Combine values from multiple properties into one Smart Property

Combine values from multiple properties into one Smart Property

Do you want to advance your knowledge about Smart Properties? Go to our BIMcollab Academy and enroll in the BIMcollab Zoom Smart Properties course.

In IFC models, values can be found in different properties for different components. These properties might look different, or can be found in different property sets depending on the modelling software the model is exported from. But even within the same model, properties can be scattered. For example, for one element volume is defined in Base quantities, and for another element it’s located under dimensions or another property set.



Combining all of these properties into a quantity take off is a lot of work, and doesn't result in a clear overview.



In this example we will look at how to combine the volume of all concrete elements in the loaded models into one property. Since this can include walls, floors, beams and a lot of other different components, the quantity will most likely not be located in the same property for all elements.
  1. Create a new Smart Property
  2. Add a line with these settings:
    1. Element type : Any element
    2. Property: Material name
    3. Operator: contains
    4. Value: concrete (Property, operator and value will depend on how these values are present in your models)
    5. Action: And...
      This action extends the criteria to include the next line of the script. Elements need to meet all criteria in the sequence for the property to be mapped.
  3. Fill in the following line:
    1. Property: a property which contains volume quantities, for example 'NetVolume'
    2. Operator: is defined
    3. Action: Map value
    4. Output: From the dropdown list, choose the same property which was chosen in this line, 'NetVolume'
  4. Repeat step 2 and 3 until all properties which might contain volume quantities for concrete components in the loaded models, are added to the Smart Property rules



    If multiple properties are present for a single element, the value of the property which is added lowest in the list will be mapped to the Smart Property.
  5. Save the Smart Property
  6. Create a new Property table List to display the properties of all concrete elements in the models
  7. In the Properties, choose the new Smart Property and others you might want to display
  8. Save and execute the List



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