IFC, MVD

OPENBIM STANDARDS – MODEL VIEW DEFINITION

Project participants, for instance, architects, construction engineers, facilities managers, have different responsibilities, knowledge, and needs in terms of creating and using data. Such data are shared with other project participants allowing them to perform their tasks. As I wrote in the previous articles the recommended solution when working with many involved parties is to use the IFC format. From previous posts on this format From previous posts on this format ( The secrets of the IFC Schema  Part 1 , Part 2 and Part 3) you could also learn that the IFC is a huge structure of interconnected elements and attributes along with the mutual relationships they share. This format, still in the most popular 2X3 version, features 653 standardized classes with definitions, including… about 12000 properties. As you can see, it’s a huge amount of information. Hence, the question arises, do we export this huge amount of information every single time we export to IFC? How to filter it? Which one should we choose? The answer is Model View Definition – MVD.

1. What is Model View Definition (MVD)?

The IFC schema structure is modular and includes elements for specific domains, such as Architecture, Structural Analysis, Electrical Installation, etc.

IFC aims to create an interface among various tools to exchange information. However, not each program has an internal data schema that stores all specific classes in each domain. Let us remind that there are about 12000 of them.

IFC Schema, Domains
IFC Schema (source: https://www.buildingsmart.org/)

Think, for example, of Tekla Structures modeling software. It doesn’t include data about the humidifier (IfcHumidifierType) or the occupant (IfcOccupant). Such information may be useful for creating a simulation of the building’s climate and energy balance or evacuation simulation, thus it isn’t included in the program.

It should, therefore, be clarified which subset of all IFC schema data is needed during the exchange for a specific application. In other words, which information needs to be filtered from the entire IFC schema.

Such subsets of data can be defined by analyzing the general schema of IFC in smaller “packages”, namely the MVD. They define the user requirements for necessary information. The MVD describes which objects, representations, relationships, concepts, and attributes are necessary for the project participant and the application to perform the requested task.

The Model View Definition also specifies which part of the IFC schema is implemented by a given program.

The developers of each software can choose the list of IFC classes, which support IFC import and export features. It means they can create their own Model View Definitions.

It’s important to realize that in fact, every IFC export feature in every program is based on the MVD.

Model View Definition
Based on illustration by Mark Baldwin

2. Examples of MVD

The most common type of MVD for IFC version 2×3 is the Coordination View. The Coordination View is a filtered version of the full IFC schema. It’s also created to coordinate the project among multiple users and disciplines in the project. Eventually, it’s one of the main IFC applications in BIM technology.

IFCE Export Revit , Model View Definition MVD
Export to IFC in Revit (MVD List - IFC 2x3)
Export to IFC inTekla Structures ( List of MVD - IFC 2x3)

Official buildingSmart MVD’s for IFC 2×3

Revit MVD
Display of MVD (source: https://damassets.autodesk.net/content/dam/autodesk/draftr/2528/180213_IFC_Handbuch.pdf)

buildingSmart officially defined two MVDs for IFC4

IFCE Export Revit , Model View Definition MVD
Export to IFC in Revit (MVD List - IFC 4)

You can find the official versions of Model View Definitions (MVD) here:

https://technical.buildingsmart.org/standards/ifc/mvd/mvd-database/

Other examples of MVD

The Coordination View is also a subset of IFC, used for official certification of software by buildingSmart. What does it mean in practice?

BuildingSmart certification for programs involves the import and export of IFC according to the model view definition and not the full IFC schema. Software providers can also define their own subset or filter, namely their own MVD. They can develop MVDs to exchange data necessary for energy or evacuation simulations. In this case, it will be preferable to include such an MVD containing, for instance, an occupant class ifcOccupant (essential for creating an object evacuation simulation).

3. Who operates the MVD?

All applications supporting BIM data export via IFC have some MVD support. In general, the tool for creating BIM includes a list of MVD options. 

You can find list of all software certified by  buildingSmart here: https://www.buildingsmart.org/compliance/software-certification/certified-software/

4. Summary

What should you remember from the above text?

It’s important to realize that in fact, any IFC export feature in any program is created based on the Model View Definition. No program uses the entire schema but only filtered parts of it when exporting to IFC.

Software providers can develop their MVDs inside their programs depending on the needs and purpose of the program, which is an essential and flexible use of the IFC schema.

As a user, you should remember that when discussing data exchange through IFC, you are actually talking about Model View Definition.

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Artem
Artem
2 years ago

Important information by simple words. many thanks!

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