3D/BIM models and processing credits

Supported formats and price tiers

The BuildColab 3D viewer can show these file types after processing: .rvt, .rfa, .dwg, .dxf, .dwf, .dwfx, .ifc, .nwc, .nwd, .fbx, .obj, .3ds, .stl, .step and .stp. Every other file is stored and downloadable as usual but cannot be processed.

Processing is priced in two tiers, the same way Autodesk prices its conversion jobs:

The exact number of credits for each model is shown in the processing dialog before you confirm, as {credits} cr. (кр.) per model and as a total. Prices can change; the dialog always shows the current price, and you are charged the price you confirmed.

How you pay for processing

• Nothing is processed without your consent. By default an uploaded model is stored with the status Not processed (Не е обработен). It is listed, downloadable and shareable, but not viewable in 3D until someone chooses to process it.
• You pay per model, only when processing succeeds. When processing fails, it costs nothing. A model is never charged twice.
• Already processed content is free. If an identical model (same content and file type) was already processed in your company, BuildColab reuses that result for free. The dialog marks such a model as already processed — free (вече обработен — безплатно). Copies and restored versions of a processed model are also free.
• Every new version is a new model. When you upload a new version of a model with changed content, that version has to be processed again.
• The whole batch must be covered. When you process several models at once, your balance must cover all of them; otherwise nothing starts.
• Credits come from the company that owns the file area. Company files are paid by your company. Project files are paid by the company that created the project, even when a partner uploaded the model. Only people acting for that company can process project models; others see These files are billed to the company that owns the project — only someone acting for that company can process them.

Every charge appears in the company's credit transactions as 3D/CAD processing (Обработка на 3D/CAD). The credit balance is also shown in the file manager action bar. See Credits (BORO, file processing).

Processing statuses

A 3D/CAD model in the file manager list carries a badge with its status.

Processing time depends on the size and type of the model. As a rough guide, a DWG drawing takes 20 to 60 seconds, an IFC model 1 to 5 minutes, and a Revit model 5 to 30 minutes, longer for large models. The dialog shows an estimate such as ~4 min before you confirm. You do not have to wait on the page: the uploader gets the notification The model "{file}" is ready to view or The model "{file}" could not be processed.

How to process models after uploading

1. Upload one or more 3D/CAD files into the file manager (see Folders, uploading and navigation).
2. When the upload finishes, the dialog Process the 3D/CAD models? (Да обработим ли 3D/CAD моделите?) opens: The files are uploaded. Processing makes them viewable in the browser.
3. Read the summary line, for example 3 models · 105 credits · ~7 min · balance after: 1,135, and Available balance: {balance}. The note Credits are charged only when processing succeeds. reminds you how billing works.
4. Choose:
   • Process all (Обработи всички) to process every model in the list;
   • Choose… (Избери…) to tick only some models, then Process selected ({count}) (Обработи избраните);
   • Later (По-късно) to keep them stored as Not processed.
5. The message Processing started for {count} models confirms the start. Models that were already processed in your company are added at once: {count} already processed models added for free.

If every uploaded model was already processed before, the dialog does not appear and you see The model is already processed — free.

How to process a model later

1. In the file manager, click a model with the badge Not processed, or right-click it and choose Process (Обработи).
2. The dialog Process for viewing (Обработка за преглед) shows the price, the expected time and your balance.
3. Click Process (Обработи).

How to process all models in a folder

1. Right-click the folder and choose Process all models (Обработи всички модели). Inside a folder you can also use New (Нов) → Process all models.
2. The dialog shows "{folder}" and all its subfolders and lists every unprocessed model in the folder and all its subfolders, with a total.
3. Click Process (Обработи) for all, or Choose… to pick some.

1. The summary "{count} model · {credits} credits · ~{min} min · balance after: {balance}" and Available balance (Наличен баланс).
2. A model row with its folder, tier (Simple / Complex), credits and time.
3. The note "Credits are charged only when processing succeeds."
4. Cancel (Отказ) and Process (Обработи).

Files that will not be processed are listed under Skipped: {count} with a reason: not a 3D/CAD file, already processed, processing in progress, you can view it but not edit it (you have only Read or Comment access) or no access. A very large folder is processed in part: The folder is too large — only the first {count} models are processed. Open a subfolder to process the rest.

When credits are not enough

If the company balance does not cover the selected models, the dialog shows Not enough credits — {missing} more needed. (Кредитите не стигат — нужни са още {missing}.) with the button Buy credits (Купи кредити). Buy a credit pack, or select fewer models. Nothing is started until the whole selection is covered.

How to retry a failed model

1. Right-click the model with the badge Processing error and choose Retry (Опитай отново).
2. The message The file has been sent for reprocessing. confirms it.

A failed attempt costs nothing; you pay only if the retry succeeds. If the model fails again, open it in its original program, check and re-export it, and upload it as a new version.

Automatic processing

A company that always wants models viewable can switch on automatic processing. Open Organization profile (/companies/{company}/admin/organization) and find the section 3D/CAD file processing (Обработка на 3D/CAD файлове). Turn on Process 3D/CAD files automatically (Автоматична обработка на 3D/CAD файлове). The toast Setting saved. confirms it.

• When the setting is on, every uploaded 3D/CAD model (Revit, IFC, DWG and others) is processed right away and charged in credits. If the balance runs short, the file stays Not processed.
• When it is off (the default), BuildColab asks before every processing.
• Files uploaded by BORO or by an AI tool through an MCP connector are never processed automatically; the AI quotes the price and asks you first.
• The section is visible only to people with File manager Edit at company level.

1. The section 3D/CAD file processing (Обработка на 3D/CAD файлове).
2. The switch Process 3D/CAD files automatically.
3. The explanation of what the switch does and that each processing costs credits.

The 3D viewer

Click a model with the status Ready for viewing (Готов за преглед) in the file manager to open the 3D viewer. Rotate, pan and zoom with the mouse. The header has the same layout as the document editor: the Files (Файлове) button back to the folder, and the tabs Comments (Коментари), History (История) and Details (Детайли). Download original file (Изтегли оригиналния файл) downloads the source model.

How to pin a comment to a model

1. Open the model in the 3D viewer.
2. Click Drop pin (Постави карфица). The hint Click on the model to place a pin. appears.
3. Click the point on the model.
4. Type in Pin comment… (Коментар към карфицата…) and click Post (Публикувай). Cancel (Отказ) removes the pin.

1. Files (Файлове) goes back to the folder.
2. The 3D model area.
3. Drop pin (Постави карфица).
4. A numbered pin on the model.
5. The pin comment in the Comments (Коментари) panel with Go to pin (Към карфицата), Reply and Edit.

Colleagues click Go to pin (Към карфицата) in the comment to jump to the spot, or Go to viewpoint (Към гледната точка) to restore the saved camera view. Pinning needs Comment or Edit access. Mentions and notifications work as for any comment; see Sharing, comments and mentions.

Viewer messages

Processing through BORO

BORO, the BuildColab AI assistant, can quote and start processing for you. Ask, for example, "How much would it cost to process the models in the Drawings folder?" BORO returns the number of models, credits and expected time. It starts processing only after you agree to the quoted price and, by default, shows an approval card first. Files that BORO uploads are never processed automatically. See AI features: search, artifacts, diagrams.

Common questions

Related

• Credits (BORO, file processing)
• Organization profile
• Folders, uploading and navigation
• Versions
• Sharing, comments and mentions