Workspace inspired by IFCArchitect's layout is now setup by default and irrelevant Blender scene panels are hidden. You can disable this behaviour for advanced users, or use your own workspace layout but at least now there is a better "BIM-optimised" layout.

The layout uses three columns with a focus on a larger outliner (important as BIM models have lots of objects and complex hierarchies!) and properties, and removes the mostly irrelevant timeline for beginners.

src/blenderbim/blenderbim/bim/data/window/typical/IfcWindowLiningProperties.csv

@@ -1,2 +0,0 @@
-Name,foo
-TransomThickness,500

src/blenderbim/blenderbim/bim/handler.py

@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@
 # You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 # along with BlenderBIM Add-on.  If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 
+import os
 import bpy
 import json
 import addon_utils
@@ -30,6 +31,7 @@ from mathutils import Vector
 from math import cos, degrees
 
 
+cwd = os.path.dirname(os.path.realpath(__file__))
 global_subscription_owner = object()
 
 
@@ -296,3 +298,26 @@ def setDefaultProperties(scene):
     ifcopenshell.api.owner.settings.get_user = lambda ifc: core_owner.get_user(tool.Owner)
     ifcopenshell.api.owner.settings.get_application = get_application
     AuthoringData.type_thumbnails = {}
+
+    if bpy.context.preferences.addons["blenderbim"].preferences.should_setup_workspace:
+        if "BIM" in bpy.data.workspaces:
+            bpy.context.window.workspace = bpy.data.workspaces["BIM"]
+        else:
+            bpy.ops.workspace.append_activate(idname="BIM", filepath=os.path.join(cwd, "data", "workspace.blend"))
+
+        for obj in [bpy.data.objects.get("Camera"), bpy.data.objects.get("Light")]:
+            if obj:
+                bpy.data.objects.remove(obj)
+
+        for panel in [
+            "SCENE_PT_scene",
+            "SCENE_PT_unit",
+            "SCENE_PT_physics",
+            "SCENE_PT_rigid_body_world",
+            "SCENE_PT_audio",
+            "SCENE_PT_keying_sets",
+        ]:
+            try:
+                bpy.utils.unregister_class(getattr(bpy.types, panel))
+            except:
+                pass

src/blenderbim/blenderbim/bim/ui.py

@@ -133,6 +133,7 @@ class BIM_ADDON_preferences(bpy.types.AddonPreferences):
     spreadsheet_command: StringProperty(name="Spreadsheet Command", description="E.g. [['libreoffice', path]]")
     openlca_port: IntProperty(name="OpenLCA IPC Port", default=8080)
     should_hide_empty_props: BoolProperty(name="Should Hide Empty Properties", default=True)
+    should_setup_workspace: BoolProperty(name="Should Setup Workspace Layout for BIM", default=True)
     should_play_chaching_sound: BoolProperty(
         name="Should Make A Cha-Ching Sound When Project Costs Updates", default=False
     )
@@ -209,6 +210,8 @@ class BIM_ADDON_preferences(bpy.types.AddonPreferences):
         row = layout.row()
         row.prop(self, "should_hide_empty_props")
         row = layout.row()
+        row.prop(self, "should_setup_workspace")
+        row = layout.row()
         row.prop(self, "should_play_chaching_sound")
         row = layout.row()
         row.prop(self, "lock_grids_on_import")
@@ -493,7 +496,7 @@ class UIData:
 
     @classmethod
     def load(cls):
-        cls.data = { "version": cls.version() }
+        cls.data = {"version": cls.version()}
         cls.is_loaded = True
 
     @classmethod