3D visualization for building information models based upon IFC and WebGL integration

Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology provides broad-ranging support of AEC (architecture, engineering, and construction) industry needs. The inclusion of a web display provides increased support to BIM users and it is desirable that global CAD (computer-aided design) and BIM design software should provide increased access to building product specifications via web browser. Recent actions towards to develop a BIM-based Web3D environments evidence the effort of facing the situation which request to integrate IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) with web technology, such as WebGL. This paper discusses a method to create 3D visualization for BIM models in web browser by combining IFC standard and WebGL technology. The solution is developed based upon a conversion of IFC text into object file (OBJ) and a subsequent OBJ compilation in WebGL. The main work consists of three parts. First, based on IFC standard, the IFC-to-OBJ transforming method is constructed for encoding specific IFC attributes into the OBJ file. Second, through WebGL programming, a visualization method is presented for creating 3D performance in web browser. Thirdly, a visualization platform with three-layered structure is designed based on IFC and WebGL integration for BIM data. The testing of the approach and the platform suggested demonstrated consistency in the conversion process and stability and rendering quality in the display of models over the Web browser. The method may be applied in planning and design workflows, particularly in multiuser, multi-BIM-application and real-time environments, which require BIM models or exported IFC files to be visualized easily in the web browser.