corresponding spatial plane or axis.
The "Copy" function belongs to the group of object functions in the "Editor View" menu. This function allows you to copy a selected object without having to paste the same object from the library again.
The "Delete" function belongs to the group of object functions in the "Editor View" menu. It allows you to delete a previously selected object from your scene.
The Multiuser function is the last feature in the "3D View" menu. It allows participants with access to the same scene to navigate and edit it collaboratively. For more details, see the support article: Multiuser Mode.
1. Editor View
Use the Editor View menu to start the walk-through of your 3D model prepared for virtual reality. You can walk through it either directly in this menu—in a 3D view—or in virtual reality (VR). If you have the necessary permissions, you can also edit it. To walk through your scene in VR, press the "VR" button at the bottom right.
The 3D View menu includes various features related to scene functions, navigation, and object manipulation. These are explained in the following sections.
2. Details
In the "Details" menu, you define the name of your scene. Below the name field, you’ll find a text field for a short description of your scene. In the "Tags" field below it, you can define keywords (tags) that help classify and search for scenes.
3. Files in the scene
In this menu, you’ll find all files that have been imported for this scene. With the appropriate permissions, you can upload additional files. For detailed information, see the article: Files in the scene.
4. Location
Scenes can be georeferenced. With georeferencing, you can visualize the planned project in the context of its real surroundings—such as neighboring buildings and topography—using the HEGIAS.navigator. Georeferencing enables sun/shadow studies as well as the visualization of sightlines and views.
For detailed information, see the support article Location.
5. Share
With the appropriate permissions, you can generate an invitation link to share your scene. This allows others to visit the scene. For more detailed information, see the article: Share.
6. Library
This menu gives you access to all public and private objects and materials that you can apply to your scene.
The "Objects" submenu gives you access to your private and all publicly available furnishing objects. You can sort them by category, arrange them alphabetically, or search specifically by product name or category.
Similarly, the "Materials" submenu gives you access to your private and all publicly available materials for the interior design of your property.
To apply a furnishing object or material in your scene, open the respective submenu, press the left mouse button, move the cursor to the desired object or material, and drag it into your scene to the respective position or surface on which the object or material is to be applied.
7. Issue Management
The Issue Management Tab allows existing issues from BIMcollab to be viewed and/or changed. The issues are synchronized directly via the cloud, i.e., all adjustments are saved directly to your user profile on BIMcollab and are always up to date. Detailed information can be found in the support article: Set up BIMcollab for BCF Issues Management.
8. Viewpoints
With viewpoints, you can teleport to predefined locations in the model. A viewpoint stores not only the position data but also the viewing direction and the scale of the model.
9. Save
The "Save" function belongs to the group of scene functions in the "Editor View" menu. The "Save" button can be found at the top left edge of the Editor view. With the appropriate permissions, you can use it to save changes made in your scene. If you leave a scene without saving first, your changes will be lost.
9. Save as...
The "Save As" function also belongs to the group of scene functions in the "Editor View" menu. With the appropriate permissions, you can use this function to save changes you made to your scene as a new scene, creating a duplicate that includes all your recent edits without overwriting the original. This allows you to preserve the original scene while working on variations or backups. You can rename the new scene to distinguish it from the original. If you leave the scene without saving the changes, they will be lost.
10. Screenshot
The "Screenshot" function also belongs to the group of scene functions in the "Editor View" menu. The "Screenshot" button is found to the right of "Save". With the appropriate permissions, you can use it to take a screenshot of your current view and save it as the cover photo of your scene. The title photo will be displayed both on the project level and in the Details menu.
11. Reset scene
The "Reset Scene" function is part of the scene functions in the "Editor View" menu. You’ll find the "Reset Scene" button to the right of "Screenshot". With the appropriate permissions, you can use it to reset your scene to its original state and cancel any changes made since opening the scene—without reloading it.
12. Walk Mode
When you open a scene, you always start in walk mode.
The "Walk Mode" function in the "Editor View" menu enables you to navigate your model with a walk-through perspective, allowing movement primarily along horizontal planes.
13. Model View
The "Model View" function is part of the navigation tools in the "3D View" menu. It allows you to switch from the first-person walk-through perspective to an overall view of the entire model. This mode lets you see the full model at once instead of navigating from within it. To move vertically or switch floors in a multi-story model while in 3D view, you need to switch to flight mode.
13. Move
The "Move" function belongs to the group of object functions in the "3D View" menu. It allows you to move a previously selected object horizontally along the x- and y-axes and vertically along the z-axis.
All standing objects (e.g., armchairs, vases) automatically snap back to the nearest supporting surface (e.g., floor, tabletop) after vertical movement. To move an object, first select it with your cursor. This embeds the object in a 3D coordinate system, and a small surface appears in each of the three spatial planes of the object. Then press the left mouse button and move the cursor to one of the surfaces or one of the arrow-shaped axis handles to move the object accordingly.
As part of the placement functionality, automatic alignment activates when an object is positioned on or near a wall. When you drag an object directly onto a wall or place it close by, it automatically aligns parallel to the wall surface.
Note: This automatic alignment is currently only available in the editor (browser) version and not in the VR version.
14. Rotate
The "Rotate" function also belongs to the object functions in the "3D View" menu. It allows you to rotate a selected object along the three spatial axes. To rotate an object, select it with your cursor. The object will be embedded in a 3D coordinate system, and three rings (circles) will appear around it, each with a diamond-shaped handle. Then press the left mouse button and move the cursor to one of the three circles to rotate the object around the corresponding axis.
A. Standard Rotation (Snapping)
When placing or rotating materials and objects, rotation is performed by default in 15-degree increments. This snapping feature allows for consistent alignment along defined angles.
Note: This function is currently available only in the editor (browser) version, not in VR.
B. Smooth Fine Adjustment
For precise alignment, hold the Shift key while rotating in the browser. This enables smooth, continuous rotation without angle snapping.
In VR, smooth rotation is the default.
15. Scale
The "Scale" function belongs to the group of object functions in the "Editor View" menu. It allows you to scale a selected object along any of the three spatial axes, i.e., to stretch/enlarge or compress/shrink it. To scale an object, first select it with your cursor. As in the "Move" mode, this will embed the object in a three-dimensional coordinate system and project three small surfaces into the respective spatial planes. Then press the left mouse button and move the cursor either to one of the three surfaces or to one of the three rectangular ends of the coordinate system to scale the object in the corresponding spatial plane or axis.
16. Copy
The "Copy" function belongs to the group of object functions in the "Editor View" menu. This function allows you to copy a selected object without having to paste the same object from the library again.
17. Delete
The "Delete" function belongs to the group of object functions in the "Editor View" menu. It allows you to delete a previously selected object from your scene.
18. Multiuser
The Multiuser function is the last feature in the "3D View" menu. It allows participants with access to the same scene to navigate and edit it collaboratively. For more details, see the support article: Multiuser Mode.
Updated on: 28/05/2025
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