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XBIM or IFC++ ?

1. J by joselaks on 6 Apr 2020, edited 7 Apr 2020 # +1 votes

   I want to start an open source project that allows budgeting from an IFC file (the famous 5D !!).

   I have experience in construction budgeting commercial software, but I want open it to the open source world and I need to add an IFC file reader.

   What do you recommend ? to use XBIM or IFC ++? I know they are written on different platforms, but I ask which of the two is more powerful and interesting to take as a basis in the development of my project.

2. M by Moult on 6 Apr 2020 # +2 votes

   I recommend to use IfcOpenShell. It has a very strong presence in the open source world and is used by FreeCAD, Blender, BIMServer, among others.

   I do not recommend IFC++, as it is less comprehensive than IfcOpenShell.

   I view XBim and IfcOpenShell as equal from a technical perspective, but I have a preference for IfcOpenShell as XBim is used more in proprietary applications, and is much more Windows-centric, whereas IfcOpenShell is very much cross-platform. Also, IfcOpenShell has Python bindings.

3. J by joselaks on 6 Apr 2020 #

   Tanks @Moult  !!!!!

4. J by joselaks on 7 Apr 2020 #

   Is there an example of a simple IFC file viewer built with IfcOpenShell that can be edited and compiled in QT? Where can i get it?

5. M by Moult on 7 Apr 2020 #

   Yep there is, see this page: https://thinkmoult.com/how-to-view-bim-ifc-files-linux.html

   In short, you create a Python script and run those lines of code, which will launch it. Be sure you have all dependencies installed first. It uses PyQt.

6. J by joselaks on 7 Apr 2020 #

   Thanks again @Moult 

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