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CAD and BIM models

Turn an architectural or synthetic 3D model into an AR Clip VPS map. Use it for construction, indoor navigation or digital twins.

Prepare the geometry​

  1. Import the CAD or BIM model into Blender, Unity or a similar tool.
  2. Collapse instanced objects, and remove hidden or unneeded geometry.
  3. Reduce the polygon count but keep the key features. Aim for 5 million triangles or fewer.
  4. If you want to preview the model, generate UVs and bake lightweight textures.

Plan anchors​

[
  { "name": "lobby", "position": [0.0, 0.0, 0.0] },
  { "name": "elevator_north", "position": [12.4, 0.0, 28.9] }
]
  • Coordinates are in metres, measured from the model's origin.
  • Use stable names, such as lobby or loading_dock, so your SDK code can use them directly.

Upload with Python​

# upload_cad.py
from pathlib import Path
import json
import os
import requests

API_BASE = "https://api.arclip.app/vps/api/v3"
TOKEN = os.environ["ARCLIP_TOKEN"]
MODEL = Path("exports/mall.glb")
ANCHORS = Path("exports/anchors.json")

headers = {"Authorization": f"Bearer {TOKEN}"}

payload = {
    "name": "Mall Digital Twin",
    "dataType": "mesh",
    "sourceFormat": "glb",
    "anchors": json.loads(ANCHORS.read_text()),
    "publish": False
}

init = requests.post(f"{API_BASE}/maps/import", json=payload, headers=headers)
init.raise_for_status()
info = init.json()
map_id, upload_url = info["mapId"], info["uploadUrl"]

with MODEL.open("rb") as src:
    put = requests.put(upload_url, data=src, headers={"Content-Type": "model/gltf-binary"})
    put.raise_for_status()

finalize = requests.post(f"{API_BASE}/maps/{map_id}/finalize", json={}, headers=headers)
finalize.raise_for_status()
print(f"CAD map {map_id} queued → {finalize.json()['status']}")
  • You can include anchors in the first request, or add them later with POST /maps/{id}/anchors.
  • If the model is georeferenced, add coordinate ({"lat": ..., "lon": ..., "alt": ...}).

Check the map​

  • Preview the map in arclip.design, and adjust anchor offsets if needed.
  • Test localization with the Unity SDK. Align virtual objects using the same anchor IDs.
  • When the CAD model changes, import it again. Call POST /maps/{id}/update instead of creating a new map, and the mapId stays the same.