Exporting IFC Projects

VectorWorks project files can be exported to .ifc or .ifcxml format. Export to IFC Versions 2.0 – 2x3 is supported.

To export a VectorWorks file to IFC:

1.	Select File > Export > Export IFC Project.

The Export IFC Project dialog box opens. Specify the overall project export options on the General tab.

 

Parameter	Description
Building Data	Specifies the IFC properties associated with the building (optional)
Primary Use Classification	Main fire use for the building, assigned from the fire use classification table as given by the relevant national building code
Secondary Use Classification	Ancillary fire use for the building, assigned from the fire use classification table as given by the relevant national building code
Occupancy Type	Occupancy classification, defined according to the presiding national building code
Gross Area (Planned)	Total planned area for the building, used for programming the building
Net Area (Planned)	Total planned net area for the building, used for programming the building
Fire Protection	Indicates whether the building has automatic sprinkler protection (when true, also select Sprinklered on the Layer Mapping tab)
Export Options	Sets export parameters for the file
IFC Version	Select the IFC version
Export Site	For drawings with a site model, this option enables site model layers to be mapped on the Layer Mapping tab
Export Building Stories	Exports building levels as stories, including floors below ground level; indicate the number of stories, including stories below ground level
Auto-convert Symbols	Converts VectorWorks symbols with IFC records to IFC objects (see Creating IFC Entities)
Convert simple graphics	Converts graphics and 3D primitives to default IFC objects
Export Extended Data	Attaches special IFC property sets (pSets) to objects for “round-trip” export/import; this allows exported plug-in objects to be re-created using all their standard VectorWorks parameters. Select this option when exporting a file that will be re-imported into VectorWorks in the future, and where file size is not an issue.
Convert Records to IFC Psets	Converts VectorWorks record information to IFC property sets
Owner History Data	Specifies file information according to IFC protocol
Owning User Name/Organization/Application	Specifies the file owner’s name and company information; the application information is automatically assigned
Creation Date	Displays the file origination date
Last Modification Date/User/Application	Displays file modification information

2.	Click the Layer Mapping tab to specify the mapping options for each story and, if specified, the site model.

When moving each layer from the Available Layers to the Mapped Layers list, select site mapping for site model layers, or the associated story for building floors. Then specify the associated building or site data for each of the mapped layers.

 

Parameter	Description
Mapping for	Select Site to assign mapped site model layers to an ifc Site object (on the General tab, Export Site must be selected); select the appropriate Storey number to assign mapped floor layers (according to the number of stories specified in Export Building Stories on the General tab)
Available Layers	Lists VectorWorks layers available for mapping
Mapped Layers	Lists layers that have been selected for export
Add	Adds available VectorWorks layers to the Mapped Layers list for export
Remove	Removes mapped layers from the export list, returning them to the Available Layers list
Layer Data	Specifies IFC properties for selected mapped layers according to their assignment as site or story layers
Entrance Level	Indicates whether the story is an entrance level for the building
Above Ground	Indicates whether the story is fully above ground or below ground
Sprinklered	Specifies whether the story includes sprinkler fire protection, and if so, whether the sprinklers are automatic
Planned Area (Gross)	Total planned area for the building story, used for programming the building
Planned Area (Net)	Total planned net area for the building story, used for programming the building
Reference Latitude/Longitude/Elevation	Specifies the site coordinates
Land Title ID	Identifying label according to local requirements
Street Address	Specifies the site street address
Buildable Area	Area of the site that can be covered by buildings, according to local building codes
Total Area	Total area of the site, measured according to local building codes
Buildable Height	Calculated maximum height of the buildings on this site, according to local building codes

3.

Click OK.

When the exported layers contain VectorWorks symbols which have not yet been converted to IFC Entities, they must be mapped to the appropriate IFC object types. The Map Symbols from Chosen Layers dialog box opens.

 

Parameter	Description
VectorWorks Symbols	Lists VectorWorks symbols and shows the mapped IFC object type for each one
IFC Object Types	Shows the automatically assigned IFC object type for each VectorWorks Symbol
Pick IFC Object	Opens the Pick IFC Object dialog box, for selecting a different IFC object for the selected symbol as described in Creating IFC Entities

4.	Click OK to export the project.

Indicate the file name and location in the Save As dialog box.