IFC Page

Use this page to adjust the options for the IFC file reader.

Conversion Method

Select an option from the drop-down list to specify the IFC conversion method used:

Legacy - to use the Navisworks converter. This is a legacy method which may not convert all IFC files correctly, but does process files more quickly. This method will not be developed further.
Modern - to use a Revit-based converter. This method produces better quality conversions, but may take longer to process files. It is compatible with the IFC add-in available from the Autodesk App Store.
v3 - This method processes files more quickly than the Modern method. It is compatible with the IFC add-in available from the Autodesk App Store.
v4 - to use the recommended Revit-based converter (default). This method adopts the Autodesk Translation Framework, enabling support for IFC v4.3, a faster loading time compared to v3, improved geometric fidelity, and improved support for large coordinates.

Note: Depending which option you choose, different options are available on the rest of this dialog.

Representation Detail

Specifies the level of visual representation of IFC elements.

IFC elements can have multiple visual representations, such as bounding boxes (simplest), lines, styled lines, polygons, and styled polygons (most complex). Loading and showing all of these representations can lead to cluttered visuals and memory overheads.

Select from the following options:

Highest Only - to load and show the most complex level of detail available while ignoring simpler ones.
Show Highest - to load all representations, but only show the highest level of detail available.
Show All - to load and show everything available.

This setting controls the greatest distance between the edge of a facet and the actual geometry.

If this distance is greater than the Max Facet Deviation value, Navisworks adds more facets.

If the Max Facet Deviation is set to 0, then this function is ignored.

Show Spatial Hierarchy

Select this check box to show IFC model as a tree structure in the Selection Tree.

Clear this check box to show IFC model as a simple list of elements in the Selection Tree.

Use Property-Based Colors

Select this check box to convert and use property-based colors.

Tip: If an IFC file is predominantly black when loaded, clear this check box to revert back to using IFC-standard colors.

Convert Spaces

Select this check box to bring through and visualize spaces.

When this check box is clear, the file reader ignores spaces.

Faceting Factor

Enter the required value to control the level of faceting that takes place.

The faceting factor must be greater or equal to 0, where 0 results in the faceting factor being turned off. The default value is 1. When you double the value, you get twice the number of facets. When you halve the value you get half as many facets. Larger faceting factors result in more polygons to a model and larger Navisworks files.

Convert Axes

Select this check box to convert object axes when importing IFC files.

When this check box is clear, object axes are excluded, improving the viewing and navigation experience (default).

Create Selection Sets

Select this check box to automatically create selection sets when appending IFC models to Navisworks (default).

When this check box is clear, selection sets are not created.

Convert Spaces/Openings/Storeys

When the Modern conversion method is selected, control the visibility of IFC entities by selecting an option from the drop-down list:

Hide - to bring through spaces/openings/storeys as hidden (default).
Show - to bring through spaces/openings/storeys as visible.
Skip - to ignore spaces/openings/storeys.

Shared Coordinates

Select this check box to load files using the shared coordinates specified in the IFC file.

Navisworks converts the shared coordinates into a transform that is applied to the model, reflecting any X,Y,Z offset from the origin.

Shared Coordinates Include True North

Select this check box to load files using the shared coordinates specified in the IFC file with True North.

Navisworks converts the shared coordinates into a transform that is applied to the model, reflecting any X,Y,Z offset from the origin and any rotation to True North specified in the IFC file.