Version 5.6 of ECOTECT introduces the ability to import a number of new file formats, which include IFC and gbXML analysis data. This powerful new feature allows you to save valuable time by importing data from other BIM models that can be used by ECOTECT for a variety of analysis and calculation functions.

IFC (Industry Foundation Class) data files represent an interoperable format for sharing building and modelling information between various AEC disciplines, while gbXML (Green Building Extensible Markup Language) files provide the ability to create 3D zone models for thermal and energy analysis.

To import an IFC or gbXML file into ECOTECT, go to the File»Import»Model/Analysis Data menu item. Select the .IFC or .XML file you would like to import, and then click Open. The following image shows the IFC/gbXML import dialogue box:

The IFC/XML import dialogue box.

The File Format field allows you to choose what analysis data format to import. This is automatically set by ECOTECT when you select the type of file to import.

Below this, the Content Summary and XML Node Structure tabs allow you to view the content of the selected file as a tree hierarchy. Use the Content Summary tab for IFC files, and use the XML Node Structure tab for gbXML, ifcXML and KML file formats.

Use the Content Summary and XML Node Structure tabs to navigate the selected file using a tree hierarchy.

You can navigate through the tree hierarchy by clicking on the and buttons next to each entry in the hierarchy. This allows you to expand and collapse the various hierarchy levels.

The button provides a context menu with additional commands for working with the tree hierachy. These include:

• Search For : displays a dialog box that allows you to search the loaded file for a specific text string.
• Copy Item Text : copies the selected item in the hierachy to the clipboard.
• Expand Item : expands the selected item in the hierarchy (if expandable).
• Collapse Item : collapses the selected item in the hierachy (if collapsible).
• Expand All : expands all items in the hierarchy, including sub-items.
• Collapse All : collapses all items in the hierachy.

To the right of the tree hierarchy, you can configure how materials or elements from the selected file are translated into ECOTECT. By default, elements from the selected file are imported into ECOTECT based on their material association.

The buttons across the top of the dialog box control how elements from the selected file are imported into ECOTECT. From left to right:

The control buttons for the import data dialog box.

• Main : controls how materials or elements are imported into ECOTECT. There are seven options in this context menu (Note: these options vary slightly depending on if XML or IFC data is being imported):
  • Reload Materials From File : resets the materials/elements list to the original values contained in the selected file. Note that this will delete any user-created materials.
    
  • Add New Material Conversion : creates a new material entry in the materials/elements list. Select and then click on the new material entry to rename it.
  • Delete Material Conversion(s) : deletes the selected entry in the material/elements list.
  • Assign IFC Materials by : determines how materials are interpreted from the selected IFC file - material association converts materials in the selected file directly into ECOTECT model elements; defined element type if defined in the selected file, converts element types into ECOTECT model elements; defined property sets if defined in the selected file, converts property sets into ECOTECT model elements; and element name uses element names in the selected file to define ECOTECT model elements.
  • Set Material : for the selected entry in the materials/elements list, you can specify what ECOTECT element it will be converted into. By default, this value is set to Guess, where ECOTECT attempts to guess the correct element conversion. You can also convert the selected entry to a specific ECOTECT element or material.
  • Set Zone : controls how zones are created from the selected file - By Filename uses the selected filename as the basis for creating zone names; By Object Name uses the material/element name; By Space Name uses the space name definitions contained in the selected file; it is also possible to select from an existing zone if importing into an existing file, or to define a new, custom zone name.
  • Select All : selects all of the entries in the material/elements list.
• Import : you can selectively choose which materials/elements to import into ECOTECT. Select the require list entry, and then choose either Yes - import Item or No - ignore Item.
• Material : this button replicates the same options found in the Main»Set * Zone : this button replicates the same options found in the Main»Set Zone menu.
• Save and Load : use these buttons to save your import settings, or to load previously defined settings. Settings are saved as a Material Translation List (*.MTL) file.

At the bottom of the dialogue box, there are some checkbox options. When importing a gbXML file, the Import Only Surface Geometry checkbox restricts the imported elements to surface geometry only. When importing an IFC file, there are two checkbox options - Create each entity as a separate zone assigns each element to an individual zone based upon its GUID identification, while the Include only space boundaries option restricts the imported elements to include only space boundary definitions.

Additional checkbox options for importing IFC files.

Lastly, the Open as New button imports the selected file into a new ECOTECT file (if a file is currently open, you will be prompted to save this file prior to the import occurring). The Import ingto Existing button imports the selected file into the current ECOTECT file, while the Cancel button closes this dialogue box and cancels the import process.

Some more buttons.