3D Digital Twin for OS/OW Route Survey
How to use the 3D Digital Twin view to visualize route corridors, place geo-anchored models, and stage client presentations.
Key Takeaways
- •Place any GLB model at its real-world GPS position in seconds
- •LOD streaming keeps large models smooth at any zoom level
- •Two-point measurement lets you verify model dimensions against field data
The 3D Digital Twin is RoadScope's photorealistic 3D map layer — a view where your route, POIs, and placed 3D models sit on top of real-world terrain. It is designed for three practical uses: site visualization before a move, staging-area planning for complex loads, and client presentations where a 2D map does not communicate the scale of what is being moved.
Getting into the 3D View
Open the 3D tab from any project map. RoadScope switches from the 2D overhead map to a tilted 3D terrain view. Your route, all visible POIs, and any previously placed models load automatically.
Why GLB, Not STEP or STL
GLB (GL Transmission Format) is the only 3D format the browser renders natively without plugins. Use your CAD software to export a GLB, or submit a DXF/IFC to the CAD-to-GLB converter in Tools > Convert to 3D Model.
Placing a Model
Upload — Click Add Model and upload the GLB file. RoadScope auto-grounds the model using the bounding-box floor as the altitude reference.
Position — Drag the model to its GPS footprint on the map. For large equipment, zoom in using Google Maps satellite tiles as a reference.
Orientation — Rotate the model to match the real-world bearing. For linear structures like bridge frames, align the model axis to the road centreline.
Lock — Click Lock Position to prevent accidental moves during the session.
LOD Streaming and Performance
RoadScope automatically generates a low-detail (LOD) copy of every uploaded model. When the 3D camera is more than 1 500 m away, the LOD copy is rendered instead of the full model; the full version swaps back in at 900 m. This means you can have multiple large models on a project without frame-rate problems.
Measuring on a Model
Click the Measure icon on a model card. Click the first point on the model surface, then the second. The straight-line distance appears instantly in your workspace unit (ft′ in″, feet, or metres). This is useful for checking whether a clearance frame or bridge structure matches the field-measured values in the POI record.
The Global 3D Model Library
If you do not have a specific CAD file to upload, browse the Global 3D Model Library. It contains community-contributed OS/OW structures: standard portal clearance frames, staging area fixtures, and generic bridge silhouettes. Select a model, preview it in your scene, and place it in one click.