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RevLink vs IFC

Dinesh Karthikesu
  • Updated
  RevLink IFC
When to use? For Revit users:
  • Importing standalone objects as families into an existing Revit drawing
  • Importing an already-made CET floor layout into Revit
  • Rendering in Revit
 For Revit users:
  • Linking an IFC drawing in Revit as a reference (recommended)
  • Importing IFC objects into Revit as families (not recommended)
Other applications/uses:
  • Exporting a drawing from CET to allow customers to quickly view it without having to install CET
  • Exchange of data between BIM software (think of it as the PDF file of BIM)
  • Some government (e.g., Denmark, Finland) regulations require IFC files to be specified in building proposals
File Import Time
(10k symbols)		 Slow
~5 min		 Fast
~1 min
File Export Time
(10k symbols)		 Fast
~5 sec		 Slow
~11 sec
Compatible Without Additional Plugin ✖
The RevLink Add-In is required to view the exported file
 ✔
Any software that supports the open IFC format will be able to view the file
File Size Medium - Large
depending on the size of textures & object repetition		 Medium - Large
slightly smaller than files exported using RevLink
Level-of-Detail Control ✔ ✔
Intelligence Retention ✖
All exported objects lose CET Intelligence and behavior.
Graphics Type Meshes Meshes
Can be customized to use extrusions
Material Retention
(Importing to CET)		 Only colors Only colors
Material Retention
(Exporting from CET)		 Both textures and colors Only colors
Customizable Metadata Customizable by Users
Part list, Manufacturer info, Prices, Custom fields		 Customizable by Developers
Some part data and manufacturer info are exported by default
Visibility Control Minimal
  • Show/hide DWG layers
  • No control over floors (no mapping between levels and floors)
 Excellent
  • IFC categories can be controlled using filters
  • Transparent fills can be set on models
  • The ceiling is automatically set to transparent
Smoother 2D Graphics Toggle ✖ ✔
Create Families ✔ ✖
Selection of Individual Components in Revit ✔ ✔
Move Objects ✔ ✖
Native Object/Texture Replacement

✔

For this to work, manufacturers must provide their development team with native Revit objects.

Developers are then expected to map these native Revit objects to equivalent CET symbols. For more information, refer to this article.

✖

However, it is possible for developers to specify the IFC classification and shape representation their objects are exported as. For example, a wall manufacturer can ensure their partitions are exported as IFCCurtainWall or as an extrusion.

Comments

2 comments

Date Votes
  • Michelle Melendez

    Is there a Video Tutorial on how to import .IFC to Revit? This would be extremely beneficial to share with A&D Community. 

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  • Yewsiing Choong

    Hi Michelle,

    I found a YouTube video regarding this:
    How to load IFC into to Revit - YouTube

    Do try watching it to see if it's what you want 👍

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