VW and BIM, any success stories?

[Hans-Olav]

Hello all

We have been using VW for a long time, both in 2d and 3d. I am trying to figure out how to best adopt the IFC stuff in our workflow.

We have never used the VW windows and doors, always made our custom ones.

Will records attached to hybrid symbols export as IFC info, or do we have to set up the record formats in a certain way to succeed in the exporting process?

Have any of you had success in exchanging drawings the IFC way?

________

Hans-Olav

Reykjavik

Iceland

[Guest Frank Brault]

You should look at the Create IFC Entity... command in the AEC menu.

hth,

[Jeffrey W Ouellette]

Hans-Olav,

There are two methods for the user to "attach" an IFC identity to both built-in and custom objects. They are available only in the Architect (or Designer) package.

1. "Create IFC Entity..." command

a) Select the target object

b) Select the "Create IFC Entity..." command

c) You will get a dialog that will prompt you to pick the IFC Entity you wish to attach. At this time, this list includes ALL IFC Entities. You will have to have some working knowledge of IFC to wade through the list and select the particular and appropriate entity.

d) Next, you will see an "IFC Data" dialog. This will give you a place to input the data related to the appropriate IFC Psets for a corresponding IFC Entity. Make sure to select the option "Use standard properties for this symbol."

e) In many cases, you will need to select the "PredefinedType" at minimum, in order for the IFC data to be assigned to the object and for it to export correctly.

f) At this point, the object will appear in the Object Info Palette as an "IFC Entity" and list its data. This is now a VW IFC container object.

g) To edit the geometry of the object, just use "Enter Group".

2. "IFC Data..." command

Steps a) through e) are the same, however, instead of a VW IFC container object being created, the object maintains its VW identity and has the IFC Entity and data attached to it "in the background".

This is useful for either custom geometry (either in symbols or not) or overriding the default translator mapping of VW objects to corresponding IFC entities.

At this time, VW 2009 provides the best performance and results in IFC export. Many, but not all, VW plug-in objects currently export automatically to IFC (e.g. walls, floors, doors, windows, roof faces, framing members, railings, stairs, columns, and spaces). Up to now, we have focused on supporting the objects for which there has been formal MVD definition and requirements.

Also, the commands described above give the VW user a unique ability to create any geometry and make it an IFC compatible object. We will continue to improve both options for our users.

Unfortunately, IFC import is still not as good as our export. Much, but not all, of this has to do with handling the IFC data from other applications that may NOT produce "standardized" IFC files. My hope is that as significant progress is being made by buildingSMART International in better, standardized testing procedures, tools, and results, that ALL vendors will produce higher quality data exchanges. This will take time, though.

NNA actively participates in IFC-centric workshops/events/programs to improve our development and knowledge. To date, we have worked with the U.S. GSA on there Spatial Program Validation initiative, Onuma, Inc. on the Onuma Planning System BIMStorms, and the Open Geospatial Consortium, inc. on the AECOO Testbed.

I am always looking for more users interested in using IFC in a BIM methodology, to communicate more closely with our efforts and provide feedback on how we can improve. Please feel free to contact me directly.

[Hans-Olav]

Thank you Frank and Jeffrey for your helpful answers.

Currently there's a lot of ?BIM-buzz? here in Iceland. The State Building Authorities are demanding BIM knowledge for some of their projects, like in the most of the other Nordic countries. - It looks like IFC import and export capabilities of CAD software are the most important factor these days. Some colleagues are worried about having to learn, and to invest in expensive new software. ( Revit / Archicad )

I am hoping that the hybrid 2d/3d concept of VW will develop to support the IFC standard even better. There?s a lot of work to be done by the local authorities also, connected to standards, naming conventions of building parts and specifications before we have true BIM.

In the mean time we are trying to train our staff to draw more buildings in 3d, and to experiment with the IFC commands in VW.

And finally a wish list item!

-It would be nice if the VW door and window plug-in's would be more customizable or international (european).

________

Hans-Olav

Reykjavik

Iceland