Starting conversion via a batch file

You must create a batch file for the conversion of an *.ifc file to an *.inpx network file. Here you will have to enter the conversion parameters.

The conversion may take a few minutes, depending on the data volume. The conversion runs on the external IFC2INPX.exe application. IFC2INPX.exe is stored to the ..\exe\IFC2INPX directory of your Viswalk installation.

1.  Create a blank *.txt file in a directory of your choice.

2.  Name the *.txt file according to your requirements.

3.  Rename *.txt file with a *.bat file extension.

In the *.bat file, the conversion parameters have to follow the following scheme:

ifc2inpx [inputfile[outputfile]] [/IntersectionHeight=h] [/Bogentoleranz=c] [/IfcElements=e] [/ImportPropertySets] [/DefaultStairWidth=w] [/ImportMaterials] [/SplitSlabsIntoStrata] [/StratumHeight=s]

 

Parameter	Description
inputfile	Input file: Path to the *.ifc file to be converted.
outputfile	Output file: Path to the *.inpx file which the network created by conversion should be saved to.
IntersectionHeight	Intersection height (Starting conversion in Viswalk): At intersection height, Ifc elements are intersected above each imported level (in parallel to the base area) in order to find out whether network file elements need to be stored as obstacles. Without this parameter the default value is 1.00 m.
h	Intersection height in meters, decimals > 0
ChordTolerance	Chord tolerance (Starting conversion in Viswalk): The chord tolerance value specifies the maximum distance between the edges of the polygon and the actual circle before generating an additional corner point in the polygon. Without this parameter the default value is 10.00 mm.
c	Chord tolerance in millimeters, decimals from 0 to 1,000
IfcElements	List of Ifc elements to be converted during import. All elements enabled for conversion will be converted by default.
e	List of Ifc elements to be converted during import (separated by commas) such as Slabs, Walls, Windows, Columns, CurtainWalls, Plates, Stairs, Ramps
ImportPropertySets	Create user-defined attributes based on the IFC property sets. Without this parameter the property sets will not be imported.
DefaultStairWidth	Default value for the width of stairways, if the width cannot be specified on the basis of the geometry. Without this parameter the default value is 2.0 meter.
w	Default value for the width of stairways in meters, decimals > 0
ImportMaterials	Creating a display type that belongs to an imported element, using each imported material Material is imported by default.
StratifySlabs	Stratifying slabs: Modeling sloped ceilings and floors by stratifying the resultant pedestrian areas. Multiple pedestrian areas with different Z-coordinates are created. Without this parameter, slabs will not be stratified.
StratumHeight	If the StratifySlabs parameter is set: Defines the stratum height at which slabs are intersected. Without this parameter the default value is 0.1 meter.
s	Stratum height in meters, decimals > 0

4.  Enter the conversion parameters of your choice in the *.bat file.

5.  Save the *.bat file.

You can run the *.bat file at the time of your choice and thus start conversion of an *.ifc file to an *.inpx network file:

6.  Double-click the *.bat file.

The batch process initiates the conversion and stores an *.inpx network file.

An example of two project conversions

Two projects are converted to two *.inpx files:

ifc2inpx c:\projects\project1.ifc c:\projects\Viswalk\project1.inpx

ifc2inpx c:\projects\project2.ifc c:\projects\Viswalk\project2.inpx

An example of a project conversion with different intersection heights

A project with different intersection heights is converted to six *.inpx files. Default values will be used, if parameters are not specified.

ifc2inpx c:\projects\projectX.ifc c:\projects\Viswalk\projectX-ISH-01.inpx /IntersectionHeight: 0.1
ifc2inpx c:\projects\projectX.ifc c:\projects\Viswalk\projectX-ISH-05.inpx /IntersectionHeight: 0.5
ifc2inpx c:\projects\projectX.ifc c:\projects\Viswalk\projectX-ISH-10.inpx /IntersectionHeight: 1.0

ifc2inpx c:\projects\projectX.ifc c:\projects\Viswalk\projectX-ISH-15.inpx /IntersectionHeight: 1.5

ifc2inpx c:\projects\projectX.ifc c:\projects\Viswalk\projectX-ISH-20.inpx /IntersectionHeight: 2.0

ifc2inpx c:\projects\projectX.ifc c:\projects\Viswalk\projectX-ISH-25.inpx /IntersectionHeight: 2.5

Example of a project conversion using the fcElements parameter

If six projects mentioned in the example above contain areas and ramps, you may use the fcElements as follows:

ifc2inpx c:\projects\projectX.ifc c:\projects\Viswalk\projectX-ISH-01.inpx /IntersectionHeight: 0.1

ifc2inpx c:\projects\projectX.ifc c:\projects\Viswalk\projectX-ISH-05.inpx /IntersectionHeight: 0.5 /IfcElements: Walls,Windows,Columns,CurtainWalls,Plates

ifc2inpx c:\projects\projectX.ifc c:\projects\Viswalk\projectX-ISH-10.inpx /IntersectionHeight: 1.0 /IfcElements: Walls,Windows,Columns,CurtainWalls,Plates

ifc2inpx c:\projects\projectX.ifc c:\projects\Viswalk\projectX-ISH-15.inpx /IntersectionHeight: 1.5 /IfcElements: Walls,Windows,Columns,CurtainWalls,Plates

ifc2inpx c:\projects\projectX.ifc c:\projects\Viswalk\projectX-ISH-20.inpx /IntersectionHeight: 2.0 /IfcElements: Walls,Windows,Columns,CurtainWalls,Plates

ifc2inpx c:\projects\projectX.ifc c:\projects\Viswalk\projectX-ISH-25.inpx /IntersectionHeight: 2.5 /IfcElements: Walls,Windows,Columns,CurtainWalls,Plates

In this case, areas and ramps are only included in the first *.inpx file you created. Using the Read Additionally feature in Viswalk allows you to combine this data with the conversion results you get from other *.inpx files.

Show list of possible parameters

• ►  Enter ifc2inpx without further parameters in the Windows command line prompt.

The list of possible parameters is displayed.