ArchiCAD IFC into Revit – What has worked for us so far

[_Lachlan_]

This is the process we have used successfully to bring IFC files specifically from ArchiCAD. I know there are many posts about it, but they are not a set of specific steps to try, just troubleshooting variou issues…… From my searching anyway.

This is a work in progress, and I am still testing the steps outlined below so I will update it as other users post with any additional steps, ideas or I find out something different from trial and error.

ArchiCAD User (User that is creating the IFC)

• IFC classify all elements correctly including the following:
• Walls
• Doors
• Windows
• Floors
• Ceilings (Having a bit of trouble with these for now, still coming in as generic models)
• Roofs
• Furniture
• Plumbing Fixtures
• Columns
• Beams
• ArchiCAD Zones (Revit Spaces)
• In ArchiCAD they can create zones in 2D so they will need to set the height/levels correctly before exporting
• Anything else you require

• Set export options as per attached screenshot from forum post of user @Anonymous , link below from original forum post. This should also help fix all the internal edges that show up in floor slabs etc... Note at this time im not sure if this will remove any falls in slabs when brought into Revit. These setting may also affect opening/cutting objects, looking into this. 

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/revit-architecture-forum/ifc-import-from-archicad-strange-lines-in-on-the-floor/td-p/6993437

• Export IFC
• If exporting from 3d view, ensure zones are turned on before hand.
• If project is multi phased/staged/renovation status the following models:
• Model for existing with demo
• Model for each new phase
• Might need an existing model per phase due to obejcts demo’d in different phases T.B.C
• If project is single new phase you can export one model

Revit User (User that is importing the IFC)

• Set family categories in IFC Options to correct families/Revit categories
  • I have set the Revit category for Ifcspaces to Spaces
• Set the default Revit template for importing, best to create one for IFC import so it isn’t loaded with lots of unnecessary families etc…
• Use Revit 2019 with the ArchiCAD IFC Exchange with ARCHICAD installed (We have had more success with Revit 2019 at this point than Revit 2020)
• Untick import all ifc parameters (unless you need them all for some reason, I believe this is one reason it can take hours to import. From my testing it seems to speed the process up unticking this option)
• Wait patiently!
• Continue to wait patiently!
• Become impatient.
• Edit any elements that you do not what to be generic models (Need to do it with ceilings)
  • Select object
  • Edit in place mass
  • Change to correct family type
  • Finish editing mass
• Check levels etc are correct
• Save the model
• Update to version of Revit you are using
• Link into Revit project.
• Set Room Bounding
• Map phases
• Create Spaces from the rooms and use space naming utlity

Very big thanks to the crew from ARTAS Architects for assisting with the testing on this.

Open to suggestions from users on improvements and ideas

[LFBIMMAN]

Hi @_Lachlan_ , Great work with this, I have been trailing Archicad model IFCs in Revit for a while now but I have come across similar problems to you it seems.

Have you moved on to Archicad 24 /25 now? One thing I was struggling with is it seems the settings mentioned in the post below are not all available in Archicad 24 (most of them are) & I still find that my fittings show the mesh. did you find a work around for this?  

https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/revit-architecture-forum/ifc-import-from-archicad-strange-lines-in-on...

Did you have anymore revisions to your process now that could help me to import IFCs in to Revit? The process listed in your post has already really improved my buildings into Revit, so big thanks for this. 

I have attached a picture of 2 problems I have noticed, The lines within my fittings and the doors, any idea how to correct these? 

Kind Regards 

Luke  

[_Lachlan_]

Hi Luke,

I haven't found a solution to the lines yet, but am currently doing more tests with exports from the latest version of ArchiCAD so i will let you know how i go.

[samin.hindic1]

I am having problems when importing IFC exported from ArchiCad, all floors are generic models, do you know how to fix this?  I tryed IFX Exchange in revit 2023, but it does not work, getting same error.

[_Lachlan_]

Hi Samin,

In pretty much every case if something is not translating into Revit families it is because it has not been IFC classified properly or at all by the ArchiCAD user. I have had many tell me they have classified everything, but it always turns out they haven't. So best to go back to them first, they even have a default IFC export for Revit setting in their export settings.

The most annoying thing that does not translate still is ceilings.

[samin.hindic1]

If I open this IFC in Solibri there is everything correct, as soon it comes in to the Revit Floors getting turned into generic models. I have send what you suggested me to architects to see if they can improve their classification.

Thanks for answer by the way 🙂

[LFBIMMAN]

@samin.hindic1 have you tried using the Improved IFC Importer to bring in IFC files in Revit? as lachlan said, making sure everything is classified is vital.

[dngcompleteservicesllc]

Hi all

I found this post way later but, once a correct IFC classification on ARCHICAD, it takes a lot of time to import the IFC to Revit. Then, the nightmare is that every door i have on another floor, would appear on the ground level. I tried to limit the view range but it doesn’t work like that.  Do you know how to solve that?

[fabiosato]

Hello,

In Archicad, you must specify to which level each door is associated.

[dngcompleteservicesllc]

Hello @fabiosato, thanks for your reply. Actually worked but it wasnt the level of the door in archicad. When i tried to open an IFC model, it shows wrong. I tried to link the IFC to a revit model and now shows correctly,