IFC Extender (ML126)
Not version-specific
Tekla Structures
Environment
South America
Spain
Image
The application IFC Extender (ML126) is used to export IFC files. This application gives the user more control over the IFC export than the standard IFC export functionalities in Tekla Structures. In the following examples in this help the IFC Scheme IFC2x3 is used.
General information
In Tekla Structures it is possible to select IFC entities from an option list and to apply the desired subtype (predefined type), for example the IFC entity IfcBeam (1) in combination with the subtype T_BEAM (2).
Image
It is also possible to use a user-defined predefined type. Select the subtype USERDEFINED (3) and fill in the desired user-defined type (IFC4) in (4).
Image
Not all IFC entities which are defined in the BuildingSmart IFC schemes are available in Tekla Structures. In some occasions other IFC entities are required. When the IFC Extender (ML126) is used to create an IFC export, additional user defined attributes can be used in which the user can define any desired IFC entity and subtype.
These user defined attributes can be found on part and assembly level in the tab IFC Export:
Image
Image
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | If the desired IFC entity is not standard available in Tekla Structures, the desired IFC entity can be selected here. If the desired IFC entity is also not available in this list, it is possible to select the option UserDefinedEntity. The field IFC entity user free field becomes available and the desired IFC entity can be filled in manually. |
| 2 | Fill in the desired IFC entity if this entity is not available in the IFC entity user list. Note: In order to use this field, the option UserDefinedEntity must be set at the IFC entity user property. |
| 3 | Fill in the desired subtype (also known as predefined type). More information about these predefined types can be found in the IFC specifications on the BuildingSmart website. For example, see this page for the predefined types of an IfcBeam in the IFC2x3 TC1 specification. |
Beside these functionalities the IFC Extender (ML126) offers more functionalities, which will be elaborated below for each tabpage seperately.
Tab IFC Export
In the tab IFC Export the IFC export settings can be defined. Saved settings from the standard IFC export dialogues can be loaded and modified.
Image
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | IFC scheme (IFC2x3 or IFC4). |
| 2 | IFC export setting. A saved setting created in a standard IFC export dialogue can be loaded. |
| 3 | Output folder to which the IFC file will be exported. Click on the symbol Image
to browse.
|
| 4 | IFC export file name. |
| 5 | Select which object to export. |
| 6 | Select the IFC export file format. The options are: IFC, IFC-XML, zipped IFC en zipped IFC-XML. |
| 7 | Select the IFC export type. Detailed information about these option can be found here. |
| 8 | Model origin exports the model relative from 0,0,0. Workplane exports the model relative from the curent workplane coordinate system. |
| 9 | Besides the standard functionality Additional Psets, the functionality Extended property sets can be used to add information to the exported IFC objects. Click on the symbol Image
to create or modify the property sets. In this dialogue it is possible to also add information to the IFC entities which are not available in Tekla Structures by default, for example IfcCurtainWall. |
| 10 t/m 18 | Click here for more information about these options. |
| 19 | Export the IFC. |
| 20 | Open the output folder. |
| 21 | Enable this option to show the log file after exporting the IFC-file. |
Tab IFC Part Type
The tab IFC Part Type can be used to set the subtype (also known as predefined type) from all objects with a specific IFC entity.
Image
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Select the IFC entity to modify. All objects with the selected IFC entity will be modified. |
| 2 | Modify Yes or No. |
| 3 | Select the desired subtype (/predefined type) for the selected IFC entity. |
Note:
In the General information section is explained the subtype (/predefined type) can also be defined in the part and assembly user defined attributes. If these attributes are in use, these attributes have higher priority than the settings in this tab.
Tab IFC Assembly Type
The tab IFC Assembly Type can be used to set the subtype (also known as predefined type) from all assemblies with a specific IFC entity.
Image
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Select the IFC entity to modify. All assemblies with the selected IFC entity will be modified. |
| 2 | Modify Yes or No. |
| 3 | Select the desired subtype (/predefined type) for the selected IFC entity. |
Note:
In the General information section is explained the subtype (/predefined type) can also be defined in the part and assembly user defined attributes. If these attributes are in use, these attributes have higher priority than the settings in this tab.
Tab Mapping IFC properties
In the standard IFC Export in Tekla Structures there is always some specific information exported to some specific IFC properties. Examples for parts are the name (part name), description (profile), object type (subtype) and tag (part pos). Examples for assemblies are the name (assembly name), object type (subtype) and tag (assembly pos). The description for assemblies is not exported to IFC.
See example below for more details.
The user normally has no control over these IFC properties, while sometimes it would be desirable to change this information in IFC. The tab Mapping IFC Properties can be used to modify the data exported to these specific IFC properties.
For each IFC entity a property can be selected to be modified. The user can define which attribute should be exported to this IFC property. This way the user can for example export an article number or comment as assembly description to the IFC.
In the following example the user defined attributes USER_FIELD_1 to USER_FIELD_4 are filled with information.
Image
Image
Below the IFC export created with the standard Tekla Structures IFC Export (IFC2x3) can be seen. Note the values on assembly level in yellow and the values on part level in red.
Image
Image
In the example below the IFC export is created using the IFC Extender (ML126). In the tab Mapping IFC properties is defined that for the IFC entities IfcElementAssembly and IfcBeam the user defined attributes USER_FIELD_1 to USER_FIELD_4 are used. Please note the result in the yellow marked properties on assembly level and red marked properties on part level in the IFC.
Image
Image
Image
Tab Property to rename
The tab Property to rename can be used to rename a specific property which is defined in a property set.
At Tekla name the property name can be filled in that must be renamed. At IFC name the desired property name can be defined.
Example:
In an additional property set the attribute USER_FIELD_1 is added. In the standard IFC export this can be done as follows:
Image
The attribute name in the IFC file:
Image
It may be desired to export the attribute with another name, for example Comment.
It is possible to change the attribute name in two different ways:
1 - Change the attribute name in the additional property set
Changing the attribute name in the additional property set can be done as follows (note: If this property is defined in multiple property sets, the property should be modified in each property set seperately):
Image
2 - Rename the attribute name using the tab Property to rename in the IFC Extender (ML126)
Renaming the property using the tab Property to rename in the IFC Extender (ML126) can be done as follows (note: all properties with the Tekla name will be renamed in the IFC export):
Image
The result in the IFC is as follows:
Image
Tab Export formula results
In the tab Export formula results it is possible to apply a formula in an user defined attribute. The formula can be defined in a similar matter as in the Template Editor.
Example:
- Fill in the following fomula in the user defined attribute USER_FIELD_1: GetValue("LENGTH")
Image
- Add USER_FIELD_1 in an extra property set, for example by using the extended property sets in the tab IFC Export:
Image
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 | Open the dialogue 'Extended properties definition' to define the extended property sets. |
| 2 | Define a name for the extended property set setting. |
| 3 | Define a name for the extended property set. |
| 4 | Click on + to create a new property set. |
| 5 | Select the IFC entities to which the property set must be added. |
| 6 | It is easy to find attributes using the search bar. |
| 7 | Select the attribute which should be added to the property set by enabling the checkbox. |
| 8 | Save the extended property set. |
- Define in the IFC Extender (ML126) in the tab Export formula result that for USER_FIELD_1 a formula is in use. :
Image
- Export the IFC.
As can be seen below, the length is shown in USER_FIELD_1:
Image
Limitations:
- It is not possible to merge two text UDA's into one UDA using a formula.
Tab Advanced
In the tab Advanced it is possible to enable specific actions for the IFC export.
Image
The options are as follows:
Export material grade only
Standard Tekla Structures exports the material (in IFC this is the peroperty IfcMaterial) as MATERIAL_TYPE / MATERIAL.
The material S235JR from the material type (/ material group) Steel will be exported as: Steel / S235JR.
Image
It can be desired to only export MATERIAL as IfcMaterial, without the addition of MATERIAL_TYPE. Therefor, this option can be enabled.
The material willl then be exported as: S235JR.
Image
Remove original Psets of converted Entities.
When in the user defined attributes is chosen to override the standard IFC entity using the IFC Extender (ML126), the property sets from the original IFC entity property are still exported.
When this option is enabled, the original property sets from the standard IFC entity property are removed.
Example:
In the part properties the IFC entity is set to IfcColumn. However, in the user defined attributes the IFC entity user is defined to IfcWindow.
In the IFC export (using the IFC Extender (ML126)) the part is exported with the IFC entity IfcWindow. However, the common property set which belongs to IfcColumn (Pset_ColumnCommon) is still attached to the part.
When this option is enabled, the original property set Pset_ColumnCommon is removed.
Tab About
Information about the version date. This date is indicative and can therefore be different even though the tool has the same content.
Image
All rights reserved. No conclusions can be associated to the representation of the pictures in relation to the operating systems under which Tekla Structures runs.
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/ or send a letter to Creative Commons, 444 Castro Street, Suite 900, Mountain View, California, 94041, USA.