Help CenterFor IFC from ArchiCAD to work smoothly with Autodesk Revit, a few settings must be fulfilled. Below is a list of settings to use which might be updated when issues occur and solutions are found.
IFC Export
This guide details the settings required for the IFC Translator in ArchiCAD to streamline the workflow with Revit and Naviate Bimfire.
Model filter
Remove so Door / Window 2D Views don’t export.
Make sure opening voids & spaces are not exported, it will appear as generic models in Revit.
Comparison with and without IfcOpeningElement & spaces:
Without openings/spaces:
With openings/spaces:
Geometry Conversion
Preferably, choose Never Explode elements; preservation is not guaranteed, but Explode only when necessary to preserve materials can work as well, depending on whether nothing is exploded that needs a requirement.
Geometries in ArchiCAD
Walls
When Revit links walls, depending on the joins in ArchiCAD Revit will create a Mesh geometry instead of Solid. This can be avoided if the reference plan is set to the centre.
Works also with Core outside & inside. It is caused by the reference plane and the geometry does not coincide in Revit when transforming IFC objects to Revit objects.
Floors
Floors need to be classified as Floor slabs, and not only Slab in the IFC export. If floors are classified as slabs Revit will translate them into Generic Models instead of Floors.
The architect needs to inform the engineer which floor reference plane they are using. This will affect the placement of the level in Revit. Preferable the reference plane should be on top.
Reasons why
When copying the levels from the ArchiCAD model to Revit and placing rooms/spaces depending on the reference plane on the floor Revit behaves differently.
On the top Floor plan (Plan 4 / Level 4), the reference plane is set to the floors top part.
On the bottom Floor plan (Plan 5 / Level 5), the reference plane is set to the floor's core top.
Either the Architect needs to change reference plane in their model, or the engineer needs to move their level up from “core top” for rooms/spaces to be enclosed in each room. Move the level from Core Top to top of the floor.
Result of moving the level 22mm up.
Schedules & Export Excel.
Make sure that there are parameters in the ArchiCAD model to load data to. How to create attributes in ArchiCAD, go to Option -> Property Manager…
Create Parameters
Create a new string attribute:
Edit which classes should have the parameter:
Create Schedule
Right-click and create a new schedule.
Name the schedule.
Filter out which class to be in the schedule, can’t be multiclass, must be a specific class i.e. Door / Window / Wall.
Choose class.
Add created parameters. Must have Element ID, ArchiCAD IFC ID + parameters.
Export Schedule to Excel
Go to File –> Interoperability -> Classification and Properties -> Export Property Values from Schedule...
Save the Excel file.
Excel Import
Go to File –> Interoperability -> Classification and Properties -> Import Property Values from Schedule.
Choose the excel in which the engineer has entered data into.
Result:
