What should I do if a model is too large to view in Procore's web application?

Answer

Procore allows Procore BIM users to manage and view 3D models through both the Documents and Models tools:

  • Documents Tool: Supports file types like IFC, NWC, NWD, and RVT. Once uploaded, these are processed into a proprietary, lightweight format for web viewing.
  • Models Tool (Procore BIM): Designed for high-performance coordination. Models published via the Procore BIM Plugin are optimized for field use but are still subject to browser limitations.
 Tip
See a 'Model too large' error? Most browsers limit each tab to 2GB. If your model exceeds this, it won't load on the web. You can still view it on the Procore Mobile App, or you can optimize the file for web use in Navisworks®.

Solution 1: Use the Procore Mobile App

Mobile devices often manage high-intensity 3D data more efficiently than a web browser tab. Try viewing the model from your device. See View Models (iOS) or View Models (Android).

Solution 2: Optimize the Navisworks® Model for Web Viewing

Use the guidance below to optimize Navisworks® models for web viewing. For step-by-step instructions, see your Navisworks® documentation.

Optimization Strategy

Why it Matters

Recommendation

Segment the model

Large, federated files often exceed the 2GB browser tab limit.

Divide the model into smaller zones, floors, or phases in separate, federated files.

Remove duplicate geometry

Overlapping surfaces (z-fighting ) bloat file size and hinder performance.

Identify duplicates in the Navisworks® Selection Tree and remove them from the source file before appending.

Audit viewpoints

When the 'Save Hide/Required Attributes' or 'Override Appearance' setting is turned on in the Options Editor, Navisworks® stores metadata for every object, doubling the file size.

Disable the 'Save Hide/Required Attributes' setting in the Options Editor of Navisworks® and use Section Boxes instead.

Procore also recommends disabling the 'Override Appearance' setting and using the 'Search Sets with Appearance Profilers' setting instead.

Streamline clash reports

Turning the 'Preserve result highlighting' setting ON in Navisworks® makes exported clash reports significantly larger.

Write reports without result highlighting and use the Results tab in the Navisworks® Clash Detective for navigation.

Reduce Level of Detail (LOD)

High-polygon object counts (detailed avatars, bolts, equipment, fixtures, furniture, screws, sprinkler heads with coverage zones, washers) impact rendering and performance.

Simplify or strip complex elements in the authoring software (Revit®, etc.) before exporting.

Strip point cloud data

Point clouds are not supported in Procore's Model Viewer.

Delete or hide point cloud data before publishing; the Procore BIM Plugin will not process it.

See Also