SteelVis - NIST CIS/2 to VRML and IFC Translator (aka CIS/2 Viewer)

• Download SteelVis (Screenshot)

• Run the online version of SteelVis (VRML output only)

The IFC files can imported into many IFC viewers and CAD programs. The IFC file can be converted to a DWG file with the DDS-CAD Viewer and imported into AutoCAD. IFC files can be imported directly to Google SketchUp with the IFC2SKP plugin. The IFC file can also be converted to a Google Earth KMZ file with IfcStoreyView.

Research about developing an IFC to CIS/2 translator was done at Georgia Tech. There is no VRML to CIS/2 or IFC converter.

NIST has also developed an IFC File Analyzer (zip file) that generates a spreadsheet from an IFC file.

What do the acronyms stand for: CIS/2 - CIMsteel Integration Standards, IFC - Industry Foundation Classes, VRML - Virtual Reality Modeling Language

Read and join the CIS/2 Google Group

• SteelVis fact sheet
• Interoperability with CIS/2 and IFC at NASCC BIM 102 for the Steel Fabricator short course
• Real World Interoperability at Interoperability Network 2008
• CIS/2 and IFC for Structural Steel
• Details of the Mapping Between the CIS/2 and IFC Product Models for Structural Steel
• Mapping Between the CIS/2 and IFC Product Models for Structural Steel
• Visualization of Structural Steel Product Models
• The Role of the CIS/2 in Automating the Erection and Surveying of Structural Steelwork
• IFC File Analyzer (zip file)

• Methods and Metrics for Conformance Testing of Construction Project Data Standards
• Construction Control Using 3D Imaging and Building Information Models
• CONSIAT: Construction Integration and Automation Technology
• Computer Integrated Building Processes Group
• Construction Metrology and Automation Group

The CIMSteel Integration Standards (CIS/2) is the product model and electronic data exchange file format for structural steel project information. CIS/2 is intended to create a seamless and integrated flow of information among all parties of the steel supply chain involved in the construction of steel framed structures. It has been endorsed by the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) as their format for data exchange between steel related CAD software. CIMsteel stands for the Computer Integrated Manufacturing of Constructional Steelwork. The technical basis for CIS/2 is STEP (ISO 10301).

CIS/2 has been implemented as a file import or export capability by many steel design, analysis, engineering, fabrication, and construction software packages. A CIS/2 file exported by an analysis or design program could be imported into a detailing program to detail the connections. CIS/2 itself is not a software package that you buy. The user will see it as file format, just like DXF is a file format, that is imported or exported in a steel related CAD software.

The CIS/2 standard covers everything from nuts and bolts to materials and loads to frames and assemblies. Structures can be represented as analysis, design, or manufacturing (detailed) models. There is a logical relationship between the different types of models. For example, a beam in an analysis model that has to be subdivided for analysis is logically only one beam in the detailed model.

The use of CIS/2 and the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) is an important part of improving the delivery of structural steel projects in the steel supply chain. It can eliminate the redundant and error-prone reentry of information. Interoperability between different CAD software packages using CIS/2 and IFC is also a key driver of Building Information Modeling (BIM).

CIS/2 was not developed by NIST or AISC, rather, NIST served on the AISC's EDI Review Team that chose CIS/2 as the standard for structural steel project information. CIS/2 was developed by Andrew Crowley and Alastair Watson at the Steel Construction Institute (UK). NIST has helped software vendors implement the standard and helped steel designers, detailers, and fabricators use the standard. SteelVis was developed by NIST. Georgia Tech has also done research related to CIS/2.

Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) The Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) are the product data model developed by buildingSMART (formerly the International Alliance for Interoperability, IAI) to facilitate interoperability in the building industry. A CIS/2 to IFC translator (SteelVis) has been developed. This allows CIS/2 information to be imported into CAD applications that support IFC. In the CAD software the steel structure can be used to do model coordination and clash detection with other parts of the structure such as mechanical systems, ductwork, and concrete structures.

VRML Models generated from CIS/2 Files

 

• Use the VRML plugin detector to check if your web browser is properly configured to be able to view the VRML example files below.
• Cosmo Player, Octaga Player, and Cortona3D are the recommended VRML plugins.
• To generate your own VRML models, use SteelVis with the following sample CIS/2 files.
• If you're interested in your own local copy of the VRML models and web page, then download this zip file to your computer. Unzipping the file will create a directory nist_cic_vrml. Use a web browser to load the file cis2.html in that directory.

Benefits of viewing VRML models of CIS/2 files

• Software vendors can verify their CIS/2 export capablities. Although a CIS/2 file might conform to the CIS/2 schema LPM/6, it might not accurately represent what was modeled in the originating software.
• Users can visually verify the CIS/2 export and import capabilities of their steel-related software. Most software vendors do not implement all of the CIS/2 specifications relevant to their software package.
• Viewing VRML models does not require any special software other than a VRML plugin.
• Any construction project participant can view a VRML model without having a software license for the originating software package. A small subcontractor, who does not have any 3D CAD software, can view the same VRML model as the general contractor.
• The 3D interactive features of VRML plugins are faster and more flexible than most steel-related software packages.
• Many users are looking at how the CIS/2 generated VRML models can be integrated into their work process for model verification, electronic review, communication, fabrication, 4D CAD, sales, marketing, etc.

Design Data SDS/2

VRML	Parts	Other features
TrainingStructure.wrl, Summary report	1742	This is a structure that is used to train ironworkers and crane operators. (photograph during construction, Bird's eye view) The project was nominated for an award from the Construction Innovation Forum. It is a project of the Great Lakes Fabricators and Erectors Association. The CIS/2 model was supplied by Douglas Steel.
AISC_Sculpture_J.wrl, Summary report, 3D PDF	115	For more information about the AISC Steel Sculpture, go to AISC or search Google. Sculpture printed in 3D The 3D PDF was created by embedding the VRML model in a PDF file with Adobe Acrobat Pro Extended (formerly Acrobat 3D).
NIST_ECS_site.wrl, Summary report, Google Earth model	5414	This is a model of the supporting steel structure for the NIST Fire Research Facility Emissions Control System (ECS). The SDS/2 modeling and steel fabrication was done by B & B Welding. The CIS/2 VRML model was merged with a VRML model of the site including the terrain and photographs of the actual structure. Photograph of the ECS displayed in the NIST Immersive Virtual Reality Laboratory. Article in Modern Steel Construction (page 4).
seminar.wrl, Summary report, 3D PDF, Google SketchUp model	840	Training seminar model. See above for how the 3D PDF was created. The Google SketchUp model was created by translating the CIS/2 file to VRML. The VRML was converted to DXF with Deep Exploration and then imported to Google Sketchup. A better method is to use the new IFC2SKP plugin for SketchUp that imports IFC files directly. The IFC file can be generated with the CIS/2 to IFC translator (SteelVis).
manufacture.wrl, Summary report	173	Bolts, holes, welds, copes, zones for the construction sequence, decking
dd_pvs.wrl	18984	Bolts (30437), welds, CIS/2 file supplied by Paxton & Vierling Steel
ctiw.wrl	20981	Bolts (48808), welds, sequences, CIS/2 file supplied by Central Texas Iron Works

Tekla Structures (Xsteel)

VRML	Parts	Other features
tekstad.wrl, Summary report	4656
Sample1_Man.wrl, Summary report	1090
Sample1_Ana.wrl	424
nascc_xsteel.wrl, Summary report	330	Fabtrol status information
Sample2_Man.wrl	211
Sample2_Ana.wrl	126

Autodesk Revit Structure

VRML	Parts
Revit1.wrl	421
i_STR_DET.wrl, Summary report, Screenshot	2208/2428

Autodesk Robot Structural Analysis and Robot Millennium

VRML	Parts	Other features
RMI_3.wrl	1796
RMI_4.wrl, Summary report	819	Gerald Ratner Athletics Center

Bentley RAM Steel and RAM CADstudio

VRML	Parts	Other features
RAM4.wrl, Summary report	2846
hubcap.wrl, Summary report	1547
diamond_church.wrl	681
CADstudio.wrl	464	Grid lines, joists
V72_WithJoists.wrl, Summary report	395	Joists
ramcis2.wrl, Google SketchUp model	123

Bentley STAAD.Pro

VRML	Parts
IBC.wrl, Summary Report	3600
Preheat48.wrl	4537

Bentley Structural

VRML	Parts
Bentley3.wrl	2111
Bentley1.wrl, Summary report, Google SketchUp model	664

Computers & Structures ETABS and SAP2000

VRML	Parts	Other features
Stadium.wrl, Summary report Google Earth model To view the Google Earth model install Google Earth. The model should appear like this screenshot. If the correct view does not appear, then in Google Earth under Places on the left, click on the sphere next to Soldier Field CIS/2 Model. In Google Earth turn on the Terrain and toggle on/off the Buildings in the bottom panel. For more information, click on the pushpin. The location of the partial structural steel model is not exact. Find the hidden AISC connection sculpture in Chicago.	1391	Soldier Field, Chicago, Illinois The Google Earth model was created by translating the CIS/2 file to an IFC file with the CIS/2 to IFC Translator (SteelVis) and then converting the IFC file to a Google Earth file with IfcStoreyView. Alternatively, several CAD programs can now export their models directly to Google Earth format.
GoldenGate.wrl, Google Earth model, Screenshot	7644	Golden Gate Bridge
DAM.wrl, Summary report, Google Earth model	2503	Denver Art Museum
StaggeredTruss.wrl	1741	Staggered Truss
dbuild.wrl	935

Intergraph SmartPlant 3D and FrameWorks Plus

VRML	Parts	Other features
SmartPlant3D.wrl, Summary report	170
fwp_des_ana.wrl	139/151	Loads
fwp_man.wrl	107

AceCad StruCad

VRML	Parts
StruCad1.wrl, Summary Report	813

RISA-3D

VRML	Parts
Industrial.wrl, Summary report	2681
Tower.wrl	1629

GTSTRUDL

VRML	Parts	Other features
hanger.wrl, Summary report	1816
fwp_results.wrl	151	Loads and results
sds2_results.wrl	43	Loads and results

Graitec Advance Steel

VRML	Parts
Graitec1.wrl	997
Graitec2.wrl	4165

Steel Construction Institute

VRML	Parts	Other features
example2.wrl, Summary report	95/51	A few parts are incorrectly located
example1.wrl	6

• Navisworks from Autodesk
• ProSteel 3D from Bentley
• ConstructSim from Bentley
• FabSuite from Structural Software Consulting
• Fastrak Building Designer from CSC
• Parabuild from CAD Systems nv
• Cype Metal 3D from Cype
• Space Gass
• StruCIM (Robotic fabrication)
• Quikport from GTS CADBUILD
• CADWorx Steel from Coade (planned)
• Rhino for the Rhino Structural plugin (planned)
• PADDS from Zentech (planned)
• Plant Vision from Black & Veatch
• Oasys GSA (CIS/1)

 X3D Models generated from CIS/2 Files

X3D Models: AISC_Sculpture.x3d, Bentley1.x3d, CADstudio.x3d, DAM.x3d, GoldenGate.x3d, NIST_ECS.x3d, RAM4.x3d, TrainingStructure.x3d

This software was developed at the National Institute of Standards and Technology by employees of the Federal Government in the course of their official duties. Pursuant to Title 17 Section 105 of the United States Code this software is not subject to copyright protection and is in the public domain. This software is an experimental system. NIST assumes no responsibility whatsoever for its use by other parties, and makes no guarantees, expressed or implied, about its quality, reliability, or any other characteristic. We would appreciate acknowledgement if the software is used.

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The original URL for this page is http://cic.nist.gov/vrml/cis2.html