Import an IFC file to a combining job

You can import IFC files to the Combining module to be used for a preliminary list or for advance bills of materials.

As a comparison to Microsoft Excel worksheets, or KISS files, using IFC files allows revised items to be updated, and you can report the changes (material size, quantity, and so on) during the import process.

We recommend that you use the Steel fabrication view or 2x3 EM11 IFC format, but the Coordination view or the standard IFC2x3 format works as well.

Before you start importing, ensure that you have created preliminary marks (PRELIM_MARK) in Tekla Structures, and included those in the IFC files. In Tekla EPM, map at a minimum the PRELIM_MARK to Reference Number. Other mapping is optional.

Click the File ribbon tab in the upper-left corner of the Tekla EPM window.
On the File menu, select Import.
In the navigation tree of the Import dialog box, select IFC under Combining.
Browse to find the file you want to import.
Click Import.

The Import dialog box opens, and shortly after, the Combining Job Edit dialog box.
Select the job to which import the IFC project and click Save.

The Import Field Map dialog box opens.
If the mapping is not automatically done, map the selected information from the IFC file.

We recommend you to map at a minimum PRELIM_MARK to Reference Number. Other mapping is optional.
After selecting the field to be mapped to, for example to Reference Number,click Set Field Mapping and OK.

The Import log is displayed.

Ensure there are no errors, warnings, or unsuccessful files.
After a successful import, go to the Combining module. In the Select Combining Job dialog box, select the job, and click Open to open the job.

The job shows the imported records, as well as the mappings.

If you import the IFC file to the same job, you can use the Add & Replace option.

If you have changed some fields in some of the records in the job, such as quantities or grades, the import reverts the changes made in the job, and the Import log shows that a number of items were updated.