Rule ID: SOL/244/1.
This article describes how the IDS Validation rule works and how you can configure the rule. The article also describes what IDS is, why it’s used and how you can create your own IDS file.
In v24.9 and v25.3, an update to this rule template was published, improving support for IDS checking. The rule now supports all common IDS versions, including:
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v0.9.6
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v0.9.7
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Official IDS v1.0
The article covers the following topics:
The Information Delivery Specification (IDS) is a standard developed by buildingSMART for defining information requirements in a way that can be easily read by humans and interpreted by computers. IDS helps standardize the format and content of information exchanged, ensuring consistency and clarity in communications. It facilitates interoperability between different software and systems used in the construction industry by defining common data formats.
IDS is a structured framework that defines the type, format, and detail of information that needs to be exchanged between parties involved in a construction or infrastructure project. It specifies how information is created, managed, and shared throughout the project lifecycle. IDS defines the level of detail (LOD) and level of information (LOI) required at different stages of the project.
An IDS is a file format ending in .ids and it contains a list of information specifications. For example, a single specification might say that "all doors must have a fire rating property". The IDS file can be shared with other stakeholders in the project (and reused in other projects following the same requirements). Model authors can use the IDS file to ensure all required information is provided for each specification. The IDS file can also be used to check whether the IFC model meets all of the specifications. Reports may also be generated to list the results of specification compliance checks.
For further information on IDS, have a look at the buildingSMART website and the IDS documentation.
IDS files are written in XML format, but instead of manually creating them, you can use the Solibri IDS Editor, which simplifies the process.
Recommendation: We strongly recommend using the Solibri IDS Editor to create and manage IDS files. More details are available here: Solibri IDS Toolbox.
The IDS Validation Rule (SOL/244/1) ensures that a model contains all required information according to the specifications defined in an IDS file.
Use Cases
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Validate whether an IFC model meets the information requirements.
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Ensure compliance with industry and project-specific standards.
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Automate quality assurance checks based on pre-defined information criteria.
The rule processes the IFC model and compares it against the requirements in the selected IDS file.
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The rule reads the IDS structure and extracts defined applicability conditions.
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It applies checks to relevant model elements and compares actual properties with expected values.
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Results are categorized into:
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Pass → The applicability element meets the IDS requirement
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Fail → The applicability element does not comply
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irrelevant → The applicability element doesn´t exist
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In the rule settings, you can define which IDS file is used for validation.
Configuration Options
IDS Definition → Select an .ids file for validation.
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You can do this by clicking "Open IDS file" or by dragging and dropping an IDS file into the Checking view or Parameters view.
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Once loaded, a preview of the IDS structure appears in the parameters.
Last improvements (Solibri v9.13.8 and newer):
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Multiple IDS files can be opened at the same time (previously only one file per rule).
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Support for XML file formats in addition to standard IDS files.
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Automatic rule set generation:
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When an IDS file is dropped into the checking area, rule sets are created automatically. (In older versions, this had to be done manually.)
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IFC version identification:
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The rule now detects and displays the IFC version applicable to the IDS file, ensuring the correct components are checked.
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Type checking support:
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The rule can now validate types alongside standard property checks.
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Integrated Solibri IDS-Editor launch:
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You can directly open the Solibri IDS-Editor from the rule settings.
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Error handling:
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If an IDS file contains structural errors, an error message is displayed when uploading the file.
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Notice
If there’s an error in the IDS file structure, an error message is shown when you upload the file.
Tip
You can download the IDS file used in the rule by clicking Save IDS File.
The rule creates an issue for each checked component which doesn’t meet the specifications in the IDS file:
Severity Parameters:
By default, all components not matching the requirements return a medium () issue. To specify the critical and low severities for specific components, open the Severity Parameters view and set the conditions in the filter table:
The IDS Validation Rule (SOL/244/1) is a powerful tool for ensuring data quality and compliance in IFC models especially together with our IDS-Editor. By leveraging Solibri’s IDS validation capabilities, teams can improve project coordination, reduce errors, and streamline data-driven workflows.
For additional details on Solibri IDS functionalities, visit: