Reconstruct is committed to continually enhancing the user experience by optimizing performance. However, performance issues may occasionally occur for a variety of reasons.
This article initially sets performance expectations for:
- Project initialization or page load.
- Image Navigation
- 3D Reality Navigation
- BIM Navigation
- 2D Map Rendering
- 2D Realty Map Rendering
Subsequently, it offers advice on mitigating and troubleshooting performance issues for:
- Computer Requirements
- Internet Speed and Connectivity
- Integrated vs. Dedicated Graphic Cards
- Overloading System Resources
- Video Conferencing
- Internet Browser Performance
- Projects with Large BIM or Many Point Clouds
Please review the following tips or simply reach out to support@reconstructinc.com for direct assistance in enhancing your experience!
Performance Expectations:
Reconstruct is expected to provide a reliable experience where users can access and use the project for any of their workflows and desired outcomes. Below are descriptions for expectations for project navigation.
Initialization: A project web page should load quickly, allowing complete interaction with the Viewer.
- Projects without BIM and reality models containing fewer than 1,000 images should load in a few seconds or less.
- Projects with large BIM models may take longer to initialize upon first access, but should load quickly once the data has been downloaded locally.
- Projects featuring numerous reality models or a large number of images may require 10 seconds or more to load.
Image Navigation: Transitioning from image to image should be smooth and less than 1 second with no BIM. Displaying BIM Overlay or reality may slow down image navigation.
3D Reality Navigation: 3D point clouds should display fully while navigating in 3D after initial load. Camera view navigation should be seamless, without lag, as user inputs are performed and responses occur in near-real-time.
BIM Navigation: BIM displays dynamically while navigation; object may disappear and reappear while navigating, but when stopping the view all elements should appear within a few seconds. Camera view navigation should be seamless, without lag, as user inputs are performed and responses occur in near-real-time
2D Map Rendering: Image map tiles should appear within several seconds.
2D Reality Map Rendering: The reality map should appear clear and in focus when zooming in or out.
Inadequate Performance: We are here to help!
We acknowledge that performance might not always align with expectations, which can be frustrating. Reconstruct is dedicated to ensuring users do not face these issues. However, should they arise, we encourage you to report the problem to support@reconstructinc.com for assistance or see if you can take some steps.
Continue reading to learn how you can:
- Resolve the issue independently.
- Provide detailed information to support a thorough understanding of the issue.
Optimizing Performance: Proactive Steps and Solutions
1. Computer Requirements
Before diagnosing performance issues please check computer hardware. Ensure that the computer meets the minimum specification. Check Recommended Computer and ISP Specifications for Reconstruct.
2. Internet Speed
Check your internet speed! Minimum recommended download and upload speeds are 30 Mbps and 10 Mbps, respectively. Larger projects require higher bandwidth for smooth performance.
Additional Internet Connection Considerations
Even with a fast speed test, there may be additional internet connection issues with your session and Reconstructs servers.
If the internet speed is adequate and other sites load quickly, but Reconstruct is not performing well, check with your organization’s IT to ensure that firewalls or VPNs are not restricting bandwidth. If determined that they are, then Reconstruct’s domains will need to be whitelisted.
- Firewalls: Firewalls serve as a security measure to monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules. While essential for protecting your network from unauthorized access, they can sometimes slow down internet speed by adding extra data checks and filtering processes.
- Throttling: Throttling is when an internet service provider (ISP) intentionally slows down your internet speed based on your usage patterns, particularly during peak usage times or when you're engaging in data-heavy activities like streaming or downloading large files. This can significantly impact your overall internet performance.
- VPNs (Virtual Private Networks): VPNs encrypt your internet traffic, providing security and privacy online. However, the process of encryption and routing your connection through a VPN server can slow down internet speed, especially if the server is located far from your geographical location.
- Whitelisting: Whitelisting involves allowing certain websites or applications unrestricted access through your firewall or security software. While it doesn't directly affect your internet speed, it can improve the performance of approved applications by bypassing certain security checks, ensuring they run smoothly without unnecessary interference.
3. GPUs: Integrated vs Dedicated Graphics Cards
An integrated graphics card, also known as integrated graphics processing unit (iGPU) or onboard graphics, is a type of GPU that is built directly into the processor (CPU) or the motherboard, rather than being a separate, dedicated card installed in an expansion slot. Integrated graphics share the system's RAM with the CPU for storing image data, which can affect the performance of both graphics-related and non-graphics tasks.
Dedicated graphics cards are recommended for high level of detail (LOD) BIM models or large BIM models to improve performance. However, these graphics cards (GPUs) must be configured correctly to take advantage of their capacity.
Check your installed graphics card:
On Windows, open up the Device Manager and check Display Adapters to view list of installed graphics cards.
For macOS, click on the Apple menu in the top-left corner of your screen and select "About This Mac." In the Overview tab, you'll see your Mac's specifications, including the graphics information. For more detailed information, click on "System Report." In the System Report, under the Hardware section, select "Graphics/Displays." This will list all GPU(s) present in your machine, including both integrated and dedicated GPUs.
Check configuration of your installed graphics card:
Configuring a GPU involves several key steps: installing the latest drivers from the manufacturer's website (NVIDIA, AMD, or Intel), using the GPU's control panel to adjust settings for optimal performance, and customizing settings for specific applications or games.
Given the technical nature of these tasks and the potential risks associated with incorrect configuration, it's advisable to consult with your IT department or a support professional if you're unsure about any steps.
4. Overloading the Computer's Resources
Running multiple programs can max out the capacity of a computer and effectively limit performance of some or all running programs. VDC software, like Revit and Navisworks, can occupy large amounts of memory, but even smaller background programs can impact performance.
Checking computer resources helps you understand how your system is using its hardware, like CPU, memory, disk, and network. Here’s how to do it on both Windows and macOS:
For Windows:
-
Open Task Manager: You can press
Ctrl + Shift + Esc
orCtrl + Alt + Del
and then select Task Manager. - View Performance: Click on the "Performance" tab to see graphs and details about CPU, memory, disk, Ethernet/Wi-Fi, and GPU usage.
- View Processes: The "Processes" tab shows you what programs and background processes are running, along with their CPU, memory, disk, and network usage.
For macOS:
-
Open Activity Monitor: You can find it in the
/Applications/Utilities/
folder, or you can use Spotlight (Cmd + Space
) to search for it. - Tabs for Each Resource: Activity Monitor has different tabs for CPU, Memory, Energy, Disk, and Network usage. Each tab provides detailed information about the processes using these resources.
- View System Load: The bottom of the Activity Monitor window shows system load and resource usage graphs, giving you an overview of how resources are being utilized over time.
5. Video Conferencing (e.g. Zoom, Microsoft Teams)
Video conferencing software can significantly impact memory usage, especially with certain features enabled. Slow performance during calls, but not at other times, suggests a need to examine the software's settings.
The inherent demand of video conferencing applications is high, and activities such as screen sharing can further strain system resources. To enhance the user experience, it may be beneficial to disable GPU acceleration, a feature available in platforms like Zoom, Discord, and Skype. Additionally, WhatsApp, now a Webview 2 application, depends on Microsoft Edge settings for its operation, indicating that adjustments in Edge could affect WhatsApp's performance as well.
6. Internet Browser Performance
Internet browsers support multiple tabs and instances. Having many tabs or websites open will reduce the dedicated memory for your project.
Close all tabs and browser session and only open one project at a time. If the performance improves, consider using less tabs and sessions.
7. Large BIM Projects
In the last decade, BIM (Building Information Modeling) complexity and project size have significantly increased and continue to evolve and expand due to several key factors:
- Project Complexity: The intricacy of projects, influenced by architectural designs, engineering requirements, and integration of various systems, necessitates detailed modeling.
- Design LOD (Level of Detail) Requirements: Increasing demands for higher levels of detail in BIM models for accuracy in visualization, construction, and management.
- Project Size: Larger projects require more extensive BIM models, encompassing detailed representations of various components and systems.
- Volume of BIM Data: The sheer amount of data generated and needed for comprehensive BIM models has grown, including geometrical data, material specifications, and scheduling information.
- Integrated Data: The need for BIM models to integrate data from different sources and disciplines for a cohesive project overview.
Given these factors, it's not surprising that large BIM models may encounter issues. While models may perform well in their native applications, they might experience reduced performance when viewed in other environments. This discrepancy underscores the practical limitations of BIM programs in creating and managing extensive BIM data efficiently.
For projects experiencing BIM issues, we recommend:
- Limit the number of active BIM models: Only activate BIM that is needed for your use case. Loading everything is usually impractical and unnecessary.
- Limit how many objects are selected: Selected objects have transparency and large selection sets take time to select and render.
- Turn off ghosting: Transparent elements take longer to render.
- Reduce clutter: Unnecessary objects that are spatially located far from the project coordinates can significantly reduce performance. Delete these objects from the source.
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