5 steps to create project in BlenderBIM
In a previous article, we discussed six reasons to choose the Blender and the BlenderBIM add-on. Today, I want to examine that niche more closely. This article covers the process of creating a simple house project.
To start our project, we need to install Blender and BlenderBIM. This is a simple process, and all the necessary materials can be found here (For Blender) and here (for BlenderBIM).
Installation instructions can be found here and here.
Once the installation process is complete, we can begin our project. Let’s create a small cabin house.
1. Start project
Open Blender and start a new project.
This is the basic view of Blender. You can easily set up the interface according to your preferences
First, we need to delete all standard elements. Then, we can create a project based on BlenderBIM. I am using the IFC4 Demo Library with metric units, specifically millimeters for length measurement.
After that, you will be able to see a tree structure in the Outliner. This structure is created by the IFC standard format. It helps us to assign elements to their correct position in space. Please remember that every element created in Blender needs to be converted into an IFC object by assigning a category, known as the IFC Class.
2. Create levels and grids
First, we need to determine the levels of our future buildings. I have created three levels and renamed them.
level_00 is used to refer to the elements on the basement.
Level_01 is used to refer to the elements on the first floor.
level_02 is used to refer to the elements on the roof.
To determine the level, you can use Blender’s “Plain Axes” empty element. First, press “Shift + A”, then select “Empty”, then select “Plain Axes”. Finally, place the element in the correct position in space and rename it appropriately.
The next step involves working with grids. Our project’s grids have dimensions of 3.5 by 3.5 meters. I use “IFC Grid” tool for that. First, press “Shift + A”, then select “Mesh”, then select “IFC Grid”. You will see a 2 by 2 grid.
You can select and place each axis in the proper position in space. Additionally, you can use “edit mode” to change the length of the grids. To do that, press “TAB” and select the points on the grid that you want to move.
3. Create main types of elements
For the project, we need to create several types of columns and beams. First, let’s create a profile for our future elements.
After that, let’s create an empty element as we did in the previous step. We then have to assign an IFC class to that empty element. Be careful with the products and classes.
And then we need to assign our profile to a new type of beam.
4. Create 3D elements
After preparation, we can start modeling. Let’s begin with columns and beams.
You can create any type of element and use a shortcut key for it. You can also select an element that has already been created and modify it. For example, pressing “Shift+A” creates an element, and pressing “Shift+R” rotates an element.
But be careful and check the level of geometry.
5. Adding Furniture.
Before we can start locating furniture, we need to add a library with elements saved in an IFC file.
The first step is to upload the library to the project. You can do this in the “IFC Project Library” field. Next, select the element you want to upload to the project and click on “clip”.
It is easy to place geometry in your project.
Scene files
5 steps to create project in BlenderBIM
Conclution
We have considered the main way and tool for modeling. Another way to model and assign parameters to geometry is by using the Python console, but we will discuss that later.
If you are used to working in Revit or ArchiCAD, it may be tricky to start working in BlenderBIM. There is a different logic for creating models and assigning parameters to them. Anyway, you can create geometry quickly and easily.
Thank you for reading. Stay tuned and subscribe. Soon there will be another article.
