Layer Conversion for IFC Import

File > Interoperability > IFC > IFC Translators

Choose a Translator for Import and open the Layer Conversion preset.

Use this dialog to define the method for placing the imported elements onto Archicad layers.

Create new Layers to keep original Layer structure

Archicad will create layers using the original layer names (e.g. IfcPresentationLayerAssignment) of the IFC model, and will place the imported elements onto these layers.

•Extension for new Layers: Add a custom extension (such as “IFC Model”) to each Layer name. This allows you to sort Layers by extension in Archicad’s Layer Settings.

•Layers destination: Choose a folder for IFC layers. Default destination is the root “Layers” folder.

Use existing Archicad Layers

From the Default Layer pop-up, choose an existing layer from the Archicad project on which to place imported elements.

Override default with mapping

Check this to map layers manually, instead of using the default Layer assigned from the pop-up.

To add IFC Layer names to the mapping list:

•Click new, or

•Click Merge from IFC and browse for an IFC file. The file’s layer names will be appended to the list.

Assign Layer to SEO Operators Used to Generate Openings

Some imported openings can be created in Archicad only by using Solid Element Operations. In such cases, Archicad uses operator elements to generate the openings automatically via SEO.

At IFC import, you can define the layer settings of these SEO operator elements:

•Create new dedicated Layer: Enter name for the new Layer.

•Layers destination: Choose a folder for the new Layer.

•Use existing Archicad Layer: Choose a layer from the Archicad project for SEO operator elements.

Note: If you move any of the target elements, make sure that the operator elements’ layer is shown, and move the target and operator elements together: do this to avoid modifying the original geometry of the imported elements.

Notes on Layer Conversion:

•The import process automatically sets an intersection group number for all imported layers, and this number will be different from the current project layers' intersection group number. This difference ensures that the elements on the imported layers will not intersect with the existing project elements.

•If the elements have been converted to their counterpart Archicad tool-based construction elements (that is, they have not been converted to Objects or Morphs; see Geometry Conversion for IFC Import above), then elements on identical layers might have their geometries modified due to automatic intersections. If you want to avoid this, set the intersection group number to 0.

•If layers of the same name already exist in Archicad, no new layers are created; the imported elements are placed onto the corresponding, existing Archicad layers.