IFC is a very powerful file format and I regularly use it to communicate between design teams, and internally to translate information between various applications. Personally I have watched it come into being over many years and have used it since it was first available.
The files can become hard to manage depending on the scale of your project and in some applications become dysfunctional if the files are too large and CPU and RAM isn't up to the task.
There are a few good techniques for best practices that help when converting files to IFC to be explored by various team members:
1. Solibri IFC optimizer is very helpful for both reduction and optimzation of the file size as well as fixing problems with the IFC model:
Solibri IFC Optimizer - Solibri
Solibri |
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Solibri IFC Optimizer - Solibri |
Download Solibri IFC Optimzer to speed up IFC file handling. This simple software allows you to reduce large IFC file sizes for viewing or distributing. Files open faster and easier. Want to do more with your IFC files? Download Solibri IFC Optimizer Welcome to Solibri. This site uses cookies. |
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2. Archicad Connection Add-On for Revit is a great tool for importing and exporting IFC's from Revit whether or not you are going to Archicad. You can translate out of Revit and go to anything that imports IFC files and vice versa.
Interoperability
Graphisoft |
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Interoperability |
ARCHICAD Connection Add-In for Autodesk Revit applications About “Improved IFC Import†imports IFC models to Revit using extra features that improve the interpretation of architectural models “Export to ARCHICAD†exports Revit model elements |
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On my projects I request IFC files from my design and fabrication teams as a means of setting up a level bi-directional file format. This helps anyone who wants to view information from any discipline without having proprietary viewing technology to see it. For example teklabimsight.com
Teklabimsight |
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teklabimsight.com |
Combine models, check for clashes and share information using the same easy-to-use BIM environment - for free. |
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or their native authoring software.
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Willard Williams AIA NCARB
VDC Coordinator
Hoffman Construction
Seattle WA
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Original Message:
Sent: 11-14-2017 18:34
From: Andrew Dwight
Subject: IFC is it going to be our saviour?
For those who are working with BIM
I am mildly familiar with IFC and how it works and in principle, it has merit as working with a 3D model instead of a 3D DWG with little to no intelligence is frustrating, especially when the engineer or outsourced designers are using different software to what I work in natively.
Industry Foundation Class (IFC)
I have a few questions- how many have tried it?
- Did anyone get a positive experience?
- what could be better?
I personally find it okay if you simply share a small portion of a model yet sharing even a moderate size project can be time-consuming even just to open the file. I figured it must have been the software I was using so I tried Archicad, <g class="gr_ gr_1001 gr-alert gr_gramm gr_inline_cards gr_run_anim Punctuation only-ins replaceWithoutSep" id="1001" data-gr-id="1001">Revit</g> and Sketchup and still all I had a was a laggy and a similar result. Is anyone else getting a similar result?
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Andrew Dwight
Designer/BIM manager AAD Build
BDM RubySketch
Sydney Australia
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