Revit to IFC: An Export Guide - Part 8 - IfcElement - Part 2

Revit Family Parameters and IFC Export

The tutorial explains how to configure Revit families so their attributes and properties export to the correct IFC levels.

Choosing Where to Add Parameters

A single Revit category may export as several IFC classes. Adding every IFC-related parameter as a project parameter can clutter the model with fields that do not apply to every element. Use family-level parameters when appropriate.

Set type-level properties in the family. In the chair example, the family includes parameters for IFC attribute overrides and the Pset_FurnitureTypeCommon property set. A custom IfcAssemblyPlace parameter is also added because it is not included in the IFC exporter’s shared parameter file.

Choose type or instance parameters based on the documentation requirements. For example, if the color varies by individual chair, make it an instance parameter in Revit. It will then appear at the IFC occurrence level rather than under the type’s common property set.

Verifying the IFC Export

The tutorial checks the exported IFC in a viewer. Type-level values appear on the IFC furniture type and are also applied to the furniture occurrence.

Occurrence-level fields, such as predefined type and object type, can also be populated. The individual name can be set using the IFC name attribute at instance level.

Main Guidance

Align Revit family parameters with documentation needs, then verify that they export to the intended IFC type or occurrence level.

Source: Narrator presenting a Revit-to-IFC export guide.