Exchange with Bentley software

[Djordje]

Hi guys!

Since the original topic https://community.graphisoft.com/t5/Collaboration-with-other/IFC-Connectivity-with-Bentley-ISM/td-p/... is locked, I am bothering the powers that be again 🙂

We had to come up for air in our deep dive, since the Titanic is not so deep down, as is a reliable workflow. Others set it properly https://www.bentley.com/software/ism-revit-plug-in/ so don't have to bother. 

And no, don't start about Nemetschek and other structural software that you are linking to, that some people in Europe use. Irrelevant. Completely.

Therefore, why cannot I see the ISM Archicad plugin? What happened to the Bentley BIM collaboration agreement quite a few years ago?

Geezers rant (see above), people who can, do. We shall of course continue to dive, with or without your help, and get to the bottom of the Mariana trench, probably... 

... you see, your shareholders don't use the software. That is the problem.

Operating system used: Windows 10

[Djordje · Accepted solution]

Wow! Deafenening replies 😄

Let me share what the Bentley support says on the topic. It might help somebody:

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STAAD IFC Export

• Native STAAD.Pro (CONNECT Edition) does not have a direct, built-in "Export IFC" option like Revit or Tekla.
• The IFC capability is not a direct STAAD feature — it’s provided via Bentley’s iTwin Analytical Synchronizer or by exporting to ISM (Integrated Structural Modeling) format first.
• STAAD itself is analysis/design software, so its geometric model is optimized for analysis, not BIM exchange. The ISM/iTwin path is the bridge to BIM/IFC.

• iTwin Analytical Synchronizer (previously “Structural Synchronizer” / “ISM”) is Bentley’s data exchange tool for structural models.
• It allows STAAD, RAM, OpenBuildings, Tekla, and others to share a common analytical model.
• You can:
1. Export STAAD to ISM Repository (.ism.dgn).
2. From iTwin Analytical Synchronizer, export to IFC.
3. Import that IFC into Revit, Archicad, Vectorworks, etc.

• You can launch it directly from STAAD via File → ISM → Create Repository.

Workable Workflows :  Workflow A: STAAD → iTwin Analytical Synchronizer → IFC

1. In STAAD:
• Go to File → ISM → Create Repository (or "ISM Repository" in the backstage).
• Save .ism.dgn.
2. Open iTwin Analytical Synchronizer.
3. Load your .ism.dgn.
4. Use the Export → IFC function.
5. Import IFC into Revit, Archicad, etc.

STAAD → Archicad (via IFC) Workflow

• Archicad reads IFC, so follow Workflow A to produce IFC from iTwin Analytical Synchronizer.
• Direct STAAD → Archicad without ISM is not available.

Recommended Option

1. Install iTwin Analytical Synchronizer (check your Bentley installation or CONNECTION Center).
2. Export ISM from STAAD.
3. Convert ISM → IFC using iTwin Analytical Synchronizer.
4. Import IFC into Archicad.

Flow Diagram :

STAAD.Pro

  ↓ (File → ISM → Create Repository)

iTwin Analytical Synchronizer

  ↓ (File → Export → IFC)

IFC File

  ↓ (Import/Link in Archicad)

BIM Coordination

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As I said, I hope this helps somebody! 🙂