Overview: In this lesson, you learn how to import and export IFC files in BricsCAD BIM.
Lesson Objectives
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
- Import an IFC model to BricsCAD.
- Export an IFC model from BricsCAD.
Tutorial: How to import & export IFC files in BricsCAD BIM
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About IFC
The Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) data model is designed to describe building and construction industry information. IFC is a platform neutral data exchange format. The goal of IFC is to provide interoperability between different BIM software platforms. BIM authoring tools like BricsCAD BIM can export a building model to an IFC file, allowing interoperability between IFC-compliant software applications. BricsCAD BIM is certified for IFC 2X3 coordination view 2.0. The IFC standard includes both parametric and non-parametric shapes, material definitions, metadata in the BIM file, and property sets (PSets) that can be assigned to the diverse BIM types available in IFC (e.g. PSet_WallCommon).
When you export an IFC file from BricsCAD the BricsCAD properties will be exported as IfcPropertySet. These property sets contain common IFC properties. If you have any user-defined property sets in your BIM model, these properties can also be exported.
Mechanical system layouts, structural models, and architectural models that are exported from different IFC compliant software applications can be imported into BricsCAD BIM.
Access
Keyboard: IMPORT, EXPORT
Menubar: File > Import, Export
Procedure: Importing an IFC file in BricsCAD
- To import an IFC file in your project, click the File menu, and then select Import
The import file dialog box displays.
- Select the .ifc file format (1) in the Files Of Type list and choose the IFC model you want to import.
The following illustration shows the import file dialog box.
- Click Open to import the IFC model.
When the IFC file is imported the data from the imported file integrates with the BricsCAD data structure which means you can work with them right away.
If the imported data contain custom properties these property sets will be available for the related entities.
Note: You have the ability to create custom property sets and properties directly in BricsCAD BIM and associate them with imported entities.
Procedure: Exporting an IFC file in BricsCAD
- To export an IFC file in your project, click the File menu, and then select Export
The Export Drawing As dialog box displays.
- Select the .ifc file format (2) in the Save as type list and save the IFC model in a folder where you want to store.
The following illustration shows the Export Drawing As dialog box.
- Click Save to export the IFC model.
The exported BIM model is saved as an IFC file and it is ready to use in any IFC certified applications.
- (Optional) Change the IFC import and export settings using the BIM section in the Settings dialog.
The following illustration shows the IFC import and export settings (3) in the settings dialog.
IFC setting preferences:
| Import Spaces |
Enable/disable importing IfcSpace entities as BIM Rooms. |
| Import BIM Data |
Enable/disable importing BIM data from different BIM platforms to BricsCAD BIM. |
| Import Parametric Components | Enable/disable importing windows and doors as parametric components. |
| Import IFC project structure as xrefs |
Enable/disable importing IFC project structures as separate XRef drawings. |
| Export base quantities |
Enable/disable exporting derived base quantities from BIM elements. |
| Export elements on OFF and FROZEN layers |
Enable/disable exporting BIM elements that are in OFF and Frozen layers. |
|
Explode external references in IFC spatial structure |
Enable/disable exploding external references in IFC spatial structures. |
| Export multi-ply elements as aggregated elements |
Enable/disable exporting building elements with multi-ply compositions as aggregated entities. |
