Choose between which IFC schema version to use when creating a new project. IFC4 is recommended for all new projects.
The list of IFC specifications can be viewed on the `BuildingSMART website <https://technical.buildingsmart.org/standards/ifc/ifc-schema-specifications/>`__.
Supported versions are `IFC2X3 <https://standards.buildingsmart.org/IFC/RELEASE/IFC2x3/FINAL/HTML/>`__ (2005), `IFC4 <https://standards.buildingsmart.org/IFC/RELEASE/IFC4/FINAL/HTML/>`__ (2013) and `IFC4X3 <https://standards.buildingsmart.org/IFC/RELEASE/IFC4_3/>`__ (2024).
Choose between metric and imperial units of measurement when creating a project. Project data is stored in this Unit System and displayed according to e.g. Length Unit, Area Unit, Volume Unit. Properly changing the Unit System after project creation requires conversion. See `Blender Manual : Scene Properties : Units <https://docs.blender.org/manual/en/latest/scene_layout/scene/properties.html#units>`_ for a description of changing the display units e.g. from Feet to Adaptive (enable Separate Units option) for Feet-and-Inches.
Depending on the unit system, choose the default unit to be used for all length measurements. Lengths are used for moving objects around in the 3D scene, as well as lengths, widths, height, and depth quantity take-off data.
**Area Unit**
Depending on the unit system, choose the default unit to be used for all area measurements. Areas are typically used for quantity take-off.
**Volume Unit**
Depending on the unit system, choose the default unit to be used for all volume measurements. Volumes are typically used for quantity take-off.
**Template**
Choose between starting a completely blank project with no objects, or with preloaded object assets (such as wall types, beam types, etc) that you can use immediately.
You can start with a blank project and load in more assets later from a
library using the IFC Project Library panel.
Buttons
^^^^^^^
**Create Project**
Create a new project based on the selected settings and template.
By default, your project will be created with a basic spatial tree with the structure ``IfcProject > IfcSite >
IfcBuilding > IfcStorey``. Template might include additional colllections and classes, such as Types. You can see the tree of collections in the outliner when this is done.
Caveat: In this mode you can't unload the IFC project and go back to the Project Setup Mode. You have to save the IFC file first and then unload the project.
Since the file is not yet saved, the "Project Info" panel displays the following messages:
|FILE| **No File Found**
**File Not Saved**
This indicates that the current IFC project has not been saved to a file.
Fields
^^^^^^
|FILE_CACHE| **IFC Schema** (read-only)
Indicates the version of the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) schema used by the created file. This would usually be "IFC4".
|FILE_HIDDEN| **IFC MVD**
Specifies the Model View Definition (MVD) used by the loaded IFC file. An MVD defines a subset of the IFC schema for a specific data exchange purpose. By default this is "DesignTransferView".
Clicking this button switches the "Project Info" panel to `editing mode <Project Info Editing Mode_>`_, allowing users to modify the IFC header fields.
Shows the location of the loaded IFC file on the user's file system. Example: "/home/user/Docum...lenderbim/demo.ifc". If part of the path is hidden by ellipsis, hovering over it will reveal the full file path.
This button allows users to choose and load a different IFC file. Clicking the button will open a file browser dialog, enabling users to navigate to and select the desired IFC file.
Clicking the pencil button (which doesn't exist when in the Project Setup Mode) switches the "Project Info" panel to `editing mode <Project Info Editing Mode_>`_, allowing users to modify the IFC header.
The header section has information about:
- the IFC version used
- the application that exported the file
- the date and time when the export was done
- other optional user defined fields like the author's name, company and authorizing person of the file
The IFC Schema version cannot be edited in this mode. However, you have the option to upgrade the IFC schema when opening a file.
Indicates the version of the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) schema used by the loaded file. Example: "IFC4"
**IFC MVD**
Specifies the Model View Definition (MVD) used by the loaded IFC file. An MVD defines a subset of the IFC schema for a specific data exchange purpose. Example: "DesignTransferView"
**Author**
Displays the author of the IFC file.
**Author Email**
Shows the email address of the IFC file author.
**Organisation**
Indicates the organization associated with the IFC file.
Shows the authoriser of the IFC file. Example: "Nobody". The authoriser typically represents the person or entity responsible for approving the IFC file and its contents.
allowing them to customize which elements are loaded and how they are represented in the Blender scene.
This can be particularly helpful when working with large and complex IFC models, as it enables users to selectively load and optimize specific portions
-**Decomposition**: filter the IFC elements based on their decomposition within the building hierarchy, such as Level 1 or Building A.
-**IFC Class**: Filter elements by their IFC class, such as "IfcWall", "IfcColumn", or "IfcDoor".
-**IFC Type**: Filter elements by their IFC type, which represents the specific subtype or predefined type of an element, such as "IfcSlabType/100mmConcrete".
-**Whitelist**: Filter elements based on a custom query, where only elements matching the query are included in the loaded model.
-**Blacklist**: Filter elements based on a custom query, where elements matching the query are excluded from the loaded model.
When "Whitelist" or "Blacklist" is chosen, users can input a custom query in the "Filter Query" field to define the specific criteria for filtering elements.
Maximum distance between vertices in a tessellation (mesh approximation).
Higher values result in a coarser mesh, while lower values produce a denser mesh with more vertices.
**False Origin Mode**
Sets the origin point or reference point for the loaded model geometry. This can be useful for aligning or positioning the model within the Blender scene.
There are three modes available for setting the False Origin:
-**Automatic**: An automatic false origin will be detected and applied based on the geometry with large coordinate values.
This mode is useful when the model's coordinates are extremely large or outside the typical Blender coordinate range.
-**Manual**: You can specify the false origin coordinates manually.
This mode allows you to enter the desired origin coordinates in the project's units (e.g., meters, millimeters) where the Blender origin (0,0,0) should be positioned.
-**Disabled**: The model will be loaded with its original local coordinates, without any false origin adjustments.
This mode is suitable when the model's coordinates are within the standard Blender coordinate range and do not require any origin shifting.
When the "Manual" mode is selected, an additional field **False Origin** will appear,
allowing you to enter the desired false origin coordinates in the project's units, separated by commas (e.g., "20.1,10.9,-3.1").
Applying a false origin can help prevent precision issues and ensure accurate positioning and scaling of the model within the Blender scene,
especially when working with large-scale projects or models with coordinates outside the typical Blender range.
-**Filter Spatial Elements**: Available when the Filter Mode option is selected.
-**CPU Multiprocessing**: Enables the use of multiple CPU cores to speed up the loading process.
-**Clean Meshes**: Automatically cleans and optimizes the geometry of the loaded elements.
-**Cache**: Caches the loaded elements to improve performance.
-**Load Geometry**:
-**Native Meshes**: Loads the native geometry of elements instead of using Blender's built-in representation.
-**Merge Materials by Color**: Merges materials with similar colors to reduce the number of unique materials in the model.
-**For Coordination Only**: Loads the model in a coordination-only mode, which may disable certain features or simplify the representation of elements.
Buttons
^^^^^^^
-**Load Project Elements**: Loads the IFC model with the selected filters, options, and element range applied.
-**Unload Project**: Unload the currently loaded IFC file from the Blender scene.
