You can easily upload a 3D model from your computer into Sphere XG. If you want to import more than one 3D model into your project, you can import them one after the other. In the Sphere XG Viewer you can display one 3D model at a time.
Follow the steps below:
1. Click "Import Data"
Select the Import Data button located in the top-right corner of the Sphere XG Viewer.
2. (Optional) Review File Size Recommendations
In the popup, click the link labeled "Recommended file size by format" to view suggested file size limits for each supported 3D format.
3. Upload a 3D Model from Your Computer
Under the 3D Models section in the popup, click "Upload from your computer."
Select the desired 3D model from your local files. Supported formats include:
.nwd,.nwc(Navisworks).rvt(Revit).dwf.ifc
🔎 Note: If you encounter issues with a specific file type, please contact our support team for assistance.
4. Monitor Upload Progress
A cloud icon with a blue progress wheel will appear in the top-right corner of the screen during the upload and conversion process.
⚠️ Do not close the browser window while the upload is in progress.
5. Post-Upload
Once processed, the model will be visible under the 3D Model tab in the project structure view.
Import or Conversion Issues with Navisworks Models
If you encounter issues while importing or converting Navisworks models, try the following solutions.
Rendering or converting a Navisworks model returns an error
If Sphere XG reports an error like Rendering of the 3D Model failed or File Conversion failed the following setting in Navisworks may be the cause:
The default option for saving .nwd files in Navisworks is to leave the option May be re-saved unchecked. As a result, the 3D model cannot be imported into Sphere XG.
To solve this issue:
Open the same set of source files in Navisworks.
Go to the Output tab.
In the Publish ribbon click NWD.
In the configuration window mark the May be re-saved checkbox.
Click OK to publish the new .nwd file set.
For more detailed information, see Navisworks (NWD) files cannot be displayed or show processing errors in cloud viewers.
Very large Navisworks model does not import or convert
If you are working with very large Navisworks models, you may encounter import or conversion issues when using .nwd or .nwc files. One effective workaround is to export the model as an .fbx file from Navisworks before importing into Sphere XG.
The resulting .fbx file contains meshed geometry (no metadata) and typically uploads and converts faster and more reliably than the original .nwd.
The visual fidelity remains nearly identical, but some smaller model details may not initially appear during streaming.
For more detailed information, see our Sphere XG User Manual.