Mapping IFC Data

In a BIM project, you may wish to control whether specific objects and symbol definitions are exported to IFC. The property sets of specific objects can also be controlled prior to export, so export filtering can occur at the object or property set level. In addition, external data attached to objects may need to be mapped to their IFC equivalent prior to export. You can define, save, and restore multiple custom mapping sets for a document. Selected IFC object instances can use or not use the mapping.

Here are some examples of when IFC data mapping is useful.

●        You need to add data to an object’s default IFC assignment.

Mapping allows you to attach property and data set information to objects in addition to the default IFC data. Many Vectorworks objects contain user-defined data that is not included as part of the default IFC assignment. For example, a type designation or acoustic rating for a door is user-defined data within the door object. These parameters can be mapped to the corresponding IFC parameter values.

●        You need to map data from a custom record format to an IFC property set.

In Vectorworks, custom data is attached to objects (default objects, plug-in objects, and custom modeled objects) using record formats. The parameters of a custom record format can be mapped to the correct, corresponding IFC property set. For example, a local code or specification system may be attached to an object through a custom record. The parameters for these records can be mapped to the identified, IFC Classification data set to ensure that the data is transferred during an IFC model exchange.

●        You need to attach a default IFC assignment and property sets to custom modeled objects or symbols.

IFC assignments and property sets can be defined for all custom-made objects, ensuring that each time the custom object is placed in the file, it will receive the appropriate IFC tag assignment.

To map IFC data:

1. Select the command.

The IFC Data Mapping dialog box opens.

Click to show/hide the parameters.

Parameter	Description
Saved Settings Options
Settings	●        <Document’s Settings> and <Active Settings>: When you make a change in the dialog box, <Active Settings> automatically displays, to indicate that the settings have not been saved. When you click OK and save the file, the “active settings” are stored as the <Document’s Settings>. ●        To load a saved mapping set from the user folder, select it from the list. If the saved set includes a complete set of objects, the mapping of all the objects changes. If the saved set only contains mapping for a single object, only the mapping for that object changes. ●        <COBie Defaults> contains data mapping for all objects that are currently mapped with IFC data mapping. All field values have at least default empty values (n/a or 0) or have an ELSE clause with default empty values, to fulfill COBie requirements for non-empty worksheet values. ●        <Vectorworks Defaults> restores the default mapping set.
Open	Opens a dialog box to locate and load saved mapping sets from a local or network location; also loads .mvdxml files, to verify that the active mapping settings conform to a specific set of MVD requirements (see Validating IFC Data Mapping)
Save	Opens a dialog box to name and save the current mapping so that it can quickly be selected as a set. Also select whether to save the mapping of all the objects in the list, or only the mapping of the currently selected object.
Manage	Opens the Manage Saved Mapping dialog box to rename or delete mapping sets. The Type column indicates what type of mapping set this is. ●        : Includes mapping data for an entire set of objects ●        : Contains mapping data for a single object Select a name from the list, and then click the appropriate button. ●        Rename: Enter a new name for the set. ●        Delete: When prompted, confirm that you want to delete the saved set.
IFC version	Mapping is dependent upon the IFC version; if you change the version, all current mapping assignments are restored to the default mapping
Objects
Search	Enter one or more terms in the search box to filter the Objects list
Objects list	Lists Vectorworks objects and IFC entity types
Use	Indicates the IFC mapping and IFC export status of the object. ●        No icon: No IFC data or mapping exists for this object; click Change Mapping to assign IFC data for mapping ●        : Mapping is specified for the object, and the object will be exported to IFC; the mapping displays in the IFC Entities/Data sets for this object list ●        : Mapping is specified for this object, but the object is excluded from export by the Export IFC Project command Click in the column to toggle the status of assigned objects and IFC entities between mapped and export, and mapped and do not export.
Object Names/IFC Entities	Provides the name of the Vectorworks object or IFC entity
Add New	Adds a custom object to the list of objects. Select the name of the non-standard/third-party object or symbol name to add.
Delete	Removes the selected object or IFC entity from the list
Change Mapping	Assigns IFC data to an object that currently has none, or changes the IFC data assignment of an object. The Select IFC Object dialog box opens, for Assigning IFC Data to Objects. Once an object has IFC data assigned, it can be mapped.
IFC Entities/Data sets for this object	Lists properties and data sets for the selected object
Search	Enter one or more search terms in the search box and press Enter to execute the search
Disclosure arrow	The property sets display hierarchically; click the disclosure arrow to expand the list of Pset properties for the selected item
Use	Indicates whether the property set is currently mapped for export. ●        : The property set, as defined by its mapping formula, is included in the IFC export ●        : The property set is excluded from IFC export
IFC Entities/Psets	Lists IFC entities and their fields from both standard and custom property sets, as well as Condition formulas that control which IFC entity or Pset is assigned to a particular object
Type	●        Primary: A primary entity for the object being mapped ●        Secondary: A secondary entity for the object being mapped, for objects that have sub-elements, such as a curtain wall ●        Condition: A conditional mapping formula for assigning a primary entity to the object (the top line in the list), or for assigning Psets to an entity (lines above each Pset)
Add	Opens the Add Mapping dialog box, to map IFC entities to the selected item in the object list, for complex cases such as when defining data mapping to export additional instances. ●        Manage Custom Property Sets: Click to select a record format for use as a custom Pset, making it available for mapping in the Add Mapping dialog box. ●        Primary/Secondary Entity: If the Pset is a sub-element of the main entity, select Secondary Entity; otherwise, select Primary Entity. For example, a curtain wall produces an IfcCurtainWall entity; the IfcCurtainWall entity consists of members and plates, which are mapped as secondary entities.
Delete	Removes the selected property or data set from the list
Up and Down arrows	Select a property set and then click an arrow to move the set to the IFC entity above or below this entity in the list. This allows you to form groups of IFC entities with their Psets attached.
Mapping for field / Condition	Displays the mapping formula for the selected IFC property or Condition
Define Mapping / Condition	Creates a mapping formula as described in Creating or Editing Mapping Formulas

2. Assign IFC data to any objects or symbol definitions that do not have any, set objects and property sets that should not export to IFC, and/or define mapping formulas.

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Creating or Editing Mapping Formulas

Using Custom IFC Property Sets

IFC Data Mapping Expressions

IFC Data Mapping Examples

Validating IFC Data Mapping

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