In BIM, an extent refers to the limits or spatial boundaries set within a model or document. Understanding the spatial extent of design files is a key component of planning and delivering projects within budget and schedule constraints. To learn more, see Locations and extents in ArcGIS GeoBIM.
The Add Document Extents tool allows you to create 2D polygons representing the extent of engineering documents on the earth, with links to the sources in Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC) or BIM 360. By default, this tool cannot be disabled, as each job needs to process the selected design documents to perform tasks such as adding document models, project issues, and project boundaries to your ArcGIS GeoBIM project. The geoprocessing tool reads the internal coordinates, and coordinate system when available, to accurately georeference each document extent on the map.
Use cases
The Add Document Extents tool allows you to perform tasks such as the following:
- Analyze document extents of CAD and BIM files on a map that can help to visualize how the project scope impacts or encroaches on the existing landscape and infrastructure.
- Simplify visual representations of active construction areas by synchronizing geolocated JPGs to make it fast and easy to convey progress and potential risks to key stakeholders.
- Ingest geospatial PDFs of site surveys to facilitate seamless data integration, initiate discussions, and support decision-making regarding site suitability.
Supported file formats
The following file formats are currently supported in ArcGIS GeoBIM:
- DWG
- RVT
- IFC
- DGN
- JPG
Note:
JPG files must include valid latitude and longitude metadata in their EXIF to be processed successfully.PDF files also require embedded geolocation metadata. At this time, only geospatial PDFs are supported in ArcGIS GeoBIM. GeoPDF format is not supported.
DGN files require a .prj file to be processed successfully.
For a more detailed view on the supported file formats per software release of ArcGIS GeoBIM, see this Esri Community post.
Tool settings
The Add Document Extents tool settings allow users to configure a number of parameters to ensure they get the desired output from their ACC or BIM 360 files.
| Element | Description |
|---|---|
1 | Select file formats to be processed allows you to configure the specific formats you want to add document extents for. By default, DWG, RVT, and IFC formats are selected. Other compatible formats include JPG, PDF, and DGN. Note:At least one file format must be selected. |
2 | The Add thumbnails as attachments toggle button allows you to include thumbnail attachments of your ACC or BIM 360 documents for a quick visual reference of the document being analyzed. |
3 | The Force Sync toggle button allows you to re-create the document extents, project issues, and project boundaries in GIS. When enabled, this setting cleans and regenerates the features stored in ArcGIS GeoBIM layers in case they are modified, corrupted, or deleted unintentionally. |
4 | The Default WKID setting allows you to enter the well-known ID (WKID) of the coordinate system to define the spatial reference for files that were not assigned a coordinate system in the source authoring tool. Note:WKID is a unique number used to identify a predefined coordinate reference system or spatial reference system within a GIS. Each WKID defines the coordinate system with all parameters needed to represent spatial data. |
5 | Click the Save button to store your configuration settings. |
Configure the tool
To configure the Add Document Extents tool, complete the following steps:
- In the Add Document Extents tool
, click the Settings button 
.The Add Document Extents window appears.
- Under Select file formats to be processed in the geoprocessing workflow, select the formats. The selected formats determine which files will be synced and used to create document extents. Expand the menu list to view and edit the selection of file formats.
Note:
If you want to add a new file format to your ArcGIS GeoBIM project, select it from the list and keep your prior selections active.
Removing previously selected file formats and running the tools will delete any prior synced document extents, project issues, and document models.
- Enable Force Synchronization to re-create the document extents, as well as features from any other selected geoprocessing tool. When enabled, this setting cleans and regenerates the features in the ArcGIS GeoBIM layers in case they are modified, corrupted, or deleted unintentionally.
Note:
If you want to ingest the latest published designs or new project issues from the ACC or BIM 360 project, you do not need to enable Force Synchronization.
- Optionally, under Default WKID, enter a WKID to define the project's spatial reference. This is only needed if design files do not have an internal coordinate system applied. For more technical details, see Georeferencing workflows in CAD and BIM files.
Note:
This setting is set to null by default.
Using the Default WKID setting will override the location specified in Revit documents that use geographic location. All other files will retain their internal coordinate system, if it exists.
It is recommended that you georeference your design files in the source authoring tool.
- Click Save. The tool settings close.
Output
Once the tools have completed, the Documents table will be populated with the list of successfully synchronized document extents. The Documents table provides a combination of Autodesk BIM project data, such as document and project names, spatial reference, and GIS feature layer data.
Regular updates
Updates published to the ACC or BIM 360 project or projects do not automatically synchronize to your ArcGIS GeoBIM project.
If you are using ArcGIS GeoBIM for the purpose of maintaining an up-to-date view of project documents that are actively being worked on, regular runs of the Add Document Extents tool are essential. This ensures seamless integration of the most recent updates, maintaining the accuracy and relevance of data stored in the ArcGIS GeoBIM documents layer.
Limitations
Some limitations for this tool include:
- Documents that lack georeferencing are not supported in ArcGIS GeoBIM.
- Not all ACC or BIM 360 supported documents are supported in ArcGIS GeoBIM.