Import IFC

File > Import / Export > Import IFC, IMPORTIFC

IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) is an open format for the international construction sector to be used in data transfer between different information systems. Models in IFC format can be used in transferring building information model from one system to another regardless of the original file format of the source or target application.

IFC elements are divided into three main categories: spaces, building elements, and building service elements. The building elements group consists of basic building elements, such as walls, doors and windows. This group also includes decorative elements, such as furniture. The building service elements group, in turn, includes electrical and HVAC elements, such as sockets, switches, and air-conditioning ducts.

Each element type can be separately chosen to be imported from an IFC file. Spaces cannot be imported without using an application (CADMATIC HVAC, CADMATIC Electrical or CADMATIC Building).

Import will convert IFC elements' geometric representations into symbols and they will be inserted onto layers according to their element type. For example, doors are inserted to the IfcBuildingElementDoors layer. Each symbol aksi receives a unique tag (IFCGUIDE) and possible type and property information (Propertyset) as common attribute information.

Import IFC

You can import the IFC 2x3 format coordinate view building information model into the drawing as a symbol. There will be no connection between the drawing and the IFC model after the import, and the IFC model is no longer needed. IFC model changes are not updated into the drawing automatically. If the IFC model information needs to be updated it needs to be imported again. In this case, the old IFC model needs to be removed and then imported again.

Do the following:

  1. Select the IFC file to be imported.

  2. Select whether to import the whole building by selecting All, or only one of the building's floors by selecting Only storey and the desired storey. The drop-down menu contains all storeys included in the IFC file.

  3. Select element types to be imported from IFC file.

  4. If you want to change the colors defined for each IFC element type, do the following:

    1. Clear the Use IFC-model object colors selection.

    2. Click Colors. The Element colors dialog opens.

    3. Select the desired element from the list, and define the color.

    4. Click Close. Changes are saved into the settings, and the same settings can be used in later imports. You can restore the default colors by clicking Defaults.

  5. Click Import.

Import IFC model as a reference

You can import IFC 2x3 format coordinate view building information model as a reference drawing. In this connection between drawing and original IFC model is preserved. If IFC model is updated it will also be updated in the drawing when it is opened again.

Do the following:

  1. In the External references dialog, click the button and select IFC-model.

  2. Select the IFC file. The Import IFC-file dialog opens.

  3. Select whether to import the whole building by selecting All, or only one of the building's floors by selecting Only storey and the desired storey. The drop-down menu contains all storeys included in the IFC file.

  4. Select the element types to be imported from the IFC file.

  5. If you want to change the colors defined for each IFC element type, do the following:

    1. Clear the Use IFC-model object colors selection.

    2. Click Colors. The Element colors dialog opens.

    3. Select the desired element from the list, and define the color.

    4. Click Close. Changes are saved into the settings, and the same settings can be used in later imports. You can restore the default colors by clicking Defaults.

  6. Click Import.

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