Methods of processing three dimensional models

A data-driven, object-oriented, and customizable method for visualizing a three-dimensional (3D) structure, comprising:

• receiving an industry foundation classes (IFC) object oriented model-based data file including instantiation of elements of a structure;
• identifying one or more instances of one or more 3D objects;
• for each 3D object instance:
• retrieving 3D object geometry information,
• dividing the 3D object geometry into a plurality of 3D polygons,
• retrieving 3D object placement information,
• associating the 3D object placement information with the plurality of 3D polygons,
• retrieving object color and transparency information,
• retrieving object functional parameters selected from the group consisting of forces, heat and mass flow, stresses, and strains,
• associating the object color and transparency information with the plurality of 3D polygons,
• providing data associated with the plurality of 3D polygons for the 3D object geometry to a 3D visualization engine;
• providing data associated with the plurality of 3D polygons for the 3D object placement information to the 3D visualization engine;
• providing data associated with the plurality of 3D polygons for the object color and transparency information to the 3D visualization engine;
• providing data associated with the plurality of 3D polygons for the functional parameters to the 3D visualization engine;
• generating a 3D model of the object based on the plurality of 3D polygons;
• and
• outputting a rendering of the 3D model for displaying on a digital display including one or more of the functional parameters.