Free Add-on: IFC Exporter for Blender
Allan Brito writes:
You will often see Blender as part of a workflow for architectural projects where it receives 3D Data for visualization from softwares like Revit, ArchiCAD, and BricsCAD. Those softwares will use BIM technology to develop architecture and engineering projects further.
A free Add-on may invert the project development workflow and make Blender provide 3D data for such tools. As a brilliant effort from developer Dion Moult, an exporter that will allow Blender to generate IFC files is under development.
An IFC file can describe 3D data from BIM (Building Information Modeling). It is a great format to exchange information between BIM tools. Nowadays, you can import IFC files to Blender using the ifcOpenShell and Python.
With the new IFC Exporter for Blender, you will be able to create files compatible with a BIM workflow. That will open a world of opportunities for architects and engineers working with Blender. Not to mention new business opportunities for Blender users, like providing content for project development.
For instance, you will be able to create furniture models that will fit into a project developer in Revit.
The Add-on is still in the early stages of development, but it already works. You can try it yourself by downloading the latest release from Github.
looking for help on ifc export.. import works great.
thanks a lot
lukas
had support yesterday.. be careful not to select the blender llight at export stage..
but also there was a little bug (unseen) at import stage which made the export imposible.
Looking forward for a stable version of the add-on. I believe Dion could need some support from the Blender community.
Yes this add-on is unique and a lot of money worth. But it needs a lot of attention to keep pace with the ifc specs. Would be great if Blender had a little budget for this.
Looking forward to see blender or FreeCAD evolve to MEP planing tool: the physics (mechanical, light) modules are already there.. probably coming soon will be hydro, electro and thermo modules.
Greenbuilding xbXML is already there (openstudio), piping in FreeCAD.. should not take long anymore.
Great work. thanks to all for this.
Thanks very much Lukas for your testing! Your bug has been fixed and is now available in today’s build :)
With this addon, Blender and FreeCAD will be the only BIM modeler software (free and open source software) available in the market .
…and a new nightmare reason for Autodesk.
Thanks Rafael! It would be awesome to get as many people testing it in real life production workflows as much as possible! With this we can really change the current monopoly situation in the AEC industry.
May be of interest – a Revit and BlenderBIM comparison: https://blenderbim.org/blenderbim-vs-revit.html