Stage 4 of 5 · CheckTopic
Checking models and data
Is this model good enough to share or accept?
Turn requirements into rules, check every IFC before it is federated, and record the result — so problems go back to their author before they reach the meeting.
Understand
What it is, in plain language
- Pedia · WorkflowsModel checkingRule-based checks of model quality, information and coordination — from naming and structure to clashes and required properties.
- Pedia · SoftwareIFC (Industry Foundation Classes)The open, vendor-neutral data model for exchanging building and infrastructure information between software.
- Pedia · StandardsIDS (Information Delivery Specification)A buildingSMART standard for writing information requirements as a machine-readable file that software can check IFC models against.
Learn
Short lessons with a quick check
- Lesson · 2 min · quizChecking an IFC file before you share itFive minutes of checks on an IFC export saves a week of confusion in the federated model.
- Lesson · 4 min · quizWriting IDS requirements and reading the resultsTurn “the model must contain fire ratings” into a rule software can check — and know what a pass or fail actually tells you.
Do
Tools that export Excel, PDF and Word
- Tool · Excel · PDF · WordIFC InspectorUse it when you receive an IFC file, before you federate or share it.
- Tool · Excel · PDF · Word3D IFC ViewerUse it to look at a model without installing software, or to show where requirements fail.
- Tool · Excel · PDF · WordModel CompareUse it when a new model version arrives and you need to know what changed since last week.
- Tool · Excel · PDF · WordIDS BuilderUse it to turn information requirements into a file software can check.
- Tool · Excel · PDF · WordIDS CheckerUse it when a model arrives and you need to know if it meets the agreed information requirements.
- Tool · Excel · PDF · WordModel QA ChecklistUse it each cycle to record whether each team’s model passes the agreed checks.
- Tool · Excel · PDF · WordIFC to Excel SchedulesUse it when you need quantities, a door or equipment schedule, or a property review from an IFC model in Excel.
How it works
The process, at a glance
Checking softwareAny IDS-capable tool
Accept or returnBefore sharing
- 1HeaderSchema, application, view
- 2Spatial structureStoreys and containment
- 3ClassesProxies, names, duplicates
Common mistakes
What goes wrong most often on real projects.
- Checking geometry only and ignoring the information.
- Hundreds of IfcBuildingElementProxy objects from an unmapped export.
- Accepting models without recording which checks they passed.
Is it in place on your project?
Tick what is done — it counts towards the checkpoint on your learning path.
0 / 4 in place
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