Assigning IFC data to objects

When a building project is exported to an IFC file, Vectorworks plug-in objects and pre-assigned symbols are automatically assigned to IFC entities. The attached IFC data display on the Data tab of the Object Info palette, when Show IFC Data is enabled.

Simple hybrid or 3D geometric objects are not exported unless you attach IFC data sets to them and then enter data prior to export, using the Data tab of the Object Info palette or the IFC Data command. IFC data can also be automatically attached to objects and included or excluded from export as described in Using the Data Manager.

Assigning IFC data to an object does not alter it in any visible way. The object can still be edited with standard Vectorworks tools and commands. An example of this would be to use a floor or slab object to model a flat ceiling. Select the floor or slab in the model, and then select the IFC Data command. From the list in the Select IFC Object dialog box, select IfcCovering, the correct assignment for a ceiling. Then, in the IFC Data dialog box, select CEILING from the PredefinedType list in the Properties for the selected Data Set lists.

An object can also be “wrapped” in a container so that it is identified in the Vectorworks file as an IFC Entity object. Editing an IFC Entity is less direct than editing simple Vectorworks objects with IFC data attached. For this reason, an IFC Entity can be useful for model elements that need to be secured from casual changes.

1. Select the object, group, symbol instance, or symbol definition for assignment of IFC data. More than one item can be selected at one time.

IFC data applied to symbol instances affect only the selected instances, not all instances. To attach IFC data to a symbol definition, locate the symbol definition in the Resource Manager. Right-click the symbol and select IFC Data from the context menu. This attaches the IFC data to future symbol placements, and to any current instances that do not have IFC data already attached to them. Alternatively, use the Data Manager to automatically attach IFC data to symbols as they are placed in the drawing.

Alternatively, from the Data tab of the Object Info palette, select the option to show IFC data, and then click Attach IFC.

The Select IFC Object dialog box opens. (If you have already assigned IFC data to the object when you select the IFC Data command, the Select IFC Object dialog box does not open; skip to step 3.)

Parameter	Description
IFC Version	Select the IFC version
Simple List/Full List view	Select the list view. The simple list is an adjusted view of primary IFC objects, while the full list displays all available IFC concepts.
Filter List	Depending on the type of object, an object type may be displayed already. To search for a different object type, enter text or keywords to filter the list, or leave the field blank to display the full list.
IFC object types	Lists available IFC object types; click an object type to select it

Parameter	Description
Entity	Displays the selected type of IFC entity
Select	Opens the Select IFC Object dialog box, to select a different entity type
GUID	Displays the Global Unique Identifier assigned to the entity; this ID follows the entity throughout the IFC workflow to distinguish it from other IFC objects
Create IFC Entity	Displays the object as an IFC Entity in the Object Info palette. Deselect to retain the Vectorworks object properties in the Object Info palette (the IFC Data remains attached). IFC Entities are container objects. They display the type IFC Entity on the Object Info palette.
IFC Version	Select the IFC version; this may affect the list of displayed property sets
Data Sets for this object	Displays the data sets associated with the IFC object; select how to use each IFC Pset by clicking in the Use column. ● No icon: Data fields are empty, containing no IFC data or data mapping ● : Some or all of the data fields contain IFC data or data mapping ● : Does not export to IFC, as defined by its data mapping Click an item to display its properties.
Manage Custom Property Sets	Opens the Manage Custom Property Sets dialog box. This allows you to include data from your model even if the data are not defined as part of the IFC specifications.
Properties for the selected Data Set	Displays the available properties and values for the selected Pset, and the source of the values. The data source can have no value, be assigned by instance, or be assigned by style. ● No icon: No value has been assigned to the property. ● (by instance): The property value comes from the value set in this IFC Data dialog box, and String/Enum/Number value for selected property becomes available for entering a value. ● (by style): The property value comes from custom mapping as described in Using the Data Manager. Click in the Source column to toggle the source of the property value. A property that has not been custom mapped toggles between no value and by instance value. A property that has been custom mapped toggles between by instance and by style.
String value for selected property/Enum value for selected property/Number value for selected property	When the selected property’s data value is set by instance, specifies a string, list of choices, or value for the selected Pset property; when the selected property’s data value is set by style, displays the result of the formula displayed in Data Source
Data Source	Displays the mapped value formula for the selected property’s data value
Select IFC Instance	For some Pset properties with complex values, an IFC Instance is specified. Select from the list of instances, or click New to open the IFC Instance Edit dialog box. Specify the values of the complex properties. (To delete an IFC instance, select it from the list and click Delete.)

The geometry of IFC entities can be edited with the Modify > Edit IFC Entity command; alternatively, right-click on the IFC entity and select Edit from the context menu.