Understanding File Size & Memory Limits

Both the free version and the Pro version of ForensicBIM enforce a default file upload limit of 5Gb.

When users truly need to process an IFC file that exceeds 5Gb, they must upgrade to a Pro account and contact our support team via email to arrange for larger file processing.

The most critical constraint on our platform is not the file size itself, but the memory (RAM) required to read and interpret all the information within the file.

Our processing environment has a default hard limit of 32Gb of memory. We use the 5Gb upload limit as a conservative buffer to ensure we remain safely below this 32Gb memory ceiling during the complex parsing phase.

Very large IFC files are usually an indication of inefficiency. When files exceed 5Gb, it typically means they are not effectively utilizing IFC's core features. Common causes of bloated file sizes include:

• Inefficient Geometry Mapping: Failing to reuse geometry (e.g., repeating the full geometric definition for 10,000 identical chairs instead of defining it once and referencing it 10,000 times).
• Improper Typing: Not leveraging IfcTypeObject entities (like IfcDoorStyle or IfcWallType) to share common properties and geometries across multiple instances.
• Over-tessellation: Exporting geometry with excessively high levels of detail (LOD) or unnecessary curves converted into thousands of microscopic facets.
• Excessive Property Sets: Embedding massive amounts of redundant or irrelevant data for every single object.

IFC is designed to be highly effective and compact when used correctly. To achieve smaller file sizes and faster processing, ensure your authoring tools (Revit, Archicad, Tekla, etc.) are configured to:

1. Use Mapped Representation (Instances): Ensure identical objects share the same underlying geometry definition.
2. Export Only What's Needed: Filter the export view to exclude unnecessary elements (e.g., surrounding context, highly detailed furniture, or microscopic hardware) if they aren't critical for the analysis.
3. Leverage Type Definitions: Group shared properties at the Type level rather than repeating them on every single Instance.
4. Adjust Export Settings: Use standard IFC export setups (like "Coordination View" or "Reference View") which are optimized for sharing essential data without bloating the file.

Optimizing your models not only ensures they can be processed by ForensicBIM, but also drastically improves load times in all other BIM software, reducing overall friction in your project's workflow.