Ideate AutomationHow to...
  • Export to IFC

    • Export to IFC

    Automate your IFC Export process and stop trying to recreate a consistent deliverable every time. Ideate Automation will generate consistent IFC Exports outside of regular work hours, saving you time.

    There are a myriad of settings and version changes that make it difficult to create consistent IFC output along the lifespan of a project. We have found that the most reliable IFC Setup Source method is to use the External Setup option which uses a JSON file storing your preferences. Alternate IFC Setup options will be covered at the end of this page.

    Export an IFC using External Setup  

    In this example we will be using the built-in Ideate script named AUT-Export_IFC and a preconfigured JSON file located here: "C:\Program Files\Ideate\Ideate Automation\en-US\Samples\Automation Scripts\03 Publishing\Ideate-IFC-Export.json". 

    Note: The JSON file provided with Ideate Automation will only work with Revit 2022 and newer.

    This method has the benefit of not requiring the Revit model to be set up in advance, as long as the saved JSON settings support the Revit version. The JSON file can be placed in a shared location where multiple Automation tasks and users can reference it for consistent standard. While the process to create a JSON setup file is not currently documented by Autodesk, you can read more in this article from Evolve Consultancy.

    When creating your own .json file, the ActivePhaseId will be set to the specific phase you define, ensuring the export corresponds to the desired phase. However, if you need the phase to be defined per respective view—set ActivePhaseId to -1 in the json file using a Notepad editor. This allows the export to adapt based on the active view, preventing issues with incorrect phase exports and enabling flexibility across different views and projects.

    1. Launch Ideate Automation and select Create
    2. In the Scripts pane, search IFC and select the one result, AUT-Export_IFC 
    3. Review the description of this task below, then pick Next.

    1. Revit Files: Choose one or more Revit 2022+ file(s).
      • If you are not certain the file can successfully be exported to IFC, you should consider first manually testing the IFC Export process within Revit.
      • Linked files will not be included in the IFC file. See this known issue for more information.
      • Optionally use the File List method.
    2. Sync with Central / Save: This option is useful if the IFC GUID update that happens during the export process needs to be saved in the Revit file. When this option is checked, the option to include a comment will also display, as shown below.

    1. Open Revit model(s) with all worksets closed: When checked, this option will open the files faster but this will only be useful if no view is specified. When unchecked (recommended) the Close Only These Worksets option is available.
    2. Close Only These Worksets: Use this option to specify one or more workset names (or use a wildcard name) to control which worksets are close when the file is opened. Learn more: Exclude Worksets on File Open
    3. Export Folder: Choose the folder destination for the IFC file.
    4. IFC Setup Source: The default value for the IFC Setup Source is External Setup. Leave this option as-is.
    5. JSON IFC Export Setup File: Use the sample JSON file provided with Ideate Automation, option. This should fill in automatically.
    6. File Name: Leave the default file name as-is.
      • Note that file name of the IFC export will match the name of the Revit model.
    7. Keep IFC Files Only: Sometimes IFC files create logs. If you would like to only have the IFC model placed into the specified Export Folder then you should check this box.
    8. View Set (Optional): Provide a valid Revit View Set name (refer to the PDF example for more details). This option is only available when the Export by View Names option is unchecked.
    9. Export by Views (Optional): Leave this field blank.
      • This field accepts any valid Revit Model View Name as the basis for exporting the model.
      • This can help limit the size of the IFC by limiting the phasing, design options, or even model elements from the specified view.
      • Add multiple view names for multiple exports per each Revit file selected.
    10. Select Next to review the Task Name at the top, then select Save and Run.

    Additional Options

    Further script behavior customization is available through the Additional Options toggle. For the AUT-Export_IFC script, they are:

    TIPS:

    1. If you wish to use the .json method with Revit 2020 and 2021, first create your own .json export file from the IFC Export set up in Revit. To create the .json file in Revit, go to File>Export>IFC>Modify Set up>Save selected. Once created, set the value in JSON IFC Export Setup File: under Task Script Variables to point to this file.
    2. To run the AUT-IFC-Export script on a detached version of the Revit file, review this option under Additional Options

    If you prefer to use a built-in or custom project IFC setup, you can use the same script and most of the same testing steps noted earlier.

    Custom (Project Specific) Setup  

    To use a custom company or project specific IFC export, set the IFC Setup Source dropdown to: Project Specific Setup and in the IFC Export Setup box type the name of the export set up you wish to use.

    NOTE: This setup must exist in the Revit model(s) from which you are creating the IFC’s. 

    When using built-in setups from Autodesk, the results may vary between the Revit ‘point’ releases (e.g. Revit 2022.0 versus Revit 2022.6) as Autodesk can change the properties of these built-in setups. Always test the results after upgrading.

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