Workspace Layout
Split view, side-by-side panels, and drag-to-resize dividers for working in PDF and 3D viewer at the same time.
Workspace Layout
LocusBIM supports two layout modes: Tab View (default) and Split View. Split View shows the 3D Viewer and PDF markup canvas side by side, making it easier to cross-reference a floor plan against the model without switching tabs.
Switching to Split View
Click the Split button in the top-right of the menu bar (to the right of the tab buttons). Both views appear immediately with a draggable divider between them.
Alternatively, go to View → Split View and click to toggle.
Resizing the Panes
Hover over the 4 px divider between the 3D and PDF panes — it highlights blue. Click and drag left or right to resize. The split is constrained to 20%–80% of the window width so neither pane becomes too narrow to use.
Returning to Tab View
Click Tab View in the menu bar (the button label changes when Split View is active), or use View → Split View to toggle it off. The last active tab is restored.
Feature Behaviour in Split View
| Key / Control | Action |
|---|---|
| 3D Viewer | Fully functional — model tree, section box, element selection all work |
| PDF Markup | Fully functional — all toolbars, layers, and measurement tools work |
| Issues panel | Opens as a sidebar within the 3D pane (right side) |
| Issues button | Always visible in the menu bar when 3D pane is shown |
| Fly to 3D / Jump to PDF | Both bidirectional navigation actions work across panes without switching tabs |
| Tab View menus | Edit and Tools menus remain active for whichever pane was last used |
When to Use Split View
- Calibrating a sheet — keep the 3D model open while you pick reference points on the PDF.
- Markup review — add markups on the PDF while watching the 3D sphere markers appear in real time.
- Issue coordination — verify 3D positions while reading the 2D drawing context simultaneously.
- Orthographic sheet review — compare the generated orthographic PDF against the source model.
- Toolbar CustomisationDock, float, and rearrange any toolbar to build the LocusBIM workspace that matches your workflow.
- NavigationPage navigation, zoom, fit-to-width, and scroll controls for working with multi-sheet PDF drawing sets in LocusBIM.
- 3D Viewer ToolsModel tree visibility, category filtering, level isolation, element search, fly-to navigation, saved views, and lighting presets in the 3D BIM viewer. Section Box, Orthographic Views, and Explode View have their own pages.