Upload IFC model files and 2D drawings

This article will cover how to upload IFC model files and 2D drawing files to Dalux and how to map drawings to the IFC model.

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Upload IFC/3D model files

To upload an IFC model to Dalux go to

Settings  Locations Buildings Add Enter a name for the building 'Add building':

Then click the 'Upload' button and find the files you wish to upload. If you have Box and a folder structure, you will be asked to select which folder the files should be uploaded to. This can be changed later.

Depending on your project setup, you have different options when uploading. You can set disciplines, add metadata, and set the status of the file. When you are done, click on 'Upload' to upload and process the files.

Show gridlines

If the model includes gridlines, you can display them in your auto drawings and when creating 2D cuts of your models.

In your building settings, select the file that contains the gridlines you want to display. 

Go to:

Settings LocationsBuildings

and select which model file should be used for displaying gridlines by clicking Show gridlines.

Your building will be reprocessed for them to become visible.

To check if the model contains a grid:

Select the model'Use the selected model''OK'

If the model contains gridlines, they are displayed when doing a 2D cut.

The model that is used for displaying gridlines is marked with in your locations settings. They can now be displayed in 2D cuts and on auto drawings.

Add levels to a building

When the IFC file has been uploaded, it is time to add levels to your building.

Either click Add Level or 'Add levels' in the yellow banner.

When adding levels, you can:

1. Choose to add levels from the model, as Dalux can read levels directly from the model or
2. Add your user-defined levels

It is recommended to use the BIM model levels. When doing so, you cannot change the elevation in Dalux

The added levels will then be displayed on the left-hand side of the window. By default, Dalux will use a automatic level cut from the BIM model.

If you have uploaded drawings to the building as well, these can be mapped to the levels.

Assign and map 2D drawings to levels

With the levels added to the model, drawings uploaded to the building can now be mapped.

If you have not yet uploaded drawings the building, you can do so from:

Add From your computer/From Box.

Your 2D drawing files will now be uploaded to Dalux but will need to be mapped to a level to be used properly. You can find the unmapped drawings in their own folder:

Map drawings to levels

When the drawings have been uploaded to Dalux, assign the drawings to their respective levels, by either:

1. Dragging and dropping the drawings on the respective levels
2. Clicking to the right of the drawing Map to 3D

This will open up a new window where you will have to map the drawing to the level.

To map the drawing, you need to select reference points A and B on the drawing and then choose the same point A and point B on the level so that they match up.

The combined display on the right of the window shows how precise the current reference points are.

You can make your newly mapped drawing the default one. Setting a drawing as the default causes it to be the first drawing shown for a given level.

Map drawings vertically

Dalux enables you to add sections or views to your model as well. Similar to adding drawings to a level, select the drawing and click on

to the right of the drawing  Map to 3D 'Map vertically'

Vertical mapping consists of three steps:

1. Place the drawing in the correct orientation
2. Link the drawing to the model and scale
3. Adjust if necessary

First, select a vertical surface in which orientation you want to place the drawing. Select Place drawing when you are satisfied.

Link the drawing to the model, by selecting either

• 2 reference points on the drawing, then 2 reference points in the model, or
• by selecting 1 reference point each if you added a scale factor.

To adjust the positioning of the drawing, use to move it while keeping the orientation and scale. This can help you to place a cut in the exact position where it was created.