Import IFC

File > Import / export > Import IFC, IMPORTIFC

IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) is open format for an international construction sector to be used in data transfer between different information systems. Models in IFC format can be used transferring building information model from system to another without taking care of source or target program original file format.

IFC elements are divided into three main categories: spaces, building elements and building service elements. Building elements group consists of basic building elements such as walls, doors and windows. This group also includes decorative elements, such as furniture. Building service elements group includes electrical and HVAC technical 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 (HVAC, Electrical or Building).

Import will convert IFC elements geometric representations into symbols and they will be placed into layers defined by elements type. For example Doors are inserted in to 'IfcBuildingElementDoors' layer. Each symbol gets also unique tag (IFCGUIDE) and possible type and property information (Propertyset) as a common attribute information.

IFC model as a reference

Reference drawings > Add > IFC-model, REFDRAWING

This function will 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. Select Add > IFC-model.

  2. Choose whether to import whole building (All-selection) or only one of the buildings floor.
    A single floor of building is selected from the drop-down menu containing all floors found from the IFC-file.

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

  4. Click Import.

Import IFC

This function will import IFC 2x3 format coordinate view building information model into drawing as a symbol. In this case a there is no connection between drawing and IFC model after import and the IFC model is not needed any more. Changes in IFC model are not updated into the drawing automatically. If IFC model needs to be updated it requires it to be imported again. In this case the old IFC model needs to be first removed and then imported again.

Do the following:

  1. Select File > Import IFC.

  2. Select IFC file to be imported.

  3. Choose whether to import whole building (All-selection) or only one of the buildings floor.
    A single floor of building is selected from the drop-down menu containing all floors found from the IFC file.

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

  5. Click Import.

Colors

Program defines color for each IFC element type. These colors can be modified by clicking Colors. Modifications are saved into settings and same settings can be used in later imports. Default colors can be restored by clicking Defaults.

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