BIMx Desktop Viewer vs Sketchfab

BIMx Desktop Viewer is a free Windows and macOS application for exploring BIMx Hyper-models alongside linked 2D project documentation and embedded BIM data. Markers and hyperlinks connect locations in documents with the 3D model and are created during export. Smart Measure provides length, angle, and area measurements in 2D, plus measurement guides in 3D. Users can export a current layout, an entire layout book, or a 3D view to PDF. Display controls include field of view, perspective or parallel projection, shading, sun position, and anti-aliasing. Hyper-models can be generated in Archicad or DDScad and published locally, to BIMx Model Transfer, BIMcloud, or another location. They can also open in a browser through a web link without installing an app. Graphisoft says BIMx Issues support markup of 2D and 3D views and BCF compliance. Facility managers and owners can access Facilities Management databases through the BIM model. Minimum desktop requirements are 4 GB RAM and 5 GB free disk space; Windows 11 or macOS 10.15 are listed.

Sketchfab is a platform for publishing and finding 3D content through an interactive viewer. The viewer can be embedded on websites, allowing 3D and VR viewing without leaving the host site. Its built-in editor adjusts orientation, materials, lighting, camera parameters, and post-processing filters. Upload formats include OBJ, FBX, Blender, STL, and glTF, and exporter plugins are available for Blender, Maya, SketchUp, Unity, and ZBrush. APIs support model uploads, data access, downloads, and viewer control or embedding. The Download API provides glTF, GLB, and USDZ, not source formats such as FBX and OBJ; owners control whether their models are downloadable. Basic is free and allows model files up to 50MB. Pro costs $15 a month billed yearly, with a 200MB model limit and private uploads. Premium costs $79 a month billed yearly, with a 500MB limit and advanced embed customization. Enterprise pricing is by quote.