Creating Itemsets from objects in IFC files

Im getting IFC files from different disciplines and I then want to create itemsets based on the properties of the objects in the IFC files.

I have tested this with only dgn-files and using the Dataset_GB.

But when a wall or other objects have been exported to IFC there is only a few properties available to choose from in the Item Set Search dialog.

When I look in the Items dialog I can see that the properties exist on the IFCWallStandardCase.

See screen shots below. Im using AECOsim SS6 and Navigator SS6

Do someone know how to solve this?

  • Hi Johan,
    Are you opening or importing the IFC file? When directly opening I do see the same limited number of properties available in the Search dialog, which is almost the same list for all component types. On the other hand, IFC Import generates a Wall component vs. IfcWallStandardCase, and seems to provide all of the properties available in the original DGN file. Is this an option for you?



  • Hi

    I have a Composition model to which I attach the different models I get from various disciplines (IFC, DWG and DGN). I then publish to i-model to be reviewed with Navigator. Non of the IFC-models i made in a Bentley Software.

    I tried the import option and it seems that properties are available but the Graphics did not look the same. It was very slow and created a new dgn file to be managed. So I do not think thats it is a good option. If you import the IFC there can be a risk of human error and objects can accidently be moved.

    Is there any other workflow for this kind of work?
  • OK, thanks. Referencing IFC files does use the same functionality as opening, and is based on core MicroStation. Importing is specific to ABD and maps the IFC properties to the DataGroup System and Family + Part system. Can you elaborate on the graphical difference you see between the two?

    I'd have to check with our MicroStation team for more details on how the IFC Open/Reference ability accesses properties, and what should be brought across.



  • This is how the model looks when imported:

    And this is how it looks when its attached as a reference:

    The model also becomes very slow to navigate when imported compared to attached as a reference

  • But this import issue is not really interesting for now. Because I dont believe this is a good way to handle this. I think import is only if you intend to continue to work with the imported objects.

    I work on a big project where there will be a lot of IFC files and my job as a coordinator can not be to import all the models I receive in to dgn-files.

    There must be people out there that coordinate and reviewing projects that contains models from other sources than dgn-files?
    Or when they do are they not using the information within in the files and just looking at the graphical contents?

    The i-model plugin for revit is one solution but Bentley do not have plugins for every software on the market...
    It would be nice if they did, but I think it would be easier for bentley to get the IFC to work (if it is so that it does not work properly) than to create plugins for every software..

    There is a service ticket on this issue from last year. It also handles the issue with the characters åäö that also causes problems when attaching an IFC-file. But that issue is easier to walk around.