How can I access an IFC model?!

[Anonymous]

Hi!
I hope I'm asking this question in the right place!

I'd like to create an application (standalone, if possible) that:
1 - Accesses an IFC model directly in order to retrieve information about certain construction components, in particular plumbing and
2 - Creates input files for a separate program that verifies projects for compliance with some national standards.

I have no experience with the IFC model nor programming tools that would enable me to explore it, but I have some experience with database programming.

My questions are:
What tools do I need to explore the model (some kind of EXPRESS explorer, or some tool that exports the IFC file to xml, perhaps)?
Can I perform these operations using ArchiCAD and its addons?
I would really prefer freeware tools or, at least, some kind of trial version that would allow me to check if the software does what I need!

Thank you in advance for any help you can give me!
NV

[Yanni]

From ArchiCAD you can just export your IFC model.

Try http://www.dds-bsp.co.uk/IFCViewer.html or
http://www.iai.fzk.de/english/projekte/VR-Systems/html/Product_Data_Modelling/IFC/IfcViewer/index.ht...
Both free, the first one you have to register.

Also a great resource for IFC developement is
http://www.iai-international.org/software/Tools%20for%20IFC%20developers.html

IFC 2x2 and IFC 2x3 have ifcXML specs documented at
http://www.iai-international.org/Model/IFC(ifcXML)Specs.html

Let us know about your progress. I thought doing something similar for but work load doesn't let me.
If you want to stay within ArchiCAD you can export a csv file via Components/Descriptors Calculations but first you have to include Components/Descriptors to an ArchiCAD calculation database or within individual GDL objects.

Good luck

[Anonymous]

Yanni,
Thank you very much! I had already found a couple of the links you sent me but I haven't really explored the software they link to yet (I wasn't sure they were actually what I was looking for - your confirmation was really important)!
I'm thinking about creating a standalone application (not something that needs archicad in the background) as a part of a research project...
Yes, it does look like a lot of work and I'll have to look into it a bit before I start off.
Thanks a lot!
NV