Import IFC
Adopt IFC building models via the IFC import plugin in VICUS Buildings: conversion scenarios, space boundaries, construction assignment and import log
Overview
VICUS Buildings imports IFC building models (BIM, IFC-STEP format *.ifc) via an import plugin. During the import, the IFC model is converted into the VICUS data model: buildings, storeys and rooms (IFC spaces) are created as the building structure, room boundary surfaces as surfaces with assigned constructions, windows and doors as sub-surfaces. In addition, the materials and construction assemblies stored in the IFC model are adopted into the database.
The menu entry is only present if the IFC import plugin is installed; plugins are loaded at program startup.
Access
- Menu Import > IFC file …
- alternatively the button
IFC in the Import area of the Add geometry panel (tooltip Import IFC model, only visible in the Building workspace)
After selecting the file (IFC STEP file (*.ifc)), the IFC import dialog opens. The file is read immediately; the log reports the number of IFC objects as well as the contained buildings and zones (e.g. “File read successfully with %1 IFC objects”).
Conversion scenario
In the Conversion scenario area, you define how the simulatable room surfaces are created from the IFC model:
| Scenario | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Use IFC space boundaries | Adopts the room boundary surfaces (space boundaries) already defined in the IFC model directly - no construction assignment needed. The option shows the number found (“Use IFC space boundaries (%1 found)”) and is disabled if the file contains no space boundaries (“(not available)”). |
| Full search for constructions | Checks each construction element for a match with the room surfaces - most thorough, but slowest method. |
| Medium construction search (recommended) | Checks only the highest-priority construction per room surface - a good compromise between speed and quality. |
| No construction assignment (zone surfaces only) | Creates room boundary surfaces without constructions - no windows and doors, but the fastest. |
Detailed settings
Via Show details, advanced settings are shown in four tabs:
- General - Minimum values (Minimum distance: in mm, Minimum area: in cm², Epsilon for polygon operations: in mm), Repair flags (Ignore conversion errors - allows the import despite errors, Remove duplicate space boundaries) and Details (More information on intersected rooms for a more detailed log).
- Construction assignment - Type of construction assignment: (Full, Highest priority, N constructions (from priority list), No construction assignment (zone surfaces only)), Number N for construction assignment:, the list of Construction types used for generating space boundaries (wall, ceiling/floor, roof, curtain wall, etc.), Default wall thickness in m: (fallback value if no construction is present) and Construction assignment factor: (multiplied by the wall thickness to give the search distance).
- Opening assignment - Opening search distance: in m, CSG search as well as the construction types for the opening search.
- Construction output - controls which object groups are written into the VICUS project: Constructions, Building components, Openings, All others; additionally As shading objects (exports each building component additionally as a shading object) and Write surface polygons in old style.
Procedure: Convert and import
- Convert starts the transformation of the IFC model into the VICUS format. The log lists warnings and errors - such as intersected rooms (“%1 intersected rooms found”), space boundaries used twice or openings without a connection to a space boundary.
- Only after a successful conversion is Import enabled (in case of errors, only with Ignore conversion errors set).
- The import adopts the data into VICUS Buildings: if no project is open, a new project is created from the imported data. If a project is already open, the imported buildings are merged with the existing project - including the database elements brought along (materials, constructions), whose IDs are adjusted automatically in the process.
A progress dialog (Import project) accompanies the adoption; errors are reported with a complete error chain (“Error during import.”).
Good to know:
The quality of the import stands and falls with the IFC model. If the file contains well-maintained space boundaries (many BIM authoring tools export them on request), the scenario Use IFC space boundaries is almost always the best choice. Without space boundaries, VICUS Buildings must derive the room surfaces itself from the building components - in that case, start with the medium construction search and check the log specifically for intersected rooms and unassigned openings before continuing to work with the model.
Checking after the import
The imported model should be checked like a self-drawn model:
- Building structure and room assignment in the navigation tree, see Building structure & terms
- Construction assignments and missing components, see Assign constructions
- Surface orientation and component links, see Construction check