IFCEXPORT command

Exports a BIM model to IFC.

BricsCAD BIM

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Description

Exports a BIM model to IFC, partially or entirely. IFC attributes are managed dynamically, for example properties and property sets. This allows you to choose between IFC2x3 or IFC4 attributes.

Important:
  • BricsCAD BIM created IFC files can be used in different coordination workflows with many tools (for example, Solibri).
  • Some software programs allow for editing only IFC files created with specific Authoring Tools, while actively blocking files created with other tools. Other uses of BricsCAD BIM created IFC files on these software programs are possible (for example, viewing).
  • BricsCAD BIM also supports exporting files in RVT format (for viewing only).

Method

Select the entities to export or press Enter to export the entire model.

The Export To IFC dialog box opens to control the export settings.

Choose Setting Profile

Defines the setting profile to be used when exporting the model.

Select a profile from the drop-down list.

Viewing and Referencing (IFC4) (Default)
This is the default profile for most cases, ensuring reliable geometry and property exchange. Files might be larger, and editing in the target software might be more difficult.
Design Transfer (IFC4) (Unofficial)
Use this to allow editing in the target software. However, Design Transfer is an unofficial version, and not well supported by many software.
Full Export (IFC4)
Use this to support everything from your BIM model (including base quantities, entities hidden by visibility states, etc.). This may increase the file size significantly.
Minimal File Size (IFC4)
Use this to minimize the file size. Since this profile relies on Design Transfer, not all software might be capable of opening this file correctly.
Viewing and Referencing (IFC2x3)
Use this in case the older IFC2x3 is needed. Note that IFC2x3 doesn't support many BIM types.
IFC4x3
Use this for exchanging Civil or Infrastructure data.
IFC-SG
Use this to comply with the IFC-SG in Singapore.

You can edit the settings and click Save to update the current profile or to create a new one. To create a new profile, enter a new profile name in the Save Profile dialog box and click OK.

Profile settings

Note: When modifying the settings of the selected profile, the changes are saved in a temporary profile with the same name as the original profile, followed by (Modified). The Export To IFC dialog box loads this temporary profile for the following IFC export operation. Use the Save option to permanently save the changes to the settings configuration file specified by the IFCSETTINGSCONFIG system variable.
IFC version
Defines the version of the exported IFC file format. Select a format from the drop-down list.
  • IFC2X3
  • IFC4 Reference View
  • IFC4 Design Transfer View
  • IFC4X3 (IFC 4.3.2.0)
Note: BricsCAD BIM is officially certified for IFC4 Reference View (Architecture) and IFC2x3 Coordination View.
Filter
Defines the entities to export based on the selected entity types. By default, All entities are exported.

Click the field to display the BIM entity type tree and adjust the selection. Select or deselect entire BIM type categories or individual BIM types.

After deselecting a category of element types in the tree list, the All entities tag in the field is replaced by the remaining categories tags.

After deselecting an element type under a category in the tree list, the category tag in the field is replaced by the remaining entity type tags.

Click the button next to a tag's name to remove the corresponding entity type or category from the selection.

Other settings
Note: Depending on the selected IFC version, some options are not available.
Export base quantities
Export IFC base quantities for entities. If Export multi-ply elements as aggregated elements is selected as well, ply quantities are also exported.

For IFC4 Reference View file, next to the quantities of the wall as a whole, the ply quantities are exported as a sub set for each ply (as IfcPhysicalComplexQuantity).

Important: This increases IFC file size.
Export entities from off or frozen layers
Export entities hidden by frozen or off layers.
Merge Spatial Location Structure for XRefs
Merge spatial location structure from different XRefs into one hierarchy.
Generate unique GUIDs inside classified blocks
Generate unique GUIDs (Globally Unique Identifiers) for nested BIM-classified entities within BIM-classified blocks.
Generate unique GUIDs inside classified XRefs
Generate unique GUIDs (Globally Unique Identifiers) for nested BIM-classified entities within BIM-classified XRefs.
Export space boundary relationship
Export the relationships between spaces and their surrounding building entities (IfcRelSpaceBoundary). Only the first level boundary will be exported, not taking into account the spaces on the other side of the building entities.
Apply IFC syntax validation
Checks the model against official IFC schema rules during export. Reports problems in an export log next to the IFC file.
Important: May increase export time for large files.
Export multi-ply elements as aggregated elements
The plies of entities with multi-ply compositions will be exported as separate, aggregated entities. If Export base quantities is enabled as well, quantities for the individual plies will be exported.
Important: This improves the reliability when importing in other software products. However, it increases IFC file size and complicates model editing in the target software.
Subtract openings from the host geometry
Subtract the opening from the host geometry before exporting.
Important: This improves the reliability when importing in other software products, because it avoids relying on the boolean operations of the target software. However, this increases IFC file size, and makes it harder to edit the model in the target software.
Always export swept solids as BREP
Export extrusions, revolutions and swept 3D solids with clippings and subtractions using a Boundary REPresentation.
Important: This improves the reliability when importing in other software products. However, this increases the IFC file size, and makes it harder to edit the model in the target software.
Export all visibility states
Export entities hidden by visibility states.
Export profile center of gravity
Exports the profile center of gravity for linear solids. Applies only to IFC2x3.
Warning: This may cause linear solids to appear in the wrong position when importing in certain software products.
Tessellate complex curves and surfaces
Tessellate BSpline curves and surfaces. Applies to IFC4 and later.
Note: BSpline curves are not supported by some software products. In those cases, tessellation improves the reliability of an IFC import in other software products. However, it increases the IFC file size, and complicates model editing in the target software.
Level of tessellation
Select a value from the drop-down list.

The options Default, Low, Medium, and High are available.

Export IDS Properties Only
When an IDSXML has been imported, this allows you to export only the properties required by the IDS.

Select a value from the drop-down list.

The options Export all properties and Export only the properties required by the IDS are available.

Note: When Export only the properties required by the IDS is selected, only the IFC and custom properties specified in the imported IDS file are exported.

Export fields tab

Note: These fields are system variables, and not stored in the IFC export setting profiles.
Export author name
Type in the author name to be exported as part of the header of the IFC file.
Export organization name
Type in the organization name to be exported as part of the header of the IFC file.
Export authorization
Type in the authorization (person who authorized the sending of the file) to be exported as part of the header of the IFC file.
Note:
  • The import and export of Alignments and TIN Surfaces with IFC4X1 is supported.
  • A color resembling the material by layer color is applied for entities with Redway materials.
  • To export properties with date values to IfcDate for IFC4, use the YYYY-MM-DD format. Different formats are exported as IfcLabel.

For more information about IFC export, see the IFC import and export in BricsCAD article.