How to extract the IFC Files contained on a Tekla TBP Package

Tekla TBP Package extracting is easy using this workflow
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I recently received a BIM model for review (It was mainly intended for the Structural consultant to validate what the Metal Structure subcontractor was going to fabricate) and wanted to access the individual IFC files. My idea, because we were having some discussions about the total cost and extra KG of steel that a project change meant, was to import the IFC files into Revit and be able to create a schedule to obtain the total weight of the metal structure. The problem was I could not open the TBP file in revit. Of course someone had figured it out first so I followed these steps and it worked perfectly.
So the trick is to install a program that can open the TBP file and extract its contents. IN this case, using 7-zip, works perfectly. You install the program, then open the TBP file. Inside the 7-zip interface you can browse the folder structure until you find the IFC files and extract them. Worked perfect!.

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Revit IFC Exporter Update

New version of the IFC Exporter Available.
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Just got the email from autodesk mentioning the new update for the Revit IFC exporters. Here it comes:

Revit 2013:

IFC Exporter 2013 (v2.15.1)

IFC Export Alternate UI for Revit 2013 (v1.13)

2014:

IFC Exporter 2014 (v3.7.1):

IFC Export Alternate UI for Revit 2014 (v2.5):

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BCF Add-Ins for Revit

If you need to use the BIM Collaboration Format and you are using Revit this Add-Ins might be what you are looking for.
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I wrote recently about the BIM Collaboration Format [BFC]. It is (probably) the soon to be Standard to communicate Issues in BIM Models. If you are using Revit and want to be able to work with BCF, you'll need some Add-in to do it. I found 3 of them and tested 2. Here they are:

Number #01: Matteo Cominetti's BCF PLUGIN FOR REVIT (currently at Version 2.2.2)
Easy to use, Free and With a lot of easy to use Options.
The best one of the two I tried.
You can download it here: http://matteocominetti.com/d/BCFPlugin2.2.2.exe
Check more info at Matteo's website or watch the video below:

Number #02: KUBUS' BCF MANAGER for Revit (there is also an ArchiCAD Version)
Now on free trial until Nov 30th. Apparently at a cost from December 1st.
Less options than Matteo's Plugin, but still easy to use.
Download the Windows x64 version here: http://www.kubusinfo.nl/downloads/BCF_Manager_Revit_x64_r2.msi
Download the Windows x86 version here: http://www.kubusinfo.nl/downloads/BCF_Manager_Revit_x86_r2.msi
You can also use this if you are an ArchiCAD user:
ArchiCAD windows version download here: http://www.kubusinfo.nl/downloads/BCF_Manager_AC17_r2.msi
ArchiCAD MAC version download here: http://www.kubusinfo.nl/downloads/BCF_Manager_AC17_r2.dmg
More info at the KUBUS website.

Number #03: AUTODESK'S MODEL REVIEW Add-in
I haven't tried this one, according to its description is more than just a BCF Add-in, but a full Model Checker:
"Check the accuracy and consistency of a Project or Family against standards set by your firm, your clients, or industry best practices. Correct inconsistencies with a single click or with instructions provided when manual fixes are required".
It is only available if you are a Subscription Customer. More info here too

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BCF: BIM Collaboration Format

BCF is the format that might become standard to share issues found in BIM models from one platform to another
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BCF is an open standard to enable workflow communication between different BIM (Building Information Modeling) software tools. I came across this format by the first time while whatching a Solibri Model Checker Demo. It is currently in the process of being accepted as an Open Standard by BuildingSmart. It works together with IFC models, the idea with BCF is to separate the “communication” from the actual model. You can watch a short video about the Collaboration Workflow it would allow:

More info also available here.

Another example of BCF in use can be seen in this video about IFC (minute 41:20)

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Software Currently Certified for IFC Import or Export

A list by BuildingSmart of the BIM tools currently certified to Export or Import IFC files
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If you are into BIM, you know what IFCs are. If you don't, read about it. A lot is written about IFCs as a standard format. And a lot is written too about "what is the best BIM tool?". Well, one criteria you could use to decide which BIM tool is best for you is how they handle IFCs.

According to the following Table from BuildingSmart, these are the BIM Tools that have been certified for Importing or Exporting IFC files properly:

Application	Organisation	Certification	Export/Import	Finished	Pdf
Scia Engineer	NEMETSCHEK Scia	CV2.0-Struct	import	2013091717-SEP-2013
ArchiCAD	Graphisoft	CV2.0-Arch	import	2013092020-SEP-2013
Revit MEP	Autodesk-R	CV2.0-MEP	export	2013071111-JUL-2013
RIB iTWO	RIB	CV2.0-Import only	import	2013090707-SEP-2013
ArchiCAD	Graphisoft	CV2.0-Arch	export	2013041616-APR-2013
Allplan 2013	NEMETSCHEK Allplan GmbH	CV2.0-Arch	export	2013041616-APR-2013
Revit Architecture	Autodesk-R	CV2.0-Arch	export	2013041616-APR-2013
Scia Engineer	NEMETSCHEK Scia	CV2.0-Struct	export	2013041616-APR-2013
Revit Structure	Autodesk-R	CV2.0-Struct	export	2013041616-APR-2013
Tekla Structures	Tekla	CV2.0-Struct	export	2013061212-JUN-2013
Vectorworks	NEMETSCHEK North America	CV2.0-Arch	export	2013053030-MAY-2013

In the list of tools that passed the Building Smart's certification for exportin IFC files are Tekla, Revit, ArchiCAD, Scia, VectorWorks, Allplan and RIB iTWO. This means that they can save their models in IFC complying with the format standards.

The list of programs that are certified to import models from IFC format is smaller and comprises only two programs: Scia Engineer and ArchiCAD.

via BIMequity Blog.

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New IFC Exporters for Revit Available for Download

New IFC exporters for Revit available
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New versions of the IFC Exporters for Revit have been published and are available for download. They seem to improve the IFC export for some types of elements, haven't tested them though. Here are the links

2013:

IFC Exporter for Revit 2013 (v2.11)

IFC Export Alternate UI for Revit 2013 (v1.11)

2014

IFC Exporter for Revit 2014 (v3.3)

IFC Export Alternate UI for Revit 2014 (v2.3)

via What Revit Wants

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(BIM) Revit to SketchUp via IFC Plugin

There is a Plugin to Import IFC Files into SketchUp
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I was trying to visualize a Revit model we've been building in SketchUp. I actually wanted to use SketchUp to export the model to Maxwell to do a very quick rendering since the default rendering in Revit didn't please me and I didn't have the time to play with it much.

This was just a workaround, but it did help. I found the IFC2SKP plugin for Google SketchUp from Secom IS Lab. It did the trick.

The plugin will import your IFC file (you need to save as IFC from Revit) and the imported entities will be separated by layers as IFC Entities. IFC Wall, IFC Floor, etc. It does not keep much of the material properties you might have already given to each elemetn in Revit which is a bugger, but I guess that has more to do with IFC itself than with the Plugin.

Once you install the plugin, you will need to go to Plugins --> Import IFC and from there play with what do you want and what you don't want to be imported. I'll post some pictures detailing the process as soon as I get my laptop charger fixed (or I buy a new one...)
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Is BIM like Ice Cream?

A great article about the relationship between BIM and IWMS that questions IFC and other assumptions we make about BIM.
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Just got a link to an article on Javaknight about BIM and IWMS (Integrated Workplace Management Systems). I have personally no idea about IWMS so far, but the article is very interesting and critical on matters about interoperability an IFC (Industry Foundation Classes).

IFCs are regarded as the Holy Grail that is suposed to allow users to inter-operate despite using different BIM platforms. The article poises some doubts about the role of IFCs, putting them at the level of what DXF is to the DWG format. Definitely a very interesting read.

For the full article click here.


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