Home
BIM Collaboration Format (BCF) allows different BIM applications to communicate model-based issues with each other by leveraging IFC models that have been previously shared among project collaborators.
More specifically, BCF works by transferring XML formatted data, which is contextualized information about an issue or problem directly referencing a view, captured via PNG and IFC coordinates, and elements of a BIM, as referenced via their IFC GUIDs, from one application to another.
BCF files contain the issues or problems (deisgnated as topics" but not the BIM model itself.
Description of BCF files and their usage :
https://technical.buildingsmart.org/standards/bcf
The BCF file schema is detailed in :
https://github.com/buildingSMART/BCF-XML/tree/master/Documentation
This developpement is a NAVISWORKS plugin that reads and displays the Topics and Comments of BCF files.
In addition, the BCF topics can be exported as Navisworks viewpoints to make them accessible with Navisworks Freedom.
This plugin can be used with :
- Navisworks Simulate 2021
- Navisworks Manage 2021
Warning: Navisworks Freedom does not support plugins.
It is available in English and French. Translators are welcome !
- Download the .msi file from Releases.
- Double click on it (admin rights are not required).
- Start Navisworks Manage or Navisworks Simulate and select the "BCF" tab.
- Click on "Show" (first button).
Use the first button ("Show") to show the BCF panel.This panel can be docked on one of the sides of the Navisworks window by dragging it to the desired location.
Use the second button ("Load") to load a BCF file in the panel.This will remove the previous data from the panel.
The tree shows the Name of the file, the Topics and their Comments.
Click on any line to see its details and the picture of the related viewpoint (if provided in the file).
Double click on the picture to move the camera to that viewpoint.
Use the third button ("Append") to add the content of an additional file in the panel without remove the previous ones.
Use the fourth button ("Export") to convert all the BCF topics into Navisworks Viewpoints.You can then save the file in NWD format and share both the model and the topics with Navisworks Freedom users.