Creating an IFC model

We’re going to create a new native IFC model from scratch, starting from a single shape, up to a simple building.

A BIM model is not just a 3D format. This means that you cannot just load any 3D model, and press a “Save as IFC” button. In fact, 3D is optional and you can have a large IFC model storing work schedules, cost rates, asset registers and more, and absolutely no 3D geometry at all.

However, in these tutorials, we will focus on basic 3D geometry. At a minimum, you will need to categorise your 3D elements (such as “Wall”, “Column”, “Window”, etc), and give them a location (such as “Level 01” of a building).

Creating a single object

Go to Topbar ‣ File ‣ New IFC Project, and select New Metric (m) Project. This will begin a blank IFC4 project.

../_images/create-project.png

In the Properties ‣ Project Overview ‣ Spatial Decomposition panel, you will see a hierarchy of spaces that has been automatically created for you. This hierarchy is known is the Spatial Tree.

../_images/default-spatial-tree.png

There are many ways to create objects. In practice, you should use an element type library, and we will see how to do this later. For now, we will only add a single element. In the 3D Viewport ‣ Add ‣ Mesh menu, select Cube.

../_images/add-cube.png

Any Blender object that you want to be part of IFC project must be converted into a IFC object by assigning a category. This category is known as the IFC Class.

See also

Use the IFC Class search tool to help choose an IFC Class!

Select the cube (selected objects are highlighted in orange, careful not to select anything else!) and switch to the Properties ‣ Object Information tab. Let’s pretend our Cube is a column, so select IfcElement from the Products dropdown, IfcColumn from the Class drop-down, and press Assign IFC Class.

../_images/assign-class.png

Tip

There are no restrictions on which IFC Class you can choose regardless of the shape of your object. You can have a monkey-shaped wall if you want!

All IFC objects must also belong inside the Spatial Tree. In the Properties ‣ Object Information ‣ Spatial Container panel, you will see that your newly created IfcColumn/Cube has been automatically placed in IfcBuildingStorey/My Storey.

../_images/cube-spatial-tree.png

Go to Topbar ‣ File and click Save IFC Project to save your new IFC model on your computer.

../_images/save-project.png

Congratulations! You have now created your first IFC model with Bonsai! You can open the IFC file in any other program, and you will see something similar to the image below. Three simple open source online viewers you can test with are IfcPipeline, ThatOpenEditor, and 3DViewer.

../_images/ifc-pipeline.png

Placing occurrences of an element type

TODO

Changing the locations of elements

TODO

Modeling a simple building

TODO