This document discusses linking IFC files in Revit and using elements from linked IFC files to define room boundaries. It describes how to link IFC files, access and reference elements in linked IFC files, define rooms using IFC elements, and configure settings like room bounding and phases. It also provides information on updating links when the original IFC file changes.

1. ARCHITECTURAL ENHANCEMENTS IN REVIT 2016
IFC LINKS AND ROOMS
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2. IFC LINKS AND ROOMS:
When creating rooms in the host model, you can use many IFC-based elements to define room
boundaries.
ABOUT LINKING TO IFC FILES.
Link to an IFC file when you want to perform additional design work in Revit using the IFC file as a
reference.
For example, another team designed the architectural model, and you link its IFC file so that you can
design the interior.
You will not be able to make changes to the IFC model in Revit, but linking the IFC file allows you to
see the model so you can continue the design work in Revit.
If you later change or update the original IFC file, the Revit model reflects the changes when you re-
open it or reload the IFC file.
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3. IFC LINKS AND ROOMS:
ABOUT LINKING TO IFC FILES.
Accessing the IFC File in Revit
After you link an IFC file to the Revit model, the IFC file is listed in the following locations:
Project Browser, Revit Links node
Manage Links dialog, IFC tab
Visibility/Graphic Overrides dialog, Revit Links tab
Referencing Elements in the IFC File
While linked IFC files are read-only in a Revit model, you can use them as references to do the
following:
 Dimension to references of IFC elements. (These references apply to the faces of linked IFC
geometry and not to center lines, reference planes, or other non-geometry elements.)
 Snap to IFC-based elements.
 Align Revit elements to IFC-based elements.
 Host some face-based families, such as conduit and some electrical devices. (This hosting
does not include wall, roof, or floor-specific hosted families. For example, you cannot insert
a door or a window into a linked IFC wall.)
If the IFC file changes and you reload it into the Revit model, verify previously established references.
Some changes to IFC geometry may make it difficult to maintain references in the Revit model.
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4. IFC LINKS AND ROOMS:
ABOUT LINKING TO IFC FILES.
Defining Room Boundaries with IFC-Based Elements
When creating rooms in the host model, you can use many IFC-based elements to define room
boundaries, including walls, roofs, floors, ceilings, columns, building pads, doors, and windows. IFC-
based walls use the wall finish face as the room boundary.
Note: You cannot use IFC-based curtain elements to define rooms. If needed, add room separation
lines along the boundaries of curtain elements.
Add a Room Separation Line
When room-bounding elements do not exist at the desired boundary of a room, add a separation line
to help define the room.
 Open a floor plan view.
 Click Architecture tab Room & Area panel Room drop-down (Room Separation Line).
 Sketch the room separation lines.
If the space already contains a room, the room boundaries adjust to the new room separation lines. If
the space does not yet contain a room, you can add one.
You can also do the following:
Tag the room and Apply a color scheme to the plan view or to a section view.
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5. IFC LINKS AND ROOMS:
ABOUT LINKING TO IFC FILES.
Defining Room Boundaries with IFC-Based Elements
When you link an IFC file, by default its Room Bounding property is turned off. To enable room
bounding for all elements in the IFC file that support it.
Use Room Boundaries in a Linked Model
When linking models together, you can make the host model recognize the Room Bounding
parameter of elements in the linked model (including linked Revit models and linked IFC models).
This setting allows you to place rooms whose boundaries are defined by elements in both models.
In a plan view of the host model, select the linked model symbol. The status bar displays the
following: RVT Links: Linked Revit Model: <model name>.
Click Modify | RVT Links tab Properties panel (Type Properties).
In the Type Properties dialog, select Room Bounding.
Click OK.
Now you can place rooms in the plan view, using the boundaries defined by room-bounding elements
in the host model and the room-bounding elements in the linked model.
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6. IFC LINKS AND ROOMS:
ABOUT LINKING TO IFC FILES.
Phases for IFC-Based Elements
When you link an IFC file, its elements are assigned to a default construction phase in the Revit
model. That phase is used for the Phase Created property of the elements in the linked IFC file.
Specifically, the assigned phase is determined by the starting view of the template used during the
IFC Import/Link operation.
See Specify the Starting View for a Model and Select a Template for IFC Files.
Select a Template for IFC Files
When you open or link an IFC file, Revit creates a new model using the default template. Before using
an IFC file, use the Import IFC Options dialog to specify an alternate default template.
 Click Open (IFC Options).
 In the Import IFC Options dialog, click Browse.
 In the Browse for Template File dialog, navigate to the desired IFC template file, select it,
and click Open.
 In the Import IFC Options dialog, click OK.
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7. IFC LINKS AND ROOMS:
ABOUT LINKING TO IFC FILES.
Phases for IFC-Based Elements
Specify the Starting View for a Model
You can specify the view that Revit displays by default when a particular model is opened. The default
setting for a starting view is <Last Viewed>, that is, whichever view was active the last time the model
was closed. When a model is work shared and synchronized with the central model, the specified
starting view is applied to all local models. This view is opened when the central or any local model is
opened, and when any team member uses the Open dialog to detach from the central or create a
local model.
Best practices for starting views
You can reduce the amount of time required to open a model by choosing a simple view as the
starting view. You might create a special view that contains important project information and notices
that you want to share with team members. Use this view as the starting view so that team members
always see this information when they open the project.
To specify a starting view
Open the model, Click Manage tab>Manage Project panel > Starting View.
In the Starting View dialog, specify the starting view, and click OK.
When Revit loads this model, the specified view is opened.
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8. IFC LINKS AND ROOMS:
ABOUT LINKING TO IFC FILES.
Updating the IFC File
When updating a Revit model with an IFC link, Revit proceeds as follows:
 Revit checks the timestamp and size of the IFC file.
 If the current file has a newer timestamp or different file size, Revit uses the IFC GUIDs to
match entities in the IFC file with elements in the Revit model.
 Based on this information, Revit adds new elements and updates existing elements, and
deletes elements that are no longer in the IFC file.
Note: During this process, Revit uses the IFC file to create an intermediate IFC-based model. Do not
attempt to directly modify the intermediate IFC-based model. If you do so, you may no longer be able
to update the Revit model with changes to the original IFC file.
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