Skip to content

BCF

Icon1 Interfaces toolbar
File menu > BIM Tools > BCF Manager

The BCF-interface is only available in ELITECAD Architecture.
bcf-logo

For collaborating with your partners, the support of BCF (BIM collaboration format) ensures for a smooth exchange of information, and is another milestone in the BIM process. The BCF format is developed by the BuildingSmart organisation and provides a data interface to easily exchange information during collaboration of different project partners in addition to an IFC model. It enables a model-based communication between various users and contains information about state, location, viewing direction, component, comments, users and time stamps in the IFC data model.

In case all people involved in a project are working with ELITECAD, the possibility to exchange information using BCF is also provided using ELITECAD models instead of IFC models.

Basics

A BFC file contains different topics. Each topic is intended to describe one independent issue. For each topic, there is some detail information available:

  • general data for the topic
  • image
  • camera
  • involved objects
  • comments

In order to identify objects in an IFC file or in the ELITECAD design model, the objects need a unique id, the so-called Globally Unique ID, short GUID. GUIDs are saved in the ELITECAD drawing as well as in an IFC file.

BCF dialog window

After calling the function, the BCF dialog window is opened.

bcf-import-menu

BCF file new, load, save

winstd_new_ file_open_ export_
Using these functions, BCF files are created, selected for editing or saved.

Update GUIDs

bcf_update_
GUIDs are created when the BCF function is selected in ELITECAD. If the design model changes or a new file is opened while the BFC dialog is on the screen, the GUIDs can be updated with this function.

image.png
The name of the corresponding drawing is saved in the BCF file.

Topic

bcf-import-menu-topic-window
In the left top area of the dialog window, all existing topics are listed. There is always one topic active. In the large BCF dialog window, all information of the currently selected topic is displayed.
bcf-icons
These buttons are intended to create, delete and rename a topic. All fields of the topic properties can be filled as needed.
bcf-import-new-topic

Information

bcf-import-menu-info-window
The information area displays general data of the current topic. Examples are the author, description, date of creation or the state of a topic.
info
The information button displays the link from the BCF file to the ELITECAD drawing.

View point

bcf-import-menu-view-point-window
Viewpoints and involved objects can be retrieved from the design model currently loaded in ELITECAD. Viewpoints can be reactivated afterwards. Objects are visualised if needed and added or removed afterwards as well.

Show viewpoint

camera_standpoint_
This function activates the saved viewpoint in ELITECAD.

Create, edit, delete viewpoint

bcf-icons
These buttons are used to create, edit and delete viewpoints. For creation and editing, a dialog window with a preview image opens.
save-viewpoint-preview

Save camera viewpoint

save-camera-viewpoint-checkmark
The camera viewpoint is required in order to return to the position where the image was saved.

Save selection

save-selection-checkmark
In addition to the image, involved objects can be saved as well. The objects have to be selected before saving.

Edit image

edit_
With this function, the snapshot is opened in Microsoft Paint® and can be edited or supplemented with graphical notes (arrows, circles). After saving and closing Paint, the modified image is substituted.

Create snapshot from CAD

camera_video_by_snapshots_
By activating this function, the image of the current view is saved with the SNAPSHOT function and displayed in the preview area.

Select saved image

bcf_file_
A saved image file can be used instead of creating a snapshot.

Object list

bcf_highlight_
This function becomes active after the first viewpoint was saved.

Involved objects are saved optionally when creating a snapshot. The function opens a dialog window where the saved objects are listed. This function is used to add further objects to the list or to remove objects.
viewpoint-selection

Add / delete objects

bcf-icons-add-delete
With the + sign all selected objects in ELITECAD are added to the list. With the – sign the selected entries are removed from the list. Adding new objects is only available after the creation of GUIDs.

Show / hide objects

zoom_ redraw_plus_
These two functions either set only the objects as visible or make the entire design model visible in the graphics window.

Preview

preview-window
Optionally an image for a better explanation of a topic can be saved. This image is created using the VIEWPOINT function and displayed in the preview area.

Comment

bcf-import-menu-comment-window
Comments are sequential documentations of a topic, which are added by different project partners.
bcf-icons
These buttons are intended to create, edit and delete comments. Comments are used for communication or remembering detail information, as well as documenting completed tasks.
new-comment