Digital / CAD Models.

Not always physical.

Although we specialise in making physical objects and scale models, a lot of our work involves building digital or CAD models. A number of councils, including The City of Sydney Council, request a digital model review and submission as part of development applications (DA) and occupational certificate (OC) applications. We have produced numerous digital DA and OC models, working with the City of Sydney model team to gain approved digital model files, ready for your submission.

We can package both physical and digital models together for an economical and more streamlined process. Our relationship with the City of Sydney model team throughout the years means we know the process and are able to gain approval in a timely manner. Once approved, the physical model can be rapidly produced from the approved digital model, ensuring consistency and speed.

Development Application | DA Digital Models

city of sydney COUNCIL

What we will need from you.

Initial Data Extraction File (IDE File). - This is obtained through The City of Sydney model team, you will need a survey of the subject site with MGA coordinates to obtain this file. See The City of Sydney 3D CAD model requirements here.

PDF and CAD Architectural Set - The architect will need to provide a full drawing set of the finalised design. Any changes before the DA is submitted need to be incorporated into the model. If there is already a 3D model of the subject site this can be a useful reference, reducing our questions and lead time.

What we will provide.

Firstly, we always model from scratch, this ensures a clean digital model.

Secondly we will submit the Digital Model to The City of Sydney Model team and go through a review process. During this time there is a number of back and forth steps taken with the model team to ensure the digital model is compliant. During this process there are no checks made against the drawing set. Once the model team provides the final check, they will provide an approved digital model.

Thirdly, we provide a CD or USB, with the approved digital model. All in compliance with The City of Sydney digital model requirements. Please note, the physical model should be constructed based on approved digital model, in conjunction with DA drawing set.

Next, at the time of DA submission, at the Town Hall Customer Service Centre, Level 2, the digital and physical model are then checked by the model team against the drawing set being submitted with the DA. If it all matches up, the DA submission can proceed.

If there are any discrepancies (due to architectural drawing set changes or modelling errors) this will cause the model/s to be rejected. At this point the digital model will need to be resubmitted and reviewed again, this time however it will be reviewed against the drawing set, to ensure it now accurately matches.

Once re-approved, the CD with newly approved digital model, now matching the architectural set, can be submitted successfully with the DA package.

Please note this is a a guide only, and is all outlined by the City of Sydney council here: 3D digital model requirements.

Occupational Certificate Application | OC Digital Models

city of sydney COUNCIL

OC digital models are a similar process to the DA digital models. The main difference is that the digital model is reviewed against photos of the completed building. The building must be complete when taking photos, things such as hoarding, temporary fencing or cladding etc. are not to be in the photos. Incomplete elements such as landscaping or missing cladding are also not acceptable. Once again please refer to the City of Sydney’s 3D digital model requirements.

Once the digital model has been through the review process, it has now been checked against the site photos and is ready for submission. The physical model should be built from the approved digital model files to ensure consistency. We will provide a CD o USB of approved digital model for submission with the OC package.