Short Answer
No – vyzn does not impose a binding, documented modeling or naming guideline that you must follow exactly. The IFC import is deliberately tolerant, so you do not have to learn a rigid naming scheme first. That said, the cleaner the IFC classes, element names and properties in your export, the less rework you will have in the mapping step.
Why It Matters
During import, a wizard guides you through the grouping of your elements. For each IFC type, you can decide which information is taken over for life cycle assessment, energy efficiency, summer heat protection, area analysis and material costs. Meaningful element names and exported properties (property sets and quantities) pay off directly here. Elements without a valid GlobalId are skipped during grouping – so a clean export determines how much of your model can be processed automatically.
How It Works in vyzn
Spatial structure and IDs: Export a clean IFC with a correct spatial structure (project/building/storey via the IFC storey and assignment relationships) and unique GlobalIds per element, because elements without a valid ID are skipped during grouping.
IFC classes: vyzn reads elements via their IFC class. Reliably processed are, among others, walls (incl. IfcWallStandardCase), slabs/floors (IfcSlab), roofs (IfcRoof), columns, beams, doors and windows. In addition, further classes such as curtain walls (IfcCurtainWall), coverings (IfcCovering), spaces (IfcSpace) and generic elements (IfcBuildingElementProxy) are imported. Assign the appropriate IFC class to your elements wherever possible: for the automatic SIA grouping, mainly walls, slabs, roofs, windows, doors, columns and beams are currently recognized cleanly. Elements exported only as a proxy (IfcBuildingElementProxy) do arrive, but are harder to assign automatically with precision.
Grouping methods: Several methods are available for grouping:
- Element groups according to SIA (according to SIA 2032 Annex D): recommended and ideal for most models
- Simple (by element name): ideal for well-named models
- Deep Clustering (AI-based) via the vyzn reference model technology: recommended for models with few or unclearly named elements; not available for every model
- Custom: by a freely chosen IFC attribute
As a rule of thumb, 15 to 30 groups are considered ideal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to elements without a valid GlobalId?
They are skipped during grouping. Therefore, make sure each element has a unique GlobalId.
My tool exports many elements as IfcBuildingElementProxy – is that a problem?
These elements do arrive in vyzn, but they are harder to assign automatically with precision. Assign the appropriate IFC class to them where possible.
Which grouping method should I choose?
For most models, "Element groups according to SIA" is recommended. "Simple" works well for well-named models, and Deep Clustering suits models with few or unclearly named elements (if available for your model).
Can the vyzn team give me specific recommendations?
Yes – if you like, we can look at one of your typical export files together and derive specific recommendations for your authoring tool.