Issue with IFC Export Compatibility with ArchiCAD

SupremeXpansion
SupremeXpansion
in Importing and exporting files

Good afternoon.

I am currently testing your 30-day trial version in order to evaluate whether we can replace our current use of AutoCAD and ArchiCAD within our company. So far, I am very pleased with the software. However, I have encountered an issue for which I have been unable to find a solution in any tutorial or online video. I have searched extensively online, but the available answers seem too subjective and not very clear.

After completing a full BIM model of a project, I attempted to export it so that our clients can use the model in ArchiCAD. I was able to export to IFC and experimented with the export options and the IFCEXPORT settings within BricsCAD. In ArchiCAD, I can open the model and, for example, the slabs are 100% editable—I can stretch them and change their properties. However, elements such as doors and windows appear as "model elements" rather than as proper doors and windows, and I cannot modify their properties. Walls do appear as “walls,” but I also cannot edit their properties.

I have run the full "BIMIFY" process and made sure all elements were correctly classified, but we are still unable to achieve a full and proper conversion of the model into ArchiCAD.

We would greatly appreciate assistance with this issue, as our company provides BIM modeling services to other firms, and if we are unable to resolve this compatibility problem.

Best regards,
Hugo Pinto
SupremeXpansion Lda.

Comments

  • zoomer
    zoomer

    However, elements such as doors and windows appear as "model elements" rather than as proper doors and windows, and I cannot modify their properties.

    That's standard. Same in Vectorworks and/or for Revit imports. VW even packs all IFC objects in a redundant IFC Container. You have to explode these first to access the geometry. The only IFC Class that VW can import as a real PlugIn Object are IfcSpaces :)

    IFC initially was never meant as an exchange format. It was just a common standard that allows to bring other parties parts of the BIM model in as a reference or underlay. It was never meant to touch or change other parties geometry.

    BIM users however immediately misused IFC because it was often better than other export formats nevertheless. Meanwhile IFC is meant for collaboration too, like Visualizations, which also means to access and edit the model (?)

    But non-edit-ability of certain intelligent objects is not a problem of the IFC standard. It is just about the implementation of IFC in your App.

    You can check that. Just export an IFC from your native project - and import it again - to check how lossless or not the translation is. Or import an Archicad IFC in Bricscad.
    I think Bricscad does a very good job in implementing IFC. You can directly use and edit nearly all IFC Classes. But AFAIK, Windows or Doors are also limited.

    The only exception I know so far is Blender, with Bonsai Extension (former BlenderBIM AddOn).

    As Bonsai does not "import" an IFC but just "opens" an IFC and Bonsai works and saves directly in the IFC file format. So if an IFC contains such objects like Doors or Windows, according to IFC standard, Bonsai could losslessly edit these.
    But currently Bonsai has only basic Doors and Windows. But Developers are already working on those objects - and Bonsai develops fast.

  • SupremeXpansion
    SupremeXpansion

    Dear Zoomer,

    Thank you for your response. From what I understand, it’s currently not possible to achieve better conversion fidelity for doors and windows when exporting from BricsCAD to IFC, which is understandable. I’ll make sure to communicate that to my clients, as it helps clarify the limitations of the workflow.

    Apologies for my limited experience with IFC – this is actually my first time working with it, mainly because all of my clients use Archicad.

    That said, I have another question:
    Is there a way to ensure that the walls exported from BricsCAD behave more like native Archicad elements?
    Specifically, when my clients delete a door or window, can the wall “heal” automatically – meaning it fills in the opening again, allowing them to insert a new door/window from their own library? Also, can they adjust the wall’s thickness or height after import?

    If this is possible, it might provide a workable solution: they could delete my elements and insert their own as needed, without having to redraw the entire wall.

    Thanks in advance for your help, and again, I really appreciate your guidance!

    Best regards,
    Hugo Pinto

  • zoomer
    zoomer
    edited May 30

    Sorry, I currently get a bit uncertain with my recent file examples …..
    I tested only IFC 4.0, As I thought it would be well implemented meanwhile, or IFC 4x3.

    But it lLooks like I just get Blocks or even Meshes only into Bricscad. IFC 4x3 is very problematic but I though my IFC 4.0 imports were ok. At least they looked so in View Window.

    So I re-checked an old (2010) IFC 2x3 File that I made with the demo version when I tested Archicad.
    That old v 2x2 IFC opens beautifully in Bricscad and all came in as native editable BIM Solid Objects (beside Doors and Windows).

    10+ years ago, an Archicad colleague got a IFC 2x3 from me, exported from VW. And she was happy with it and said she could edit it. But that AFAIK was just for her 2D purposes (?). I am no more sure, beside Doors and Windows, if she was able edit Walls - or just move them around or so …. At that time, in VW, IFC imports were completely locked and non-editable. So since then I always thought Archicad could edit IfcWalls …..

    So, I assume you also used IFC 4.x format, could you try again with the (10+ years) old IFC 2x3 format ?


    Looks like IFC 4.x support in some BIM Apps isn't always as sophisticated as I so far expected.

  • SupremeXpansion
    SupremeXpansion

    Dear Zoomer,

    As mentioned, I will test the workflow again tomorrow and follow your suggestions regarding the IFC export.
    In the meantime, I’ll also send the IFC file so you (or someone from the community) can evaluate it directly – maybe you’ll spot something I’ve missed or confirm whether my export settings are correct.

    Thanks again for the support and guidance.

    Best regards,
    Hugo Pinto

  • SupremeXpansion
    SupremeXpansion

    Hi, Please find attached the complete model in BricsCAD. This was a Survey from an existing farm from Laser Scan. Please comment on what i should have done to make the export better. I am attaching the DWG file and the IFC.

    Cristina 4.dwg
    Cristina 4.7z

  • zoomer
    zoomer

    Please comment on what i should have done to make the export better.

    Your DWG looks pretty(!) good.
    You have already done Spatial Locations, like Site / Buildings / Stories …..

    AFAIR I did not find those when importing your IFC File example (?)
    And I was not able, with whatever IFC import Settings, to get your Model located near Bricscad's internal Center. It is far away from center … in real world coordinates ….

    Could be because Bricscad misses some of your Project Setting Files ….. it warns that it misses Project Database and or Project Settings ….. So I could not try to test a "better (?)" IFC export. Either these missed files would be important for the DWG, so you could make an e-transmit, which should also collect and include all necessary sub files with the DWG. Or if you did not have set, create or check your Project /Settings, with geolocation.

    Another thing,
    I assume the IFC was generated from your Bricscad Model (?)
    I have seen that Bricscad's V25.2 IFC Importer now offers an option to load parametric IFC Objects as parametric Bricscad Objects (cool !). And the IFC import showed parametric options for Doors and Windows - but if I try to edit, changes get ignored, other than in the Bricscad DWG.

    So if Bricscad offers such import option, but it does not work for their own IFC exports … it may be a bug and may need to file a Support Request.