IFC Data Extraction

Overview

This skill provides comprehensive IFC file parsing and data extraction using IfcOpenShell. Extract element data, quantities, properties, and relationships from BIM models for analysis and reporting.

Based on Open BIM Standards - Working with vendor-neutral IFC format for maximum interoperability.

"IFC является открытым стандартом для обмена BIM-данными, позволяющим извлекать информацию независимо от программного обеспечения." — DDC Methodology

Quick Start

import ifcopenshell
import ifcopenshell.util.element as element_util
import pandas as pd

# Open IFC file
ifc = ifcopenshell.open("model.ifc")

# Get project info
project = ifc.by_type("IfcProject")[0]
print(f"Project: {project.Name}")

# Extract all walls
walls = ifc.by_type("IfcWall")
print(f"Total walls: {len(walls)}")

# Get wall data
wall_data = []
for wall in walls:
    psets = element_util.get_psets(wall)
    wall_data.append({
        'GlobalId': wall.GlobalId,
        'Name': wall.Name,
        'Type': wall.is_a(),
        'Level': get_level(wall),
        'Properties': psets
    })

df = pd.DataFrame(wall_data)
print(df.head())

Core Extraction Functions

Element Extractor Class

import ifcopenshell
import ifcopenshell.util.element as element_util
import ifcopenshell.util.placement as placement_util
import ifcopenshell.geom
import pandas as pd
from typing import List, Dict, Optional, Any

class IFCExtractor:
    """Extract data from IFC files"""

    def __init__(self, ifc_path: str):
        self.model = ifcopenshell.open(ifc_path)
        self.settings = ifcopenshell.geom.settings()

    def get_project_info(self) -> Dict:
        """Extract project metadata"""
        project = self.model.by_type("IfcProject")[0]
        site = self.model.by_type("IfcSite")
        building = self.model.by_type("IfcBuilding")

        return {
            'project_id': project.GlobalId,
            'project_name': project.Name,
            'description': project.Description,
            'site_count': len(site),
            'building_count': len(building),
            'schema': self.model.schema
        }

    def get_all_elements(self, element_types: List[str] = None) -> pd.DataFrame:
        """Extract all elements of specified types"""
        if element_types is None:
            element_types = [
                'IfcWall', 'IfcSlab', 'IfcColumn', 'IfcBeam',
                'IfcDoor', 'IfcWindow', 'IfcStair', 'IfcRoof'
            ]

        all_elements = []

        for ifc_type in element_types:
            elements = self.model.by_type(ifc_type)

            for elem in elements:
                data = self._extract_element_data(elem)
                data['IFC_Type'] = ifc_type
                all_elements.append(data)

        return pd.DataFrame(all_elements)

    def _extract_element_data(self, element) -> Dict:
        """Extract data from single element"""
        # Basic info
        data = {
            'GlobalId': element.GlobalId,
            'Name': element.Name,
            'Description': element.Description,
            'ObjectType': element.ObjectType if hasattr(element, 'ObjectType') else None
        }

        # Get level/storey
        data['Level'] = self._get_element_level(element)

        # Get material
        data['Material'] = self._get_element_material(element)

        # Get type
        data['TypeName'] = self._get_element_type(element)

        # Get all property sets
        psets = element_util.get_psets(element)
        data['PropertySets'] = psets

        # Extract common quantities
        base_quantities = psets.get('BaseQuantities', {})
        data.update({
            'Length': base_quantities.get('Length'),
            'Width': base_quantities.get('Width'),
            'Height': base_quantities.get('Height'),
            'Area': base_quantities.get('NetSideArea') or base_quantities.get('GrossArea'),
            'Volume': base_quantities.get('NetVolume') or base_quantities.get('GrossVolume')
        })

        return data

    def _get_element_level(self, element) -> Optional[str]:
        """Get the building storey for an element"""
        if hasattr(element, 'ContainedInStructure'):
            for rel in element.ContainedInStructure or []:
                if rel.RelatingStructure.is_a('IfcBuildingStorey'):
                    return rel.RelatingStructure.Name
        return None

    def _get_element_material(self, element) -> Optional[str]:
        """Get material name for element"""
        if hasattr(element, 'HasAssociations'):
            for rel in element.HasAssociations or []:
                if rel.is_a('IfcRelAssociatesMaterial'):
                    material = rel.RelatingMaterial
                    if hasattr(material, 'Name'):
                        return material.Name
                    elif hasattr(material, 'ForLayerSet'):
                        layers = material.ForLayerSet.MaterialLayers
                        if layers:
                            return layers[0].Material.Name
        return None

    def _get_element_type(self, element) -> Optional[str]:
        """Get element type name"""
        if hasattr(element, 'IsTypedBy'):
            for rel in element.IsTypedBy or []:
                return rel.RelatingType.Name
        return None

    def extract_quantities(self) -> pd.DataFrame:
        """Extract quantities for all elements"""
        elements = self.get_all_elements()

        # Group by category and level
        quantities = elements.groupby(['IFC_Type', 'Level']).agg({
            'GlobalId': 'count',
            'Volume': 'sum',
            'Area': 'sum',
            'Length': 'sum'
        }).rename(columns={'GlobalId': 'Count'}).reset_index()

        return quantities

    def extract_levels(self) -> pd.DataFrame:
        """Extract building levels/storeys"""
        storeys = self.model.by_type("IfcBuildingStorey")

        level_data = []
        for storey in storeys:
            level_data.append({
                'GlobalId': storey.GlobalId,
                'Name': storey.Name,
                'Elevation': storey.Elevation,
                'Description': storey.Description
            })

        return pd.DataFrame(level_data).sort_values('Elevation')

    def extract_spaces(self) -> pd.DataFrame:
        """Extract spaces/rooms"""
        spaces = self.model.by_type("IfcSpace")

        space_data = []
        for space in spaces:
            psets = element_util.get_psets(space)
            base_qty = psets.get('BaseQuantities', {})

            space_data.append({
                'GlobalId': space.GlobalId,
                'Name': space.Name,
                'LongName': space.LongName,
                'Level': self._get_element_level(space),
                'Area': base_qty.get('NetFloorArea'),
                'Volume': base_qty.get('NetVolume'),
                'Height': base_qty.get('Height')
            })

        return pd.DataFrame(space_data)

    def extract_materials(self) -> pd.DataFrame:
        """Extract material summary"""
        materials = {}

        for elem in self.model.by_type("IfcProduct"):
            material = self._get_element_material(elem)
            if material:
                if material not in materials:
                    materials[material] = {'count': 0, 'volume': 0}

                materials[material]['count'] += 1

                psets = element_util.get_psets(elem)
                volume = psets.get('BaseQuantities', {}).get('NetVolume', 0)
                if volume:
                    materials[material]['volume'] += volume

        return pd.DataFrame.from_dict(materials, orient='index').reset_index()

    def extract_relationships(self) -> pd.DataFrame:
        """Extract element relationships"""
        relationships = []

        # Spatial containment
        for rel in self.model.by_type("IfcRelContainedInSpatialStructure"):
            for elem in rel.RelatedElements:
                relationships.append({
                    'Element': elem.GlobalId,
                    'Element_Type': elem.is_a(),
                    'Relationship': 'ContainedIn',
                    'Related_To': rel.RelatingStructure.GlobalId,
                    'Related_Type': rel.RelatingStructure.is_a()
                })

        # Aggregation
        for rel in self.model.by_type("IfcRelAggregates"):
            for part in rel.RelatedObjects:
                relationships.append({
                    'Element': part.GlobalId,
                    'Element_Type': part.is_a(),
                    'Relationship': 'PartOf',
                    'Related_To': rel.RelatingObject.GlobalId,
                    'Related_Type': rel.RelatingObject.is_a()
                })

        return pd.DataFrame(relationships)

Geometry Extraction

Extract Geometry Data

import numpy as np

class IFCGeometryExtractor:
    """Extract geometry data from IFC elements"""

    def __init__(self, ifc_path: str):
        self.model = ifcopenshell.open(ifc_path)
        self.settings = ifcopenshell.geom.settings()
        self.settings.set(self.settings.USE_WORLD_COORDS, True)

    def get_element_geometry(self, element) -> Dict:
        """Extract geometry for single element"""
        try:
            shape = ifcopenshell.geom.create_shape(self.settings, element)

            verts = shape.geometry.verts
            faces = shape.geometry.faces

            # Calculate bounding box
            vertices = np.array(verts).reshape(-1, 3)
            min_coords = vertices.min(axis=0)
            max_coords = vertices.max(axis=0)
            dimensions = max_coords - min_coords

            return {
                'GlobalId': element.GlobalId,
                'vertices_count': len(vertices),
                'faces_count': len(faces) // 3,
                'min_x': min_coords[0],
                'min_y': min_coords[1],
                'min_z': min_coords[2],
                'max_x': max_coords[0],
                'max_y': max_coords[1],
                'max_z': max_coords[2],
                'length': dimensions[0],
                'width': dimensions[1],
                'height': dimensions[2],
                'center_x': (min_coords[0] + max_coords[0]) / 2,
                'center_y': (min_coords[1] + max_coords[1]) / 2,
                'center_z': (min_coords[2] + max_coords[2]) / 2
            }
        except:
            return {'GlobalId': element.GlobalId, 'error': 'Geometry extraction failed'}

    def get_bounding_boxes(self, element_type: str) -> pd.DataFrame:
        """Get bounding boxes for all elements of type"""
        elements = self.model.by_type(element_type)
        boxes = [self.get_element_geometry(e) for e in elements]
        return pd.DataFrame(boxes)

    def calculate_volumes(self, element_type: str) -> pd.DataFrame:
        """Calculate volumes using geometry"""
        elements = self.model.by_type(element_type)
        volumes = []

        for elem in elements:
            try:
                shape = ifcopenshell.geom.create_shape(self.settings, elem)
                # Calculate volume from mesh (simplified)
                verts = np.array(shape.geometry.verts).reshape(-1, 3)
                bbox_volume = np.prod(verts.max(axis=0) - verts.min(axis=0))

                volumes.append({
                    'GlobalId': elem.GlobalId,
                    'Name': elem.Name,
                    'BBox_Volume': bbox_volume
                })
            except:
                pass

        return pd.DataFrame(volumes)

Export Functions

Export to Various Formats

class IFCExporter:
    """Export IFC data to various formats"""

    def __init__(self, extractor: IFCExtractor):
        self.extractor = extractor

    def to_excel(self, output_path: str, include_all: bool = True):
        """Export to Excel with multiple sheets"""
        with pd.ExcelWriter(output_path, engine='openpyxl') as writer:
            # Project info
            project_info = pd.DataFrame([self.extractor.get_project_info()])
            project_info.to_excel(writer, sheet_name='Project', index=False)

            # All elements
            if include_all:
                elements = self.extractor.get_all_elements()
                elements.to_excel(writer, sheet_name='Elements', index=False)

            # Quantities
            quantities = self.extractor.extract_quantities()
            quantities.to_excel(writer, sheet_name='Quantities', index=False)

            # Levels
            levels = self.extractor.extract_levels()
            levels.to_excel(writer, sheet_name='Levels', index=False)

            # Spaces
            spaces = self.extractor.extract_spaces()
            spaces.to_excel(writer, sheet_name='Spaces', index=False)

            # Materials
            materials = self.extractor.extract_materials()
            materials.to_excel(writer, sheet_name='Materials', index=False)

        return output_path

    def to_csv(self, output_dir: str):
        """Export to multiple CSV files"""
        import os
        os.makedirs(output_dir, exist_ok=True)

        exports = {
            'elements.csv': self.extractor.get_all_elements(),
            'quantities.csv': self.extractor.extract_quantities(),
            'levels.csv': self.extractor.extract_levels(),
            'spaces.csv': self.extractor.extract_spaces(),
            'materials.csv': self.extractor.extract_materials()
        }

        for filename, df in exports.items():
            df.to_csv(os.path.join(output_dir, filename), index=False)

        return output_dir

    def to_json(self, output_path: str):
        """Export to JSON"""
        import json

        data = {
            'project': self.extractor.get_project_info(),
            'elements': self.extractor.get_all_elements().to_dict('records'),
            'quantities': self.extractor.extract_quantities().to_dict('records'),
            'levels': self.extractor.extract_levels().to_dict('records'),
            'materials': self.extractor.extract_materials().to_dict('records')
        }

        with open(output_path, 'w', encoding='utf-8') as f:
            json.dump(data, f, indent=2, default=str)

        return output_path

    def to_database(self, connection_string: str, table_prefix: str = 'ifc_'):
        """Export to SQL database"""
        from sqlalchemy import create_engine

        engine = create_engine(connection_string)

        tables = {
            f'{table_prefix}elements': self.extractor.get_all_elements(),
            f'{table_prefix}quantities': self.extractor.extract_quantities(),
            f'{table_prefix}levels': self.extractor.extract_levels(),
            f'{table_prefix}spaces': self.extractor.extract_spaces(),
            f'{table_prefix}materials': self.extractor.extract_materials()
        }

        for table_name, df in tables.items():
            # Remove complex columns for database storage
            simple_df = df.select_dtypes(exclude=['object']).copy()
            for col in df.columns:
                if df[col].dtype == 'object':
                    simple_df[col] = df[col].astype(str)

            simple_df.to_sql(table_name, engine, if_exists='replace', index=False)

        return list(tables.keys())

Quick Reference

Element Type	Common Properties	Quantities
IfcWall	IsExternal, FireRating	Length, Height, Area, Volume
IfcSlab	IsExternal, LoadBearing	Area, Volume, Perimeter
IfcColumn	LoadBearing	Height, CrossSectionArea
IfcBeam	LoadBearing	Length, CrossSectionArea
IfcDoor	FireRating, AcousticRating	Width, Height
IfcWindow	ThermalTransmittance	Width, Height, Area

Property Set Lookup

# Common IFC Property Sets
PSETS = {
    'Pset_WallCommon': ['IsExternal', 'LoadBearing', 'FireRating'],
    'Pset_SlabCommon': ['IsExternal', 'LoadBearing', 'AcousticRating'],
    'Pset_ColumnCommon': ['IsExternal', 'LoadBearing'],
    'Pset_BeamCommon': ['LoadBearing', 'FireRating'],
    'Pset_DoorCommon': ['FireRating', 'AcousticRating', 'SecurityRating'],
    'Pset_WindowCommon': ['ThermalTransmittance', 'GlazingType'],
    'BaseQuantities': ['Length', 'Width', 'Height', 'Area', 'Volume']
}

Resources

• IfcOpenShell: https://ifcopenshell.org
• IFC Standard: https://www.buildingsmart.org/standards/bsi-standards/industry-foundation-classes/
• DDC Website: https://datadrivenconstruction.io

Next Steps

• See bim-validation-pipeline for validating extracted data
• See qto-report for quantity take-off reports
• See 4d-simulation for linking to schedules