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Outline of Ifc Model Server Development Project
Outline of Ifc Model Server Development Project
VTT-TEC-ADA-01
1. INTRODUCTION..........................................................................................................................1
2. OBJECTIVE .................................................................................................................................1
3. GOAL ...........................................................................................................................................2
6. SCHEDULE ..................................................................................................................................5
1. Introduction
This document describes a proposal for development of IFC Model Server which stores IFC object model
within the database system and runs on the internet. I believe that the necessity of IFC compatible model server
has been increased by the worldwide IFC implementation experiences in recent years.
Without this kind of model server functionality, sharing of IFC data by IFC compatible applications would be
limited to file base exchanges. If a model server functionality is provided on the internet, IFC compatible
applications can communicate with each other via the internet and utilize function implemented in the model
server such as partial model import / export.
The model server will import and export IFC model by BLIS-XML and STEP file format. In the future
development, it will also provide a wide variety of Web Service functions, i.e. scheduling doors windows,
external library data merger into IFC model with property set system, VRML converter, and so on. On top of that,
using SOAP for the communication between model server and client software, the model server functionality can
be used by many kinds of client software such as web browsers and java applets.
To realize this model server, several basic technologies need to be cleared up.
• Storing IFC model data in a database system. (SQL Server, Oracle, etc)
• Automatic schema conversion from IFC EXPRESS to database schema
• XML based SOAP communication between model server and client software
By storing IFC model data in a database, the model server secures the utilization of a large size building model.
At present, most of database management systems include XML data storing functions, thus the development of
IFC model server will utilize those XML related tools and functions in order to cooperate with BLIS-XML
technology.
2. Objective
The objective of this project is to develop an IFC Model Server prototype. The prototype will be positioned as
a basis of the future IFC Model Server products for IFC compliant software applications, and therefore the
3. Goal
The goal of this development project is to realize following points:
• Storing IFC model data in a database system. (SQL Server, Oracle, etc)
• Automatic schema conversion from IFC EXPRESS schema to database schema by using XML
technology
• XML based SOAP communication between model server and client software
1
OIM: Open Information Model is a framework that was developed by MDC(Meta Data Coalition) for defining meta data.
EXPRESS
EXC
EXPRESS To XML Schema Converter
XML Schema
DALC is based on the database schema which is made by EXC tool. ADO component is used for accessing to
1. With user interface on the web pages: Users operate upload and download procedures on the web pages
manually. This is a quite traditional way to use web pages. ASP scripts will run the DALC directly. Http
protocol is used for downloading/uploading IFC files.
2. By using SOAP protocol: Client applications can access to the Web Service Component on the IFC
Model Server site via SOAP protocol. A request is sent out to the Web service by client applications in
order to download and upload the IFC Model Data. The IFC Model data written by BLIS-XML will be
encapsulated by SOAP.
WSL also provides IFC Model handling user interfaces to client applications. This means that a kind of partial
model select and merge functions, quantity take off function, property set edit function and so on, will be
attached into the Web Service in the future. In this proposal, preliminary limited model select and merge function,
defined by the building storey, will be implemented.
In the first stage of this proposal, ASP (Active Server Page) on IIS (Internet Information Server) will be used.
To support XML and SOAP protocol, Windows 2000 Server, SOAP SDK and BizTalk Server (if needed) will be
necessary.
5. Conclusion
EXPRESS XML Schema
Model As BLIS- Converter
XML
Request by SOAP IFC EXPRESS Schema
Application Internet
via Database
SOAP Schema
SOAP (SQL)
Listner
CAD IFC Model Data
(XML or STEP)
.Net client
Catalog Data
(XML by PSML)
Door Window
Manufacturer
6. Schedule
1/7 1/8 1/9 1/10 1/11 1/12 1/1 1/2 1/3 1/4 1/5
6/2001 6/2002
Preparation
1/6 30/6
EXRRESS to XML Database Schema
Converter
1/8 1/9 1/10
1/7 31/10