IFC

IFC has many different types for representing shapes. For interacting with MasterSeries, only a selection of these types is required. They are:

IfcBuildingStorey: used to define levels in MasterSeries

IfcBeam: used to define beam elements in MasterSeries

IfcColumn: used to define column elements in MasterSeries

IfcMember: used to define a general member in MasterSeries

IfcBeam, IfcColumn and IfcMember are all one-dimensional line elements which must be represented as an IfcExtrudedAreaSolid. An IfcExtrudedAreaSolid is defined as a line that runs between two points, and has a profile extruded over its length to create the 3D representation.

The following table outlines compatible profile definitions used with MasterSeries and an example section type based on the profile.

MasterSeries also makes use of two, two-dimensional elements. They are:

IfcSlab, and

IfcWall

Both of these types are represented as finite element surfaces when imported to MasterFrame.

Limitations

It’s possible to have an IFC model that looks correct when viewed through an IFC viewer but won’t import correctly to MasterFrame. This is usually due to how the IFC model has been created – there are many ways to create three-dimensional shapes and representations of structural elements in IFC, however not all of them contain the data required to create a real structural element.

The most common breach of this is when an IFC model uses an IfcFacetedBrep to represent structural elements. An element made with an IfcFacetedBrep is simply composed from a series of surfaces i.e. it has no profile definition. This makes it impossible for MasterFrame to determine what type of section the element is.

If possible, when creating the IFC file you should opt to form elements using the IfcExtrudedAreaSolid class, which is composed of an IfcProfileDef and an IfcDirection (a section profile which is extruded along a length defined by two points in space).

MasterFrame adheres to IFC 2x3 Coordination View, version 2.0. This is a specification that aims to handle the coordination between architectural, mechanical and structural representations. For more information, visit the Building Smart website.

Importing an IFC Model

1.From the MasterSeries start-up screen, go to Frame > Import from File > Import from IFC 2x3

2.Using the MasterFrame Import File dialogue, navigate to your IFC file, and click Open

3.At this point you will be presented with the IFC 2x3 File Import dialogue, which has a variety of options that allow you to tailor your import:

Import Slabs as Finite Element Surfaces: If you want slabs defined in IFC model to be imported as FE surfaces, check this box

Import Walls as Finite Element Surfaces: If you want walls defined in the IFC model to be imported as FE surfaces, check this box

Retain Y Coordinates: This will use the IFC models vertical offset and apply it to the model created in MasterSeries (as opposed to zeroing the level)

Additional Y Coordinate Offset: If you want to modify the vertical offset by a specific amount, you can do so by providing a value (mm)

Ignore Plates with an Aspect Ratio Less Than: To avoid importing items that may be inaccurately represented by one of the four compatible MasterSeries IFC types, you can apply an aspect ratio to filter out bogus elements

oFor example, an IFC model could have a steel end plate that was modelled using the IFC column type, but we don’t want to import the end plate as a column, and therefore specify a minimum aspect ratio

IfcDiscreteAccessory: accessories included or added to elements will be included in the import process

Auto Connect Geometry: IFC models are based purely on physical elements, where each element is typically drawn short of another – there is no consideration for the structural analytical model

oTo combat this, you can attempt to automatically connect the elements by checking this box and specifying an end extension

oMasterFrame will make use of clash detection between elements to help determine a suitable structural model

oTo check the structural validity of your model prior to auto-connection, you can import it with this setting unchecked

End Cropping: the distance to extend the physical elements by for the purposes of clash detection and automatically connecting geometry

1.After setting your import options, select the type of MasterSeries file to create on import using the File Type Created dropdown

a)You have a choice of MasterFrame, MasterPort and FlatSlab

2.Click the Browse button and navigate to the directory in which you want to save your file

3.Provide a name for the MasterSeries file and click Open

4.Click the Extract button to being the import process

5.If you want to view the model immediately, once the extraction of the file is complete, click the Load File button to view the imported file

Exporting an IFC Model

1.With your MasterFrame model open, from the top menu bar go to BIM Exchange > IFC 2x3 Export

2.In the dialogue that opens, click the Browse button and navigate to the direction in which you want to save the file

3.Provide a name for the IFC file and click Open

4.Click the Export IFC button