BIM Slab

Beam

Door

BIM

BIM Slab
Menu location
3D/BIM → Slab
Workbenches
BIM
Default shortcut
S B
Introduced in version
-
See also
Arch Wall, Arch Window

Description

The BIM Slab tool creates a Slab object, a horizontal structure element, from a planar shape. Slabs are specialized Arch Structure objects with their DataIfc Type preset to "Slab".

While it behaves like a standard Arch Structure, the BIM tool specifically initializes the slab with a default height (thickness) of 200 mm and an extrusion direction pointing downwards.

Usage

1. Optionally select a planar object.
2. There are several ways to invoke the tool:
   • Press the Slab button.
   • Select the 3D/BIM → Slab option from the menu.
   • Use the keyboard shortcut: S then B.
3. If you have not yet selected a planar object: select one (as prompted in the Report View).
4. A new Slab object is created and the tool is finished.
5. Optionally change some properties in the Property View.

Options

See Arch Structure.

Notes

• Wrapping behavior: the tool "wraps" the selected object. If you select a sub-element (like a face in the 3D View), the tool identifies the parent object and uses that as the DataBase.
• Thickness: to change the thickness of the slab, modify the DataHeight property.
• Orientation: To make the slab extrude upwards, change the DataNormal property to (0, 0, 1).

Properties

A Slab object shares the common properties and behaviors of all Arch Structures. Its DataIfcType is preset to Slab.

Scripting

The BIM Slab is created using the same Python function as Arch Structures:

import FreeCAD
import Arch
import Draft

# Create a rectangle profile
rect = Draft.make_rectangle(length=2000, width=3000)
FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.recompute()

# Create a structure and define it as a slab
slab = Arch.makeStructure(rect)
slab.IfcType = "Slab"
slab.Height = 150  # mm
slab.Normal = (0, 0, -1)  # Slab is extruded downwards

FreeCAD.ActiveDocument.recompute()

Beam

Door

BIM

BIM

• 2D Drafting: New Sketch, Line, Polyline, Rectangle, Arc, Arc From 3 Points, Circle, Ellipse, Polygon, B-Spline, Bézier Curve, Cubic Bézier Curve, Point, Fillet

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• 3D/BIM: Site, Building, Level, Space, Wall, Curtain Wall, Column, Beam, Slab, Door, Window, Covering, Pipe, Connector, Stairs, Roof, Panel, Frame, Fence, Truss, Equipment
  • Reinforcement Tools: Custom Rebar, Straight Rebar, U-Shape Rebar, L-Shape Rebar, Stirrup, Bent-Shape Rebar, Helical Rebar, Column Reinforcement, Beam Reinforcement, Slab Reinforcement, Footing Reinforcement
  • Generic 3D Tools: Profile, Box, Shape Builder, Facebinder, Objects Library, Component, External Reference

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• Annotation: Aligned Dimension, Horizontal Dimension, Vertical Dimension, Text, Leader, Label, Hatch, Axis, Axis System, Grid, Section Plane, 2D Drawing, Section View, Section Cut, New Page, New View

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• Snapping: Snap Lock, Snap Endpoint, Snap Midpoint, Snap Center, Snap Angle, Snap Intersection, Snap Perpendicular, Snap Extension, Snap Parallel, Snap Special, Snap Near, Snap Ortho, Snap Grid, Snap Working Plane, Snap Dimensions, Toggle Grid, Working Plane Front, Working Plane Top, Working Plane Side, Working Plane

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• Modify: Move, Rotate, Scale, Mirror, Clone, Make Link, Unclone, Copy, Simple Copy, Compound, 2D Offset, Offset, Trimex, Join, Split, Stretch, Draft to Sketch, Edit, Upgrade, Downgrade, Add Component, Remove Component, Array, Path Link Array, Polar Array, Point Link Array, Cut With Plane, Extrude, Extrude Face, Union, Difference, Intersection

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• Manage: BIM Setup, Setup Project, Manage Doors and Windows, Manage IFC Elements, Manage IFC Quantities, Manage IFC Properties, Manage Classification, Manage Layers, Material, Report, Schedule, Survey, Preflight Checks, Annotation Styles

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• Utils: Move to Trash, Working Plane View, Select Group, Set Slope, Working Plane Proxy, Add to Construction Group, Split Mesh, Mesh to Shape, Select Non-Manifold Meshes, Remove Shape From BIM, Close Holes, Merge Walls, Check, Toggle IFC B-Rep Flag, Toggle Subcomponents, IFC Shape Diff, IFC Explorer, New IFC Spreadsheet, Image Plane, Rewire, Glue, Re-Extrude
  • Panel Tools: Panel, Panel Cut, Panel Sheet, Nest
  • Structure Tools: Structure, Structural System, Multiple Structures
  • IFC Tools: IFC Project, IFC File Diff, IFC Expand, Convert to IFC Project, IfcOpenShell Update
  • Nudge: Nudge Switch, Nudge Up, Nudge Down, Nudge Left, Nudge Right, Nudge Rotate Left, Nudge Rotate Right, Nudge Extend, Nudge Shrink

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• Additional: Preferences, Fine tuning, Import Export Preferences, IFC, DAE, OBJ, JSON, 3DS, SHP

User documentation

• Getting started
• Installation: Download, Windows, Linux, Mac, Additional components, Docker, AppImage, Ubuntu Snap
• Basics: About FreeCAD, Interface, Mouse navigation, Selection methods, Object name, Preferences, Workbenches, Document structure, Properties, Help FreeCAD, Donate

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• Help: Tutorials, Video tutorials
• Workbenches: Std Base, Assembly, BIM, CAM, Draft, FEM, Inspection, Material, Mesh, OpenSCAD, Part, PartDesign, Points, Reverse Engineering, Robot, Sketcher, Spreadsheet, Surface, TechDraw, Test Framework

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• Addons: Addon Manager, External workbenches, Scripting and macros

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• Hubs: User hub, Power users hub, Developer hub