Hotlink Components Append Information IFC

[timmit]

Hi,

I cannot find through my searching of the forums, however apologies if this has been covered.

We have a project where a large library of IFC files forming separate standardised building components are being produced in Revit.

These are being brought in as Archicad as Hotlinks to retain their IFC data and IFC grouping (essential). I understand all data/geometry is locked unless embedded, however is there a way to append IFC properties in the IFC export?

For example, appending a unique sequential ID for each column instance? Or other more complex rules based on layers, storey etc?

I understand each IFC hotlink could be embedded into the file and these settings could be manually input, however this could be a tedious process with the quantum of hotlinks when a geometry change is required to an original IFC hotlink. Open to alternative suggestion on the workflow. 

Thanks in advance,

Matthew

Operating system used: Mac Apple Silicon 14 Sonoma

[Laszlo Nagy]

If I understand your post correctly, you would want these data to be included in the IFC file exported from Revit?

If so, it is possible to create so-called Project Parameters in Revit (which are like Properties in Archicad) and those can be exported with the IFC file.

However, another possible workflow I can think of is something I saw when I looked at BlenderBIM recently. BlenderBIM has the whole IFC Data Schema implemented, which means that there is no IFC translation involved when opening IFC files in BlenderBIM or when saving IFC files after modifying them in BlenderBIM. Also, when an element is modified in BlenderBIM, it modifies the IFC data of the element directly, not some other or additional data.

So, the relevant workflow that I saw was the ability to run various Python scripts in BlenderBIM to modify the IFC data of elements any way you want. So, I assume it would be possible to export IFC from Revit, open it in BlenderBIM, run a script to add sequential IDs to Columns in the IFC file, save it, and use the resulting IFC file to use it as a Hotlinked Module in Archicad.

[timmit]

HI Laszlo,

Thank you for the helpful response.

Apologies as I did not explain it very clearly.

The intent is to add/include this data in the Archicad process presumably within the Archicad IFC export. 

The 'component's are made in Revit and exported as individual IFC files that are then loaded in Archicad as hotlinks (to retain IFCGrouping, data from Revit and allow for easy updates) and then copied, arrayed, etc in Archicad. The aim is then to add additional ifc properties to these IFC hotlinks for site specific information for export (such as unique ID, component staging number, assett management category/number, related room, etc). Understandably, if they were embedded or native ArchiCAD objects this process would not be very complicated, however as I understand hotlinks are locked the only data that can be added I understand is limited. I understand manually adding unique hotlink IDs will work, and I can map related zones as IFC properties, however I think that may be all. 

Your suggestion of BlenderBIM would still work to manipulate this data after Archicad IFC export. In a perfect world there would be a way to do most of this in Archicad as it's so close, but acknowledge this may be a non typical process. I also could be approaching this all wrong. 

Thanks,

Matthew

[Laszlo Nagy]

So, just so I understand correctly: you have a component in Revit. Is this a single Revit element, which is then exported as IFC, and then you use place the IFC into Archicad as a Hotlinked Module? Or, does an IFC Hotlinked Module contain multiple components in it?

How do these Revit components appear in Archicad after hotlinking? Are they converted to Morphs or Objects? What Classification do they receive? (The Import IFC Translator will specify what IFC Type/Predefined Type combo gets translated into what Classification in Archicad.)

If these components are converted to individual Morphs/Objects with the proper Classification, I think you can create Properties in Archicad and make them available for those Classifications, and then in the Export IFC Translator, map those Properties to the desired IFC Properties (you can even create custom IFC Properties for Export.)

If I am still not understanding correctly, a few screenshots might help.

[timmit]

Thanks again for taking your time to help. Much appreciated. 

The 'components' in Revit are made up of multiple elements. For example, a pre-fabricated wall 'component' #1 is made up of a door, wall, linings, gpo, etc. which are saved as a single IFC file, then placed into Archicad as a Hotlinked Module. Most of the IFC parameters are already created in Revit and carrier across. There are instance specific parameters that I need to applied in Archicad that depend on these component location/site specifics.

These hotlink modules appear as Objects within a grouped hotlink with generally the relevant classifications mapped in Revit. Eg.  IFCWall, IFCDoor, etc.  I've tested a single IFCwall imported into Archicad too which retains Wall classifications.

In both instances I can create custom properties and make them available for the relevant classifications which are then mapped for the export. E.g. all ifcwalls can have the added custom properties, etc with custom expressions if required. 

The part I cannot work out is:

- Is there a way to have a manually editable field that can be entered/added to the hotlinks (in the same way that the Hotlink ID is a manually editable field and not classification/rule based). As far as I can tell, the only setting that can be changed Hotlink ID. All other settings appear locked, even when imported via the above settings.

---Ignore the below unless it is still unclear---

For reference, the properties are:

- Sequential element id for each component. Eg all columns numbered in order, B1, B2, B3 - This could be achieved by property mapping the hotlink id

- Staging number. eg Some components/walls are 'stage 1', 'stage 2', etc. This could be achieved by an expression which maps the relevant layer as I am unaware of an alternative option. Not ideal using layers.

- Building id. This could be achieved by project mapping, however unless the file is split by buildings, I'm not sure how an expression understand which building is which. Possible related zone, but I would like to save this for room info. 

-  Asset category - Unique name depending on where an object is placed. Not sure what is left to utilise.  This cannot be a IFC wall classification wide property mapping as it is required to vary between walls/classifications for example. I cannot see a way by using expressions, but could I be wrong.