Key Concepts

This article explains some basic concepts of the Qonic platform to easily get you started.

Cloud

Qonic is a cloud-based BIM modeler, meaning that all your models reside in the cloud. You don't need to worry about local files on your computer or sending BIM model files to other stakeholders using some file sharing platform or CDE; just sending a link of the model is enough. In the current release this means that an internet connection is required to use Qonic; in a future release it will also be possible to work offline.

Data formats

The internal data schema used in Qonic is heavily based on - and therefore nearly identical to - the IFC schema. This means Qonic can read and write IFC without losing data. This also means you can use Qonic simply as an IFC editor, allowing you to modify both geometry and data in an IFC file.

Qonic also reads Revit, Rhino and SketchUp files.

Dashboard vs Application

Qonic consists of two separate environments; the dashboard where you manage your organization, projects, models, access rights and more, and the application where you view and edit BIM models.

Dashboard

The dashboard is an environment that runs in the web browser, and can be accessed by going to app.qonic.com. It is the central place where you access projects and the information within those projects, such as models, libraries and reports. Click here for an overview of the dashboard interface.

Application

The application is an environment that either runs in the web browser, or on a dedicated app installed on your system (Windows, Mac, Android and iOS are supported, see qonic.com/downloads). It is the 3D environment where you navigate in your models, view and query them, and make data and geometry modifications. Click here for an overview of the application interface.

Note: The Qonic Desktop Application is designed to work in conjunction with the browser dashboard environment - it does not work as a completely standalone application at this moment. It is designed to be opened automatically from the dashboard if indicated by the user. Click here for more information.

Access Rights

All actions and user interfaces in Qonic are based on access rights. If you do not have the right permissions perform a specific action, this action will be greyed out or simply not shown in the user interface. Access rights can be specified on three levels: organization, project and model.