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Catalog IFC Models

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System / CAD and BIM Manager / Catalog BIM Models
Technologies / Innovative Solutions / Forge Integration / Catalog BIM Models

This walks you through the end-to-end steps for cataloging an IFC model in Archibus Web Central, from loading the model to using the resulting room and equipment data in day-to-day workflows. It is written for BIM/CAD Managers, Facility Managers, and Implementation Consultants.

Overview

Cataloging an IFC model in Archibus brings room and equipment data from your BIM model directly into Archibus, where it can be used for space management, asset management, and maintenance workflows; without manual data entry.

Known Limitations

The following are out of scope for the initial IFC cataloging release and may be addressed in future iterations:

  • Catalog tagged furniture
  • Linear assets such as pipes or ducts that span multiple floors
  • Furniture standards
  • Asset systems
  • Room area values from IFC model properties (area is set to 0)
  • Full equipment property population from IFC model data

Contents

  • Prerequisites
  • Step.1 Load your IFC model from Autodesk Construction Cloud in the Catalog BIM Models view.
  • Step 2. Assign the model to a building and map IFC levels to Archibus floors.
  • Step 3. Map IFC categories to Archibus equipment categories.
  • Step 4. Catalog rooms and equipment into Archibus.
  • Step 5. Verify and use the cataloged data in downstream workflows.

Prerequisites

Before starting, confirm the following:

  • Your IFC model(s) are uploaded to Autodesk Construction Cloud (Autodesk Docs or BIM 360 Document Management).
  • If you have multiple discipline models (e.g., Architectural, Mechanical, Electrical), one model must be designated as the main or federated model, with the others linked to it. Linked models must represent different disciplines of the same building, not different project phases.
  • You have the appropriate permissions in Archibus to access the Catalog BIM Models view.
  • The building record exists in Archibus, or you are prepared to create a new one.

Step 1. Load the IFC Model in Catalog BIM Models

  1. In Archibus Web Central, navigate to the BIM module and open Catalog BIM Models.
  2. Browse your Autodesk Docs projects to locate your IFC model.
  3. Select the IFC model to load it into the Catalog BIM Models viewer and the model displays in the viewer, similar to how Revit models are displayed.

Multi-model support: If multiple IFC models are linked (e.g., Architectural + MEP disciplines), a model selector is displayed. Levels and rooms are aggregated across all loaded models automatically.

  1. From the toolbar, click the BIM Viewer Settings icon and the panel displays. See BIM Viewer Settings Command.
  2. Under Model Loading, check the Load all in folder check box and this loads the entire visualization and includes all disciplines such as electrical, mechanical.
  3. Click the Save button.

Step 2. Assign the Model to a Building and Map Floors

Step 2.1 Assign the Model to a Building

  • Existing building: Select a building in Archibus that is not already associated with another model (Revit or IFC).
  • New building: Create a new building record directly from the Catalog BIM Models view. Note that the Building ID must be unique and entered in uppercase.

Step 2.2 Map IFC Levels to Archibus Floors

  1. IFC levels (stories) from the model are displayed in the view.
  2. For each level, either:
    • Assign it to an existing floor in Archibus, or
    • Create a new floor record.
  3. Save the mappings. Only mapped levels are available for cataloging.

Validation: Duplicate building IDs, floor codes, and room IDs are rejected with error messages. Field lengths and reference values are validated automatically.

Step 3. Map IFC Categories

Before cataloging equipment, IFC element categories must be mapped to Archibus equipment categories using the IFC Category Mapper.

  1. In the Catalog BIM Models view, click the Map IFC Categories clipboard_73b301fe-95b3-4edf-a025-4a6be0598926.png icon and a list of all unique IFC categories found in the model is displayed.

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  1. For each IFC category, use the drop-down to map it to the corresponding Archibus (Revit-style) category.
  2. Click the Save button to save the mappings. These are stored in the database and reused in subsequent catalog operations.

Why this step matters: Without category mappings, equipment elements cannot be queried or cataloged. Complete this step before cataloging equipment.

Step 4. Catalog Rooms

Archibus offers three options for cataloging rooms from an IFC model.

Option How to use When to use
Catalog Rooms (single level) Select a level, then click Catalog Rooms Catalog one floor at a time
Catalog All Rooms Click Catalog All Rooms Catalog all mapped levels in one operation
Catalog Selected Rooms Select individual room elements in the viewer, then click Catalog Selected Rooms Catalog a specific subset of rooms

What is created in Archibus:

  • Each cataloged room creates a room record with the following attributes:
  • Room number
  • Building and floor (from the level mapping in Step 2)
  • Drawing name and level name
  • Model external ID (ehandle)

Note: Room area values are set to 0 in this release. The area populates from IFC model properties and this will be supported in a future update.

Step 5. Catalog Equipment

  1. Click the Query button in the Catalog BIM Models view, see Search by Query Model.
  2. From the Levels drop-down, select a level(s) and this populates from the floors assigned in Step 2.

clipboard_9fd2ee53-0d61-419d-b9c0-eefc79c7ed8c.png

  1. From the Categories drop-down, select a category and this populates from the IFC category mappings created in Step 3.

clipboard_f218ef34-dc69-44e8-b1c8-05d002d396f6.png

As you make the selections, the matching elements are highlighted on the model and Assets List displays the elements with a category prefix.

  1. Review the assets in the list.
  2. From the Prefix field, select the Prefix, such as FURN-, PLUM-, AREA-, or ICF-
  3. Click the Catalog Assets to create equipment records in Archibus.

What is created in Archibus:

Each cataloged asset creates an equipment record associated with the building, floor, and category. The asset prefix defined during cataloging is applied to all records created in that operation.

Note: Not all equipment properties will be populated from the IFC model in this release. Additional property mapping will be supported in a future update.

Step 6. Verify in the BIM Viewer

  1. Navigate to the Archibus BIM Viewer, see Working with the BIM Viewer.
  2. Select the building and floors that you cataloged and the IFC model loads with cataloged rooms and equipment visible.
  3. Cataloged rooms and assets support highlights and labels in the viewer.
  4. Right-click on a cataloged room or equipment element > More Actions > View Details to see the full Archibus record.

Step 7. Use the data in downstream workflows

When cataloged, rooms and equipment are first-class records in Archibus and can be used immediately.

Data Type Available In Example Use
Rooms Space Console, Space Management Space allocation, occupancy planning, portfolio reporting
Equipment Asset Management, Maintenance Preventive maintenance scheduling, asset tracking, work order creation