Exporting IFC Projects

Vectorworks project files can be exported to .ifc, .ifczip, and .ifcxml formats.

Export to IFC Versions 2x2, 2x3, or 4 is supported. The export of a project to an IFC file is based on specifying the geometry and associated data needed for the use of the exported file. This specification is called a Model View Definition (MVD), which is a subset of all the geometry and data in a building model. MVDs have been created by international, national, or local groups to standardize information exchange for various purposes, such as design coordination, collision/clash detection, structural analysis, and element quantity analysis. You can use MVDs to automate the export, or manually define a custom set of geometry and data to be exported.

You can export a wall with components as a single IFC entity (IfcWall or IfcWallStandardCase), or you can split the wall into the individual components (IfcBuildingElementPart) for estimation purposes. If any component has been modified to have a different height from the rest of the wall, the components are automatically exported as building element parts.

To export a Vectorworks file to IFC:

1. For best results, the following are recommended before export:

●    In the Vectorworks Preferences, set the 3D conversion resolution to “Low,” to reduce file size.

●    Set the view to Top/Plan.

●    Zoom the view into a small, simple corner of the model.

2. Select File > Export > Export IFC Project.

The Export IFC Project dialog box opens.

3. Specify the overall project export options, site information, and author data for each pane of the Data tab. Many of the fields are required by the IFC specification; they are automatically mapped to their IFC equivalent for inclusion in the IFC file header information.

►    Click to show/hide the parameters.

Parameter	Description
Export Options	Sets export parameters for the file
File Format	Select whether to export an .ifc, .ifczip, or .ifcxml file
IFC Version	Select the IFC version
Model View	Select the MVD that specifies the geometry and data required for export. ●    CV 2.0 - Architecture is an official buildingSMART International MVD for exporting architectural models for coordination with structural and building services models. ●    Extended Vectorworks Model View allows you to customize the geometry and data to be exported in conjunction with the Export Options for data exchange workflows without a standard or official MVD. This MVD exports the following elements that exceed the CV 2.0 MVD: ●    3D geometry as proxy objects (IfcBuildingElementProxy) ●    linear/angular/arc/slope dimensions ●    north arrow ●    break line ●    text nodes (with IFC data attached) ●    IES VE is a custom MVD to exchange model information with the IES-Virtual Environment platform to conduct building energy performance simulation and analysis. ●    COBie/Facilities Management MVD enables the handover of graphic and non-graphic facility management information to the building manager. It includes the international version of COBie/COBie2 exchange requirements. ●    Simplified Geometry exports walls as IfcWallStandardCase, merging all components into one extrude. Slabs are exported as multiple slab instances (one slab for each component). ●    Reference View MVD (IFC4 only) exports geometry to be used as a reference model only. The model is not converted to native objects, and will not be modified by the receiver. This MVD is useful for visual presentations, coordination planning, clash detection, quantity take-offs, and so on. The model view and any add-on views are included as information in the IFC file header.
Add-on Views	Select optional information to be added to the model view at export. ●    Quantity Take Off writes element quantity data to specific IFC data fields for use by costing/estimating applications. ●    1st Level Space Boundaries exports planes that represent the contact surface between a Space object and an adjacent surface, like a wall, floor, or ceiling. These boundary planes also indicate the placement and extents of openings, such as doors and windows. (Many energy analysis programs require this element.)
Export Visible Objects Only	Exports objects within visible classes only (the selection of layers for export is handled by the Layer Mapping options). When deselected, exports any objects required by the Model View selection.
Export Site Model	For drawings with a site model, this option exports the site model geometry and enables site model layers to be mapped on the Layer Mapping tab
Export Custom Property Sets	Exports custom Psets that were specified in the Manage Custom Property Sets dialog box for objects’ IFC data, for models not explicitly defined in the Model View definition, or when using the extended Vectorworks model view
Export Solids Operations as BREPs	Depending on the receiving application and data exchange requirements, solids operations may need to be simplified to a surface model, also known as a boundary representation (BREP) to display correctly and be properly identified
Export Text in Unicode Format	The Unicode format is more reliable for double-byte characters (text representing characters from such alphabets as Japanese, Chinese, and Cyrillic) but it must also be supported by the receiving application
Export Walls/Slabs by components	Exports the components of walls and slabs as sub-elements, for building material estimation purposes
Project Data
Name	Type the project name
Phase	Enter the construction phase information
Project Type	Specify the type of project
Project Description	Enter a description of the project
Building Permit ID	Enter the building permit information
Gross Area (Planned)	Enter the total planned area for the entire project
Currency Code	Select the currency code (such as EUR for Euro, USD for US dollars)
Time Unit	Enter the time unit for the project
Default Classification	Select the project classification code; if User-defined is selected, enter the default classification
Author Data	Enter the information for the primary author of the file
Role	Select the author’s professional role; if User-defined is selected, enter the role title
Category	Click Look Up to open the Look Up <Default Classification> Category dialog box; the classification list displayed is determined by the Default Classification selection on the Project Data pane. Select the classification category. If the Default Classification is user-defined, User-defined is selected; enter the category. The selected Category displays.
Author Addresses	Enter pertinent information related to the physical location of the author’s place of business
Organization Data	Enter pertinent information related to the professional organization in charge of the project
Role	Select the organization’s professional role; if User-defined is selected, enter the role title
Category	Click Look Up to open the Look Up <Default Classification> Category dialog box; the classification list displayed is determined by the Default Classification selection on the Project Data pane. Select the classification category. If the Default Classification is user-defined, User-defined is selected; enter the category. The selected Category displays.
Organization Addresses	Enter pertinent information related to the physical location of the organization’s place of business. If the author address data and the organization address data are identical, click Copy Author Addresses to complete the telecom and postal information automatically. Subsequent edits made to either pane remain unique to the pane.
Site Data	Specify site information for the project location, regardless of whether site model data is selected for export
Site Address	Enter address information for the project site
Building Data	Specifies the IFC properties associated with the building
ID/Name/Description	Enter the building’s ID, name, and description
Category	Click Look Up to open the Look Up <Default Classification> Category dialog box; the classification list displayed is determined by the Default Classification selection on the Project Data pane. Select the classification category. If the Default Classification is user-defined, User-defined is selected; enter the category. The selected Category displays.
Gross Planned Area	Specifies the total planned area for the building, used for programming purposes
Reference Elevation/Site Reference Elevation	Enter the elevation above sea level for the building and the building site
Occupancy Type	Specifies the occupancy classification, defined according to the presiding national building code
Primary Construction Type	Specifies the main fire use for the building, assigned from the fire use classification table as given by the relevant national building code
Secondary Construction Type	Enter any ancillary fire use for the building, assigned from the fire use classification table as given by the relevant national building code
Sprinkler Protection	Indicates whether the building has sprinkler protection, and if so, whether it is automatic (the selection is reflected on the Layer Mapping tab, where it can be overridden for an individual story)
Year of Construction	Enter the year when the building was built
Landmark Status	Indicates a building with special historical landmark designation
Building Address	Enter address information for the building; if the site address and building address are identical, click Copy Site Address to complete the postal information automatically. Subsequent edits made to either pane remain unique to the pane.

4. Click the Layer Mapping tab to specify which layers to export, and the Story Name to assign to them at export. If specified, this includes the site model. For a project initially set up with stories, mapping is done automatically so that the layers assigned to the building stories are automatically included in the Mapped Layers list and are mapped to an appropriately named story (Vectorworks Architect required). Mapping can also be controlled manually.

Specify the associated building or site data for each of the mapped layers.

►    Click to show/hide the parameters.

Parameter	Description
Vectorworks Story Name	Specify the mapping options for each story, and for the site model, if it is selected for export on the Data tab. As each story is selected, its associated layers display for mapping. Files set up with a story structure automatically map the story layers for export.
IFC Story Name	Displays the name assigned to the currently mapped layers for export; change the story name if necessary
Available Layers	Lists Vectorworks layers available for mapping; lists the layers associated with the number of stories and the story selected in the Story/Site Selection list
Number of Stories	Displays the number of stories in the file, which determines the number of stories available in the Story/Site Selection list. If the number of stories entered here is different from the number of stories set up for the file, additional layers display for possible mapping for the current story. This allows greater export flexibility, to override the story structure in the file and assign certain layers to different stories at export.
Mapped Layers	Lists layers that have been selected for export; they are associated with the Story Name entry
Add >	Adds available Vectorworks layers to the Mapped Layers list for export
< Remove	Removes mapped layers from the export list, returning them to the Available Layers list
Mapped layer data	Specifies IFC properties for selected mapped story layers
Above Grade	Indicates whether the story is fully above ground
Entrance Level	Indicates whether the story includes an entrance for the building
Sprinkler Protection	Specifies whether the story includes sprinkler fire protection, and if so, whether the sprinklers are automatic; initial settings match the sprinkler protection setting on the Data tab
Planned Areas, Gross/Net	Indicates optional gross and net planned areas, used for design and programming purposes

5. Either save the export settings, or export the project.

●    To save the parameter settings in the Export IFC Project dialog box, without exporting the project, click Save Settings. The parameters and options are saved, and the Export IFC dialog box closes.

●    Click Export to export the project.

Indicate the file name and location in the Save As dialog box.

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IFC Format Interoperability

Assigning IFC Data to Objects

Importing IFC Files

Setting Up the Building Structure with Stories

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