Explode IFC Shell
COMMAND LICENSING AND DEFAULT MENU LOCATIONS
- The Explode IFC Shell command is part of the RPS Data Prep Toolbox.
- The command is located on the Data Prep macros menu ribbon.
- The command is located in the Modify menu group.
COMMAND DESCRIPTION
Imported IFC data or mesh objects from DWG and DGN files can be exploded into component lines and points using this command. The command handles solids by breaking them into top, bottom, and side objects on separate layers so that the data can be used as source data for surface models. 3D linear features can be recreated through the use of the Filter by Alignment command.
SETUP AND CONFIGURATION
Command Interface Description
The Explode IFC Shell command dialog looks as follows:
IFC Shell:
The command requires that you select IFC shell objects that you wish to explode into points and lines that can be used for surface modeling. Select the imported IFC shells here.
TBC creates IFC Shell objects from imported IFC files as well as imported DWG and DGN files where the designers have created component mesh, surface mesh, or solids in their model.
Line Layer:
Select the layer onto which you want to place the exploded IFC Shell linework. You can use the naming {L}-Lines Top or {L}-Lines Bottom syntax, where {L} is the source IFC Shell object’s layer name and the name is extended with -Lines Top, etc.
EXECUTE
Filter by Face Direction:
The faces of an IFC Shell object have a “Normal,” i.e., a line from the centroid of the face that points outward from the object. That normal can point upward (typically a top face), or downward (typically a bottom face), or sideways (a side face/vertical face). CAD systems that create these IFC faces do not use this consistently in all cases, so while Normal Up can mean top face, it is not always the case. We have also seen CAD files where Normal Up can mean a top face in some objects and a bottom face in others within the same file. We recommend that you create the Normal Up and Normal Down outputs, and then rename the layers to Top and Bottom once you see what you get from the explode process.
You have the following options to select from here:
- Include all - this will create all face-edge linework from the top, bottom, and side faces of the selected IFC objects. If the IFC Shell is a single surface model (with no thickness or top and bottom components), this would be the option to select.
- Normal Up - This should mean the top faces of the IFC object, but you cannot rely on that being the case in all instances.
- Normal Down - In the same object, these will be the opposite faces from the Normal Up faces. This should be the bottom faces of the IFC object; however, you cannot rely on that being the case.
- Vertical Face - This should be the vertical faces in the IFC object. For subgrade material layer “slabs,” this would be the edges of the material slab. Be aware that in a finished grade surface, vertical faces can also mean retaining walls or other vertical elements in the surface model.
Create CAD Points checkbox:
If you wish to generate CAD points at the ends of all the exploded lines, check this checkbox. This is typically unnecessary unless required for your workflow.
APPLY BUTTON
When you tap Apply, the selected IFC Shell/Mesh Objects will be exploded and the command will prepare itself for another selection set and another process execution. If you do not want to make a second selection and repeat the process, tap Close to finish the process.
CLOSE BUTTON
Closes the command without further execution.
VIDEO DEMONSTRATION
The following video shows how to utilize the Explode IFC Shell command:
USE CASE VIDEOS
The following videos show the use of the Explode IFC Shell command in a workflow context:
FEEDBACK AND ENHANCEMENT REQUESTS
If you would like to provide feedback on the use of the Explode IFC Shell command or to request enhancements or improvements to the command, please click Reply below.