How to Open a Federated BIM Model

When a BIM Coordinator creates a federated BIM model, it’s often saved in a specific format that can be opened with a dedicated free viewing tool. This means that even without expensive BIM software, you can explore the entire project model in a 3D environment.

Most often, federated models are created using tools like Navisworks, Solibri, or BIMCollab, but there are many other options out there.

If you receive a federated BIM file, it usually means that someone has already ensured that:

This allows you to jump straight into exploring the project – whether to review design solutions, check for clashes, or simply better understand the spatial layout in 3D.