Import data methods

You can import data into CityEngine by dragging a file from the Navigator window into the current scene; or you can use the import wizard. The import wizard is a more advanced method and allows for fine-tuning the settings.

Import data by dragging a file into the current scene

Drag it into the 3D Viewport window to add it to the current scene. In this step, the import options defaults are used. These are suitable for most cases.

Drag to import image data

Dragging an image file from the Navigator window into a 3D Viewport window opens the Terrain dialog box.

Georeferenced data—such as .kml, .gdb, and .shp files—is placed at its georeferenced location. Data with no georeferenced information is placed at the drop spot, taking the data's center as its pivot.

Import data using the import wizard

Use the import dialog box for batch import and when default settings need to be adjusted.

Importing results

With the following formats, you have the same options and results when importing:

File formatDragging data resultImport wizard result

  • DWG (Autodesk)
  • DAE (COLLADA)
  • FBX (Autodesk)
  • glTF (Khronos Group)
  • IFC (buildingSMART)
  • KMZ/KML (Keyhole Markup Language)
  • OBJ (Wavefront)
  • USD (Universal Scene Description)

Static model

Choose to import as shape or static model

With the remaining formats, both graphs and shapes can be imported:

File formatImport result

  • DXF (AutoCAD)
  • FGDB (Esri File Geodatabase)
  • OSM (OpenStreetMap)
  • SHP (Esri Shapefile)

Shapes or graphs