Spatial-Temporal Visualization
Time Anchored in Space
A collaborative platform for modeling dynamic systems where time is a spatial dimension—visualize, animate, and test change across architecture, infrastructure, and data.
Time-anchored 3D Workspace
Drag, scrub, and lock time across live 3D scenes. The timeline isn’t a playback bar—it’s a parametric control surface where temporal relationships (duration, rhythm, sequence) directly reshape geometry, material states, and environmental conditions in real time.
Temporal snapping
Align events to structural milestones or environmental thresholds with grid snapping across time and space.
State branching
Create parallel timelines—test flood projections against retention walls, or overlay pedestrian flow models onto circulation diagrams.
Reference layer syncing
Embed live CAD/BIM layers andGIS footprints that respect civil engineering tolerances and datum alignment.
Use Cases by Profession
Professionals shape time differently: architects sequence material aging, scientists project ecosystem transitions, educators model historical turnover. Each role brings its own semantic layers—but all converge on shared spatial narratives.
Architects
Model façade degradation in situ, animate construction phasing against seasonal light, simulate occupancy patterns over a building’s 75-year design life.
Urban Planners
Stack multi-decade transit expansions over zoning overlays, animate heat island mitigation from street tree maturation, test resilience under repeated flood cycles.
Data Scientists
Anchored time-series to geometry—overlay traffic sensor readings onto junctions, animate energy load curves against HVAC system deployments, correlate seismic readings to fault-line ruptures.
Educators
Build timelines across geological epochs in 3D terrain, animate coral bleaching events over reef topography, visualize linguistic diffusion across centuries.
Data Ingestion
Import raw temporal geometry and metadata through native connectors. The platform normalizes civil, geospatial, and scientific data into a single temporal mesh—without forcing re-topologizing or manual time-stamping.
BIM / CAD
Direct IFC, RVT, and DWG ingestion with element-level temporal metadata mapping.
Read moreGIS
GeoTIFF, Shapefile, and GeoJSON with coordinate-aware time-stamping and datum alignment.
Read moreCollaboration Layer
Shared timelines
Live cursor awareness and comment threads pinned to specific moments in the scene.
State branches
Save concurrent versions—e.g., ‘Baseline 2040’ vs. ‘Retirement Plan 2045’—with full diff support.
Annotation anchors
Attach notes, sketches, or standards references to specific objects at exact coordinates and timestamps.
Technical Foundation
Powered by WebGL and WebAssembly, 4d.io runs entirely in the browser—no plugin installs or GPU bottlenecks. Its RESTful API ingests and exports model state, metadata, and time-series in standardized formats, supporting custom automation or integration into existing geospatial pipelines.
No-plugin rendering
Native browser performance via WebGL 2.0 and WebAssembly, scaling from laptops to immersive displays.
API architecture
CRUD endpoints for timelines, objects, and attributes; webhooks for change events and user activity.
Format fidelity
Preserves coordinate reference systems, units, element hierarchies, and attribute schemas on import.
Pricing & Demo
Tiered access aligns with professional workflows—individuals prototype on Desktop Pro, teams collaborate via Studio seats, and institutions deploy custom, white-labeled environments with dedicated support and API credit pools.
Desktop Pro
Standalone license for individual designers—includes local scene export and limited API credits.
Studio Team
Per-seat licensing with real-time co-editing, shared libraries, and audit trails for client reviews.
Get in touch
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