Are there any specific rules or guidelines for updating pre- SELECTseries6 Electrical elements to conform to COBie requirements? I’ve already run through the process of upgrading to the SELECTseries6 schemas as outlined here, but I’m not sure the updated elements are fully compatible with COBie.
Values for the properties defined in Pset_ManufacturerTypeInformation.xsd should only be defined at the Catalog Item level using the DataGroup Catalog Editor. This schema file is delivered with the IFC2x3 dataset extension and is only loaded when the configuration variable IFC_PROJECT=1 or 2. As its name implies the properties it includes are at the Type level; i.e., common to all instances of a given object. This is why these property values must be defined within the DataGroup Catalog Item, using the DataGroup Catalog Editor, and not be overridden on individual instances of an object placed within a DGN file.
Note: These properties are transformed to the ‘Type’ worksheet in the COBie workbook.
In order to prevent user editing of these properties during or after placement, it is recommended that you disable the Editable flag in DataGroup Catalog Editor.
Note: Because these properties are enabled by default you will see the following warning message when disabling the Editable flag.
However, this message is typical for all Electrical DataGroup properties when making Editable flag changes. But as the message states, it is acceptable to make changes to the extended IFC Pset properties which are not core Electrical properties.
2. Values for the properties defined in other schemas such as Pset_LightFixtureTypeCommon.xsd, Pset_ManufacturerOccurance.xsd, COBie_Component.xsd, etc., can be defined at either the Catalog Item or Instance level, depending on the nature of the property. These properties are transformed to the ‘Component’ worksheet in the COBie workbook.
For example, LightFixtureMountingType might be defined at the Catalog Item level if all fixtures of that type use the same mounting, while properties such as BarCode or InstallationDate are likely to be defined per-instance.
Note that symbols initially placed without COBie enabled will not inherit these properties, however, running the DataGroup Upgrade Utility should add the applicable IFC properties.
An exception to this process is Raceway since it is not a symbol and therefore does not use Symbol Manager to define the applicable IFC Class.
Instead, you can use a modification command such as 3D Properties, without actually changing anything, to essentially “re-initialize” the element.
http://communities.bentley.com/products/building/building_analysis___design/w/building_analysis_and_design__wiki/15865.certain-elements-do-not-export-to-ifc-cobie
http://communities.bentley.com/products/building/building_analysis___design/w/building_analysis_and_design__wiki/21918.export-to-ifc-and-cobie-enabling-the-required-properties
http://communities.bentley.com/products/building/building_analysis___design/w/building_analysis_and_design__wiki/12081.export-to-ifc-and-create-a-cobie-spreadsheet