IFC Flexible Explorer

• Grouping in the IFC Flexible Explorer

• IFC Hierarchical Representation

• IFC Class or Group Representation

• IFC System Representation

• IFC Layer Hierarchy Representation

• IFC Flexible Explorer in Draw

• Special conditions for the IFC Flexible Explorer

• Navigation Functionality

• Reordering

Imported Data Structures

Imported IFC model spatial hierarchy is represented using nested SUBEs, each SUBE at this level represent spatial elements (IFCProject; IFCSite; IFCBuilding; IFCBuildingStorey; etc…). However, the IFC file contains structural information so that another view of the data may also be generated that better represents the IFC file.

The primary IFC file hierarchy is grouped according to different needs by discipline, IFC element type , IFC system etc.

• One data structure to match the containment/decomposition hierarchy

• The next data structure to collect items according to their IFC class

• The next data structure to collect the items based on the System it is associated to

• Finally, the data structure to group items based on Layer or display the Layer Hierarchy.

Grouping in the IFC Flexible Explorer

Currently there are four logical groupings that can be seen in the IFC Flexible Explorer:

• IFC Hierarchical Representation

• IFC Class or Group Representation

• IFC System Representation

• IFC Layer Hierarchy Representation

IFC Hierarchical Representation

Imported IFC files have a set of aggregate elements and set of spatial elements. A spatial project structure might define as many levels of decomposition as are necessary for the building project.

Elements within the spatial project structure are:

• Site as IfcSite,

• Building as IfcBuilding,

• Storey as IfcBuildingStorey,

• Space as IfcSpace.

The spatial structure elements are linked together by a relationship object. If there are building elements and/or other elements directly related to the IfcBuildingStorey (like most building elements, such as walls, columns and so on), they are associated with the IfcBuildingStorey by using another relationship object.

A recursive hierarchy of GPSETs and referenced IFC elements contained in GPITEMs shows these relationships that exist in the imported IFC file.

Note:
Selecting an IFC element from the IFC Flexible Explorer navigates to the equivalent element in the 3D view and to Model Explorer.

IFC Class or Group Representation

Sorting elements according to their IFC class or group allows an alternative view of the data in the IFC Flexible Explorer. The model can be viewed and inspected according to the IFC class or group as well as using additional functionality available from the IFC Flexible Explorer right-click menu to highlight, unhighlight, add, remove, view attributes, rename or delete a given IFC class.

• Highlight/Unhighlight all items of a given IFC class or group

• Delete IFC elements of a given IFC class or group

• Add/Remove items of a given IFC class or group

• View attributes of the currently selected IFC element

• Rename a given IFC element

• IFC entities in the 3D view

Highlight/Unhighlight All Items of a Given IFC Class or Group

Use to highlight all the items of a given IFC class in the 3D view, for example: highlight all the IFCWallStandardCase imported from the IFC model.

Delete IFC Elements of a Given IFC Class or Group

Used to delete all the IFC elements or remove a specific IFC element.

Add/Remove Items of a Given IFC Class or Group

Use to add or remove all items of a given IFC class or group to/from the 3D view, for example Remove all ifc roof elements from the 3D view.

IFC Properties

Imported IFC elements might have an associated IFCPropertySet or sets which contain a set of IFCPropertySingleValue. The IFC Flexible Explorer will display each element's associated properties that are stored in data sets.

There are IFCQuantity elements also associated with elements, the interface imports these into data sets as well.

The property node name that appears in the IFC Flexible Explorer is a concatenation of the imported Property Name and Property Value (highlighted in red). Selecting an IFC element Property navigates to the equivalent element in the Model Explorer.

View Attributes of the Currently Selected IFC Element

Use to display the Attribute window populated with all the attributes for the currently selected IFC class.

Rename a Given IFC Element

Use to rename the currently selected IFC element, the node name displayed in the IFC Flexible Explorer is based on the Function attribute value on the SUBE. Changing the SUBE name attribute will change the node name in the IFC Flexible Explorer.

Note:
Renaming elements in the IFC Flexible Explorer operates on the SUBE/SUBE hierarchy, and not on the initial imported data structure. Additionally, the configuration of the IFC Flexible Explorer might mean that the displayed name of the SUBE is not the actual name in the Model Explorer.

IFC Entities in the 3D View

Use to highlight selected IFC entities in the 3D view.

Use to unhighlight selected IFC entities in the 3D view.

IFC System Representation

The IFC System Representation element contains a grouping based on the IFC system, providing an alternative view of the data in the IFC Flexible Explorer. The model can be viewed and inspected, right-click on IFC elements in the IFC Flexible Explorer to highlight/unhighlight, add, remove and view the attributes of the elements.

IFC Layer Hierarchy Representation

The Layer Hierarchy Representation element groups and displays data in a layer hierarchy in the IFC Flexible Explorer. The layers of the model can be viewed and inspected, right-click to highlight/unhighlight, add, remove or view the attributes of the layers. The layers can also be renamed or deleted (see below).

IFC Flexible Explorer in Draw

The imported IFC model can be viewed in Draw, if required, the hierarchy of the imported model and/or the IFC element type can be viewed, launch the IFC Flexible Explorer from the menu bar.

• IFC Flexible Explorer Right-click Menu in Draw

IFC Flexible Explorer Right-click Menu in Draw

Use the functionality available from the IFC Flexible Explorer right-click menu in Draw to highlight/unhighlight, add or remove elements.

• 3D View

• Attributes

• Quick View Creation

3D View

Use to add, remove, highlight or unhighlight IFC elements, provided the 3D View is active.

Attributes

Use to view the attributes associated with IFC elements, the IFC imported model viewed in Draw is read only.

Quick View Creation

Use to create a plan view for a specific IFC class, type or a building storey by selecting elements in the IFC Flexible Explorer.

Special Conditions for the IFC Flexible Explorer

• Navigation Functionality

• Reordering

Navigation Functionality

Navigate from the Model Explorer, 3D View or Drawing Sheet to the equivalent IFC Flexible Explorer node provided that its parent node is expanded in the IFC Flexible Explorer. Or navigate from the IFC Flexible Explorer to the equivalent element in the 3D view or the Model Explorer.

Reordering

It is strongly advised against reordering the Hierarchical, Class Type representation or any logical grouping shown in the IFC Flexible Explorer. This is the representation of IFC model in the source file, and any kind of reordering will disrupt this representation and will probably result in a broken display.