The plugin will function in 2 different ways:

1) Straighforward way is to select model items (e.g. from Selection Tree) that you want to export and export them without mapping objects. If using this way all entities in the IFC file are represented as IfcEquipmentElement.

2) Another way is to use object mappings. Then you need to create a predefined selection or search sets for each different object type in the Navisworks model and tell the plugin which IfcElement to use when exporting them.

Please download sample files here: http://www.navistools.net/download/Pdms.zip and unzip them anywhere on your computer.

Export IFC without Mappings

1) First open the sample model Pdms.nwd into the Navisworks.

2) Settings tab page is used for entering basic project information for the IFC file.

Please enter values for ProjectName, Organisation, SiteName and BuildingName fields.

3) After that please select one or more model items in the Selection Tree and press the Export to IFC button to launch the exporting process. The plugin is asking for the file name and creates an IFC File.

After finishing you can browse the IFC file with your favorite IFC Viewer.

Please note!

This gave you a basic idea of how the plugin is working. IFC elements in the final IFC file are based on your selection and the plugin will create as many IFC elements as there are selected model items when the process is started, This is true both when we are selecting model items manually or using predefined selections or mappings.

If we select individually all equipment under the /EQUIP group, the plugin will create 10 individual IfcElements, but if we select only the /EQUIP group then the plugin will create only one IfcElement that contains all the equipment.

Using Predefined Sections

With predefined selections, you can automatically select model items that are included in exporting process. Suitable predefined selection depends on native model type.

Please note!

Before selecting one of the available options, please select the top model item from the Selection Tree. Only model items that are under the manually selected model item in the hierarchy are selected.

1) Please select Pdms.nwd in the Selection Tree and Pdms zone from the Predefined Selections combo box. Now the plugin will select redefined model items for you.

Please note that predefined Pdms definition is only suitable for PDMS based files.

2) Go on by pressing the Export to IFC button.

Now the plugin will ask you to enter the IFC filename and start the exporting process

The process is executed in the back thread, so you can go on working with Navisworks. The plugin will inform you when the process is done and IFC file is saved.

Export IFC with using Mappings

If using mappings, you need to create a predefined selection or search sets for each different object type in the Navisworks model and tell the plugin which IfcElement use for each selection set when exporting them.

1) First open sample model Pdms.nwd into the Navisworks. The model already has selection sets defined.

2) Switch to the Mappings tab page and press the second toolbar button (Read Mappings XML) and open the sample Pdms.xml file. The plugin will display mappings in the DataGridView control. You can create and save new mapping files with other toolbar buttons as well as add, edit and remove definitions of existing mapping files.

3) Select the Use Mappings checkbox and then select (highlight) all the rows that you want to export in the DataGridView control.

4) Go on by pressing the Export to IFC button.

 Now the plugin will ask you to enter the IFC filename and starts the exporting process

The process is executed in the back thread, so you can go on working with Navisworks. The plugin will inform you when the process is done and IFC file is saved.

The installer that ran when you downloaded this app/plug-in from Autodesk App Store will start installing the app/plug-in. OR, simply double-click the downloaded installer to install the app/plugin. You may need to restart the Autodesk product to activate the app/plug-in. To uninstall this plug-in, exit the Autodesk product if you are currently running it, simply rerun the installer, and select the "Uninstall" button. OR, click Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features (Windows 7/8.1/10/11) and uninstall as you would any other application from your system.

Sample files

Download sample files: http://www.navistools.net/download/Pdms.zip

Purchase a permanent license online

The permanent license cost of this plugin is 500€. If you find this plugin useful, you can purchase a permanent license anytime from: https://codemill.fi/index.php/purchases