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Martin Jan Rosa
Enthusiast

Adding layers to IFC before hotlinking to Archicad

If an IFC model being hotlinked into Archicad doesn't contain layers in IfcPresentationLayerAssignment, all elements are stored in a single layer by default. This complicates further work when you want to display only terminal HVAC units, or hide distribution runs altogether.

 

The best approach is to add layers directly to the IFC model. If the author doesn't do it — which is usually the case — we have to handle it ourselves.

 

That's why I built a simple web app (in Cursor/Vercel workflow). It loads an IFC file and adds IfcPresentationLayerAssignment to all elements containing geometry, using a layer name based on the IFC class, PredefinedType, or ObjectType — selectable before loading. The modification runs entirely locally; the model is never uploaded anywhere.

 

The app is freely available at https://ifc-layer.vercel.app

 

When using standard IFC translators settings on import, elements will appear in relevant layers once the hotlink is loaded in Archicad. The translators can be further configured to map these to your own custom layers.

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Martin Jan Rosa
Freelance Architect and BIM consultant
martinrosa.cz | Linkedin
GRAPHISOFT Certified Archicad BIM Manager, 2021, 2023, 2025 | Archicad 29 CZE | macOS 26 | MacBook Pro M3 Max
1 Reply 1
Stefan L_
Rockstar

That one above is a bit small so:

StefanL__0-1776240488890.png

 

Stefan - AC ...-29GER, WIN11

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