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Glossary

2D Overlay​

A feature allowing display of 2D drawings, such as floor plans, on top of 3D models for context alignment.

3D​

Three-dimensional representation of geometric data, allowing spatial visualization of objects within virtual environments.

3D Annotations​

Notes or comments attached directly to 3D geometry, improving visual communication within models.

3D Visualization​

The process of displaying digital 3D representations of architectural or engineering models interactively.

3DXML​

A 3D file format developed by Dassault Systèmes for representing complex 3D geometries and assemblies.

AEC​

Architecture, Engineering, and Construction – industries involved in the design, development, and management of built environments.

Affero GPL (AGPL)​

A copyleft open-source license requiring that modified software versions distributed online remain open. https://github.com/xeokit/xeokit-sdk/blob/master/LICENSE

Angle Measurement​

A function for determining angular relationships between selected edges or surfaces.

Animations​

Sequenced visual changes applied to 3D models to simulate movement or construction processes.

BCF​

BIM Collaboration Format – a standard for exchanging issue tracking data and viewpoints among BIM tools.

BIM​

Building Information Modeling – a digital process integrating geometry, metadata, and project information throughout a building’s lifecycle.

Camera Controls​

Interactive tools that manage the viewpoint, allowing rotation, zoom, and panning within a 3D scene.

CityJSON​

A JSON-based encoding for 3D city models compliant with CityGML data structures.

CLI​

Command Line Interface – a text-based control system for executing conversion or automation commands.

Context Menu​

A user interface element providing quick access to relevant tools through right-click interaction.

Conversion tools​

Software utilities like CxConverter that transform BIM or CAD files (e.g., IFC to glTF/XKT) for visualization.

Customizable​

Fully adaptable viewer and SDK components allowing UI, workflow, and feature personalization.

Distance Measurement​

A tool to calculate linear distances between two or more points within a model.

Dotbim​

Minimalist file format for BIM. It was created to simplify the description of BIM models as much as possible.

Double precision​

A 64-bit floating-point format allowing highly accurate 3D geometry representation, view building model geometry in global coordinates, enabling GIS applications.

Fast loading​

The ability to stream and display large BIM models within seconds using optimized compression and lightweight geometry structures.

Fast rendering​

A high-performance GPU-driven rendering process designed to smoothly visualize extensive 3D scenes with real-time responsiveness.

Federated models​

Multiple discipline-specific BIM models combined into a single coordinated 3D environment.

GIS​

Geographic Information Systems – platforms for managing spatial and georeferenced data integrated with BIM models.

glTF​

GL Transmission Format – an efficient, open standard for transmitting 3D scenes and models, optimized for the web.

Hatching​

Visualization technique applying hatch patterns to sectioned model areas for clearer differentiation of cut geometry.

IFC​

Industry Foundation Classes – an open BIM data format used to exchange building and infrastructure information across software platforms.

Javascript​

A programming language used to develop interactive web applications and control xeokit-based 3D viewers.

LAS​

Standard binary format for LiDAR point clouds storing 3D coordinates, intensity, and classification data.

LAZ​

Compressed version of the LAS file format used for storing LiDAR point cloud data efficiently.

Marquee selection​

An interactive tool allowing users to select multiple 3D objects by dragging a rectangular selection area.

Metadata​

Structured information attached to BIM elements describing their attributes, properties, and relationships.

Mini map​

A small on-screen navigation map showing the model’s position and orientation within the overall scene.

Model slicing​

The process of generating sectional views or layers of a 3D model to analyze internal geometry.

An on-screen 3D navigation cube enabling orientation control within the viewer environment.

Interactive controls allowing users to move, orbit, and zoom within a 3D scene.

OBJ​

A widely used 3D geometry definition format that stores vertex, normal, and texture data for mesh models.

Online Viewer​

A web-based tool that enables real-time visualization and interaction with 3D/BIM data directly in the browser.

Open source​

A software licensing model allowing public access to source code for modification, use, and distribution.

Optimization​

Techniques and tools used to enhance performance, reduce memory load, and improve rendering efficiency.

Performance​

The overall responsiveness and efficiency of the 3D viewer in loading, rendering, and interacting with large models.

physically-based materials​

Material definitions based on real-world physics for realistic rendering of surfaces and lighting.

Plugins​

Extendable software modules that add specialized functionality to the xeokit SDK framework.

Point cloud​

A collection of 3D spatial points captured via LiDAR or photogrammetry representing surface geometry.

PointerLens​

A magnification tool in xeokit that enlarges a region of the canvas to aid precise element selection.

Property sets​

Collections of metadata describing BIM object attributes such as material, dimensions, or classification.

SDK​

Software Development Kit – a collection of tools, libraries, and APIs for building custom applications using xeokit technology.

Section planes​

Interactive clipping tools that allow users to cut through 3D models for interior inspection.

Snapping​

Precision feature aligning the cursor or measurement tool to exact vertices, edges, or surfaces in a model.

STL​

Stereolithography file format commonly used for 3D printing and geometric mesh exchange.

Tree View​

A hierarchical interface displaying BIM object structure and relationships between model components.

Viewpoints​

Saved camera positions and visual configurations used to highlight specific parts or issues in a 3D model.

Visual Test​

Rendering-based inspection used to verify model accuracy, lighting, or material appearance before deployment.

WebGL​

A JavaScript API for rendering 3D graphics within web browsers without external plugins.

X-ray​

Visualization mode rendering models semi-transparent to expose internal structures and components.

xeoServices​

A REST API platform offering conversion, validation, and hosting of 3D/BIM formats such as IFC, dotBIM, and OBJ+MTL. It streamlines data processing, enabling seamless integration and cloud-based management of BIM workflows.

XKT​

XKT is xeokit's highly-optimized native geometry format, which allows xeokit to load hundreds of thousands of full-precision objects in seconds, enabling rapid loading of large BIM datasets in browsers. XKT files are converted from various source formats using open-source CLI tools.