IFC Tip Series: Part 3

In this months’ tip we’ll give you some pointers on how to manage the collaboration process. We generally find that the most effective way to do this is to set up some guidelines right at the start of the project. For example:

• Responsibilities: Agree on what parts of the project fall into whose responsibility, which supports the concept of “Reference Files”. Such files (ie, the IFC model) is passed to a collaborator for them to use within their own application as a reference – it must be understood that there should be NO attempt to edit the other collaborators elements. For example, we don’t want the architect moving the structural columns just to make the foyer seem more spacious, likewise we don’t want the engineers moving other components so their steel, or ductwork can move through a space. All collaborators must understand that the workflow allows them to find potential issues and simply report these back to the Author, who will in turn edit their own model and provide an updated version.
• Project origin:  By using a project origin that is close to the building, collaborators can more easily align models.
• Building Stories should be agreed upon.  Limit the stories/levels of your project file to actual floor levels – no ‘Top of Parapet’, ‘Underside of Ceiling’ etc.
• Create an initial setout file: Such a file can be sent to the entire collaboration team, and can be used as the starting point for all future models.
• Include a Snapping Object in the setout file: By including a standard Object (for example a 1m cube) that can be ‘snapped to’ in the setout file, you will make it easier for everyone to snap faces to faces to align models.