Automation using Dynamo: Enhancing Coordination with GIS Integration in Revizto.

An automation project by BuildBIM for Waka Kotahi. Project: Penlink ArcGIS Workflow | Service: Digital Engineering | Status: Ongoing

In today’s complex infrastructure projects, the ability to visualise and understand site conditions in a spatial context is critical to effective decision-making. At BuildBIM, we’re continually exploring innovative ways to streamline workflows and enhance cross-discipline collaboration. Our latest automation project for Waka Kotahi on the Penlink project is a great example of how technology can bridge gaps in communication and data accessibility.

The Challenge: Bringing GIS into the Coordination Environment

As part of our commitment to improving coordination across teams, we sought to enrich our federated model in Revizto by integrating a range of environmental and contextual datasets sourced from GIS platforms. The goal was to make critical site data—such as vegetation, property parcels, archaeological zones, mooring survey areas, and construction buffer zones—accessible and visually interpretable directly within the 3D model environment.

The Solution: A Custom Dynamo Workflow in Civil 3D

To achieve this integration, we developed a custom Dynamo script in Civil 3D that automates the process of connecting to GIS data hosted on DeepSpace via its REST API.

Here's how it works:

• The script pulls geospatial geometry and related metadata from DeepSpace’s GIS database.

• It then processes the data and accurately drapes it over the project’s existing terrain surface, ensuring spatial accuracy and real-world alignment.

• Each GIS layer is assigned distinct symbology and colour coding, allowing users to easily differentiate between data types and classifications.

This automation not only reduces manual data handling but also ensures consistency and up-to-date information across the project team.

The Outcome: Richer Insight for Better Decision-Making

By embedding GIS datasets directly into the federated model, we’re enabling project teams to:

• Visualise complex environmental constraints in a single, unified model.

• Identify potential conflicts early during design and coordination.

• Improve stakeholder communication through enhanced visual context.

• Support planning and compliance checks with up-to-date, spatially accurate data.

This approach is proving invaluable in project coordination meetings, design reviews, and stakeholder presentations—making it easier for everyone involved to make informed, confident decisions.

Looking Ahead

This project reflects our broader commitment to integrating digital engineering tools to streamline workflows and add value across the project lifecycle. As the Penlink project progresses, we’ll continue refining and expanding this automation approach to support even greater levels of collaboration and insight.

Interested in how digital automation can enhance your infrastructure project?

Get in touch with the BuildBIM team.