Creating Dataflows - Set Targets

Most of the tools and dataflows have a target. A target is a set of objects that the tool or dataflow processes.

The targets are defined with controls with a green background. Note that you can preview the selection by clicking the magnifying glass button.

There are several ways to choose the objects. Let's go through them with an example. The model has a Curtain Wall assembly object, which has Members and Plates as its parts (children).

All

Selects all elements from the model. For assemblies, this selects both the assembly parent and its parts (children).

Topmost

Selects all elements that are either topmost assemblies or not part of any assembly.

Parts

Selects all non-spatial elements that are either parts of assemblies (including assemblies that are part of another assembly) or are not part of any assembly.

Object Class

Selects a single object class and all of its instances from the model.

Object Class List

Selects multiple object classes and all of their instances from the model. Check from the dropdown list the object classes you want to use.

Object Group

Selects either the group, groups, or all the object instances assigned to the groups. The behavior depends on the tool or dataflow you are using.

The group or groups can be selected in a few different ways. The special options <any category> and <all groups> select all the groups from the model. If a category is defined, then all the groups from that category.

A common pattern in dataflows is that you first define groups with the Add or Modify Group tool and then use these groups in the following dataflow steps.

Choose Category

There are several predefined categories for groups in IFC and Simplebim. These can be related to IFC groups, zones, systems, other resources, and also to so-called type objects.

When you choose a category, you then have an option to either choose a group from that category or all groups with the special option <all groups>. The group selector dropdown will be filtered according to your category selection.

Choose Group

Type in the group name or select a group either from all the groups in the model or from a specific category. The special option <all groups> will select all the groups from the defined categories.

Object Selection

You can select the objects by dragging and dropping objects on top of the control, either from the 3D palette or other palettes like Properties, Objects, or the Containment palette. You can drag multiple times, even one object at the time, if you like. If you make a mistake, dropping on top of the minus, the objects will be removed from the selection.

The tool or dataflow will remember the objects based on their GUIDs (Global Unique Identifiers). 

Custom

The selection syntax in Simplebim is close to the search syntax used, for example, in Microsoft Outlook. It consists of one or more tokens with values. The token-value pairs are separated from each other with a space. A token is separated from its value with a colon. If the value is a list, the items in the list are separated by a comma. If the value contains a space, comma, or colon, it must be wrapped in double quotes. All tokens and values are case insensitive, and whitespace before and after is ignored.

class-name:wall

class-name:wall,"curtain wall"

category-name:"IFC System" group-name:"Exhaust air"