BIMx vs SCIENCE & PLAY BUILD
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
BIMx
Explore and collaborate on architectural BIM projects with interactive 3D models and linked documentation. Visualize designs, access BIM data, and streamline communication between the construction site and office.
- Interactive 2D & 3D BIM model exploration
- Linked 2D documentation and 3D views
- Access BIM element data
- On-site collaboration tools
- Game-like 3D navigation
- Real-time 3D cutaways
- Measure in 3D and 2D
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Graphisoft’s BIMx is an interactive app for exploring BIM projects and linked documentation sets created in Archicad, MEP Designer, and DDScad. Please download to visualize or collaborate on architectural design projects on your mobile device(s). BIMx offers professional building visualization with game-like navigation to explore and visualize architectural projects. BIMx features the ‘BIMx hyper-model’ – allowing non-design professionals to explore and fully understand architectural design intent, view project deliverables, and access element-level BIM data. BIMx links the 3D model with the relevant 2D documentation layouts, providing a seamless way to view the 3D cutaway model in the context of a 2D layout — and vice versa. BIMx connects the construction site with the architect’s office for streamlined collaboration. Real-time model cut-throughs, in-context measuring, and project markups in the model context make BIMx your best on-site BIM companion. Drive the design narrative on the building site for fast, specific client feedback. Features: • Hyperlinked 2D & 3D views with interactive markers • Trace 2D drawings on 3D with animation • Access project and building component-related BIM information • Superfast 2D documentation viewer • Game-like 3D navigation • Gravity & Egress recognition • Option to access a Hyper-model element from outside of the app • Google Cardboard VR support on iPhones • Real-time 3D cutaway • Cut Plane Color Picker • Shading options • Shadow casting • Sun positioning by date and time • Measure in 3D and on 2D layouts • Explore 3D models of any size thanks to the streaming 3D engine • Save Favorites • Create compelling presentations • Print support, PDF export • Keyboard, mouse, and gamepad support BIMx Pro features, available with Graphisoft account-based licensing: • Issue creation – BCF-based documentation revisioning • Hide 3D elements and control Layer visibility in the virtual model • Customizable Cut Plane Explore the BIMx Pro features with the built-in demo model. Joining BIMcloud in Hyper-models published from Teamwork projects unlocks messaging and Pro features. View our Terms of Use: https://graphisoft.com/legal/terms-of-use/bimx-ios and Privacy Policy: https://graphisoft.com/legal/privacy-policy Send your comments and suggestions to bimx@graphisoft.com!
SCIENCE & PLAY BUILD
This app provides interactive 3D animations to guide users through assembling physical products. It offers features like step-by-step viewing, rotation, zooming, and automatic playback for a more engaging building experience.
- Interactive 3D animations
- Step-by-step assembly guidance
- Model rotation and zooming
- Timeline for reviewing steps
- Automatic playback of assembly
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The Mechanics Laboratory app was developed by Clementoni so that assembling your products can become easier and more fun. Through this free app for smartphones and tablets, by Science & Play TechnoLogic, your models will materialise on the screen, piece by piece, thanks to interactive 3D animations. With the Timeline you can view each step several times and rotate, zoom and shift the model as it is being built. You can decide how must time to spend on each step, or use the Playback function to automatically view the entire assembly process. Choose the box, select the model and start building straight away! From the screen to reality, with easy and clear steps that you check from any angle!
Screenshots
Verdict
The clearest difference is monetization model: SCIENCE & PLAY BUILD at free against BIMx's free with in-app purchases. SCIENCE & PLAY BUILD also leads on iOS requirement (13.0 vs 16.0). BIMx's advantage is ratings volume (168 vs 9) and update cadence (every 6 weeks vs every 4 months). On price, rating, ads and in-app purchases there is nothing between them.
Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS
Both are free to download. Neither carries in-app purchases, so what you see is what you pay.
On the App Store both sit at effectively the same score — 4.0 for BIMx against 3.9 for SCIENCE & PLAY BUILD. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: BIMx has 168 ratings behind it against 9, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews are what separate them: 56% of BIMx's written reviews are positive against 48% of SCIENCE & PLAY BUILD's.
BIMx ships an update every 6 weeks, SCIENCE & PLAY BUILD every 4 months. The most recent releases landed on November 5, 2026 and November 2, 2026 respectively.
| Parameter | BIMx | SCIENCE & PLAY BUILD |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.0 (168 ratings) — better | 3.9 (9 ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 56.4% of reviews — better | 47.6% of reviews |
| Number of ratings | 168 — better | 9 |
| Update frequency | Every 6 weeks — better | Every 4 months |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No | No |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better |
| Requires iOS | 16.0 | 13.0 — better |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 175 MB | 464 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | Graphisoft SE | Clementoni S.p.A. |
Customer experience
BIMx
SCIENCE & PLAY BUILD
Bugs and requests
BIMx
Reported bugs
3 issues- Issues with downloading and opening models
- Compatibility problems with newer iOS versions
- Inconsistent rendering and color issues
Requested features
4 requests- Ability to annotate and markup models
- Support for more CAD file formats beyond ArchiCAD
- Improved camera controls and navigation
- Integration with desktop ArchiCAD software
SCIENCE & PLAY BUILD
Not enough reviews yet to summarise bugs or requests.
In-app purchases
BIMx
No in-app purchases
SCIENCE & PLAY BUILD
No in-app purchases









