IFC Workflow Between ARCHICAD and Revit Structure

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Follow the steps below when collaborating with someone using Revit Structure. In the example ARCHICAD 15 and Revit Structure 2012 were used but the process remains the same for current versions.

1) Set Element Parameters

• Open the selection settings dialogue box for elements to adjust their IFC parameters.

• Define the Structural Function of the element.

• Set the Position of the element within your project.

Setting the Structural Function and Position of the element will help the translators to filter out unnecessary data from your project when saving to IFC.

• Set the IFC Classification of your element.

• Enable the necessary IFC properties for the element.

Setting the Element Classification (or IFC classification) and IFC Properties of an element ensures that it and all corresponding data will be included in your IFC.

2) Organize Elements

• Make sure all project elements are assigned to proper layers.
  • This will enable you to easily hide elements that you do not wish to include in the IFC.
• Hide all layers that do not contain elements relevant to your structural consultant.
  • For example: signage, furniture, vegetation, etc.
• Create a layer combination from the step above.

• Save a 3D view of your project that uses the previously created layer combination.
  • This will allow you to easily switch to a view from which you can save your IFC.

3) Export an IFC for Revit Structure

• From the 3D view you just created, go to File/Save As.

• Change the Format to IFC 2x3 file.

• For Export, select Visible elements (on all stories).

• Select Data Exchange with Autodesk Revit Structure for the Translator.

• Save the file.

4) Verifying IFC Integrity

Before sending your IFC file to a consultant it is recommended that you double check it in an IFC viewer. Links to several free IFC viewers can be found here.

• Check to see that the geometry within your file is correctly represented.

• Select an element to verify that it has been classified correctly and that it includes your custom properties.

5) Open in Revit Structure

Prior to opening the IFC, make sure that the Revit Structure user has downloaded and installed Graphisoft's Improved ARCHICAD Connection Add-in located here.

• Open Revit Structure and under the Add-ins tab, click the Improved IFC Exchange button.

• Select the IFC file and open it.

6) Export an IFC from Revit Structure

• While in the project file, under the Add-ins tab, click the Improved IFC Exchange button.

• Save the IFC file.