This article explains how to send an SAF model to IFC file, using BIM Expert.
1. Good to know
SAF (Structural Analysis Format) is a file format that is supported by many programs, so this workflow can also be used when you want to go
- From SCIA Engineer to IFC
- From Risa to IFC
- From Graphisoft / Archicad to IFC
- From Allplan to IFC
- From RadImpex to IFC
- From AxisVM to IFC
- From Sofistik to IFC
- From Dlubal to IFC
- From mbAECStrukturEditor to IFC
- From D.I.E to IFC
- From InfoGraph to IFC
- From NextFEM to IFC
- From MasterSap to IFC
- From Prota Structure to IFC
- From Karamba3D to IFC
In the relevant software, make an export to SAF file and continue with the steps below.
2. Send model from SAF to IFC
2.1 From SAF to BIM Expert
In the Model tab, select ‘Import’. Next, choose ‘SAF’. Click
to continue.
2.1.1 Material mapping
Database materials such as steel (e.g. S235, ASTM-Grades), concrete (e.g. C25/30, M50) and timber (e.g. C24, D50, GL28c) are mapped automatically. In some cases, the match is not automatically found, because the name differs (Concrete grade C25 instead of Concrete grade C25/30). In that case, you can select the correct material from the database. Below the material list, there is a list of the current selected material’s properties.
If you cannot find a suited counterpart in the BIM Expert database, the material can be added as new.
2.1.2 Section mapping
Database sections (such as I, H, UB, UC, W, C, U, O, ☐ and L sections) are mapped automatically. In some cases, the match is not automatically found, because the name differs (e.g. name is HEB300 – S235 instead of HEB300). In that case, you can select the correct cross-section from the database.
Parametric sections (e.g. rectangles, circle, trapezium, …) and user defined sections are not in the database. They should always be added as new.
The model is now in BIM Expert.
2.2 From BIM Expert to IFC
In the Model tab, select ‘Export’. Next, choose the destination, namely “IFC’. Click to continue.
By default, your IFC file be saved in the following folder
%localappdata%\BuildSoft\BIM Expert\Ifc
2.2.1 Export options
You can specify the defaults in ‘File > Settings > IFC’, such as the IFC version (scheme), file format, the destination folder and action to take after the save.
Unchecking the ‘Always use default settings’, will allow you set the options at every export operation.
