The 3D model resource type stores files that provide visual and geometrical data and context to assets. For example, CDF can connect a pump asset with a 3D model of the plant floor where it’s placed. Seeing asset data rendered in 3D helps you find the sensor data of your interest faster.
Models and revisions
CDF organizes 3D data in models and revisions:
- Models are placeholders for a set of revisions.
- Revisions contain the 3D data.
For example, you can have a model named Compressor and upload a revision under that model. For each new version of the 3D model, you upload a new revision under the same model. A revision can have the status published or unpublished, used by applications to decide whether to list the revision. Multiple revisions can be published at the same time since they don’t necessarily represent the time evolution of the 3D model, but rather different versions (high detail vs low detail).
When you upload a new revision, Cognite needs to process the 3D data to optimize it for the renderer. Depending on the complexity of the 3D file, this can take some time. A revision can have the status Queued, Processing, Done, or Failed, which you can track during processing.
Node hierarchy
3D data is built up by a hierarchical structure, similar to how CDF organizes its internal asset hierarchy. Each node in the 3D hierarchy is automatically assigned a unique nodeId value.
If a user clicks an object on the screen, the application can get a callback containing the nodeId of the clicked object. CDF supports endpoints to extract the full 3D node hierarchy and to create mappings between 3D nodes and nodes in the asset hierarchy. You can then use the nodeId to connect the 3D data to asset information such as metadata and time series.
You can also use the web-based 3D viewer to embed the 3D model in a web page.
Core operations
- Create models to organize new 3D content
- List models with optional filters for published status and other criteria
- Update model metadata when descriptions or properties change
- Delete models when they are no longer needed
Last modified on April 23, 2026
