How to Create and Edit BIM Spaces in BricsCAD BIM

Quick answer: BIM Spaces come from enclosed areas, when wall elements enclose a space, BIMSPACE defines it as a solid, easy to manipulate further, and associates it with a space tag, a block containing a polyline and attributes (Name and Number by default, editable in the Properties panel). This resolves the Spaces mode mentioned on this hub’s QuickBuilding page’s bottom-up workflow.

Defining a BIM Space

1. Select the Space tool under Home > Classify > Space, or type BIMSPACE; you’re prompted to pick a point inside the space, or choose Edit.
2. Pick a point inside the space area in your model.
3. Move the cursor to pick a point; Dynamic UCS defines the space’s bottom plane, a green checkmark next to the cursor indicates a valid location, a red cross indicates the plane isn’t available.
4. On that plane, an area enclosed by wall elements or other space bounding entities is detected, and a space tag places at its centre. Space bounding entities are 3D solids or linear 2D entities classified as a BIM entity with their Space bounding property set to On (walls, curtain walls, slabs, and columns, but also hatches and polylines can count). If a space bounding solid’s Centerline property is set to On, its centre is used as the space boundary instead of its face.
5. Edit the BIM Space’s properties in the Properties panel; change Representation from Solid to Footprint for a less prominent visualization.

Editing a BIM Space’s Building and Story properties overrides the corresponding properties of every element contained within it (anything with that space set as its own Space property).

Creating BIM Spaces from Virtual Boundaries

Useful when you need a boundary that isn’t a physical wall, separate parking spaces, or large auditorium spaces for energy analytics, for example.

1. Divide the space with linear entities, hatches or lines.
2. Select the dividing entities.
3. Classify them as space bounding: Home > Classify > Wall, or the BIM tab of the Quad.
4. Type BIMSPACE and pick a point inside the space.

If the line doesn’t actually divide the space, check the Properties panel’s BIM section to confirm the Space bounding property is turned on.

Creating BIM Spaces Automatically

BIMIFY and BIMQUICKBUILDING both create BIM Spaces and automatically assign information to them, like their story and building (see BIMSPATIALLOCATIONS). Both search for space bounding entities and create spaces wherever possible, and the resulting spaces behave exactly like manually created ones, fully editable afterward.

Frequently Asked Questions

What entity types can act as space bounding entities? 3D solids or linear 2D entities classified as a BIM entity with their Space bounding property on, walls, curtain walls, slabs, and columns, but also hatches and polylines.

Can I create a space boundary that isn’t a physical wall? Yes, use a virtual boundary, dividing the space with a line or hatch, then classifying it as space bounding before running BIMSPACE.

What happens if I change a BIM Space’s Building or Story property? It overrides the same property on every element contained within that space.

Do automatically created BIM Spaces behave differently from manually created ones? No, spaces created by BIMIFY or BIMQUICKBUILDING behave and edit exactly like manually created ones.