Looking for IFC exporter best practices

[Anonymous]

I need to export our Revit model into IFC format for client review and I was wondering if anyone could lend some advice on best practice for a lean mean IFC model export.  I downloaded the current IFC update from Autodesk.  There are a ton of settings in there so i could use a little guidance.  I am somewhat inexperienced with IFC.

[L.Maas]

You say that  you need to export to IFC for client review. So it is relevant what and how the client is going to review the model.

It is nice that you can submit a lean IFC file, but if he can not read it or it does not contain the right data then it is of no use.

Therefore I think it is important to talk to your client and agree upon:

-Which IFC version you must/can submit (e.g. IFC2x2, IFC2x3).

-What do you have to submit, All (Revit) categories or only some?

-Special rules about which IFC Classes to use?

Otherwise exchange a small sample file to see if it iwill be sufficient for your client. You could start with the "IFC2x3 Coordination View 2.0" settings.

The biggest impact will be the amount of components that has to be included in the IFC file.

If you do not have it already, download solibri model viewer (http://www.solibri.com/products/solibri-model-viewer/) or another IFC viewer than you can check your export. 

[Anonymous]

At this point in the game it will primarily be used for design review, not super detailed information. They are using Trimble Connect for model review.

[L.Maas]

It seems trimble connect support IFC2x3. So as I mentioned in my previous post I would discuss with your client for special requirements or export (a small part of) your project.

-Use Visibility/Graphics overrides in your view to hide things not relevant.

-In IFC export options you can further finetune what (not) to export.

-Start with "IFC2x3 Coordination View 2.0" settings

After IFC export you can check the data in an IFC viewer and then send it to your client for review

[Anonymous]

Thanks, this has been helpful. I tried it as a dry run per your suggestions and all seems good except all the curtain wall glazing is coming in with a grey film on it that I have to hide. I think it may be on the Revit side though. Trying to figure it out. If I can get that straight then I think we're in good shape. One of the files was pretty large though...400MB.

[L.Maas]

I think the large file is due to that IFC is an uncompressed file format. When you put it in a zip file you should see it shrink considerably.