This article provides a short introduction to Information Delivery Specification (IDS), a buildingSMART standard for defining information requirements in a machine-readable form, and the Solibri IDS Editor, an tool for creating IDS files. It also describes the IDS workflow with Solibri products (the IDS Editor and Solibri Office).
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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.
The Solibri IDS Editor is an online tool that allows users to create and edit these Information Delivery Specifications. It simplifies the process of defining the information requirements by providing a user-friendly interface and integrating with Solibri Office. The Editor is available in English, French and German.
The tool is available for all paying Solibri customers. You can login to the application by using your existing Solibri credentials. You can access the tool here: https://idseditor.solibri.com/.
IDS is crucial in BIM because it standardizes and specifies exactly what information is needed from each project stakeholder and when it is needed. This ensures clarity and consistency across the entire project lifecycle.
Below is explained how IDS fits into the general BIM workflow and how you can create, validate and implement your whole IDS workflow all within your Solibri ecosystem.
In the broader BIM workflow, IDS provides a structured approach to defining, managing, and verifying information requirements. Here’s how it typically fits into each stage of the BIM process:
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Requirements gathering: At the outset of a project, stakeholders (such as owners, architects, and engineers) collaboratively define the data and model requirements needed to meet project goals.
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Model development and data integration: As the BIM model is developed, IDS serves as a guideline for team members, ensuring that each discipline (architecture, structure, MEP, etc.) provides the necessary information. The IDS informs modelers on what attributes to include for each model element, such as materials, dimensions, or classification codes, to keep data consistent and compliant.
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Data verification and model validation: Throughout and at the end of each project phase, the IDS can be used to validate the BIM model. This ensures that all specified information is present and correct. Continuous model validation against IDS requirements helps to identify any missing or incorrect information early, reducing costly revisions later.
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Handover and compliance: At project completion, IDS ensures that all necessary information is in place for handover, ready for use by operations and maintenance teams. This final validation confirms that all project data meets the set requirements, facilitating a smoother transition from construction to asset management.
With the Solibri IDS Editor, you can create IDS based on your project specifications. You can start creating the IDS files from scratch in the IDS Editor, but the IDS Editor enables you to to edit previously created IDS files so you can add new specifications and edit existing data. The IDS files can then be used in later phases of the BIM workflow and in different BIM tools:
In the BIM model validation phase, you can import the IDS file into Solibri Office and use it to validate the models against your project requirements. To do this, simply drag and drop the IDS file in the Checking view in Solibri Office. The file is automatically turned into a ruleset (using rule #244). To see the IDS file content, you can open the rule parameters. You can then check the model in Solibri Office. Below, you can see an example of the workflow:
If Solibri finds errors in your model during the checking, these are listed in the checking results. You can create issues out of the results and communicate them to other stakeholders using the BCF Live Connector. You can also create Excel reports from the checking results, which enables different options for communication and collaboration.