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When to use file uploads

Upload files directly when you:
  • Need to convert IFC data to Speckle format
  • Don’t have the source application or license
  • Want to view a model quickly in your browser
  • Receive files from collaborators who don’t use Speckle connectors
  • Work with file formats that don’t have a dedicated Speckle connector

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Uploads and connectors produce different datasets

A file uploaded directly and the same file published through its desktop connector do not produce identical Speckle data. Object structure, property coverage, and coordinate handling differ by format and by route.
This matters beyond visual fidelity. Intelligence dashboards, Data Validation, Power BI and any querying you build on model data all read the published objects and their properties. If some models in a project arrive by upload and others by connector, those tools are comparing unlike data — counts, groupings and validation results can differ for what is nominally the same source file. Choose one route per project and stay with it, and be explicit about which route produced any figures you report. The two routes serve different purposes. Uploads read a file, so they cover formats and situations where no connector exists or the authoring application is not available. Connectors run inside the authoring application, so they can carry data that lives in the session rather than the file — selection and view filters, coordinate settings, and application-specific properties. See the format details below for what each upload path carries.

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Upload a file

Upload limits: Maximum file size is 1000 MB for all plans and formats
If your file is in a cloud-synced folder (for example Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, or iCloud Drive), make sure the file is fully downloaded to local disk before you upload.Some cloud clients show placeholder files before full local sync is complete. In that case, Speckle can read the file faster than the cloud client can finish downloading it, which can cause upload failures.
1

Create a project

Select the option to upload a file.
Upload file option
2

Add your file

Drag and drop your file into the project. Speckle creates a new model with the file name.
File uploading progress
3

Upload new versions

To upload updated versions, select the dropdown menu on the model.
Upload new version option

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Supported file formats

Speckle supports the following file formats:
If your Autodesk (or other) software can export a Navisworks Cache file (.nwc) or a Navisworks Document file (.nwd), you can upload it to Speckle without owning a Navisworks license.
Want to help improve this flow? Join the user testing study for NWC and NWD uploads with ACC sync on the User testing opportunities page.
While the Navisworks parser is in Beta if the file size is over 200MB, the sync may not always succeed. Treat Navisworks sync as a beta release and expect occasional failures, especially for very large files.
In Forma Data Management (ACC) sync, coordination system and reference point selection apply only to Revit (.rvt) files. IFC and Navisworks ACC syncs do not use those controls. If you do not change the Revit setting, the default behaviour still applies. For coordination workflows that rely on specific Revit coordinate handling and connector-level control, use the Revit connector.

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Unit Conversion

For several file formats, the Unit system of the source file will be automatically detected and preserved when sending through Speckle.
  • IFC ✔︎
  • 3dm ✔︎
  • DGN ✔︎
  • SKP ✔︎
  • STP ✔︎
  • FBX ✔︎
Other formats have a different behaviour:

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File format details

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IFC

IFC files are converted to Speckle format with support for attributes, property sets, and quantities.
Supported versions: IFC2x3, IFC4, IFC4x1, IFC4x2, IFC4x3
Features:
  • Element and element type attributes
  • Property sets
  • Element quantities
  • IFCSpaces are published as volumetric geometry
Known limitations:
  • IFC2x2_FINAL and Release Candidate versions aren’t supported
  • Alternative formats such as XML, ZIP, and databases aren’t supported
  • 2D types like IfcAnnotation aren’t currently supported

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Rhino (3DM)

Rhino files maintain geometry and layer structure when uploaded.
If you need object names, user strings, render materials or named views, publish with the Rhino connector instead.
Known limitations:
  • Rhino 9 files aren’t supported
  • Dynamic text isn’t supported

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SketchUp (SKP)

SketchUp models are converted with geometry and basic organization preserved.
If you need SketchUp attributes, publish with the SketchUp connector instead.
Known limitations:
  • Attributes aren’t imported
  • Dynamic components may not transfer correctly

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DWG and DXF

Upload AutoCAD drawing files directly.
If you need object properties such as xdata carried through, publish with the AutoCAD connector instead.
Known limitations:
  • Large files may take longer to process
  • Dynamic text isn’t supported

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Wavefront (OBJ)

OBJ files are converted with geometry preserved.
Known limitations:
  • Materials aren’t supported

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FAQ

Direct uploads convert models using Internal Origin and do not apply Revit Shared Coordinates. Uploaded models are not placed in a coordinated space. For coordination workflows that rely on Shared Coordinates, use the Revit connector to publish and load models so coordinate modifications are preserved.
Yes, file downloads are available. To download a file
  1. Select the dropdown menu (…) on the model.
  2. Select View uploads.
  3. Select Download next to the version you want.
The limits on file uploads are currently 1000MB for all plans and all formats.
We use a queue system to process files, so it can take awhile to generate the Speckle model after you upload your file. If you do not see your model after a long time, this may be caused by faulty items inside your file. Please report your problem in our Community Forum and include the following information:
  • Your file type and version
  • Your failed file
We’re always looking to expand format support. Let us know which formats you’d like to see in future releases.
Last modified on July 31, 2026