Merging IFC from dRofus to ArchiCAD 13

This page explains how to establish rooms in dRofus from an exsisting IFC-file exportet from ArchiCAD 13, further, how to update these rooms in dRofus then merge the new IFC-file back to the ArchiCAD model. Download PFD version: guide_archicad_en.pdf

• When exporting, be sure to check the “Area/Volume Calculation” option so space areas are calulated and can be imported to dRofus

• Open a dRofus project and connect to the IFC-file. Go to dRofus→IFC→Open IFC file (To connect to a model server choose Connect to IFC model). Make sure to choose ArchiCAD 12/13 as import configuration. For more information about IFC-functionality and connecting to IFC model/Model server see the dRofus IFC-maual http://www.drofus.no/downloads/ifc-no.pdf (Norwegian only)

• Open Room from the welcome window in dRofus. Under the project name you'll see the project's function structure. If you open a blank project function sytructure has to be established before you can copy rooms from the IFC file. For more information on how to create a function structure see the user manual http://www.drofus.no/downloads/User%20manual.pdf chapter 4.2
• Under the function structure you'll see the IFC-project name. Navigate to the storeys in the IFC-file, spaces in the model will appear in the list to the right.
• To copy rooms to dRofus, simply selct one or several rooms using SHIFT or CTRL key and click and drag the rooms to desired function.

• Once you have copied rooms you will see a Building Smart icon next to the room function number that indicates a match on the room between model and dRofus. If you right click one room you have copied you'll see that dRofus has updatet the IFC-object with room function number.The Globalid (the IFC objects unique identifier) will remain unchanged. Based on Globaid we can merge the rooms back to ArchiCAD with updated information from dRofus.

• To add a new room in dRofus select a function in and choose Add room. Fill in a room name and other desired information (I.E. programmed area if such requirement excist) and press Save. The new room will be placed in the bottom of the list in the selected function.

• Now we have created a new room in the program, we also need to create the new room in the model so that the architect can place it in the ArchiCAD model. To achieve this right click on the new room and choose Create space in model.

• If Octaga Viewer are open for use in the project, you should now be able to see the model in dRofus, with the new room placed beside the main building. (The space is placed at an offset relative to the project coorinate system so that is does not collied with other objects).
• We want to make sure that our new room appears in the correct storey in ArchiCAD, therefore we need to create a relation between the room and a storey. to do this click on the room and drag it to desired storey in the IFC-model.

• Last, we export a new IFC-file for updates in ArchiCAD

• Open you original ArchiCAD model. Select File→File Special→Merge (update existing data).

* Select file and file type (IFC)

• The merge feature in ArchiCAD allows you to choose what data to merge. With Merge you can also see what has changed or what is new in the IFC file when you update the data.

• Possibly new room appears in the correct floor and are placed beside the model. The architect can now choose where to locate and how to shape the room.

• In the zone Property set you can read the functional requirements and other data coming from dRofus which is attached to the rooms.

• Changes made by the architect affecting the space program is saved back to IFC. In the image below you can see that the architect has made changes to the model. In the next chapter we will look into how these changes can be handled in dRofus.

• Export new IFC model

• Open the new IFC file in dRofus. First thing we want to update is the designed area in the room that has been changed in the model. Select the room(s), right-click and select Synchronize with the model.

• When synchronizing, a dialogue box will appear that allows you to choose what data to synchronize.

• In dRofus one can easily check whether there are aberrations between the rooms in dRofus and model. There are three easily accessible IFC reports available in dRofus. First, we check Rooms only in program. In our example, we find a room that is no longer a part of the project due to changes in the ArchiCAD model. We want now to set this room inactive in dRofus as well.
• Right-click the room and select Mark room as deleted. You can also write a text and explain why the room is deleted. The room will be removed from the list of active rooms, but is available by clicking Show deleted rooms.

• Next we check Rooms only in model. Now we have one room in the model that we don’t have in dRofus, because we divided one room into two rooms in the model. In order to establish the room in dRofus right click and choose Create room in plan. Moreover, one must choose what function to connect the room.

• dRofus should now be up to date with the most recent changes in the model.