Merge Model

The Merge Model tool merges (combines) several IFC models and their structures together. The models can be from different disciplines of the same project, or they can be different building storeys of a big HVAC model. The Merge Model tool is also used for merging location prisms, which are needed for using the Split Objects tool.

Simplebim performs a ‘deep merge’ of the models. Instead of simply placing all models on top of each other in the same 3D space, Simplebim merges the data structures of the models such that the result is one holistic model, just like if it were originally created in one application. The resulting model can, for example, have one set of building storeys, one set of systems, material definitions, type objects, etc. The units and other supporting metadata are also harmonised.

Currently, you can only merge models that use the same IFC schema version. This means you can merge two IFC2x3 models or two IFC4 models, but you cannot merge an IFC2x3 model with an IFC4 model, or an IFC4 model with an IFC2x3 model.

You can export the merged model back to a single IFC model. Or create multiple submodels, for example, including objects from a building storey from all the models. You can use all data processing tools for enriching the merged model, just like you would with a single model.

Handling empty containers after the merge

When containers (sites, buildings and building storeys) are merged, the original container of the merge model is added to the resulting model. However, this container will be empty. These empty containers are added to make it easier to understand the merge process and to allow manual corrections if needed. Most often, these empty containers are not needed, and you have the option to automatically delete them as part of the merge process, using the Delete Empty Containers tool.

Settings

File Name(s)

Defines one or more IFC files to merge into the current model. The files are defined with full path and name, including the file extension. Type in a file name, or use the list editor to add multiple ones. Or you can click on the three dots and select the models using the Select Files Dialog.

‘Current model’ means the model that is currently open in Simplebim. The current model may be a single model or it may already have sub-models.

Sites

Defines how the site objects in the model tree (containment) of the models are merged.

Don't Merge

Don't merge sites. This also means, that nothing assigned to the sites is merged either.

Merge Into One Site

The resulting model should have only one site. Note however, that nothing assigned to the sites is merged, if not explicitly defined with the Facilities and Facility Parts settings.

Merge By Name

Merge sites by name. Only the site objects with the matching name are merged.

Facilities

Defines how the facility objects in the model tree (containment) of the models are merged. In the building models, the most common facility object is a building. In infra models you have other facilities you can merge. This option is available, if you are merging sites.

Don't Merge

Don't merge facilities. See the picture under the Sites setting.

Merge Into One Facility

The resulting model should have only one facility under each Site.

Merge By Name

Merge facilities by name. Only the facilities with the matching name are merged.

Facility Parts

Defines how the facility part objects in the model tree (containment) of the models are merged. In the building models, the most common facility part object is a building storey. In infra models you have other facility part you can merge. This setting is available, if you are merging Facilities.

Don't Merge

Don't merge facility parts. See the picture under the Facilities setting.

Merge By Name

Merge facility parts by name. Only the facility parts with the matching name are merged.

Create Group

Defines whether to create a group containing all objects from the merged model.

Group Name

Defines the name of the group containing all objects from the merged model, if Create Group is on.

Optimize Geometry

Defines whether to optimize 3D geometry by reducing the number of triangles for the 3D rendering. This makes navigating big models easier. 

Note that this setting only affects to the 3D rendering. It does not optimize the geometry for the IFC export. And the geometric operations done by other tools will use the full precision geometry, whether this option is on or off.

Fix Broken Geometry (slow)

Defines whether the import tries to fix mathematically broken geometries. This is a very heavy operation, so it is not recommended for all the models. A typical use case to use the fixing is when merging the location prisms. This makes sure that the splitting operations will work more reliably.