How to Use Bimify in BricsCAD BIM
Quick answer: BIMIFY analyzes a model and automatically classifies 3D solids into building elements, assigning spatial locations, spaces, buildings, and stories, also detecting and classifying external and internal walls. This finally resolves the command referenced across nearly every earlier page in this hub’s BIM sections. It auto-detects whether a model is Architectural, Structural, or MEP and uses that during classification, though you can also set the discipline manually in the Bimify command panel to improve accuracy. Solids auto-classified as columns, beams, or members get their matching profile name added as metadata if found in the profile library, or a new profile definition created if not. It works on models with a mix of classified and unclassified entities, linking the classified ones to their appropriate spatial locations too.
Bimifying Your Entire Drawing
- Choose Bimify from the Quad, the BIM Data > CLASSIFY ribbon tab, the BIM Classify toolbar, or type
BIMIFY; the Bimify command panel opens. - Select Entire drawing and click Apply.
Once complete, an overview of the result displays in the Prompt History panel (with Keep panel open and show results ticked, the Bimify command panel itself shows progress and results as it calculates). Bimify creates new spatial locations wherever needed: before running it, the Structure panel’s tree shows only plain 3D solids; afterward, entities sort into their corresponding building, story, and building element type, the same tree customizable via the Structure panel configuration covered elsewhere in this hub.
Bimify recognizes structural member profiles and detects the axis location of each one, viewable afterward in a linear solid’s Properties panel. Elevation views and floor plan sections generate last. For a simple building, this might detect one BIM Space and four external walls, visible through the Is External property under Wall Common in the Properties panel.
The Controllable Options
Adjust these in the Bimify command panel:
| Option | What it does |
|---|---|
| Discipline | Manually defines the drawing’s discipline, improving Bimify’s accuracy |
| Auto-classification | Automatically classifies Solids and Block References |
| Assign structural/MEP Profiles | Assigns available profiles from the BIM Profiles panel to columns, beams, members, or flow segments (only available with Auto-classification on) |
| Assign spatial locations | Assigns buildings and floors, detects spaces, and identifies internal versus external walls (only available with Auto-classification on) |
| Create spaces | Detects external walls, setting Wall Common/is External to On, and detects spaces, the same concept as BIMSPACE (only available with Assign spatial locations on) |
| Create sections | Creates an elevation view and a plan section per floor (only available with Assign spatial locations on) |
Every checkbox is selected by default, though BricsCAD remembers your previous settings. To access Assign spatial locations, Auto-classification must be on with the Solids checkbox selected, since Bimify needs that information to detect the other elements.
Bimifying a Selection of Your BIM Model
- Type
BIMIFY. - Click the select icon to choose the part of your drawing you want to Bimify.
- Select the entities you want.
- Press Enter to accept the selection (not every option is available in the Bimify command panel when working on a selection rather than the entire drawing).
- Click Apply to complete the process.
- An overview of the result displays in the Prompt History panel once finished.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Bimify work on a drawing that already has some entities classified? Yes, it works on models with a mix of classified and unclassified entities, and links the already-classified ones to their spatial locations too.
Why can’t I access the Assign spatial locations option? Auto-classification needs to be on, with the Solids checkbox specifically selected, since that information is required to detect the other elements.
What happens if a classified column or beam’s profile doesn’t match anything in the library? A new profile definition is created in the library automatically.
Are all the same options available when Bimifying just a selection instead of the whole drawing? No, not every option in the Bimify command panel is available when working on a selection.