Group

In the Breakdown Structure, you can also create different group- and system entities. These entities are typically used to build up functional systems as explained further up in this document. IfcGroup, IfcBuiltsystem, IfcDistributionSystem, IfcZone etc. can be created with this tool. These group- and system entities are placed directly below the IfcProject in the spatial breakdown structure. They can also be placed below each other in a tree structure.

When selecting the IfcProject or another group or system entity in the Explorer, then the Group menu choice will be active. When selecting this, the toolbar shown below opens. 

Working from left to right will allow you to do the following: 

1. In the Task section you can name your group or system entity, as well as associate it to the IfcProject or another group or system entity you have created.
   
   

2. In the General Information section you  can specify attribute values for the group or system entity:

   • Entity Type: Here you can choose which of the group or system entity types you define, like  IfcGroup, IfcBuiltsystem, IfcDistributionSystem, IfcZone etc. This tool covers all these different group and system entity types.

   • Description:  Freetext description of the group or system entity 

   • Predefined Type: See explanation for Spatial Structure Entity above.

   • Object Type: See explanation for Spatial Structure Entity above.
     
     

3. The Relationships section allows you to select the relevant objects to be associated with the Spatial Structure Entity. 

   • Objects in this group: Let you select objects to be associated to the Group or System Entity with the IfcRelAssignesToGroup association type
     
     

Finally the Finish section allows you to Finish or Cancel the Group or System Entity creation. 

Learn more about Group and System Entities and the IFC workflow here.