Direct Answer Workflow Summary

To view a Revit model in AR on an iPhone, iPad, or Android device: (1) Snap the free OnsiteBIM Alignment Target family onto a column or slab benchmark in Revit; (2) Export a 1:1 metric IFC file using the 1-click configuration; (3) Print the matching 150mm paper target; (4) Aim your phone camera at the target on site. OnsiteBIM snaps the 3D model into place at 1:1 life-size scale in 1 second with sub-centimeter accuracy—completely offline with zero cloud conversion.

Step-by-Step "Revit to Reality" Field Guide

STEP 01

Drop Alignment Target in Revit

Download the free face-based OnsiteBIM_Alignment_Target.rfa family. In Autodesk Revit (2020 through 2026), load the family into your project and snap it to a physical column face, shear wall, or slab benchmark that physically exists on site. The target establishes the physical coordinate datum for the model.

Pro-Tip: Use a column at a primary grid intersection (e.g., Grid B / Grid 2) at 1.50 meters above finished floor (AFF) for easiest camera scanning on site.

STEP 02

Export 1:1 Metric OpenBIM IFC

In Revit, open the 3D view showing the elements you want to inspect (e.g., isolate MEP ducts, plumbing, rebar, or structural steel). Go to File → Export → IFC, load the IFC Configuration - OnsiteBIM.json profile, and export. This guarantees:

True 1:1 metric scale (prevents feet-to-meter floating errors).
Clean origin registration matching the Alignment Target location.
Exclusion of unneeded 2D drafting lines, room volumes, and heavy furniture for lightweight mobile performance.

STEP 03

Print & Mount the Physical Target

Open onsitebim.app/generator.html and print the matching 150mm Alignment Target on standard A4 or US Letter paper. Mount the paper plumb and level with a torpedo level on that exact physical column face.

Golden Rule: Measure from your site datum to the solid black square border (150mm out-to-out), never to the paper edge. Verify print scale using the built-in 50mm metric bar.

STEP 04

Aim Phone Camera & Inspect in AR

Open OnsiteBIM on your iPhone, iPad, or Android device. Select your exported .ifc model from local device storage or company cloud (Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox). Aim your camera at the mounted paper target. In under 1 second, the 3D model snaps directly over the real building at 1:1 scale with sub-centimeter accuracy.

As-Built Verification: Use the 3D tape measure to verify construction tolerances (Δx, Δy, Δz).
Opacity Slider: Fade the model from 0% to 100% to inspect rebar, sleeves, and pipes behind formwork.
LiDAR Masking: On iPhone/iPad Pro, real concrete walls naturally mask virtual elements behind them.

Trades & Building Systems Supported

Any element modeled in Autodesk Revit or OpenBIM IFC is natively supported in OnsiteBIM:

MEP & Building Services

HVAC ducts, diffusers, hydronic piping, plumbing, drainage, electrical conduit, cable trays, and plant rooms.

Structural Engineering

Concrete columns, shear walls, slab step-downs, rebar clearance, post-tension tendons, steel beams, and sleeves.

Architectural & Interiors

Drywall stud framing, partition walls, ceiling grids, bulkheads, door frames, window mullions, and custom millwork.

As-Built QA/QC Verification

Point-to-point spatial variance (Δx, Δy, Δz) checks against tolerances before concrete pours and drywall sign-offs.

Start Inspecting Your Revit Models in AR Today

Download OnsiteBIM for free on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and download our free Revit toolkit.

Download on App Store Get it on Google Play Get Free Revit Toolkit (.ZIP)

Available now on the App Store (iOS 16+) and Google Play (Android 10+ with ARCore).

How to View Revit Models in AR on iPhone & Android