Overview
Tasks created in 3D behave the same way as tasks created on 2D plans. They can be assigned, categorized, tracked, filtered, and reported on, but they provide additional context by anchoring the task to a precise location within the 3D model.
Fieldwire supports projects that:
- Work entirely in 2D
- Work entirely in 3D
- Use both 2D plans and 3D models together
This flexibility allows teams to adopt 3D at their own pace without disrupting existing 2D workflows.
Common Use Cases for Tasks in 3D
Tasks in 3D are especially useful for issues that benefit from spatial context across multiple trades or systems, including:
- Installations
- Quality inspections
- Observations
- Defects and clashes
For example, if an issue involves both mechanical and electrical systems, creating a task in 3D allows you to clearly show how those elements relate to each other. This is something that can be difficult to interpret from a single 2D plan.
Referencing a 3D Model from a Task Created in 2D
If your project primarily uses 2D plans (for example, when 2D plans are the contractual drawings), you can still reference the 3D model for additional context.
When a task is created on a 2D plan that is calibrated to a 3D model:
- The task includes an option to jump to the corresponding location in the 3D model
- This opens the 3D model at the matching coordinates
- A task pin is not displayed in the 3D model for tasks created in 2D
Why isn’t a task pin shown in 3D for 2D-created tasks?
2D plans are tied to a single elevation. Displaying a pin directly in 3D would often place it at an incorrect height (for example, on the finished floor instead of a ceiling fixture). To avoid confusion and inaccurate placement, Fieldwire does not render 2D-created task pins in the 3D model.
Creating Tasks Directly in the 3D Model
For projects that work primarily (or exclusively) in 3D, tasks can be created directly within the 3D model.
When you create a task in 3D:
- A task pin is placed at the selected location in the model
- A 3D thumbnail is automatically generated for the task
- The task behaves like any other Fieldwire task (assignees, categories, tags, due dates, etc.)
How to Create a Task in a 3D Model
You can create tasks directly in the 3D model to capture issues that benefit from spatial context across trades or elevations.
Before you begin
- Your project must have a 3D model uploaded
- (Optional) To see 3D tasks on 2D plans, those plans must be calibrated to the 3D model
Steps
- Open the 3D model
- Navigate to the 3D tab in your project.
- Navigate to the location
- Pan, zoom, rotate, and cut the model to find the exact area where the issue occurs.
- Create the task
- Click the Task tool.
- Click directly on the model to place the task pin.
- Fill out task details
- Add a title and description.
- Assign the task, set a due date, category, priority, and tags as needed.
- Save the task
- Fieldwire automatically captures a 3D thumbnail of the location.
- The task is now linked to the 3D model.
What happens next
- If your project includes calibrated 2D plans, the task will appear on all relevant plans at the corresponding elevation.
- The task can be viewed, filtered, and reported on just like any other task.
How 3D Tasks Appear on 2D Plans
If your project includes 2D plans that are calibrated to the 3D model, tasks created in 3D will automatically appear on all relevant plans at the elevation closest to and below the task pin.
Typically, the industry standard is to set the elevation at the AFF (above finished floor) level. So for any tasks created in the second floor, they would correspond to the elevation at the above finished floor level for 'Second floor'.
This means:
- A single task can appear on multiple trade plans (for example, both mechanical and electrical)
- Field users can view the task in a familiar plan-based layout
- Tasks are no longer limited to a single plan when the issue spans multiple systems
If a plan becomes too cluttered, you can use filters (such as category, assignee, or trade) to control which tasks are visible.
Task Details when linked to a 3D Model
For tasks created in 3D:
- The task’s plan reference displays “3D model” instead of a sheet number
- The task thumbnail shows a snapshot of the 3D model location
- Task reflects that it is associated with the 3D model
Reports and Exports
Tasks created in 3D are fully supported in reports and exports.
PDF Reports
- The Plan column displays “3D model” for 3D-created tasks
- The minimap thumbnail is replaced with a 3D thumbnail
- 2D and 3D tasks can appear together in the same report
CSV Reports
- The Plan column shows “3D model”
- Additional columns include the task’s X, Y, and Z coordinates
No changes to existing report templates are required.
Mobile Behavior
Tasks created in 3D sync to mobile devices with many task details intact.
- 3D-created tasks appear as square tasks
- The plan thumbnail is not displayed on mobile
Key Takeaways
- Tasks can be created in 2D plans, 3D models, or both
- 2D-created tasks can jump to their location in 3D (without a pin)
- 3D-created tasks can appear on multiple calibrated plans
- Reports and exports fully support 3D tasks
- Existing 2D workflows continue to work unchanged
Troubleshooting & FAQ
Why don’t I see a task pin in the 3D model for a task created on a 2D plan?
Tasks created on 2D plans do not display a pin in the 3D model.
This is because 2D plans are tied to a single elevation, which can cause inaccurate placement in 3D (for example, showing a ceiling issue at floor level).
Instead, tasks created in 2D include an option to jump to the corresponding location in the 3D model for reference.
Why does my 3D-created task appear on multiple plans?
Tasks created in 3D are associated with a location in space, not a single plan.
If multiple 2D plans are calibrated to that same elevation (such as mechanical and electrical plans), the task will appear on all of them.
This helps surface issues that involve multiple trades or systems.
My plans look too busy. How can I reduce task clutter?
You can use task filters to control what’s visible, including:
- Category
- Assignee
- Tags
- Status
Filtering allows you to focus on the tasks relevant to your trade or workflow.
Why does the task show “3D model” instead of a sheet number?
Tasks created in the 3D model are not tied to a single plan sheet.
To reflect this, the task displays “3D model” in the Plan field instead of a sheet number.
Do 3D tasks appear in reports?
Yes. Tasks created in 3D are fully supported in:
- PDF Summary reports
- PDF Detailed reports
- CSV exports
In reports:
- The Plan column displays “3D model”
- The task thumbnail shows a 3D snapshot
- CSV exports include X, Y, and Z coordinates
Do I need to change my workflow to use tasks in 3D?
No. Tasks in 3D are optional and designed to extend, not replace, existing 2D workflows. You can continue working entirely in 2D, entirely in 3D, or use both together within the same project.