When adding support for IFC 4.3, dear Autodesk, please aim a bit higher than you normally do with IFC implementation. In a perfect world I would be able to link an IFC file to Civil 3D, much like I can in Revit. When linking I would like the option to generate civil elements from the IFC file, eg. TIN surface, alignments and feature lines. These civil elements should be tied to the IFCGUID so that updating the link will also update the civil elements. Just imagine the possibilities for inter disciplinary collaboration this would open up, both within a single company but also between companys as many projects involve many stakeholders. This would allow a landscape architect to use a curbstone stake out line, coming from the road engineer in a different company, to produce their cut/fill adjustments to the terrain. And have it automatically update whenever the road engineer does minor adjusmtents. This is one small example, but the opportunities for more seamless workflows are endless. I would think that civil elements from a linked IFC model would be generated as some sort of DREF within the drawing. As many software platforms (and user routines) often disregards the need for preservation of the IFCGUID (eg. creating new elements with a Dynamo script), there would be a need for checking IFCGUIDS upon synchronization of the IFC, at least on elements that are used as targets or part of other civil elements in the drawing. For example a pop up window with all elments with missing/altered IFCGUID and the option to pick select replacements for them. Good implementation of the IFC file standard is crucial, especially to the Scandinavian market.
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