vSite Admin Portal: Bentley iTwin Datasources

vGIS integrates with Bentley iTwin, allowing direct access to iTwin projects and models. By adding Bentley iTwin as a data source, users can visualize and interact with iTwin project data within the vGIS platform.

Bentley iTwin Upload Process

To add a Bentley iTwin data source, go to the Datasources tab and click Add Source (Fig. 1).

Fig. 1

  1. From the Type drop-down, select Bentley iTwin.

  2. Enter the Project Name and Model Name.

  3. Press Save to create the data source.

A notification will appear at the bottom of the screen confirming successful creation. The new data source will now be listed on the Data Sources page.

Prepare the Bentley iTwin Project

To enable vGIS to access your iTwin project:

  1. Add the following user as a Project Team Member: service-5YgjA6DlroxioqW3PxTIUDRI4@apps.imsoidc.bentley.com

  2. Assign this user a Role with the following permissions:

    • iModelHub – View/Read

    • Reality data and geospatial features – Use

    • ProjectWise ContextShare – Use

     

  3. Once the vGIS service account has been added and permissions assigned, return to vGIS and configure your data source using the Project Name and Model Name, which are available in the Bentley iModel Manager (Fig. 1).

Bentley.jpg

Fig. 1

Supplementary Material

  • Important Notes:

    • Adding the vGIS service as an External Organization will not grant the required access. The service email must be added as a Project Team Member. (See Bentley iTwin tutorial – last point in the Setup section.)

    • By default, adding users from outside your organization may be disabled. Update your project settings to allow external user access.

  • Reference:
    For guidance on locating the Project and Model names, see the Bentley iModel Manager interface.

Bentley iTwin Configuration Settings

The content below details all fields needed for this Datasource type and some common configuration settings to help you get started. To go back to the list of available Datasource types, click here.

Remember, to see the fields below, you will need to go to your Datasource and click the Synchronize Structure button.

Root Level

Layer Group

Select one of the predetermined layer groups (made at the team level). By default, all child notes inherit all settings from the parent node - if anything is set at the Root level, all models within the root will be set the same way.

Elevation Type

  • Default - Allows the system to recognize if the data set is z-enabled or not. If z-enabled, the base for the elevation calculations will refer to the sea level and its corresponding vertical datum. If not, it will count as Surface offset.
  • Surface offset - Refers to the selected digital surface as the base for the elevation calculations.
  • Ignore z-value - Ignores z-values within the data set.

Vertical Datum

Use the drop-down to select a preset datum that closely matches your project specifications. Skipping this step could result in your datasource layers being stacked on a flat surface when viewing in the app (if you don't see the vertical datum you need, open a ticket with vGIS Support to make your request).

UoM

The unit of measure must be selected and should match the same from the original dataset.

Model Level

Layer Group

Select one of the predetermined layer groups (made at the team level). By default, all child notes inherit all settings from the parent node - if anything is set at the Root level, all models within the root will be set the same way.

Header

This editable field name defaults to the name of the element in the original dataset (Model/Folder, Category). The header can be seen when pointed at using the vGIS mobile app.

Object Type

This field should remain untouched as it could lead to configuration issues. It can however be used to verify which object type has been uploaded (Point, Line, Area, 3D Model, or Unknown).

Select Color

Select from preset colors or customize your own from the colour palette controls.

"Enable model interactions" switch

Enables the physics engine behind the model and its categories within so users can interact with its data. When OFF,  the selected model cannot be interacted with and can only be viewed within the mobile app. This will relieve processing power for your device if it slows down while operating the mobile app.

"Extend viewing range" switch

The viewing range tells the mobile application how much data should be in-view at one time. When this switch is toggled ON, it will force the model to always be visible up to a max distance of 5km from the user. This should only be used in circumstances where users need to see a far-distance model (like a bridge or far-away building). Enabling this may significantly affect the user's hardware performance.

Additional Details

"Exclude from processing" Switch

When toggled, the selected model (and ALL categories within) will not be included while admins process the datasource. One method to break down a large datasource and decrease loading times is to use this switch. 

Elevation Type

At the layer folder level, there are four options:

  • Use Parent Node Setting - Takes configuration settings made at the Root level (see above).
  • Default - Allows the system to recognize if the data set is z-enabled or not. If z-enabled, the base for the elevation calculations will refer to the sea level and its corresponding vertical datum. If not, it will count as Surface offset.
  • Surface offset - Refers to the selected digital surface as the base for the elevation calculations.
  • Ignore z-value - Ignores z-values within the data set.

Category Level

Layer Group

Select one of the predetermined layer groups (made at the team level). By default, all child notes inherit all settings from the parent node - if anything is set at the model level, all categories within the model will be set similar way.

Header

This field, while editable, is generally preset with the header from the original dataset. The header can be seen when pointed at using the vGIS mobile app.

Select Color

Select from preset colors or customize your own from the colour palette controls.

"Exclude from processing" Switch

When the same switch is toggled at the Root level (see above), enabling the switch at the model level will open a list with drop-down boxes. Admins can assign the predetermined floors to each layer folder.

 

Have Questions? Feel free to Submit A Request to speak with a member of the vGIS Support Team.

Reviewed:  2025-04-07

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