The purpose of classifications and classes is to connect objects and processes in the model that maintain various considerations and purposes.
The classification system helps you organize and link the objects (like walls, pipes, or roads) and processes (like demolition or installation tasks) in your model. It lets you categorize information based on different needs and purposes.
For example, you might classify elements in the follow ways.
- Drawing key: Grouping elements that appear on specific drawings.
- Phase division: Separating elements by project phases (e.g., design, construction, demolition).
- Specifications: Classifying objects and processes according to a particular set of requirements or standards.
Once you've defined your classification system, you can assign individual classes to specific objects in your model. This means you're directly connecting detailed information to the visual components.
- Tag objects related to the task of moving cables, demolishing houses, or adding tarmac.
- Link objects belonging to a specific trade or discipline to the responsible person or company for that field.
Here's a visual example.
This flexibility allows you to connect various types of information to your model, tailoring the classification based on what you need to achieve with your data.
These features are implemented in Object Manager using two task types: classification and class. These can be access from the Home menu.
Classification
A classification is a task that contains classes put into one system and a structure to satisfy a particular purpose. The classification task must contain a name and a description of the standard.
The classification can be used in a similar way as the Property Set Editor and Object Manager Configuration, but works in another way. To create a classification, you do not need to configure the Feature Catalog because classification works on top of the Feature Catalog.
Some configurations of Object Manager include predefined classification templates. These templates are based on national standards for specific countries.
For example, when you are working with a classification system that adheres to V770 (a guideline for BIM and modeling standards for infrastructure projects in Norway), you can use classes to apply its specific process codes to your model objects.
Classification is a separate task in which you add selected features to a Classification task. The classification can then be used to generate CAD layers when exporting to DWG or DGN files. A classification can also be used to create generic properties when exporting to other file formats, like IFC. For instructions, see Add Features to a Class.
When objects in a model are connected to their respective process codes, you can also use these process codes to publish to DWG and export to LandXML. For these formats, you set up combinations of classification and description, so that DWG layer names and LandXML object name is named acc. classifications. For instructions, see Export and Publish Setup.
Class
Class is a sub-task of the specific classification that is made, therefore a class task can't exist without a classification. A class task consists of a code and a description of that task.
Use the class tool to connect classes with process tags to objects. Here you can select specific objects or if you want as automatic as possible, use the dynamic query dialog.
In many cases, you will be assigned to use a standard classification template that either adheres national standards for each country when you work on a project. However, it is possible to have custom classes if you created your own classification. In either scenario, you can insert new objects into a class. For instructions, see Insert an Object into a Class.