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Example Workflows

This page provides practical examples of common IFCNodes workflows.

Example 1: Extract All Wall Properties​

Goal: Get properties from all walls in the model.

Nodes used:

  1. IFCReader.LoadIFCModel
  2. IFCFilter.AllElements
  3. IFCQuery.GetProperties

Steps:

  1. Load your IFC file with IFCReader.LoadIFCModel
  2. Use IFCFilter.AllElements with baseClass set to "IfcWall"
  3. Connect the GlobalIds to IFCQuery.GetProperties (set lacing to Longest)
  4. Output is a list of property dictionaries for each wall

Example 2: Find Elements by Property Value​

Goal: Find all elements with a specific fire rating.

Nodes used:

  1. IFCReader.LoadIFCModel
  2. IFCFilter.AllElements
  3. IFCFilter.ByProperty

Steps:

  1. Load your IFC file
  2. Get all elements with IFCFilter.AllElements
  3. Use IFCFilter.ByProperty with:
    • propertyName: "FireRating"
    • comparisonOperator: "="
    • value: "2HR"
  4. Output is GlobalIds of elements with 2-hour fire rating

Example 3: Elements on a Specific Level​

Goal: Get all elements contained in a specific building storey.

Nodes used:

  1. IFCReader.LoadIFCModel
  2. IFCFilter.ElementsInSpatial

Steps:

  1. Load your IFC file
  2. Use IFCFilter.ElementsInSpatial with:
    • spatialGlobalIdOrName: "Level 1" (or the storey name)
    • includeNested: true
  3. Output is all GlobalIds on that level

Example 4: Clash Detection Between Systems​

Goal: Find clashes between structural and MEP elements.

Nodes used:

  1. IFCReader.LoadIFCModel
  2. IFCFilter.AllElements (two instances)
  3. IFCClashDetection.DetectClashes

Steps:

  1. Load your IFC file
  2. Get structural elements: IFCFilter.AllElements with baseClass "IfcBeam" or "IfcColumn"
  3. Get MEP elements: IFCFilter.AllElements with baseClass "IfcFlowSegment"
  4. Use IFCClashDetection.DetectClashes with:
    • setA: structural GlobalIds
    • setB: MEP GlobalIds
    • clearance: 0.05 (50mm clearance)
  5. Output shows all clash pairs and types

Example 5: Export Element Data to Excel​

Goal: Create a schedule of doors with their properties.

Nodes used:

  1. IFCReader.LoadIFCModel
  2. IFCFilter.AllElements
  3. IFCQuery.GetPropertyValue
  4. Dynamo Excel nodes

Steps:

  1. Load your IFC file
  2. Get all doors: IFCFilter.AllElements with baseClass "IfcDoor"
  3. For each door, get properties using IFCQuery.GetPropertyValue:
    • "Width"
    • "Height"
    • "FireRating"
  4. Combine into lists and export using Data.ExportToExcel

Example 6: Visualize Elements by Type​

Goal: Color-code elements in the viewer by their IFC class.

Nodes used:

  1. IFCReader.LoadIFCModel
  2. IFCFilter.AllElements (multiple instances)
  3. IFCViewer.ViewWithColorGroups

Steps:

  1. Load your IFC file
  2. Create separate lists:
    • Walls: IFCFilter.AllElements with "IfcWall"
    • Doors: IFCFilter.AllElements with "IfcDoor"
    • Windows: IFCFilter.AllElements with "IfcWindow"
  3. Use IFCViewer.ViewWithColorGroups with:
    • colors: ["Red", "Blue", "Green"]
    • globalIdGroups: [wallIds, doorIds, windowIds]

Example 7: Find Nearby Elements​

Goal: Find all elements within 2 meters of a selected element.

Nodes used:

  1. IFCReader.LoadIFCModel
  2. IFCSpatialQueries.GetNearbyElements

Steps:

  1. Load your IFC file
  2. Use IFCSpatialQueries.GetNearbyElements with:
    • globalId: The target element GlobalId
    • searchRadius: 2.0 (in model units)
  3. Output includes GlobalId and Distance for each nearby element

Example 8: Material Takeoff​

Goal: Get quantities grouped by material.

Nodes used:

  1. IFCReader.LoadIFCModel
  2. IFCExplore.GetMaterials
  3. IFCFilter.ElementsWithMaterial
  4. IFCQuery.GetQuantityValue

Steps:

  1. Load your IFC file
  2. Get all materials: IFCExplore.GetMaterials
  3. For each material, get elements: IFCFilter.ElementsWithMaterial
  4. Sum quantities using IFCQuery.GetQuantityValue with "NetVolume" or "NetArea"

Example 9: Model Validation​

Goal: Find elements missing required properties.

Nodes used:

  1. IFCReader.LoadIFCModel
  2. IFCFilter.AllElements
  3. IFCFilter.ByProperty

Steps:

  1. Load your IFC file
  2. Get all walls: IFCFilter.AllElements with "IfcWall"
  3. Find walls WITH fire rating: IFCFilter.ByProperty with comparisonOperator "!null"
  4. Use List.SetDifference to find walls WITHOUT fire rating
  5. Output is walls missing the required property

Example 10: AI-Assisted Analysis​

Goal: Use natural language to explore the model.

Nodes used:

  1. IFCReader.LoadIFCModel
  2. IFCChat.ChatWithIFCModel

Steps:

  1. Load your IFC file
  2. Get your API key from https://aistudio.google.com/app/api-keys
  3. Use IFCChat.ChatWithIFCModel with your API key and model
  4. In the chat window, ask questions like:
    • "What types of elements are in this model?"
    • "Show me all exterior walls"
    • "Are there any doors without fire ratings?"
    • "Find clashes between pipes and beams"