iTwin Platform concepts

The iTwin Platform is Bentley Systems' digital twin technology designed to transform infrastructure data. It provides a comprehensive, cloud-based solution that integrates multiple data sources and services to create digital replicas of physical assets. Let’s break down the key concepts and components of the platform to make it more approachable.

What is a digital twin?

A digital twin is a virtual representation of a real-world object, encompassing both its physical and non-physical aspects. In the context of infrastructure, a digital twin is the digital replica of an infrastructure asset. Unlike traditional design models, a digital twin is dynamic, continually integrating and processing data from various sources. These sources can include IoT sensor data, project insights, reality data, and other relevant datasets, enabling a more comprehensive and real-time understanding of the represented asset.

Diagram showing the components of an iTwin, including design data, reality models, sensor data, and machine learning analytics.

What is an iTwin?

An iTwin is Bentley Systems' specific implementation of a digital twin. It is designed to handle the ever-expanding complexity of the infrastructure landscape by connecting to multiple data repositories. The iTwin acts as the central data entity of the platform, capable of incorporating various data sources, from design data and reality models, to sensor data and machine learning (ML) analytics. The iTwin can be seen as an expandable list of repositories curated to meet individual project needs.

Diagram illustrating an iTwin as a list of entries that point to different repositories, including design data, reality data, map data, etc.

What is a repository?

In a general sense, a repository is a storage location where data is kept and managed. It acts as a digital storage unit that holds various types of information. Repositories are essential in organizing and maintaining data, allowing easy data access and management.

Example: In the context of the iTwin Platform, a repository can hold different types of data relevant to infrastructure projects. These can include:

Design Data: Such as CAD models and engineering data.
Reality Data: Such as reality meshes and points clouds.
Sensor Data: Live IoT sensor readings.
Other Data: Any other repository related to the asset.

These repositories are integrated within the iTwin to provide a holistic view of the infrastructure asset.

What is the iTwin Platform?

The iTwin Platform is a suite of services and applications built on top of iTwins. It offers APIs for directly interacting with iTwins, enabling integration with custom applications through REST API calls. The platform is framework-agnostic, allowing developers to leverage its capabilities across different environments.

What are iTwin Platform APIs?

iTwin Platform APIs is a collection of functionalities designed to interact with iTwins. These APIs allow developers to perform various operations on iTwins, such as data retrieval, issue tracking, and event updates. As the iTwin ecosystem grows, the list of available APIs continues to expand, enabling new iTwin capabilities.

What is iTwin.js?

iTwin.js is an open-source TypeScript library for developing services and applications that interact with iTwins. It can be used to create mobile, desktop, web, and service applications. The library offers a wide range of functionalities including iTwin data queries, visualization, application UI, and data integration. iTwin.js allows developers to create solutions that leverage the rich data access available in iTwins.

What is an iModel?

An iModel is a specific type of repository within an iTwin, focused on the engineering and design data of a project. It standardizes various design formats using Base Infrastructure Schemas (BIS), allowing integration of data from different design applications (such as MicroStation, Aveva, Revit, etc.). The iModel functions like a git repository for design data, enabling multiple designers to collaborate and track changes over time.

Diagram showing how the iModel is an iTwin repository for storing design data. Also shows how multiple designers can simultaneously contribute to an iModel.

What is BIS?

Base Infrastructure Schemas (BIS) are the foundational schemas that standardize the diverse data formats used in infrastructure design. They provide a common structure for representing elements like 3D objects and properties, allowing different applications to integrate their data into a unified model.

Summary

These concepts are some of the building blocks of the iTwin platform. They can help you better understand our documentation, use-cases, and learning resources like tutorials and courses. Feel free to come back to this page any time you need to recap these topics. If there are other concepts you would like to learn about, please use the feedback feature below to submit your suggestions.