How to Install Blender, BlenderBIM and IfcOpenShell python (IFC 101 - E.01)

Summary

This tutorial walks you through the process of getting started with Blender and IFC files. It guides you to download the latest Blender version or the long-term support version from blender.org, and then introduces the Blender BIM add-on from blendbim.org. The video shows how to install the add-on and use Python with the IFC Open Shell library to open IFC files. It also demonstrates assigning a cube as a wall in Blender and importing IFC Open Shell in the scripting environment.

Takeaways

• 💻 **Download Blender**: Start by downloading the latest version of Blender from blender.org, choosing between the latest version or the long-term support version.
• 🔄 **Portable Version**: For those who run multiple versions, the portable version of Blender is recommended, especially for Windows users.
• 🌐 **Blender BIM Add-on**: Visit blendbim.org to download the Blender BIM add-on, which is essential for handling IFC files.
• 📅 **Developer Builds**: For the latest features, consider downloading developer builds from GitHub, specifically the IFC Open Shell library.
• 🐍 **Python Compatibility**: Ensure Python compatibility with Blender; for Blender 2.93 and above, Python 3.9 is required.
• 📦 **Unzip Downloads**: After downloading, unzip the Blender and Blender BIM files to prepare for installation.
• 🔧 **Launch Blender**: Launch a Blender session either by double-clicking the icon or through the command interface.
• ⚙️ **Install Add-on**: In Blender, go to preferences, add-ons, and install the downloaded Blender BIM add-on.
• 🏗️ **Assign Materials**: Use Blender BIM to assign materials to objects, such as designating a cube as a wall.
• 🔍 **Scripting Environment**: Test the installation by importing IFC Open Shell in Blender's scripting environment to ensure functionality.
• 📈 **Project Creation**: With the add-on installed, you can now create projects and work with IFC files in Blender.

Q & A

What is the estimated time to get started with Blender and IFC files?

It takes less than 10 minutes to get started with Blender and IFC files.

How can IFC files be opened in Blender?

IFC files can be opened in Blender either through a user interface or through the programming console using Python.

Which library is used to open IFC files in Blender?

The IFC Open Shell library is used to open IFC files in Blender.

Where can one download the latest version of Blender?

The latest version of Blender can be downloaded from blender.org.

What version of Blender does the speaker prefer to use?

The speaker prefers to use the portable version of Blender.

Is there a specific website for downloading Blender BIM add-ons?

Yes, blendbim.org is a website where one can download Blender BIM add-ons.

What is the preferred source for getting the Blender BIM add-on according to the speaker?

The speaker prefers to get the developer builds of the Blender BIM add-on from GitHub.

Which Python version is required for Blender 2.93 and above?

Python 3.9 is required for Blender 2.93 and above.

How can one launch a Blender session?

A Blender session can be launched either by double-clicking the Blender icon or by running it through the command interface.

How is the Blender BIM add-on installed in Blender?

The Blender BIM add-on is installed by going to Preferences, Add-ons, clicking on Install, locating the downloaded add-on, and then clicking Install Add-on.

How can one check if the Blender BIM add-on installation was successful?

One can check if the Blender BIM add-on installation was successful by trying to create a project or by going to the scripting environment and attempting to import IFC Open Shell.

Outlines

00:00

💻 Getting Started with Blender and BlenderBIM

The script provides a step-by-step guide on how to get started with Blender and BlenderBIM. It begins with downloading the latest version of Blender from blender.org, with a preference for the portable version for Windows users. The script then directs users to blendbim.org to download the BlenderBIM add-on, specifically the developer build from GitHub, dated October 31, 2021. It emphasizes the need for Python 3.9 for Blender 2.93 and above. The process of launching Blender is described, either by double-clicking the icon or through the command interface. The script then details the installation of BlenderBIM by navigating to Blender's preferences, installing the add-on, and checking its functionality by creating a project and assigning a cube as a wall. Finally, it guides users to test the import of the 'ifc open shell' library in the scripting environment.

Keywords

💡Blender

Blender is a free and open-source 3D creation suite that supports the entirety of the 3D pipeline—modeling, rigging, animation, simulation, rendering, compositing, and motion tracking, as well as video editing and game creation. In the context of the video, Blender is used as a platform to open and work with IFC files, showcasing its versatility beyond just 3D modeling.

💡Blender BIM

Blender BIM is an add-on for Blender that enhances its capabilities to handle BIM (Building Information Modeling) tasks, such as working with IFC files. It provides a user-friendly interface for tasks like creating and managing architectural projects. In the script, the user installs Blender BIM to work with IFC files, highlighting its role in integrating BIM functionalities into Blender.

💡IFC files

IFC stands for Industry Foundation Classes, which is a file format used in Building Information Modeling (BIM) to facilitate the exchange and sharing of digital information about a building project among various stakeholders. In the video, the focus is on opening IFC files using Blender and Blender BIM, demonstrating how to integrate BIM data into the 3D modeling process.

💡IFC Open Shell

IFC Open Shell is a Python library for working with IFC files. It provides a comprehensive set of tools for reading, writing, and manipulating IFC data. In the video, the user installs a version of IFC Open Shell compatible with Blender to enable the import and manipulation of IFC files within the Blender environment.

💡Python

Python is a high-level, interpreted programming language known for its readability and ease of use. It is often used for scripting and automation in various applications, including Blender. In the video, Python is used to interact with the IFC Open Shell library for programmatically working with IFC files in Blender.

💡User Interface

The user interface (UI) refers to the space where interactions between humans and computers take place. In the context of the video, the user interface of Blender is used to interact with the Blender BIM add-on, allowing users to open IFC files and perform BIM-related tasks without needing to write code.

💡Programming Console

A programming console is an environment within an application where users can write, execute, and debug code. In the video, the programming console in Blender is used to import the IFC Open Shell library and perform operations on IFC files using Python scripts.

💡Portable Version

A portable version of software is a standalone version that does not require installation and can run from a USB drive or any other portable storage device. In the script, the user chooses the portable version of Blender to have a version that is easy to carry around and use on different systems.

💡GitHub

GitHub is a web-based platform for version control and collaboration that allows developers to work on projects together. In the video, GitHub is mentioned as the source for downloading developer builds of the IFC Open Shell library, indicating its role in distributing and managing the development of the library.

💡Add-on Installation

An add-on in the context of software like Blender is an additional component that extends the functionality of the base application. The video demonstrates the process of installing the Blender BIM add-on to enhance Blender's capabilities with BIM features, such as opening and managing IFC files.

💡Scripting Environment

The scripting environment in Blender is a space where users can write and execute Python scripts to automate tasks or extend the functionality of Blender. In the video, the scripting environment is used to import the IFC Open Shell library and interact with IFC files programmatically.

Highlights

Getting started with Blender and Blender, pip is easy and takes less than 10 minutes.

Opening IFC files through a user interface or programming console using Python and the IFC Open Shell library.

Downloading the latest Blender version or the long-term support version from blender.org.

Choosing the portable version for those who like to run different versions of Blender.

Downloading Blender BIM add-on from blendbim.org for additional functionality.

Preference for developer builds available on GitHub for IFC Open Shell.

Downloading Python 3.9 or Python 3.7 version for Blender 2.93 and above.

Unzipping the Blender download to launch a Blender session.

Launching Blender either by double-clicking the icon or through the command interface.

Installing Blender BIM by going to preferences, add-ons, and clicking on install.

Assigning a cube as a wall to test the functionality of Blender BIM.

Verifying the successful implementation of Blender BIM with a wall assignment.

Accessing the scripting environment to import IFC Open Shell.

Successfully importing IFC Open Shell in the scripting environment.

The process is efficient and straightforward, taking less than 10 minutes to set up.

The use of portable versions allows for flexibility in running different Blender versions.

Blender BIM add-on enhances Blender's capabilities for handling IFC files.

GitHub is a valuable resource for accessing developer builds of IFC Open Shell.

Python 3.9 is required for Blender 2.93 and above, ensuring compatibility.

Unzipping and launching Blender is a simple process for starting a session.

Blender BIM can be easily installed through Blender's preferences and add-ons.

Assigning objects like cubes as walls demonstrates the practical application of Blender BIM.

The scripting environment provides a way to integrate IFC Open Shell for advanced users.

Transcripts

getting started with blender and blender

pip is pretty easy it takes less than 10

minutes

and we're going to be able to open ifc

files through either a user interface

or through programming console using

python and the ifc open shell library

so in order to do that we are going

to go to blender.org

and download the latest blender version

or

the long-term support

version

so we're presented with different

options depending on our operating

system

since i have windows

and i like to run different versions

of blender i'll take the portable

version

let's go ahead and download that

but that's being downloaded

you can also

go to blendbim.org

and grab yourself

a blender bim add-on version this one is

from the 31st of october 2021 and i

prefer to get the developer builds which

are available on

github

so if you type in ifc open shell github

click on the first link there

and then go to releases

you can then choose the python 39 or

python 37 version

for blender 2.93 and above you need

python 39 that's where i'll go with

and that's it once that's being

downloaded which are very small files

you need to unzip

your

blender

download and within the file

to launch a blender session either

double click on the blender icon

which should

bring you a session within a few seconds

or

you can also run it through

command interface

by typing in

blender and here we go

now

in order to get blender bim in here

we're going to go to preferences

add-ons

and then

click on install

locate your download of blender bim

click install add-on wait a few seconds

and then let's just take this little

tick box

and that's it we should be good to go

let's check

you can now create a project

let's assign this cube

as a wall

all right

did it work

yes it did

let's go to the scripting environment

and try and import ifc open shell

okay perfect we're good to go