When submitting a model for review in VU.CITY, it is essential to provide comprehensive details to ensure accurate assessment and integration. Below is an essential checklist to follow when preparing your model for submission.

• Model import menu

  

When importing the model into VU.CITY, you are presented with the menu above. This is where you input the instructions for what VU.CITY should do with your model. By default, it is set to import a geolocated AutoCAD/Revit/Rhino model scaled in metres. If the settings are not set correctly or at least one of the variables is incorrect, the model will import into the wrong location, might be very small or large, or be on its side. This is why providing the correct information about the model is so important.

Example of correctly provided import settings:

Software: Revit

Scale units: Feet

Plugin: No

Geolocated: No

Eastings: 530000

Northings: 180000

AOD: 12m

Software: SketchUp

Scale units: Inch

Plugin: Yes

Geolocated: Yes

Eastings: n/a

Northings: n/a

AOD: n/a

Geolocation

The VU.CITY model importer functions by aligning the model’s origin with the provided coordinates. Without them, it is impossible to determine where the model should be placed.

Geolocated models

Confirm if the model is geolocated. Geolocation is crucial for placing the model accurately within the VU.CITY environment.

Non-geolocated models

For models that are not geolocated, it is necessary to provide import coordinates. The coordinates need to be scaled in metres and relevant to the model’s origin.

• For the UK, geolocation should conform to the British National Grid (GBOS).
• For Ireland, geolocation should conform to Irish Transverse Mercator (ITM).
• All other supported locations use UTM projection.
  
  

Software and export details

Software used

Clearly specify the software used to prepare the model. This information helps in understanding the modelling conventions and tools involved.

Export method

Indicate if the model was exported using our plugins. This is vital as importing models exported directly from Revit or SketchUp differs from importing those exported with the plugins.

Model scale and units

Scale Units

Ensure the model’s scale units are correctly mentioned. For models not exported through our plugins, specify the unit scale used (e.g., metres, feet, inches).

Model optimisation

Optimisation and mesh merging

To ensure full compatibility with VU.CITY, models should be optimised and merged into a single mesh. This step is crucial for maintaining compatibility with the VU.CITY platform.