Creating IFC Entities

When an entire building project is exported to IFC, VectorWorks symbols can be automatically assigned to IFC entities, while simple objects are assigned to default geometry. This association can also be made prior to export, which is especially useful for designers who wish to add specific IFC property set values to an entity.

To create an IFC entity:

1.	Select the object, group, or symbol for assignment of IFC data. More than one item can be selected at one time.

2.	Select AEC > IFC > Create IFC Entity.

The Pick IFC Object dialog box opens, listing available IFC object types.

 

Parameter	Description
Filter IFC objects	Enter text or keywords to filter the objects list; only entries which contain the text are listed
IFC object types	Lists available IFC object types; click the object type to select it

3.	Select the object type and click OK.

The IFC Data dialog box opens.

 

Parameter	Description
Object	Displays the IFC object type selected for this entity
Pick	Opens the Pick IFC Object dialog box, to select a different object type
GUID	Displays the Global Unique Identifier assigned to the entity; this ID follows the entity throughout the IFC workflow to distinguish it from other IFC entities
Reset GUID	Assigns a new Global Unique Identifier to the entity
Use standard properties for this symbol	Assigns standard required properties and values to the entity; when selected, custom data values cannot be entered for property sets
Property Sets for this Object	Displays the property sets associated with the IFC object; when specifying custom properties (Use standard properties is deselected), select whether to use each IFC pSet by clicking in the Use column
Properties for the selected Property Set	Displays the available properties and values for the selected pSet
Number value for selected property	Specifies a value for the selected pSet property
Select IFC Instance	For some pSet properties with complex values, an IFC Instance is specified. Select from the list of instances, or click New to open the IFC Instance Edit dialog box. Specify the values of the complex properties and click OK to return to the IFC Data dialog box. (To delete an IFC instance, select it from the list and click Delete.)

4.	Click OK to create the IFC entity.

The IFC data can be edited by clicking IFC Data from the Object Info palette of a selected IFC Entity, or by selecting the entity and selecting AEC > IFC > IFC Data.

Viewing IFC Data

The data of IFC entities can be viewed and edited with the IFC Data command. In addition, the IFC object that corresponds to a VectorWorks plug-in object, such as a Space object, window, or wall, can be viewed.

This command can also be used to attach IFC data to an object, which remains a “standard” VectorWorks object in the Object info palette.

To access IFC data:

1.	Select the IFC entity or VectorWorks plug-in object.

2.	Select AEC > IFC > IFC Data.

The IFC Data dialog box opens.

3.

If an IFC entity was selected, the IFC Data dialog box displays the data attached to the entity as described in Creating IFC Entities; the data can be edited. If a VectorWorks plug-in object was selected, the IFC Data dialog box displays the corresponding IFC Object type. At export, the object will be converted to that type of entity.