In the Bentley iTwin ecosystem, reality data plays a crucial role in enhancing digital twins by providing accurate, real-world context. It enhances the functionality and value of digital twins by providing a comprehensive and accurate representation of physical assets and environments.
In this section, you will find information on how to associate your reality data to your iTwin.
To associate Reality Data to your asset, you must first have all your data in Reality Management.
Multiple distinct workflows exist for optimizing and uploading Reality Data to the Reality Management service. Those workflows are grouped in two distinct categories:
- iModel Connector: In this workflow, Reality Data is attached to a DGN file and is automatically published to Reality Management when an iModel Connector publishes the DGN file. The resulting Reality Data is optimized for use in iTwin applications, associated to an iTwin (project or asset) and attached to the destination iModel. Note that Reality Data are only published once for a given DGN/iModel combination.
- Reality Modeling desktop application: In those workflows, an application such as iTwin Capture Modeler, Descartes or the iTwin Capture Import and Upload Tool is used to publish a Reality Data to Reality Management. The resulting Reality Data is optimized for use in iTwin applications, associated with an iTwin (project or asset), but is not attached to any iModel
- iTwin Capture Console: In this workflow, virtual machines create the Reality Data directly on the cloud. All necessary files are already uploaded to the Reality Data Manager service.
The following Reality Data formats are optimized for use in Powered by iTwin web applications and listed in the Reality Data Widget:
| Icon | Type | Extension |
| Cesium 3D Point Cloud | .json | |
| Cesium 3D Tiles | .json | |
| OpenStreetMap Buildings | Third-party resource | |
| Web Ready 3D Scalable Mesh | .json | |
| Web Ready Point Cloud | .opc | |
| Web Ready Terrain Scalable Mesh | .json |
Once your Reality Data is uploaded in the Reality Management Service, you can manage the Reality data associated to your iTwin by clicking on the Manage button from the Reality tile located in your iTwin Configuration page.
In the Reality page, click on Associate button.
In the Associate Reality Data page, enter few chatacter in the search bar located in the top right corner, to find the Reality Data you would like to associate to your iTwin. You can also use the columns' filters for better results.
Select the desired Reality Data and hit the Associate button.
Reality Data types:
- Selecting a Web Ready 3D Scalable Mesh allows you to view your Reality Data 3D mesh in your asset view.
- Selecting a Mapping Resource allows you to use photo navigation in your asset Reality Data view.
- Selecting an Image Collection, Orientations, and 3D Scalable Mesh allows you to run Automated AI Defect Detection.
You can dissociate Reality Data from your asset at any time by selecting it in the list and clicking on the dissociate button
NOTE: This will not delete your Reality Data from the Reality Management.