BIM X – IFC Space QTO

Binary IFC in → XLSX/TSV out (Area/Volume of IfcSpaces via web-ifc)

Overview

This node processes binary IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) files to extract quantity takeoff (QTO) data specifically related to spaces, such as their area and volume. It converts this spatial data into user-friendly spreadsheet formats (XLSX and/or TSV), enabling easy analysis and reporting.

Common scenarios for this node include:

  • Architects or engineers needing to quantify space areas and volumes from BIM models.
  • Construction professionals preparing material takeoffs or cost estimates based on spatial dimensions.
  • Facility managers extracting room size data for space management or planning.

Practical example: A user uploads an IFC file containing building geometry, and the node outputs an Excel sheet listing all spaces with their calculated areas and volumes, rounded to a specified decimal precision. This output can then be used for further processing or reporting.

Properties

Name Meaning
Binary Property The name of the binary property in the input item that contains the IFC file data.
Generate XLSX Whether to generate an XLSX (Excel) file containing the extracted space QTO data.
Generate TSV (comma decimal) Whether to generate a TSV (tab-separated values) file with comma as decimal separator.
Round Decimals Number of decimal places to round the area and volume values to (0 to 10).

Output

The node outputs an array of items, each corresponding to one input item processed. Each output item contains:

  • json field:

    • count: Number of space entries extracted from the IFC file.

  • binary field (optional):

    • xlsx: An Excel file (spaces_qto.xlsx) with a sheet named "Spaces_PSet" listing spaces and their area/volume properties, if XLSX generation is enabled.
    • tsv: A TSV file (pset_revit_dimensions.tsv) with area and volume values formatted using commas as decimal separators, if TSV generation is enabled.

The numeric values for area and volume are rounded according to the specified decimal precision.

Dependencies

  • Requires the xlsx library for generating Excel files.
  • Uses a custom helper function (runQtoOnIFC) from an internal library to parse IFC files and compute quantities.
  • Input must contain a binary property with the IFC file encoded in base64.
  • No external API keys or services are required.

Troubleshooting

  • Error: Binary property "X" missing
    This error occurs if the specified binary property does not exist or lacks data in the input item. Ensure the correct binary property name is set and that the input contains valid IFC binary data.

  • Invalid IFC file or parsing failure
    If the IFC file is corrupted or incompatible, the quantity extraction may fail. Verify the IFC file integrity and compatibility with the node's expected format.

  • Output files not generated
    Check that at least one of the "Generate XLSX" or "Generate TSV" options is enabled; otherwise, no binary output will be produced.

Links and References

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