The IFC data model describes building and construction industry data. It is a commonly used format for Building Information Modeling (BIM).
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Smart Interop Publisher supports the translation of 2x3 and 2x4 IFC schema versions.
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To find the schema version of an .ifc file, open the file in any text editor such as Windows Notepad, and check the FILE_SCHEMA version listed in the File Header section. For .ifc files that are supported by Smart Interop Publisher, the File Header has the FILE_SCHEMA(('IFC2X3')); entry.
Before you begin, see IFC Requirements and Considerations.
Custom Mapping (Optional)
You can include new classes and properties, map any unmapped properties that you have added, and define unit of measure strings for property values using the customIFCToR3DMapping.xls mapping template files. You can skip this section and use the default mapping provided with Smart Interop Publisher.
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Review the IFCToR3DMapping.xls default mapping file to see the classes and properties that are currently mapped.
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In the CustomMappingFiles folder, make a copy of the customIFCToR3DMapping.xls file and place it in another location.
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Edit the custom mapping file to either modify property labels or add classes and properties.
Smart Interop Publisher removes any colons placed inside a property name during translation. For example,
if you enter Net:Area for the property name, the resulting translation displays NetArea.
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Save the edited mapping spreadsheet file in the Microsoft Excel 97-2003 Workbook (.xls) format. See Edit the custom mapping template file.
To display unit strings such as 'meters' or 'inches' with specific property values in the translated model, you can define the Units G column in the custom mapping file. See Set the units of measure (UoM) in custom mapping.
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To set up custom mapping for a third-party format target such as Industry Foundation Classes (IFC), you must also create Hexagon schema (R3D)-to-IFC mapping. See Use custom mapping for third-party format targets.
Translate
To get quantity information for specific IFC objects, select the Calculate Geometric Quantities translation option in your project settings. See IFC options.
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Click the Smart Interop Publisher icon on your desktop
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Click Start > All Programs > Intergraph Smart Interop Publisher. -
If you are not in the Projects View, click Projects.
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Select or create a project to use in the grid.
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Right-click the project, and then select Settings Menu > Project Settings Command.
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Use the default settings, or make any required changes.
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For Target Applications, select the Hexagon Asset Lifecycle Intelligence applications and third-party format to use. If you select a third-party format, verify that you have the required license. For example, you must have an IFC license to use the Industry Foundation Classes target.
Selecting only the target applications you require can produce a faster translation
time. Smart Interop Publisher only generates files required for the selected target.
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Click Save to save your changes and close the Project Settings Dialog.
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(Optional) Right-click the project, and then select the Translation Settings Command.
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Click New in the Select or Create Settings Group list, and type the name to use.
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Edit the Default translation settings group.
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Select IFC in the left pane, and then you either set the option to keep unit information from the IFC source file or define the Working Units. See Define Translation Settings and IFC options.
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Click Save when you have finished defining translation settings.
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Click Models to go back to the Models View.
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On the Source Files Grid, click Add
, and then select the .ifc files to translate. The added file displays in the grid.
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Select each source file to use in creating the Smart Model, and then click Translate
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Use SHIFT+ or CTRL+ key combinations to select multiple source files.
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On the Translate Source File Dialog, type a name and location for the Smart Model.
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If you used custom mapping, set the Mapping Options to Custom and select the Mapping Files Location of the custom PDS mapping template file you edited.
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Click Translate.
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To schedule the translation for a later time, click Schedule to open the Schedule Translate Dialog. -
Open the Smart Models you created in the Intergraph target applications:
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If you selected a non-Intergraph format target, open the model format file using your preferred third-party reader. For example, if you selected the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) format target, use your own IFC reader to review the resulting Smart Model .ifc file.