Where is the option to import an IFC File?

In early versions of ISM, the IFC import action could only be started from the Windows Start menu - All Programs - Bentley Engineering - Structural Synchronizer V8i - Import IFC. With more recent versions, the Synchronizer Viewer may be started without any file in context. Then go to File - IFC Exchange - Import IFC

The dialog box that comes up allows you to select the ifc file and choose a name for the new ism.dgn repository that will be created.

Afterwards, the ISM-IFC process dialog will appear providing status information. 

If the IFC file has materials that have not already been mapped, then a Material Mappings dialog box will appear where you can map the IFC file materials to ISM material types.

Then the process ends with a view of the imported data in the Viewer.

Click Close to finish the process.

What IFC entity types can be imported?

The following is a summary of the various IFC entity types that can be imported, For each, the mapped ISM entity type and properties are listed.

Supported IFC Entities:

1. IfcBeam -> IsmCurveMember (Use – Beam)
2. IfcColumn ->  IsmCurveMember (Use – Column)
3. IfcPile -> IsmCurveMember (Use – Pile)
4. IfcMember -> IsmCurveMember (Use – HorizontalBrace/ VerticalBrace)
5. IfcWall -> IsmSurfaceMember (Use – Wall)
6. IfcWallStandardCase -> -> IsmSurfaceMember (Use – Wall)
7. IfcFooting -> IsmSurfaceMember (Use – Footing)
8. IfcSlab -> IsmSurfaceMember (Use – Slab) (true)
9. IfcPlate -> IsmSurfaceMember (Use – Footing)
10. IfcDiscreteAccessory -> IsmSurfaceMember (Use – Unset)
11. IfcFeatureElementAddition -> IsmFeatureAddition
12. IfcOpeningElement -> IsmSurfaceMemberOpening/IsmFeatureAddition (depending on situation) 

Supported IFC representations:

• IfcExtrudedAreaSolid
• IfcRevolvedAreaSolid
• IfcSweptDiskSolid
• IfcSurfaceCurveSweptAreaSolid

 Supported IFC profile definitions:

• IfcArbitraryClosedProfileDef
• IfcArbitraryProfileDefWithVoids
• IfcDerivedProfileDef
• IfcCompositeProfileDef
• IfcIShapeProfileDef
• IfcCircleProfileDef
• IfcRectangleProfileDef 

Why is there a warning, "IfcFacetedBrep is not supported"

The ISM API has some surface limitations. Consequently Boundary representation (BREP) surfaces are not imported at this time.