Getting Started#

Updated

This page was updated to remove duplication with the Introduction. It now begins with a cross-reference to the Introduction.

For an overview of PIC2BIM and its key features, see the Introduction.
This page shows how to quickly install, sign in, and start capturing trusted photos.

If you don’t have a PIC2BIM account, go to the Sign Up page and click Sign Up on the login screen.

Enter your details and create a password. You’ll then be asked to verify your email.
Click the link in the verification email to activate your account, then return to the app and log in.

💡 If you don’t receive the email, use the Resend Verification Email option.

Enter your username and password on the login screen, then click Sign In to complete the login process.

Select Server#

Make sure to grant permissions to access the device’s location.
For the first login, request a username and password at https://pic2bim.co.uk/ or use the demo credentials (demo/demo).
After logging in once, your credentials will be stored on the device for future use.

Custom Server (Optional)#

If you need to connect to a custom GeoBIM Portal, tap Select Server, enter the GeoBIM Portal URL (for example, http://192.168.1.xxx), and tap Save.
The app will then connect to this custom GeoBIM Portal instead of the default one.

You’re Ready to Go! 🎉

A photo of a construction site wall is not just an image—it’s automatically linked to its building footprint and stored with secure metadata, ready for BIM integration.

Taking Photos#

Go to Photos Menu (iOS) or Unassigned Photos (Android).

On iOS, tap New. Once ready, the Snap Photo button appears.
On Android, tap Take Photo. Once ready, the Snap Photo button appears.

Each photo you take is automatically connected to the relevant building data, ensuring it can be trusted and easily integrated into your project workflows. See Trusted Photo Capture.

How to View Your Photos#

On both Android and iOS, tap MAP to see your photos displayed at their geotagged locations.

How to Send or Save Photos to PDF#

On both Android and iOS, tap SEND to upload your photos to the GeoBIM Portal.
You can also save your geotagged photos to a PDF for record keeping.

How to Track a Path or Create a Polygon#

Click on Path Tracking. Choose to either record a new path or browse previously recorded paths, which can be sent to the GeoBIM Portal or exported to a KML file.
Learn more in Path and Route Recording.

How to Use the GeoBIM Portal#

Log in to the GeoBIM Portal with the same credentials you use for the mobile app.
👉 If you don’t yet have an account, you can log in with the demo credentials: demo/demo.

Open https://pic2bim.co.uk/ in your browser to access the platform.

In the portal, you can:
- Review photos and recorded paths uploaded from your smartphone (iOS or Android)
- Switch between map view and satellite view
- Filter tasks to focus on specific work items (see Task Management)
- Open photo details, including geolocation and attributes
- See how each photo is linked to its building footprint (see Building and Site Data)

Why it matters: By linking every photo to its building footprint, the portal gives you a project-wide perspective.
This makes it easier to manage assets, track progress, and ensure data integrity across your team.

Views: Photo Gallery#

Photo Gallery – Browse all uploaded and unassigned photos.

Views: 3D Building with Lidar Terrain#

Building Attributes – View data at the building or building-part level.

Building-level attributes view — Image caption

Building-part attributes view — Image caption

Views: Task & Paths#

Tasks & Paths – Monitor user tasks and review recorded paths.

Views: Import#

Map Views – Functions Import and Filter

Views: Photos#

Map Views – Photo data overlays.

Map Views – Photo data connections.

Views: Connections#

Map Views – Photo Site Building Building Part data connections.

Map Views – Site data overlays.

Views: Building BuildingPart#

Map Views – Building data overlays.

Map Views – BuildingPart data overlays.

Views: Heritage Listing#

Map Views – NHLE (heritage listing) Search and connections

Map Views – NHLE (heritage listing) data overlays.

13th October Development Updates#

Map Views – 13th October,2025 Updates, Data map add open street map import land and building,energy performance certificate, display connections photo. Building attributes add open street map building parts in 3d

Views: Energy Performance Certificates#

Data map: Import Energy Performance Certificate — Import UPRN improve connections → EPC

Views: Open Street Map Building#

JOSM: Building:Part in JOSM — Building Tags in JOSM

JOSM: Building:Part export script — JOSM Export Building → Import Portal

Building:Part hyperlink → OSM — Building → OSM

OSM: Building:Part hyperlink → OSM — OSM Building

Data map: Import Open Street Map Building Part — Import open street map building part

Search open street map building part ID

Views: Open Street Map Land#

JOSM: Landuse in JOSM — Landuse Tags in JOSM

JOSM: Landuse export script — JOSM Export Land → Import Portal

Data map: Import Open Street Map Land — Import open street map land

Search open street map landuse ID

29th September,2025 Development Updates#

Map Views – 29th September,2025 Updates, Data map Global images, Photo image field of view toggle, improve connection between photo and building part using polygon.