Import Problem with a specific IFC file

Z by zoomer on 15 Dec 2022, edited 18 Dec 2022 #

I am not sure if I am at the right place for this here in Blender BIM.

BTW

I am on Apple ARM, Mac M1 Mini 16 GB, macOS Ventura 13.2 public Beta

But I have an IFC File that will not load in Speckle - and Blender BIM.

I think both are using the same Open IFC interpreter.

It took me some time to realize, as the IFC file always opened without any

issues in proprietary Apps like Vectorworks (my initial exporter source),

Bricscad or OpenIFCViewer.

(Thought about using pre releases of BlenderBIOM and Speckle or latest

macOS public betas and such)

But if I get the error message correct, the IFC may not be 100% following

IFC standards or have issues. Also other IFC files from (Revit) clients

import fine in Blender BIM.

So in case someone is interested, I will attach Blender's error message :

(And could provide the IFC)

"

Python: Traceback (most recent call last):

File "/Users/micha/Library/Application Support/Blender/3.5/scripts/addons/blenderbim/bim/module/project/operator.py", line 533, in execute

bpy.ops.bim.load_project_elements()

File "/Applications/Blender350.app/Contents/Resources/3.5/scripts/modules/bpy/ops.py", **line 113, in call

ret = _op_call(self.idname_py(), None, kw)**

RuntimeError: Error: Python: Traceback (most recent call last):

File "/Users/micha/Library/Application Support/Blender/3.5/scripts/addons/blenderbim/bim/module/project/operator.py", line 590, in execute

ifc_importer.execute()

File "/Users/micha/Library/Application Support/Blender/3.5/scripts/addons/blenderbim/bim/import_ifc.py", line 248, in execute

self.place_objects_in_collections()

File "/Users/micha/Library/Application Support/Blender/3.5/scripts/addons/blenderbim/bim/import_ifc.py", line 1642, in place_objects_in_collections

self.place_object_in_collection(self.file.by_id(ifc_definition_id), obj)

File "/Users/micha/Library/Application Support/Blender/3.5/scripts/addons/blenderbim/bim/import_ifc.py", line 1646, in place_object_in_collection

self.place_object_in_decomposition_collection(element, obj)

File "/Users/micha/Library/Application Support/Blender/3.5/scripts/addons/blenderbim/bim/import_ifc.py", line 1661, in place_object_in_decomposition_collection

return self.collections[aggregate.GlobalId].objects.link(obj)

KeyError: '3i7GgNlU502RvpZj$X0Sx2'

Location: /Applications/Blender350.app/Contents/Resources/3.5/scripts/modules/bpy/ops.py:113

"

Thank you all for your great work !

T by theoryshaw on 15 Dec 2022 #

Hi, can you share the IFC file, or a parred down version of it?

D by DavidE on 16 Dec 2022 #

You could try to check the file with the IfcCheckingTool or the FZK-Viewer (same Link - and the same functionality), they have a Ifc Schema validation function. I mostly used them for files that do not comply with the definitions in the standard but they could also be useful for more serious errors in the IFC, I assume.

M by Moult on 16 Dec 2022 #

The BlenderBIM Add-on has a validation tool in the IFC Debug panel you can try.

If the model is private you can send to dion@thinkmoult.com.

Z by zoomer on 16 Dec 2022 #

@DavidE said:

You could try to check the file with the IfcCheckingTool or the FZK-Viewer (same Link - and the same functionality), they have a Ifc Schema validation function. I mostly used them for files that do not comply with the definitions in the standard but they could also be useful for more serious errors in the IFC, I assume.

Didn't know this. Cool !

But it is Windows only. Will need some time ....

Z by zoomer on 16 Dec 2022 #

@Moult said:

The BlenderBIM Add-on has a validation tool in the IFC Debug panel you can try.

If the model is private you can send to dion@thinkmoult.com.

Will try validation later.

I will send the IFC file with another DM

Z by zoomer on 16 Dec 2022 #

@zoomer said:

Will try validation later.

Ohm, I feel a bit overcharged by the IFC Debug Panel :)

(I am just a mere Mac User)

M by Moult on 17 Dec 2022 #

Thanks for the file. Your file has lots of validation problems, you can also get a report by uploading to https://validate.buildingsmart.org

Despite the validation problems, the loading issue is actually technically a bug. It seems as though your file has "aggregated types". This is the first time I have ever seen a model with aggregated types but it is technically valid. Thanks to you, this is now supported: https://github.com/IfcOpenShell/IfcOpenShell/commit/30dc13f1a7445b37b471ba778d0a6b531bf26f41

Z by zoomer on 17 Dec 2022 #

Great !

But it seems like I should check my VW IFC Export Settings because of "aggregated types".

It is a bit hard to understand how the settings really work in VW.

And I am even not yet sure what I really want for e.g. multi-ply Walls.

Simplified single Solid or separate Solids for each Ply.

AFAIK "aggregated" was an IFC 2x3 mixture of both, but no more existent in IFC 4.0 (?)

Vectorworks states they were the first IFC 4.0 certified App.

For my experience IFC 2x3 still looked more reliable so far. And you can't just switch between

IFC versions. Because when you do, you have to re-tag all your custom geometry manually

again :)

For me it looks like BlenderBIM is a step a head in IFC and maybe more functional than

my CAD Apps.

What are the IFC Versions that BlendeBIM recommends or likes best ?

M by Moult on 18 Dec 2022 #

IFC 4 is always recommended. It has significantly more features across every single discipline.

Z by zoomer on 18 Dec 2022 #

Thank you.

so I will switch/force everything to IFC 4.x where possible from now on.