topic Re: IFC export of ArchiCAD Zones to ifcSpace and ifcSpaceType in Collaboration with other software

IFC export of ArchiCAD Zones to ifcSpace and ifcSpaceType

mitchSyd — Sun, 24 Aug 2025 17:56:47 GMT

I am exporting several zones as ifcSpace

some spaces are landscape types, residential bedrooms, toilets, dining etc

how do I specify ifcSpaceTypes to catch all zones of type BEDROOM or all zones of type VEGETATION,

at present I can specify a Translator that ends up making all zones predefinedType BEDROOM with no other differentiation

tia

Operating system used: Mac Apple Silicon 15.6 (24G84)

Re: IFC export of ArchiCAD Zones to ifcSpace and ifcSpaceType

stefan — Fri, 22 Aug 2025 15:51:19 GMT

One approach is defining all required Space Types into your classification and expand the IFC mapping from there. You can use that to expand the User Defined Type values accordingly. This makes it part of your IFC translator.

Another alternative is doing this at the object level, in the IFC Project Manager or from the Zone Settings of a selected Zone. This is easier for smaller overrides, but the the IFC Translator in combination with expanded classification is probably the more robust approach.

Re: IFC export of ArchiCAD Zones to ifcSpace and ifcSpaceType

mitchSyd — Sun, 24 Aug 2025 17:53:47 GMT

Hi Stefan

here is my Translator IFC types for export settings

this causes all ifcSpaces to be of pdt = BEDROOM, eg

#640=IFCSPACE('1WdIHRts6bG9Vv5YLpOG4G',#2,'R03',$,$,#2030,#149,'Bathroom',.ELEMENT.,.INTERNAL.,$); #727=IFCSPACE('0O$C6NAS1jHgbErheaa5ym',#2,'R01',$,$,#2675,#163,'Kitchen',.ELEMENT.,.INTERNAL.,$); #730=IFCSPACE('2s$tiOQgoFIB7tQ$SZTMFg',#2,'R02',$,$,#2690,#165,'Living/Dining',.ELEMENT.,.INTERNAL.,$); #19557=IFCSPACETYPE('07H_kqEGBtKlnXmYKpVV4j',#2,'Garden',$,$,$,$,'0747EBB4-3902-F752-FC61-C225337DF12D','BEDROOM',.USERDEFINED.,$); #19645=IFCSPACETYPE('3LH2SGTg8K88W9ZSbyzjmU',#2,'Lawn',$,$,$,'D5442710-76A2-1420-8809-8DC97CF6DC1E','BEDROOM',.USERDEFINED.,$); #19778=IFCSPACETYPE('0P3RcR$3cAZ81JH4bxcyYw',#2,'RESIDENTIAL GARAGE',$,$,$,$,'190DB99B-FC39-8A8C-8053-44497B9BC8BA','BEDROOM',.USERDEFINED.,$);

So, I'm unclear how to for example for all rooms in a residence specify any bedroom to be type "BEDROOM", any toilet, bathroom, shower type "SANITARY", etc. Hospitals have such classifications.

I also see that Ifc<element>Type in AC duplicates a lot of data, that presumably is supposed to make more efficient code?

Your suggestions very welcome

Re: IFC export of ArchiCAD Zones to ifcSpace and ifcSpaceType

Laszlo Nagy — Sun, 24 Aug 2025 18:38:03 GMT

Do you still have the mapping for the "Space" classification, like your first screenshot in this thread shows?

If yes, then every classification below it will inherit the IFC Type and IFC Type Product mapping from it, because it is their parent (except the ones where a custom mapping is specified, like for "Residential Space" - in your second screenshot) .

Re: IFC export of ArchiCAD Zones to ifcSpace and ifcSpaceType

mitchSyd — Tue, 26 Aug 2025 03:16:41 GMT

tks for all the feedback.

I have 3 "types" of spaces - external for vegetation water usage types, internal rooms and internal rooms of type "BEDROOM". I customised each (following your suggestions) and here are the settings in my Translator

and here is the IFC

#10565=IFCSPACE('3XSu3jajIWJOVDoaxdS8wW',#2,'R04',$,'BEDROOM',#95955,#877,'Bedroom',.ELEMENT.,.USERDEFINED.,$);
#10606=IFCSPACE('1WdIHRts6bG9Vv5YLpOG4G',#2,'R03',$,$,#95972,#885,'Bathroom',.ELEMENT.,.INTERNAL.,$);
#13497=IFCSPACE('2_9dsVe0RfIQsJO97EJJ4m',#2,'Front Lawn',$,$,#21623,#1374,'Front Lawn',.ELEMENT.,.EXTERNAL.,$);

tks for the advice

Re: IFC export of ArchiCAD Zones to ifcSpace and ifcSpaceType

Laszlo Nagy — Tue, 26 Aug 2025 13:22:02 GMT

So, does this work now?

What are the IFCSPACETYPE values now in the IFC file for these three elements?

You posted only the lines that show the IFCSPACE values, but not the lines that show the IFCSPACETYPE values.

Re: IFC export of ArchiCAD Zones to ifcSpace and ifcSpaceType

stefan — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 06:37:08 GMT

Also, it makes it possibly confusing that you don't active the "Synchronize" option. This ensures that the space (IFC Type) and the space type (IFC Type Product) share the same predefined or user defined type.

Re: IFC export of ArchiCAD Zones to ifcSpace and ifcSpaceType

mitchSyd — Fri, 29 Aug 2025 13:41:12 GMT

Hi, apologies for the delay. My solution now has residential subtypes , and the appropriate PredefinedType works, achieved by modifying the Classification system.

an example of subType:

Toilet, Clotheswashing, Food preparation and Personal Washings are respectively ptds BEDROOM, TOILET, LAUNDRY, KITCHEN and BATHROOM.

Re: IFC export of ArchiCAD Zones to ifcSpace and ifcSpaceType

mitchSyd — Fri, 26 Sep 2025 20:33:53 GMT

Another issue are the Base Quantities export.
In the Translator I have set my export translator as the Preview.

Does this now mean I can see in the IFC Project Manager the values of these quantities?

Not showing at present...