CIS/2 and IFC - Product Data Standards for Structural Steel

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

SteelVis details
Download SteelVis
Run the web services version of SteelVis
SteelVis User's Guide
Sample files: Screenshot, VRML file, IFC file, Spreadsheet

SteelVis can translate a CIS/2 file into a VRML file (3D model for viewing) or an IFC file. The VRML files can be viewed with a VRML plugin or other software. SteelVis also includes the CIS/2 File Analyzer that generates a spreadsheet from a CIS/2 file.

The IFC files can imported into many IFC viewers and BIM programs. IFC files can be imported directly to Google SketchUp with the IFC2SKP plugin.

The VRML models can also be displayed with X3DOM which does not require any plugin to view the 3D model.

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

SteelVis was initially developed in 2000 as a command-line program running on a Silicon Graphics workstation. In 2001 it was ported to run as a web service. The Windows version was released in 2003.

The IFC File Analyzer is also available.

Presentations and Papers

CIS/2 Logo 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 AISC as their format for data exchange between steel related CAD software. CIMsteel stands for the Computer Integrated Manufacturing of Constructional Steelwork.

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 a 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 been instrumental in the development and implementation of CIS/2.

CIS/2 Resources	Documentation
AISC CIS/2 AISC Interoperability Strategy AISC Software Development Forum CIS/2 at Georgia Tech CIS/2 Google Group Historical: CIS2.org, NIST CIS/2, The CIMsteel Project, CIS/1	CIS/2 Manuals: Complete Set, Volume 1 - Overview, Volume 2 - Implementation Guide, Volume 4 - Product Model and Entity Details, Volume 5 - Conformance Requirements CIS/2 Schema: Documentation, EXPRESS-G Diagrams, EXPRESS Schema (LPM/6, structural_frame_schema) STEP Tools CIS/2, EXPRESS Data Manager (EDM) CIS/2 Sample CIS/2 Files (zip file)
Articles	Research
Modern Steel Construction (AISC) articles: Is a Robot in Your Future?, Model Exchange and Review - Live, Detailing and BIM: Are You Ready?, BIM in the Real World, Second Nature, Constructability - Now More Than Ever, Inclined Towards Interoperability, Driving Toward an Integrated Solution, Practical BIM, A Virtual Success, Between Dimensions, Super Models, Consider Constructability, Dream Team, 3 Schools + 2 Years = 1 Team, Building Better, Outside the Box, Dynamic Exchange, On The Horizon, Leaping Ahead With EDI BIM Fundamentals Seminar for Structural Engineers The CIS/2 Format: Another AEC Interoperability Standard Steel Sector Plans Paradigm Shift	Mobile 3D Visualization for Construction Immersive Virtual Reality for Steel Structures Evaluation of standard product models for supporting automated erection of structural steelwork (AutoCIS2 video) Using VRML In Construction Industry Applications Deployment of an AEC Industry Sector Product Model Productivity Gains Through CIS/2 Location Tracking of Prefabricated Construction Assemblies A Case Study of IFC and CIS/2 Support for Steel Supply Chain Processes Strategies for Realizing the Benefits of 3D Integrated Modeling of Buildings for the AEC Industry Potential Savings from Standardized Electronic Information Exchange

Industry Foundation Classes (IFC)

The Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) are the product data model developed by buildingSMART 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 BIM applications that support IFC. In the BIM 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.

IFC Resources

NIST Resources

VRML Models generated by SteelVis 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. To generate your own VRML models, use SteelVis with the following sample CIS/2 files. The sample CIS/2 files used to generate the VRML models below do not necessarily reflect the current CIS/2 export capabilities of the software packages represented nor are there associated VRML models for all software packages that have implemented CIS/2. NIST Disclaimer

AceCad StruCad

The VRML model below was generated from CIS/2 files exported by StruCad steel detailing software from AceCad. SteelVis is integrated into StruWalker Plus to import CIS/2 files. StruMIS also supports CIS/2. (YouTube)

VRML	Parts
StruCad1.wrl, Summary Report	813

Autodesk Revit Structure

The VRML models below were generated from CIS/2 files exported by Revit Structure from Autodesk. The Revit Structure CIS/2 import and export translator is available here. Revit Structure also supports IFC. Navisworks, AutoCAD Structural Detailing, and Robot Structural Analysis also support CIS/2 and/or IFC. (YouTube)

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

Bentley RAM Steel, STAAD.Pro, and Structural Modeler

The VRML models below were generated from CIS/2 files exported by RAM Steel, STAAD.Pro (CIS/2 Export in STAAD), and Structural Modeler (Viewing CIS/2 Files) from Bentley. SteelVis is integrated into ConstructSim to import CIS/2 files. ProSteel also supports CIS/2. Bentley Structural Modeler also supports IFC. (YouTube)

VRML	Parts
Preheat48.wrl	4537
IBC.wrl, Summary Report	3600
RAM4.wrl, Summary report	2846
Bentley3.wrl	2111
hubcap.wrl, Summary report	1547
Bentley1.wrl, Summary report, Google SketchUp model	664
CADstudio.wrl	464
ramcis2.wrl, Google SketchUp model	123

Computers & Structures ETABS and SAP2000

The VRML models below were generated from CIS/2 files exported by SAP2000 and ETABS from Computers & Structures. ETABS and SAP2000 also support IFC. (YouTube)

VRML	Parts
GoldenGate.wrl, Google Earth model (The CIS/2 models in Google Earth are not exactly aligned with the with the corresponding Google Earth models).	7644
DAM.wrl, Summary report, Google Earth model (Denver Art Museum)	2503
Stadium.wrl, Summary report, Google Earth model (Find the hidden AISC connection sculpture in Chicago).	1391
StaggeredTruss.wrl	1741

Design Data SDS/2

The VRML models below were generated from CIS/2 files exported by SDS/2 steel detailing software from Design Data. SDS/2 also supports IFC. (YouTube)

VRML	Parts	Other features
ctiw.wrl	20981	Bolts (48808), welds, sequences
dd_pvs.wrl	18984	Bolts (30437), welds
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
seminar.wrl, Summary report, 3D PDF, Google SketchUp model	840	Training seminar model. The Google SketchUp model was created by translating the CIS/2 file to IFC with SteelVis and imported to Google Sketchup with the IFC2SKP plugin.
manufacture.wrl, Summary report	173	Bolts, holes, welds, copes, zones for the construction sequence, decking
AISC_Sculpture_J.wrl, Summary report, 3D PDF	115	For more information about the AISC Steel Sculpture, go to AISC, Facebook,or search Google. Sculpture printed in 3D

Graitec Advance Steel

The VRML models below were generated from CIS/2 files exported by Advance Steel from Graitec. Advance Steel also supports IFC. (YouTube)

VRML	Parts
Graitec2.wrl	4165
Graitec1.wrl	997

GTSTRUDL

The VRML models below were generated from CIS/2 files exported by GT STRUDL.

VRML	Parts
hanger.wrl, Summary report	1816
fwp_results.wrl	151
sds2_results.wrl	43

Intergraph SmartPlant 3D and FrameWorks Plus

The VRML models below were generated from CIS/2 files exported by SmartPlant 3D and FrameWorks Plus steel design software from Intergraph. CADWorx Steel also supports CIS/2. (YouTube)

VRML	Parts
SmartPlant3D.wrl, Summary report	170
fwp_des_ana.wrl	151
fwp_man.wrl	107

RISA-3D

The VRML models below were generated from CIS/2 files exported by RISA-3D from RISA Technologies. (CIS/2 Translator Reference)

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

Tekla Structures

The VRML models below were generated from CIS/2 files exported by Tekla Structures from Tekla. Tekla Structures also supports IFC. (YouTube)

VRML	Parts
tekstad.wrl, Summary report	4656
Sample1_Man.wrl, Summary report	1090
Sample1_Ana.wrl	424
nascc_xsteel.wrl, Summary report	330
Sample2_Man.wrl	211
Sample2_Ana.wrl	126

CIS/2 import and/or export is also supported by:

BeamMaster from AGT (robotic fabrication, YouTube)
BuiltWorks from SolidACE (YouTube)
Cype Metal 3D from Cype (YouTube)
FabSuite (SteelVis is used to visualize production information, YouTube)
Fastrak Building Designer from CSC (YouTube)
Parabuild from CAD Systems nv
Prokon Structural Analysis and Design
Quikport from GTS CADBUILD
RFEM and RSTAB from Dlubal
Rhino from Geometry Gym
RhinoBIM from Virtual Build Technologies (YouTube)
Space Gass (YouTube)
StruCIM (robotic fabrication, YouTube)
VisualFrame (formerly RAM CADstudio)

Check with the software vendors for complete details.

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.

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