Model Checker

CORENET X Submission Portal

Model Checker

The Model Checker helps project teams identify IFC schema and model quality issues in their IFC+SG models before and during CORENET X submission, allowing issues to be identified and addressed early.

What Does the Model Checker Check?

The Model Checker comprises three checking components, each with a dedicated purpose.

IFC Schema Check

Checks IFC file validity and structure to ensure it can be processed by CORENET X.

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IFC Schema Check

Verifies the IFC file's schema, integrity and structure to identify issues that may prevent it from being processed.

IFC version, file integrity, mandatory attributes and spatial hierarchy.

Quality Check

Checks selected IFC+SG model quality requirements and information completeness.

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Quality Check

Reviews selected IFC+SG model quality requirements and the completeness of information required by the CORENET X Code of Practice.

Required model information, property completeness and selected modelling requirements.

Regulatory Compliance Check

Supports checking selected regulatory requirements using BIM model information.

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Regulatory Compliance Check

Intended to support automated assessment of selected regulatory requirements using information contained in BIM models.

Regulatory checking capabilities are planned for progressive implementation.

Progressive Implementation of Model Checker

The Model Checker is being developed and implemented progressively. The current version supports selected IFC Schema Checks and Quality Checks, with additional checking capabilities to be introduced in subsequent phases.

When Can You Use the Model Checker?

The Model Checker can be used before formal submission and as part of the CORENET X submission process.

Stage 01

Before Submission

Project teams can use the Pre-Submission Check to identify IFC schema and model quality issues before formal submission.

What you can do

Upload IFC models, run the available checks, review results and make necessary corrections before submission.

Stage 02

During Submission

The Model Checker forms part of the formal CORENET X submission workflow.

What happens

IFC Schema Check is performed when models are uploaded. Quality Check is initiated as part of the submission workflow.

Step-by-Step Guidance

Model Checker User Guide

Learn how to use the Model Checker MVP to check IFC models and review checking results.

The step-by-step industry guide provides instructions for using the Model Checker before and during CORENET X submission.

View Step-by-Step Guide

IFC Schema Check – Errors & Troubleshooting

Enter the error code or select an issue below to understand the possible cause and recommended troubleshooting steps.

6 error codes

What does this mean?

The Model Checker is unable to read or process the IFC file.

Likely cause

The IFC file may be incomplete or corrupted and cannot be processed correctly.

How to troubleshoot

  1. Open the IFC file in another IFC viewer, such as BIMcollab or BIMvision.
  2. If the file also cannot be opened in another viewer, re-export it from the original BIM authoring software.
  3. If the file opens and displays correctly in another viewer but the Model Checker still cannot process it, contact the CORENET X Helpdesk for further investigation.
Contact CORENET X Helpdesk ↗

What does this mean?

The IFC file was exported using an IFC version or Model View Definition that is not supported for CORENET X submission.

Likely cause

The IFC export settings in the BIM authoring software may not have been configured for IFC4 Reference View.

How to troubleshoot

  1. Check the IFC export settings in your BIM authoring software.
  2. Follow the recommended IFC+SG settings and export the model as IFC4 Reference View.
  3. Run the newly exported IFC file through the Model Checker again.
View BIM authoring tool settings ↗

What does this mean?

The Model Checker cannot identify a valid IfcProject at the top of the IFC spatial hierarchy.

A typical building model should follow the spatial hierarchy from the project down to the building storeys, with model elements contained at the appropriate storey.

✓ Expected hierarchy
IfcProject
IfcSite
IfcBuilding
IfcBuildingStorey
Building elements
! Incomplete hierarchy
IfcProject missing
IfcSite
IfcBuilding
IfcBuildingStorey

Likely cause

IFC exports from BIM authoring software should normally create the required project and spatial hierarchy. The hierarchy may be missing because of incorrect export settings, source model configuration, or subsequent modification of the IFC file.

How to troubleshoot

  1. Open the IFC file in an IFC viewer and review the spatial hierarchy.
  2. Check the expected structure: IfcProject → IfcSite → IfcBuilding → IfcBuildingStorey → building elements.
  3. Review the recommended IFC+SG export settings and re-export the IFC file.
View BIM authoring tool settings ↗

What does this mean?

The Model Checker checks whether the IFC file contains at least one IfcSite entity.

An IFC file without an IfcSite will be flagged.

The expected spatial hierarchy for a typical building model is shown below.

✓ Expected hierarchy
IfcProject
IfcSite
IfcBuilding
IfcBuildingStorey
Building elements
! Missing IfcSite
IfcProject
IfcSite missing
IfcBuilding
IfcBuildingStorey

For CORENET X submission, it is recommended to maintain only one IfcSite under the IfcProject to ensure a consistent spatial hierarchy.

Likely cause

The IFC export settings in the BIM authoring software may not be configured correctly, resulting in the IfcSite entity being omitted from the exported IFC file.

How to troubleshoot

  1. Open the IFC file in an IFC viewer and review the spatial hierarchy to confirm that an IfcSite is present.
  2. Review the recommended IFC+SG export settings for the BIM authoring software.
  3. Re-export the IFC file and run the Model Checker again.
View BIM authoring tool settings ↗

What does this mean?

The Model Checker detected one or more entity types in the IFC file that are not valid for use under the applicable IFC schema.

Likely cause

The IFC file may contain an entity type that is not defined in the applicable IFC schema, or an IFC entity that exists in the schema but is defined as an abstract entity and should not be used directly in an IFC file.

These issues may be introduced during IFC export, conversion or subsequent modification of the IFC file.

Unknown IFC class

The entity type is not defined in the applicable IFC schema.

Abstract IFC class

The entity exists in the schema but should not be instantiated directly. A valid concrete subtype should be used.

For example, IfcCartesianPointList is an abstract entity. The applicable concrete subtype is IfcCartesianPointList2D or IfcCartesianPointList3D.

How to troubleshoot

  1. Check the affected IFC entity type reported in the Model Checker error.
  2. Re-export the IFC file using the recommended IFC+SG export settings.
  3. Avoid manually changing IFC entity names or entity types, as this may result in an invalid IFC structure.
  4. Run the newly exported IFC file through the Model Checker again.
  5. If the error persists, contact the CORENET X Helpdesk with the IFC file, error code and affected entity information.
View BIM authoring tool settings ↗ Contact CORENET X Helpdesk ↗

What does this mean?

The Model Checker detected invalid or incomplete IFC data that does not meet the expected IFC schema requirements.

The specific issue may vary depending on the affected IFC entity or attribute reported in the Model Checker error message.

Likely cause

The IFC file may contain one or more of the following issues:

  • IfcShapeRepresentation.ContextOfItems — The required representation context is missing.
  • IfcShapeRepresentation.RepresentationType — The representation type is missing or incomplete.

These issues may originate from the BIM authoring software, IFC exporter, or subsequent modification of the IFC file.

How to troubleshoot

Please contact the CORENET X Helpdesk for assistance. Provide the IFC file, error code and detailed error message shown in the Model Checker to support investigation.

Contact CORENET X Helpdesk ↗
No matching error found

Check the error code or try another keyword.

Help & Support

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to common questions about the CORENET X Model Checker, including its usage, checking results and technical support.

Visit the CORENET X Helpdesk to view the latest Model Checker FAQs and answers.

View Model Checker FAQs

Quality Check (QC) – Common Issues & Guidance

Quality Check (QC) reviews the completeness and consistency of BIM model information against selected requirements in the CORENET X Code of Practice (CX COP). It helps Qualified Persons (QPs) identify potential modelling and coordination issues.

Understanding QC Results

Quality Check results are classified as Pass, Fail or Alert.

Pass

The BIM model has satisfied the requirements of the specific QC check.

Fail

The BIM model does not follow the applicable CX COP requirements and needs to be revised.

Alert

The BIM model may deviate from CX COP requirements. QPs should review and verify the reported issue.

Quality Check Categories

Explore the six QC categories to understand the checking criteria, common issues and modelling guidance.

6 QC categories
No matching QC category found. Try another keyword or QC code.

Reviewing QC Results

Upon completion of Quality Check, QPs can download the results in BIM Collaboration Format (BCF) from the CORENET X Submission Portal.

The BCF results can be reviewed using a compatible BCF viewer or BIM authoring software to identify the reported issues.

QPs should review the results and verify that their BIM models meet the applicable CX COP requirements.

Further Reference

For detailed Quality Check rules, examples of report messages and modelling guidance, refer to the CORENET X Model Checker MVP – Step-by-Step Industry Guide.

The guide provides additional information on the checking requirements and how to prepare BIM models for the Model Checker.