Beginner unable to import IFC object file

[Anonymous]

I'm not very experienced, but I had hoped I would be able to do this without help. That said, there doesn't seem to be much in the way of tutorials on importing IFC objects since Eric Bowbrow's one from 2013 on version 16. I'm using 21.
Using the interoperability.merge functions I keep being told that my file path is too long or I don't have rights. But if I shorten the file path I get told that I don't have rights or I'm trying to import the wrong IFC type. Since I'm using the standard NBS IFC download, I don't see how that can be?
What am i missing?
Thanks folks

[Anonymous]

Is there no one who can assist me with this? I can import files into Solibri, so it isn't the files that are the problem. It's something in the Archicad 21 set-up, but I am unable to work out what is incorrect.

[Anonymous]

I tried to import the same ifc files into Vectorworks, and it worked first time. So this must be an issue with the Archicad import settings.
I'm puzzled that no-one has any suggestions?

[rohanbailey]

Hello,
I tried downloading and opening the NBS file Mumford Sash. There are some inconsistencies in how the IFC was generated from Revit I guess and so ARCHICAD has issues importing it. I managed to import it with both default importers "General Import" & "Exact Geometry Import" but it reported errors in how the IFC was "written". Also it is a library part that works if the walls is imported correctly. There has traditionally been issues with how Revit Doors & Windows get exported into IFC and problems translating that to ARCHICAD Doors & Windows.
I don't know your machine set up so cannot comment on why it shows those errors.

[Anonymous]

Thanks Rohan, I really appreciate the feedback.
I've tried to open this file and many other ifc ones not only in the merge function but also as a standalone import in a new instance of Archicad....and still get the same error messages. I'm not sure what it is that you're saying about the walls, but I'm not trying to import into the model.
I've not changed anything in the settings, and so far as I know I'm using the default translators for General Import.
Could you do me a favour please. Could you set out the steps that you take to do the ifc import? And are you on Archicad 21?
Many thanks again
Ian

[rohanbailey]

I'm sorry, I should have confirmed before quickly replying. Something is wrong with the Revit Export to IFC. It doesn't translate well into ARCHICAD. Here is the process used to import it with result descriptions.

- Open a new ARCHICAD project file using the AC21 Template
- When open go File> Open
- In the dialog locate the file; choose Enable - IFC Files; Choose Translator - General Import
- The next dialog will ask where do you want to save the generated library parts. Save as embedded or somewhere on the local drive.
- Some messages appear saying there is an inconsistency in the IFC, Click Yes to continue.
- The object comes in after you select what to filter. (See below for notes)

Second attempt.
Follow all instructions yet this time choose Translator - Exact geometry. (See Below for notes)

In the first attempt the object comes in as a window but only as part of an included wall library part. See previous attachment image. If you try to insert it in a new wall in plan view then it places the elevation of the window in the wall. i.e. the elevation is the plan of the object and the plan is the elevation of the object.

In the second attempt the object comes in the right orientation, however because of the Exact Geometry import, it is no longer a window and so cannot be inserted in a wall.

This indicates that the object was improperly exported from Revit and so cannot be used in Archicad appropriately. Solibri only opens the IFC as exact geometry hence you can see it. I think you have wasted your time on an object that the author couldn't have bothered to check in other software.

[Anonymous]

This is really detailed Rohan....thanks so much.
It seems however, that my problems are even more severe, because I can't even get the responses that you get. As soon as I choose Embedded Library I get the error message about EDM path being too long. and shortening the name makes no difference. If I switch locations I get the other error messages, but at no time can I get the object in any shape or form.
I've tried this with 4 or 5 ifc's from NBS, and they all behave the same way. And more significantly I can import this same file into Vectorworks very simply. So it does seem to be my set up that's at fault somehow.

[rohanbailey]

Ordinary NBS furniture items come into our ARCHICAD Ok. Problems are special items like doors and windows.

It does look like your set up. Perhaps you should try on a different machine not connected to your network and running ARCHICAD in demo mode.
Have you tried exporting an IFC (or asking a colleague) and bringing it back into ARCHICAD?

[Anonymous]

Will keep working on this. Last night I installed Archicad 22, and immediately was able to import ifc's. They're incomplete and don't work properly....but at least it's an import whereas before I couldn't get anything. Will compare the settings

[Anonymous]

I haven't yet been able to find an Archicad file that we can import for a traditional double-hung sash window. That's what got me started on this whole ifc thing. Do you happen to know where we would find one, so we can bypass the ifc's altogether?

[Barry Kelly]

gabalco wrote:
I haven't yet been able to find an Archicad file that we can import for a traditional double-hung sash window. That's what got me started on this whole ifc thing. Do you happen to know where we would find one, so we can bypass the ifc's altogether?

Are the double hung window objects in the standard library not of any use?
I don't really know as I don't use them - I have my own windows.

Barry.