BCF REST API

Version 2.1 based on BCFv2.1. BCF XML GitHub repository

Version 1.0 of the BCF API specification is available here

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Topologies
- 2.1 Topology 1 - BCF-Server only
- 2.2 Topology 2 - Colocated BCF-Server and Model Server
3. Public Services
4. BCF Services

1. Introduction

BCF is a format for managing issues on a BIM project. The BCF-API supports the exchange of BCF issues between software applications via a RESTful web interface, which means that data is exchanged via Url-encoded query parameters and Json bodies over the Http protocol. Every resource described in this API has a corresponding Json schema (schema version draft-03). Url schemas in this readme are relational to the BCF base servers Url if no absolute values are provided.

For security reasons, all API Http traffic should be sent via TLS/SSL over Https connection. Clients and Servers should both enforce secure connections and disallow unsafe connections.

An example of a client implementation in C# can be found here: https://github.com/rvestvik/BcfApiExampleClient

1.1 Paging, Sorting and Filtering

When requesting collections of items, the BCF-API should offer URL parameters according to the OData v4 specification. It can be found at http://www.odata.org/documentation/.

1.2 Caching

ETags, or entity-tags, are an important part of HTTP, being a critical part of caching, and also used in "conditional" requests.

The ETag response-header field value, an entity tag, provides for an "opaque" cache validator. The easiest way to think of an etag is as an MD5 or SHA1 hash of all the bytes in a representation. If just one byte in the representation changes, the etag will change.

ETags are returned in a response to a GET:

joe@joe-laptop:~$ curl --include http://bitworking.org/news/
HTTP/1.1 200 Ok
Date: Wed, 21 Mar 2007 15:06:15 GMT
Server: Apache
ETag: "078de59b16c27119c670e63fa53e5b51"
Content-Length: 23081
…

The client may send an "If-None-Match" HTTP Header containing the last retrieved etag. If the content has not changed the server returns a status code 304 (not modified) and no response body.

1.3 Updating Resources via HTTP PUT

Whenever a resource offers the HTTP PUT method to be updated as a whole.

This means that there is no partial update mechanism for objects but every PUT request is sending the whole object representation. PUT schemas may exclude server generated values that cannot be edited, such as creation dates or authors.

1.4 Cross Origin Resource Sharing (CORS)

To work with browser based API clients using Cross Origin Resource Sharing (Cors), servers will put the Access-Control-Allow' headers in the response headers and specifiy who can access the servers Json resources. The client can look for these values and proceed with accessing the resources.

In a CORS scenario, web clients expect the following headers:

Access-Control-Allow-Headers: Authorization, Content-Type, Accept to allow the Authorization, Content-Type and Accept headers to be used via XHR requests
Access-Control-Allow-Methods: GET, POST, PUT, OPTIONS to allow the Http methods the API needs
Access-Control-Allow-Origin: example.com to allow XHR requests from the example.com domain to the BCF server

For example, Asp.Net applications in IIS need the following entries in their web.config file. * means the server allows any values.

<httpProtocol>
    <customHeaders>
        <add name="Access-Control-Allow-Headers" value="Content-Type, Accept, X-Requested-With,  Authorization" />
        <add name="Access-Control-Allow-Methods" value="GET, POST, PUT, DELETE, OPTIONS" />
        <add name="Access-Control-Allow-Origin" value="*" />
    </customHeaders>
</httpProtocol>

1.5 Http Status Codes

The BCF API relies on the regular Http Status Code definitions. Good sources are Wikipedia or the HTTP/1.1 Specification.

Generally, these response codes shall be used in the API:

200 - OK for GET requests that return data or PUT requests that update data
201 - Created for POST requests that create data

POST and PUT requests do usually include the created resource in the response body. Exceptions to this rule are described in the specific section for the resource.

1.6 Error Response Body Format

BCF-API has a specified error response body format error.json.

1.7 DateTime Format

DateTime values in this API are supposed to be in ISO 8601 compliant YYYY-MM-DDThh:mm:ss format with optional time zone indicators. This is the same format as defined in the Xml xs:dateTime type as well as the result of JavaScripts Date.toJson() output.

For example, 2016-04-28T16:31:12.270+02:00 would represent Thursday, April 28th, 2016, 16:31:12 (270ms) with a time zone offset of +2 hours relative to UTC. Please note that the colon in the timezone offset is optional, so +02:00 is equivalent to +0200.

1.8 Authorization

API implementors can optionally choose to restrict the actions a user is allowed to perform on the BCF entities via the API. The global default authorizations for all entities are expressed in the project extensions schema and can be locally overridden in the entities themselves.

1.8.1 Per-Entity Authorization

Whenever a user requests an update-able entity with the query parameter includeAuthorization equal to true the server should include an authorization field in the entity containing any local variations from the global authorization defaults for that entity. Using this information clients can decide whether to, for example, include an "Edit" button in the UI displaying the entity depending on the actions permitted for the user.

1.8.2 Determining Authorized Entity Actions

The client can calculate the available set of actions for a particular entity by taking the project-wide defaults from the project extensions, then replacing any keys defined in the entity's authorization map with the values specified locally. The meaning of each of the authorization keys is outlined in outlined in 4.1.5 Expressing User Authorization through Project Extensions.

Example Scenario (Topic)

In the Project Extensions

{
    "topic_actions": [],
    "topic_status": [
        "open",
        "closed",
        "confirmed"
    ]
}

Indicating that by default:

no modifications can be made to Topics
Topics can be placed in open, closed or confirmed status

In the Topic

{
    "authorization": {
        "topic_actions": [
            "update",
            "createComment",
            "createViewpoint"
        ],
        "topic_status": [
            "closed"
        ]
    }
}

Indicating that for this topic, the current user can:

update the Topic, or add comments or viewpoints
place the Topic into closed status

1.9 Additional Response and Request Object Properties

All API response and request Json objects may contain additional properties that are not covered by this specification. This is to allow server and client implementations freedom to add additional functionality. Servers and clients shall ignore those properties and must not produces errors on additional properties. Servers and clients are not required to preserve these properties.

1.10 Binary File Uploads

Some endpoints in the BCF API expect binary file uploads, such as 4.8.2 POST Document Service or 4.2.7 PUT Topic BIM Snippet Service.

In such cases, files should be sent with the following Http headers:

Headers:
Content-Type: application/octet-stream;
Content-Length: {Size of file in bytes};
Content-Disposition: attachment; filename="{Filename.extension}";

2. Topologies

2.1 Topology 1 - BCF-Server only

Model collaboration is managed through a shared file server or a network file sharing service like Dropbox. The BCF-Server handles the authentication and the BCF-Issues.

2.2 Topology 2 - Colocated BCF-Server and Model Server

BCF and model server are co-located on the same hosts.

3. Public Services

3.1 Versions Service

versions_GET.json

Resource URL (public resource)

GET /bcf/versions

Parameters

Parameter	Type	Description	Required
version_id	string	Identifier of the version	true
detailed_version	string	Url to specification on GitHub	false

Returns a list of all supported BCF API versions of the server.

Example Request

GET /bcf/versions

Example Response

Response Code: 200 - OK
Body:
{
    "versions": [{
        "version_id": "1.0",
        "detailed_version": "https://github.com/BuildingSMART/BCF-API"
    }, {
        "version_id": "2.1",
        "detailed_version": "https://github.com/BuildingSMART/BCF-API"
    }]
}

3.2 Authentication Services

3.2.1 Obtaining Authentication Information

auth_GET.json

Authentication is based on the OAuth 2.0 Protocol.

Resource URL (public resource)

GET /bcf/{version}/auth

Parameters

Parameter	Type	Description	Required
oauth2_auth_url	string	URL to authorization page (used for Authorization Code Grant and Implicit Grant OAuth2 flows)	false
oauth2_token_url	string	URL for token requests	false
oauth2_dynamic_client_reg_url	string	URL for automated client registration	false
http_basic_supported	boolean	Indicates if Http Basic Authentication is supported	false
supported_oauth2_flows	string[]	array of supported OAuth2 flows

If oauth2_auth_url is present, then oauth2_token_url must also be present and vice versa. If properties are not present in the response, clients should assume that the functionality is not supported by the server, e.g. a missing http_basic_supported property would indicate that Http basic authentication is not available on the server.

OAuth2 flows are described in detail in the OAuth2 specification. BCF API servers may support the following workflows:

authorization_code_grant - 4.1 - Authorization Code Grant
implicit_grant - 4.2 - Implicit Grant
resource_owner_password_credentials_grant - 4.3 - Resource Owner Password Credentials Grant

The OAuth2 Client Credentials Grant (section 4.4) is not supported since it does not contain any user identity. Also the Extension Grants (section 4.5) are not supported.

Example Request

GET /bcf/2.1/auth

Example Response

Response Code: 200 - OK
Body:
{
    "oauth2_auth_url": "https://example.com/bcf/oauth2/auth",
    "oauth2_token_url": "https://example.com/bcf/oauth2/token",
    "oauth2_dynamic_client_reg_url": "https://example.com/bcf/oauth2/reg",
    "http_basic_supported": true,
    "supported_oauth2_flows": [
        "authorization_code_grant",
        "implicit_grant",
        "resource_owner_password_credentials_grant"
    ]
}

3.2.2 OAuth2 Example

An example for the OAuth2 Authorization Grant workflow can be found here.

3.2.3 OAuth2 Protocol Flow - Dynamic Client Registration

dynRegClient_POST.json

dynRegClient_GET.json

The following part describes the optional dynamic registration process of a client. BCF-Servers may offer additional processes registering clients, for example allowing a client application developer to register his client on the servers website.

The resource url for this service is server specific and is returned as oauth2_dynamic_client_reg_url in the GET /bcf/{version}/auth resource.

Register a new client :

Parameters

JSON encoded body using the application/json content type.

parameter	type	description
client_name	string (max. length 60)	The client name
client_description	string (max. length 4000)	The client description
client_url	string	An URL providing additional information about the client
redirect_url	string	An URL where users are redirected after granting access to the client

Example Request

POST https://example.com/bcf/oauth2/reg
Body:
{
    "client_name": "Example Application",
    "client_description": "Example CAD desktop application",
    "client_url": "http://example.com",
    "redirect_url": "http://localhost:8080"
}

Example Response

Response Code: 201 - Created
Body:
{
    "client_id": "cGxlYXN1cmUu",
    "client_secret": "ZWFzdXJlLg=="
}

3.3 User Services

3.3.1 Get current user

user_GET.json

Resource URL

GET /bcf/{version}/current-user

Example Request

GET /bcf/2.1/current-user

Example Response

Response Code: 200 - OK
Body:
{
    "id": "Architect@example.com",
    "name": "John Doe"
}

4. BCF Services

4.1 Project Services

For compatibility with the project structure of existing systems, the project_id property of project resources is not forced to be a guid but may be any string.

4.1.1 GET Projects Service

Resource URL

GET /bcf/{version}/projects

project_GET.json

Retrieve a collection of projects where the currently logged on user has access to.

Example Request

GET /bcf/2.1/projects

Example Response

Response Code: 200 - OK
Body:
[{
    "project_id": "F445F4F2-4D02-4B2A-B612-5E456BEF9137",
    "name": "Example project 1",
    "authorization": {
        "project_actions": [
            "createTopic",
            "createDocument"
        ]
    }
}, {
    "project_id": "A233FBB2-3A3B-EFF4-C123-DE22ABC8414",
    "name": "Example project 2",
    "authorization": {
        "project_actions": []
    }
}]

4.1.2 GET Project Service

Resource URL

GET /bcf/{version}/projects/{project_id}

project_GET.json

Retrieve a specific project.

Example Request

GET /bcf/2.1/projects/B724AAC3-5B2A-234A-D143-AE33CC18414

Example Response

Response Code: 200 - OK
Body:
{
    "project_id": "B724AAC3-5B2A-234A-D143-AE33CC18414",
    "name": "Example project 3",
    "authorization": {
        "project_actions": [
            "update",
            "updateProjectExtensions"
        ]
    }
}

4.1.3 PUT Project Service

Resource URL

PUT /bcf/{version}/projects/{project_id}

project_PUT.json

Modify a specific project. This operation is only possible when the server returns the update flag in the Project authorization, see section 4.1.5

Example Request

PUT /bcf/2.1/projects/B724AAC3-5B2A-234A-D143-AE33CC18414
Body:
{
    "name": "Example project 3 - Second Section"
}

Example Response

Response Code: 200 - OK
Body:
{
    "project_id": "B724AAC3-5B2A-234A-D143-AE33CC18414",
    "name": "Example project 3 - Second Section",
    "authorization": {
        "project_actions": [
            "update",
            "updateProjectExtensions"
        ]
    }
}

4.1.4 GET Project Extension Service

Resource URL

GET /bcf/{version}/projects/{project_id}/extensions

extensions_GET.json

Retrieve a specific projects extensions. Project extensions are used to define possible values that can be used in topics and comments, for example topic labels and priorities. They may change during the course of a project. The most recent extensions state which values are valid at a given moment for newly created topics and comments.

Example Request

GET /bcf/2.1/projects/B724AAC3-5B2A-234A-D143-AE33CC18414/extensions

Example Response

Response Code: 200 - OK
Body:
{
    "topic_type": [
        "Information",
        "Error"
    ],
    "topic_status": [
        "Open",
        "Closed",
        "ReOpened"
    ],
    "topic_label": [
        "Architecture",
        "Structural",
        "MEP"
    ],
    "snippet_type": [
        ".ifc",
        ".csv"
    ],
    "priority": [
        "Low",
        "Medium",
        "High"
    ],
    "user_id_type": [
        "Architect@example.com",
        "BIM-Manager@example.com",
        "bob_heater@example.com"
    ],
    "stage": [
        "Preliminary Planning End",
        "Construction Start",
        "Construction End"
    ],
    "project_actions": [
        "update",
        "createTopic",
        "createDocument",
        "updateProjectExtensions"
    ],
    "topic_actions": [
        "update",
        "updateBimSnippet",
        "updateRelatedTopics",
        "updateDocumentReferences",
        "updateFiles",
        "createComment",
        "createViewpoint"
    ],
    "comment_actions": [
        "update"
    ]
}

4.1.5 Expressing User Authorization Through Project Extensions

Global default authorizations for the requesting user can be expressed in the project schema. The actions authorized here will apply to any entities that do not override them locally. The complete set of options for the BCF entities are listed below.

4.1.5.1 Project

The 'project_actions' entry in the project extensions defines what actions are allowed to be performed at the project level. The available actions include:

update - The ability to update the project details (see 4.1.3 PUT Project Service)
createTopic - The ability to create a new topic (see 4.2.2 POST Topic Service)
createDocument - The ability to create a new document (see 4.8.2 POST Document Service)

4.1.5.2 Topic

The 'topic_actions' entry in the project extensions defines what actions are allowed to be performed at the topic level by default (i.e. unless overridden by specific topics) The available actions include:

update - The ability to update the topic (see 4.2.4 PUT Topic Service)
updateBimSnippet - The ability to update the BIM snippet for topics (see 4.2.7 PUT Topic BIM Snippet Service)
updateRelatedTopics - The ability to update the collection of related topics (see 4.6.2 PUT Related Topics Service)
updateDocumentReferences - The ability to update the collection of document references (see 4.7.3 PUT Document Reference Service)
updateFiles - The ability to update the file header (see 4.3.2 PUT Files (Header) Service)
createComment - The ability to create a comment (see 4.4.2 POST Comment Service)
createViewpoint - The ability to create a new viewpoint (see 4.5.2 POST Viewpoint Service)

4.1.5.3 Comment

The 'comment_actions' entry in the project extensions defines what actions are allowed to be performed at the comment level by default (i.e unless overridden by specific comments). The available actions include:

update - The ability to update the comment (see 4.4.4 PUT Comment Service)

4.2 Topic Services

4.2.1 GET Topics Service

Resource URL

GET /bcf/{version}/projects/{project_id}/topics

topic_GET.json

Retrieve a collection of topics related to a project (default sort order is creation_date).

Odata filter parameters

parameter	type	description
creation_author	string	userId of the creation author (value from extensions)
modified_author	string	userId of the modified author (value from extensions)
assigned_to	string	userId of the assigned person (value from extensions)
stage	string	stage this topic is part of (value from extensions)
topic_status	string	status of a topic (value from extensions)
topic_type	string	type of a topic (value from extensions)
creation_date	datetime	creation date of a topic
modified_date	datetime	modification date of a topic
labels	array (string)	labels of a topic (value from extensions)

Odata sort parameters

parameter	description
creation_date	creation date of a topic
modified_date	modification date of a topic
index	index of a topic

Example Request with odata

Get topics that are open, assigned to Architect@example.com and created after December 5th 2015. Sort the result on last modified

GET /bcf/2.1/projects/F445F4F2-4D02-4B2A-B612-5E456BEF9137/topics?$filter=assigned_to eq 'Architect@example.com' and topic_status eq 'Open' and creation_date gt 2015-12-05T00:00:00+01:00&$orderby=modified_date desc

Odata does not support list operators. To achieve list query, use the 'or' operator. Get topics that have at least one of the labels 'Architecture', 'Structural' or 'Heating'

GET /bcf/1.0/projects/F445F4F2-4D02-4B2A-B612-5E456BEF9137/topics?$filter=contains(labels, 'Architecture') or contains(labels, 'Structural') or contains(labels, 'Heating')

Example Request

GET /bcf/2.1/projects/F445F4F2-4D02-4B2A-B612-5E456BEF9137/topics

Example Response

Response Code: 200 - OK
Body:
[{
    "guid": "A245F4F2-2C01-B43B-B612-5E456BEF8116",
    "creation_author": "Architect@example.com",
    "title": "Example topic 1",
    "labels": [
        "Architecture",
        "Structural"
    ],
    "creation_date": "2013-10-21T17:34:22.409Z"
}, {
    "guid": "A211FCC2-3A3B-EAA4-C321-DE22ABC8414",
    "creation_author": "Architect@example.com",
    "title": "Example topic 2",
    "labels": [
        "Architecture",
        "Heating",
        "Electrical"
    ],
    "creation_date": "2014-11-19T14:24:11.316Z"
}]

4.2.2 POST Topic Service

Resource URL

POST /bcf/{version}/projects/{project_id}/topics

topic_POST.json

Add a new topic. This operation is only possible when the server returns the createTopic flag in the Project authorization, see section 4.1.5

Parameters

JSON encoded body using the "application/json" content type.

Parameter	Type	Description	Required
topic_type	string	The type of a topic (value from extension.xsd)	false
topic_status	string	The status of a topic (value from extension.xsd)	false
reference_links	array (string)	Reference links, i.e. links to referenced resources	false
title	string	The title of a topic	true
priority	string	The priority of a topic (value from extension.xsd)	false
index	integer	The index of a topic	false
labels	array (string)	The collection of labels of a topic (values from extension.xsd)	false
assigned_to	string	UserID assigned to a topic (value from extension.xsd). UserIDs are recommended to be in email format as to uniquely identify users throughout multiple systems	false
stage	string	Stage this topic is part of (value from extension.xsd)	false
description	string	Description of a topic	false
bim_snippet.snippet_type	string	Type of a BIM-Snippet of a topic (value from extension.xsd)	false
bim_snippet.is_external	boolean	Is the BIM-Snippet external (default = false)	false
bim_snippet.reference	string	Reference of a BIM-Snippet of a topic	false
bim_snippet.reference_schema	string	Schema of a BIM-Snippet of a topic	false
due_date	string	Until when the topics issue needs to be resolved	false

Note: If "bim_snippet" is present, then all four properties (snippet_type, is_external, reference and reference_schema) are mandatory.

Example Request

POST /bcf/2.1/projects/F445F4F2-4D02-4B2A-B612-5E456BEF9137/topics
Body:
{
    "topic_type": "Clash",
    "topic_status": "open",
    "title": "Example topic 3",
    "priority": "high",
    "labels": [
        "Architecture",
        "Heating"
    ],
    "assigned_to": "harry.muster@example.com",
    "bim_snippet": {
        "snippet_type": "clash",
        "is_external": true,
        "reference": "https://example.com/bcf/1.0/ADFE23AA11BCFF444122BB",
        "reference_schema": "https://example.com/bcf/1.0/clash.xsd"
    }
}

Example Response

Response Code: 201 - Created
Body:
{
    "guid": "A245F4F2-2C01-B43B-B612-5E456BEF8116",
    "creation_author": "Architect@example.com",
    "creation_date": "2016-08-01T17:34:22.409Z",
    "topic_type": "Clash",
    "topic_status": "open",
    "title": "Example topic 3",
    "priority": "high",
    "labels": [
        "Architecture",
        "Heating"
    ],
    "assigned_to": "harry.muster@example.com",
    "bim_snippet": {
        "snippet_type": "clash",
        "is_external": true,
        "reference": "https://example.com/bcf/1.0/ADFE23AA11BCFF444122BB",
        "reference_schema": "https://example.com/bcf/1.0/clash.xsd"
    }
}

4.2.3 GET Topic Service

Resource URL

GET /bcf/{version}/projects/{guid}/topics/{guid}

topic_GET.json

Retrieve a specific topic.

Example Request

GET /bcf/2.1/projects/F445F4F2-4D02-4B2A-B612-5E456BEF9137/topics/B345F4F2-3A04-B43B-A713-5E456BEF8228

Example Response

Response Code: 200 - OK
Body:
{
    "guid": "B345F4F2-3A04-B43B-A713-5E456BEF8228",
    "creation_author": "Architect@example.com",
    "creation_date": "2016-08-01T17:34:22.409Z",
    "topic_type": "Clash",
    "topic_status": "open",
    "title": "Example topic 3",
    "priority": "high",
    "labels": [
        "Architecture",
        "Heating"
    ],
    "assigned_to": "harry.muster@example.com",
    "bim_snippet": {
        "snippet_type": "clash",
        "is_external": true,
        "reference": "https://example.com/bcf/1.0/ADFE23AA11BCFF444122BB",
        "reference_schema": "https://example.com/bcf/1.0/clash.xsd"
    },
    "authorization": {
        "topic_actions": [
            "createComment",
            "createViewpoint"
        ]
    }
}

4.2.4 PUT Topic Service

Resource URL

PUT /bcf/{version}/projects/{project_id}/topics/{guid}

topic_PUT.json

Modify a specific topic, description similar to POST. This operation is only possible when the server returns the update flag in the Topic authorization, see section 4.2.8

Example Request

PUT /bcf/2.1/projects/F445F4F2-4D02-4B2A-B612-5E456BEF9137/topics/B345F4F2-3A04-B43B-A713-5E456BEF8228
Body:
{
    "topic_type": "Clash",
    "topic_status": "open",
    "title": "Example topic 3 - Changed Title",
    "priority": "high",
    "labels": [
        "Architecture",
        "Heating"
    ],
    "assigned_to": "harry.muster@example.com",
    "bim_snippet": {
        "snippet_type": "clash",
        "is_external": true,
        "reference": "https://example.com/bcf/1.0/ADFE23AA11BCFF444122BB",
        "reference_schema": "https://example.com/bcf/1.0/clash.xsd"
    }
}

Example Response

Response Code: 200 - OK
Body:
{
    "guid": "B345F4F2-3A04-B43B-A713-5E456BEF8228",
    "creation_author": "Architect@example.com",
    "creation_date": "2016-08-01T17:34:22.409Z",
    "modified_author": "Architect@example.com",
    "modified_date": "2016-08-02T13:22:22.409Z",
    "topic_type": "Clash",
    "topic_status": "open",
    "title": "Example topic 3 - Changed Title",
    "priority": "high",
    "labels": [
        "Architecture",
        "Heating"
    ],
    "assigned_to": "harry.muster@example.com",
    "bim_snippet": {
        "snippet_type": "clash",
        "is_external": true,
        "reference": "https://example.com/bcf/1.0/ADFE23AA11BCFF444122BB",
        "reference_schema": "https://example.com/bcf/1.0/clash.xsd"
    }
}

4.2.5 DELETE Topic Service

Resource URL

DELETE /bcf/{version}/projects/{project_id}/topics/{guid}

Deletes a single topic. This operation is only possible when the server returns the delete flag in the Topic authorization, see section 4.2.8

Example Request

DELETE /bcf/2.1/projects/F445F4F2-4D02-4B2A-B612-5E456BEF9137/topics/B345F4F2-3A04-B43B-A713-5E456BEF8228

Example Response

Response Code: 200 - OK

4.2.6 GET Topic BIM Snippet Service

Resource URL

GET /bcf/{version}/projects/{project_id}/topics/{guid}/snippet

Retrieves a topics BIM-Snippet as binary file.

4.2.7 PUT Topic BIM Snippet Service

Resource URL

PUT /bcf/{version}/projects/{project_id}/topics/{guid}/snippet

Puts a new BIM Snippet binary file to a topic. If this is used, the parent topics BIM Snippet property is_external must be set to false and the reference must be the file name with extension. This operation is only possible when the server returns the updateBimSnippet flag in the Topic authorization, see section 4.2.8

4.2.8 Determining Allowed Topic Modifications

The global default Topic authorizations are expressed in the project schema and when Topic(s) are requested with the query parameter "includeAuthorization" equal to "true" Topics will include an "authorization" field containing any local overrides for each Topic.

4.3 File Services

4.3.1 GET Files (Header) Service

Resource URL

GET /bcf/{version}/projects/{project_id}/topics/{guid}/files

file_GET.json

Retrieve a collection of file references as topic header.

Implementer Note: The reference property can either be an Uri or a server specific id. Uris are given as absolute paths to the model files while ids reference a custom id of the model file and require custom logic per server to retrieve it. This allows referencing of files on the server but requires clients to know how to retrieve files in a specific implementation.

Example Request

GET /bcf/2.1/projects/F445F4F2-4D02-4B2A-B612-5E456BEF9137/topics/B345F4F2-3A04-B43B-A713-5E456BEF8228/files

Example Response

Response Code: 200 - OK
Body:
[{
    "ifc_project": "0J$yPqHBD12v72y4qF6XcD",
    "file_name": "OfficeBuilding_Architecture_0001.ifc",
    "reference": "https://example.com/files/0J$yPqHBD12v72y4qF6XcD_0001.ifc"
}, {
    "ifc_project": "3hwBHP91jBRwPsmyf$3Hea",
    "file_name": "OfficeBuilding_Heating_0003.ifc",
    "reference": "cf37bae6-0900-46be-b37f-b34754fe0b4a"
}]

Note: In the above example, the second items reference is in a guid format and points to a model file that is located on the server. Servers don't have to use guid formats for their internal ids, so the expected format of the response can vary between servers.

4.3.2 PUT Files (Header) Service

Resource URL

PUT /bcf/{version}/projects/{project_id}/topics/{guid}/files

file_PUT.json

Update a collection of file references on the topic header. This operation is only possible when the server returns the updateFiles flag in the Topic authorization, see section 4.2.8

Example Request

PUT /bcf/1.0/projects/F445F4F2-4D02-4B2A-B612-5E456BEF9137/topics/B345F4F2-3A04-B43B-A713-5E456BEF8228/files
Body:
[{
    "ifc_project": "0J$yPqHBD12v72y4qF6XcD",
    "file_name": "OfficeBuilding_Architecture_0001.ifc",
    "reference": "https://example.com/files/0J$yPqHBD12v72y4qF6XcD_0001.ifc"
}, {
    "ifc_project": "3hwBHP91jBRwPsmyf$3Hea",
    "file_name": "OfficeBuilding_Heating_0003.ifc",
    "reference": "https://example.com/files/3hwBHP91jBRwPsmyf$3Hea_0003.ifc"
}]

Example Response

Response Code: 200 - OK
Body:
[{
    "ifc_project": "0J$yPqHBD12v72y4qF6XcD",
    "file_name": "OfficeBuilding_Architecture_0001.ifc",
    "reference": "https://example.com/files/0J$yPqHBD12v72y4qF6XcD_0001.ifc"
}, {
    "ifc_project": "3hwBHP91jBRwPsmyf$3Hea",
    "file_name": "OfficeBuilding_Heating_0003.ifc",
    "reference": "https://example.com/files/3hwBHP91jBRwPsmyf$3Hea_0003.ifc"
}]

4.4 Comment Services

4.4.1 GET Comments Service

Resource URL

GET /bcf/{version}/projects/{project_id}/topics/{guid}/comments

comment_GET.json

Retrieve a collection of all comments related to a topic (default ordering is date).

Odata filter parameters

parameter	type	description
author	string	userId of the author (value from extensions)
date	datetime	creation date of a comment

Odata sort parameters

parameter	description
date	creation date of a comment

Example Request with odata

Get comments that are created after December 5 2015. Sort the result on first created

GET /bcf/1.0/projects/F445F4F2-4D02-4B2A-B612-5E456BEF9137/topics/B345F4F2-3A04-B43B-A713-5E456BEF8228/comments?$filter=date gt 2015-12-05T00:00:00+01:00&$orderby=date asc

Example Request

GET /bcf/1.0/projects/F445F4F2-4D02-4B2A-B612-5E456BEF9137/topics/B345F4F2-3A04-B43B-A713-5E456BEF8228/comments

Example Response

Response Code: 200 - OK
Body:
[{
    "guid": "C4215F4D-AC45-A43A-D615-AA456BEF832B",
    "date": "2016-08-01T12:34:22.409Z",
    "author": "max.muster@example.com",
    "comment": "Clash found",
    "topic_guid": "B345F4F2-3A04-B43B-A713-5E456BEF8228",
    "authorization": {
        "comment_actions": [
            "update"
        ]
    }
}, {
    "guid": "A333FCA8-1A31-CAAC-A321-BB33ABC8414",
    "date": "2016-08-01T14:24:11.316Z",
    "author": "bob.heater@example.com",
    "comment": "will rework the heating model",
    "topic_guid": "B345F4F2-3A04-B43B-A713-5E456BEF8228"
}]

4.4.2 POST Comment Service

Resource URL

POST /bcf/{version}/projects/{project_id}/topics/{guid}/comments

comment_POST.json

Add a new comment to a topic. This operation is only possible when the server returns the createComment flag in the Topic authorization, see section 4.2.8

Parameters

JSON encoded body using the "application/json" content type.

Parameter	Type	Description	Required
comment	string	The comment text	true
viewpoint_guid	string	The GUID of the related viewpoint	false
reply_to_comment_guid	string	GUID of the comment to which this comment replies to	false

Example Request

POST /bcf/2.1/projects/F445F4F2-4D02-4B2A-B612-5E456BEF9137/topics/B345F4F2-3A04-B43B-A713-5E456BEF8228/comments
Body:
{
    "comment": "will rework the heating model"
}

Example Response

Response Code: 201 - Created
Body:
{
    "guid": "A333FCA8-1A31-CAAC-A321-BB33ABC8414",
    "date": "2016-08-01T14:24:11.316Z",
    "author": "bob.heater@example.com",
    "comment": "will rework the heating model",
    "topic_guid": "B345F4F2-3A04-B43B-A713-5E456BEF8228"
}

4.4.3 GET Comment Service

Resource URL

GET /bcf/{version}/projects/{project_id}/topics/{guid}/comments/{guid}

comment_GET.json

Get a single comment.

Example Request

GET /bcf/2.1/projects/F445F4F2-4D02-4B2A-B612-5E456BEF9137/topics/B345F4F2-3A04-B43B-A713-5E456BEF8228/comments/A333FCA8-1A31-CAAC-A321-BB33ABC8414

Example Response

Response Code: 200 - OK
Body:
{
    "guid": "A333FCA8-1A31-CAAC-A321-BB33ABC8414",
    "date": "2016-08-01T14:24:11.316Z",
    "author": "bob.heater@example.com",
    "comment": "will rework the heating model",
    "topic_guid": "B345F4F2-3A04-B43B-A713-5E456BEF8228"
}

4.4.4 PUT Comment Service

Resource URL

PUT /bcf/{version}/projects/{project_id}/topics/{guid}/comments/{guid}

comment_PUT.json

Update a single comment, description similar to POST. This operation is only possible when the server returns the update flag in the Comment authorization, see section 4.4.6

Example Request

PUT /bcf/2.1/projects/F445F4F2-4D02-4B2A-B612-5E456BEF9137/topics/B345F4F2-3A04-B43B-A713-5E456BEF8228/comments/A333FCA8-1A31-CAAC-A321-BB33ABC8414
Body:
{
    "comment": "will rework the heating model and fix the ventilation"
}

Example Response

Response Code: 200 - OK
Body:
{
    "guid": "A333FCA8-1A31-CAAC-A321-BB33ABC8414",
    "date": "2016-08-01T14:24:11.316Z",
    "author": "bob.heater@example.com",
    "modified_date": "2016-08-01T19:24:11.316Z",
    "modified_author": "bob.heater@example.com",
    "comment": "will rework the heating model and fix the ventilation",
    "topic_guid": "B345F4F2-3A04-B43B-A713-5E456BEF8228"
}

4.4.5 DELETE Comment Service

Resource URL

DELETE /bcf/{version}/projects/{project_id}/topics/{guid}/comments/{guid}

Deletes a single comment. This operation is only possible when the server returns the delete flag in the Comment authorization, see section 4.4.6

Example Request

DELETE /bcf/2.1/projects/F445F4F2-4D02-4B2A-B612-5E456BEF9137/topics/B345F4F2-3A04-B43B-A713-5E456BEF8228/comments/A333FCA8-1A31-CAAC-A321-BB33ABC8414

Example Response

Response Code: 200 - OK

4.4.6 Determining allowed Comment modifications

The global default Comment authorizations are expressed in the project schema and when Comment(s) are requested with the query parameter "includeAuthorization" equal to "true" Comments will include an "authorization" field containing any local overrides for each Comment.

4.5 Viewpoint Services

4.5.1 GET Viewpoints Service

Resource URL

GET /bcf/{version}/projects/{project_id}/topics/{guid}/viewpoints

viewpoint_GET.json

Retrieve a collection of all viewpoints related to a topic.

Example Request

GET /bcf/2.1/projects/F445F4F2-4D02-4B2A-B612-5E456BEF9137/topics/B345F4F2-3A04-B43B-A713-5E456BEF8228/viewpoints

Example Response

Response Code: 200 - OK
Body:
[{
    "guid": "b24a82e9-f67b-43b8-bda0-4946abf39624",
    "perspective_camera": {
        "camera_view_point": {
            "x": 0.0,
            "y": 0.0,
            "z": 0.0
        },
        "camera_direction": {
            "x": 1.0,
            "y": 1.0,
            "z": 2.0
        },
        "camera_up_vector": {
            "x": 0.0,
            "y": 0.0,
            "z": 1.0
        },
        "field_of_view": 90.0
    },
    "lines": [{
        "start_point": {
            "x": 2.0,
            "y": 1.0,
            "z": 1.0
        },
        "end_point": {
            "x": 0.0,
            "y": 1.0,
            "z": 0.7
        }
    }],
    "clipping_planes": [{
        "location": {
            "x": 0.7,
            "y": 0.3,
            "z": -0.2
        },
        "direction": {
            "x": 1.0,
            "y": 0.4,
            "z": 0.1
        }
    }]
}, {
    "guid": "a11a82e7-e66c-34b4-ada1-5846abf39133",
    "perspective_camera": {
        "camera_view_point": {
            "x": 0.0,
            "y": 0.0,
            "z": 0.0
        },
        "camera_direction": {
            "x": 1.0,
            "y": 1.0,
            "z": 2.0
        },
        "camera_up_vector": {
            "x": 0.0,
            "y": 0.0,
            "z": 1.0
        },
        "field_of_view": 90.0
    },
    "lines": [{
        "start_point": {
            "x": 1.0,
            "y": 1.0,
            "z": 1.0
        },
        "end_point": {
            "x": 0.0,
            "y": 0.0,
            "z": 0.0
        }
    }],
    "clipping_planes": [{
        "location": {
            "x": 0.5,
            "y": 0.5,
            "z": 0.5
        },
        "direction": {
            "x": 1.0,
            "y": 0.0,
            "z": 0.0
        }
    }]
}]

4.5.2 POST Viewpoint Service

Resource URL

POST /bcf/{version}/projects/{project_id}/topics/{guid}/viewpoints

viewpoint_POST.json

Add a new viewpoint. Viewpoints are immutable, meaning that they should never change. Requirements for different visualizations should be handled by creating new viewpoint elements. This operation is only possible when the server returns the createViewpoint flag in the Topic authorization, see section 4.2.8

Parameters

JSON encoded body using the "application/json" content type.

parameter	type	description	required
index	integer	parameter for sorting	optional
orthogonal camera	Orthogonal camera	orthogonal camera view	optional
perspective camera	Perspective camera	perspective view of the camera	optional
lines	array of Line	graphical line	optional
clipping_planes	array of Clipping Plane	clipping planes for the model view	optional
bitmaps	array of Bitmap	embedded pictures in the viewpoint	optional
snapshot	Snapshot	snapshot image of the viewpoint	optional
components	Components	Components in the viewpoint	optional

4.5.2.1 Point

point.json

parameter	type	description	required
x	number	x point	mandatory
y	number	y point	mandatory
z	number	z point	mandatory

4.5.2.2 Direction

direction.json

parameter	type	description	required
x	number	x direction	mandatory
y	number	y direction	mandatory
z	number	z direction	mandatory

4.5.2.3 Orthogonal camera

orthogonal_camera.json

parameter	type	description	required
camera_view_point	Direction	viewpoint of the camera	mandatory
camera_direction	Direction	direction of the camera	mandatory
camera_up_vector	Direction	direction of camera up	mandatory
view_to_world_scale	number	proportion of camera view to model	mandatory

4.5.2.4 Perspective camera

perspective_camera.json

parameter	type	description	required
camera_view_point	Point	viewpoint of the camera	mandatory
camera_direction	Direction	direction of the camera	mandatory
camera_up_vector	Direction	direction of camera up	mandatory
field_of_view	number	field of view	mandatory

4.5.2.5 Line

line.json

parameter	type	description	required
start_point	Point	start point of the line	mandatory
end_point	Point	end point of the line (Treated as point if start_point and end_point is the same	mandatory

4.5.2.6 Clipping plane

clipping_plane.json

parameter	type	description	required
location	Point	origin of the clipping plane	mandatory
direction	Direction	direction of the clipping plane	mandatory

4.5.2.7 Bitmap

bitmap.json

parameter	type	description	required
bitmap_type	enum (string)	format of the bitmap. Predefined values `png` or `jpg`	mandatory
bitmap_data	base64 encoded string	The bitmap image data	mandatory
location	Point	location of the center of the bitmap in world coordinates (point)	mandatory
normal	Direction	normal vector of the bitmap (vector)	mandatory
up	Direction	up vector of the bitmap (vector)	mandatory
height	number	height of bitmap in the scene	mandatory

4.5.2.8 Snapshot

snapshot.json

parameter	type	description	required
snapshot_type	enum (string)	format of the snapshot. Predefined values `png` or `jpg`	mandatory
snapshot_data	base64 encoded string	The snapshot image data	mandatory

4.5.2.9 Components

components.json

parameter	type	description	required
selection	array of Component	Selected components	optional
coloring	array of Coloring	Colored components	optional
visibility	Visibility	Visibility of components	mandatory

4.5.2.10 Component

component.json

Optimization rules

BCF is suitable for selecting a few components. A huge list of selected components causes poor performance. All clients should follow this rule:

If the size of the selected components is huge (approximately 1000 components), alert the user and give him the opportunity to modify the visibility.

parameter	type	description	required
ifc_guid	string	IFC guid of the component	optional
originating_system	string	originating system of the component	optional
authoring_tool_id	string	internal id for the authoring tool of the component	optional

4.5.2.11 Coloring

coloring.json

Optimization rules

BCF is suitable for coloring a few components. A huge list of components causes poor performance. All clients should follow this rule:

If the size of colored components is huge (approximately 1000 components), alert the user and give him the opportunity to modify the coloring.

The color is given in ARGB format. Colors are represented as 6 or 8 hexadecimal digits. If 8 digits are present, the first two represent the alpha (transparency) channel. For example, 40E0D0 would be the color <span style="color:#40E0D0;";>Turquoise. More information about the color format can be found on Wikipedia.

parameter	type	description	required
color	string	Color of the components	mandatory
components	array of Component	Colored components	mandatory

4.5.2.12 Visibility

visibility.json

Optimization rules

BCF is suitable for hiding/showing a few components. A huge list of hidden/shown components causes poor performance. All clients should follow these rules:

If the list of hidden components is smaller than the list of visible components: set default_visibility to true and put the hidden components in exceptions.
If the list of visible components is smaller or equals the list of hidden components: set default_visibility to false and put the visible components in exceptions.
If the size of exceptions is huge (approximately 1000 components), alert the user and give him the opportunity to modify the visibility.

parameter	type	description	required
default_visibility	boolean	If true: Show all components, and hide the exceptions. If false: Hide all components and show exceptions	optional, default false
exceptions	array of Component	Components to hide/show determined by default_visibility	optional
view_setup_hints	View setup hints	Hints about the setup of the viewer	optional

4.5.2.13 View setup hints

view_setup_hints.json

parameter	type	description	required
spaces_visible	boolean	Visibility of spaces	optional, default false
space_boundaries_visible	Visibility of space_boundaries	optional, default false
openings_visible	boolean	Visibility of openings	optional, default false

Example Request

POST /bcf/2.1/projects/F445F4F2-4D02-4B2A-B612-5E456BEF9137/topics/B345F4F2-3A04-B43B-A713-5E456BEF8228/viewpoints
Body:
{
    "index": 10,
    "perspective_camera": {
        "camera_view_point": {
            "x": 0.0,
            "y": 0.0,
            "z": 0.0
        },
        "camera_direction": {
            "x": 1.0,
            "y": 1.0,
            "z": 2.0
        },
        "camera_up_vector": {
            "x": 0.0,
            "y": 0.0,
            "z": 1.0
        },
        "field_of_view": 90.0
    },
    "lines": [{
        "start_point": {
            "x": 1.0,
            "y": 1.0,
            "z": 1.0
        },
        "end_point": {
            "x": 0.0,
            "y": 0.0,
            "z": 0.0
        }
    }],
    "clipping_planes": [{
        "location": {
            "x": 0.5,
            "y": 0.5,
            "z": 0.5
        },
        "direction": {
            "x": 1.0,
            "y": 0.0,
            "z": 0.0
        }
    }],
    "bitmaps": [{
        "bitmap_type": "jpg",
        "bitmap_data": "SGVsbG8gV29ybGQh",
        "location": {
            "x": 10.0,
            "y": -10.0,
            "z": 7.0
        },
        "normal": {
            "x": -1.0,
            "y": 1.25,
            "z": 0.0
        },
        "up": {
            "x": -5.4,
            "y": -4.3,
            "z": 1.0
        },
        "height": 1666
    }],
    "snapshot": {
        "snapshot_type": "png",
        "snapshot_data": "SGVsbG8gV29ybGQh"
    },
    "components": {
        "selection": [{
            "ifc_guid": "2MF28NhmDBiRVyFakgdbCT",
            "originating_system": "Example CAD Application",
            "authoring_tool_id": "EXCAD/v1.0"
        }],
        "coloring": [{
            "color": "#ff0000",
            "components": [{
                "ifc_guid": "3$cshxZO9AJBebsni$z9Yk"
            }]
        }],
        "visibility": {
            "default_visbility": false,
            "exceptions": [{
                "ifc_guid": "4$cshxZO9AJBebsni$z9Yk"
            }],
            "view_setup_hints": {
                "spaces_visible": true,
                "space_boundaries_visible": false,
                "openings_visible": true
            }
        }
    }
}

Example Response

Response Code: 201 - Created
Body:
{
    "guid": "a11a82e7-e66c-34b4-ada1-5846abf39133",
    "index": 10,
    "perspective_camera": {
        "camera_view_point": {
            "x": 0.0,
            "y": 0.0,
            "z": 0.0
        },
        "camera_direction": {
            "x": 1.0,
            "y": 1.0,
            "z": 2.0
        },
        "camera_up_vector": {
            "x": 0.0,
            "y": 0.0,
            "z": 1.0
        },
        "field_of_view": 90.0
    },
    "lines": [{
        "start_point": {
            "x": 1.0,
            "y": 1.0,
            "z": 1.0
        },
        "end_point": {
            "x": 0.0,
            "y": 0.0,
            "z": 0.0
        }
    }],
    "clipping_planes": [{
        "location": {
            "x": 0.5,
            "y": 0.5,
            "z": 0.5
        },
        "direction": {
            "x": 1.0,
            "y": 0.0,
            "z": 0.0
        }
    }],
    "bitmaps": [{
        "guid": "20c1cb56-315f-4a0a-922d-ed7a4a8edf55",
        "bitmap_type": "jpg",
        "location": {
            "x": 10.0,
            "y": -10.0,
            "z": 7.0
        },
        "normal": {
            "x": -1.0,
            "y": 1.25,
            "z": 0.0
        },
        "up": {
            "x": -5.4,
            "y": -4.3,
            "z": 1.0
        },
        "height": 1666
    }],
    "snapshot": {
        "snapshot_type": "png"
    }
}

4.5.3 GET Viewpoint Service

Resource URL

GET /bcf/{version}/projects/{guid}/topics/{guid}/viewpoints/{guid}

viewpoint_GET.json

Retrieve a specific viewpoint.

Example Request

GET /bcf/2.1/projects/F445F4F2-4D02-4B2A-B612-5E456BEF9137/topics/B345F4F2-3A04-B43B-A713-5E456BEF8228/viewpoints/a11a82e7-e66c-34b4-ada1-5846abf39133

Example Response

Response Code: 200 - OK
Body:
{
    "guid": "a11a82e7-e66c-34b4-ada1-5846abf39133",
    "index": 10,
    "perspective_camera": {
        "camera_view_point": {
            "x": 0.0,
            "y": 0.0,
            "z": 0.0
        },
        "camera_direction": {
            "x": 1.0,
            "y": 1.0,
            "z": 2.0
        },
        "camera_up_vector": {
            "x": 0.0,
            "y": 0.0,
            "z": 1.0
        },
        "field_of_view": 90.0
    },
    "lines": [{
        "start_point": {
            "x": 1.0,
            "y": 1.0,
            "z": 1.0
        },
        "end_point": {
            "x": 0.0,
            "y": 0.0,
            "z": 0.0
        }
    }],
    "clipping_planes": [{
        "location": {
            "x": 0.5,
            "y": 0.5,
            "z": 0.5
        },
        "direction": {
            "x": 1.0,
            "y": 0.0,
            "z": 0.0
        }
    }],
    "bitmaps": [{
        "guid": "20c1cb56-315f-4a0a-922d-ed7a4a8edf55"
        "bitmap_type": "jpg",
        "location": {
            "x": 10.0,
            "y": -10.0,
            "z": 7.0
        },
        "normal": {
            "x": -1.0,
            "y": 1.25,
            "z": 0.0
        },
        "up": {
            "x": -5.4,
            "y": -4.3,
            "z": 1.0
        },
        "height": 1666
    }],
    "snapshot": {
        "snapshot_type": "png"
    }
}

4.5.4 GET Viewpoint Snapshot Service

Resource URL

GET /bcf/{version}/projects/{guid}/topics/{guid}/viewpoints/{guid}/snapshot

Retrieve a viewpoints snapshot (png or jpg) as image file. A viewpoint contains a snapshot if viewpoint.snapshot != null.

Example Request

GET /bcf/2.1/projects/F445F4F2-4D02-4B2A-B612-5E456BEF9137/topics/B345F4F2-3A04-B43B-A713-5E456BEF8228/viewpoints/a11a82e7-e66c-34b4-ada1-5846abf39133/snapshot

4.5.5 GET Viewpoint Bitmap Service

Resource URL

GET /bcf/{version}/projects/{guid}/topics/{guid}/viewpoints/{guid}/bitmaps/{guid}

Retrieve a specific viewpoints bitmap image file (png or jpg).

Example Request GET /bcf/2.1/projects/F445F4F2-4D02-4B2A-B612-5E456BEF9137/topics/B345F4F2-3A04-B43B-A713-5E456BEF8228/viewpoints/a11a82e7-e66c-34b4-ada1-5846abf39133/bitmaps/20c1cb56-315f-4a0a-922d-ed7a4a8edf55

4.5.6 GET selected Components Service

Resource URL

GET /bcf/{version}/projects/{project_id}/topics/{guid}/viewpoints/{guid}/selection

selection_GET.json

Retrieve a collection of all selected components in a viewpoint.

Example Request

GET /bcf/2.1/projects/F445F4F2-4D02-4B2A-B612-5E456BEF9137/topics/B345F4F2-3A04-B43B-A713-5E456BEF8228/viewpoints/a11a82e7-e66c-34b4-ada1-5846abf39133/selection

Example Response

Response Code: 200 - OK
Body:
{
    "selection": [
        {
            "ifc_guid": "2MF28NhmDBiRVyFakgdbCT",
            "originating_system": "Example CAD Application",
            "authoring_tool_id": "EXCAD/v1.0"
        }, {
            "ifc_guid": "3$cshxZO9AJBebsni$z9Yk"
        }
    ]
}

4.5.7 GET colored Components Service

Resource URL

GET /bcf/{version}/projects/{project_id}/topics/{guid}/viewpoints/{guid}/coloring

coloring_GET.json

Retrieve a collection of all colored components in a viewpoint.

Example Request

GET /bcf/2.1/projects/F445F4F2-4D02-4B2A-B612-5E456BEF9137/topics/B345F4F2-3A04-B43B-A713-5E456BEF8228/viewpoints/a11a82e7-e66c-34b4-ada1-5846abf39133/selection

Example Response

Response Code: 200 - OK
Body:
{
    "coloring": [
        {
            "color": "#ff0000",
            "components": [
                {
                    "ifc_guid": "2MF28NhmDBiRVyFakgdbCT",
                    "originating_system": "Example CAD Application",
                    "authoring_tool_id": "EXCAD/v1.0"
                }, {
                    "ifc_guid": "3$cshxZO9AJBebsni$z9Yk"
                }
            ]
        }
    ]
}

4.5.8 GET visibility of Components Service

Resource URL

GET /bcf/{version}/projects/{project_id}/topics/{guid}/viewpoints/{guid}/visibility

visibility_GET.json

Retrieve visibility of components in a viewpoint.

Example Request

GET /bcf/2.1/projects/F445F4F2-4D02-4B2A-B612-5E456BEF9137/topics/B345F4F2-3A04-B43B-A713-5E456BEF8228/viewpoints/a11a82e7-e66c-34b4-ada1-5846abf39133/visibility

Example Response

Response Code: 200 - OK
Body:
{
    "visibility": {
            "default_visibility": true,
        "exceptions": [
            {
                "ifc_guid": "2MF28NhmDBiRVyFakgdbCT",
                "originating_system": "Example CAD Application",
                "authoring_tool_id": "EXCAD/v1.0"
            }, {
                "ifc_guid": "3$cshxZO9AJBebsni$z9Yk",
            }
        ],
        "view_setup_hints": {
            "spaces_visible": true,
            "space_boundaries_visible": false,
            "openings_visible": true
        }
    }
}

4.6 Related Topics Services

4.6.1 GET Related Topics Service

Resource URL

GET /bcf/{version}/projects/{project_id}/topics/{guid}/related_topics

related_topic_GET.json

Retrieve a collection of all related topics to a topic.

Example Request

GET /bcf/2.1/projects/F445F4F2-4D02-4B2A-B612-5E456BEF9137/topics/B345F4F2-3A04-B43B-A713-5E456BEF8228/related_topics

Example Response

Response Code: 200 - OK
Body:
[{
    "related_topic_guid": "db49df2b-0e42-473b-a3ee-f7b785d783c4"
}, {
    "related_topic_guid": "6963a846-54d1-4050-954d-607cd5e48aa3"
}]

4.6.2 PUT Related Topics Service

Resource URL

PUT /bcf/{version}/projects/{project_id}/topics/{guid}/related_topics

related_topic_PUT.json

Add or update a collection of all related topics to a topic. This operation is only possible when the server returns the updateRelatedTopics flag in the Topic authorization, see section 4.2.8

Example Request

PUT /bcf/2.1/projects/F445F4F2-4D02-4B2A-B612-5E456BEF9137/topics/B345F4F2-3A04-B43B-A713-5E456BEF8228/related_topics
Body:
[{
    "related_topic_guid": "db49df2b-0e42-473b-a3ee-f7b785d783c4"
}, {
    "related_topic_guid": "6963a846-54d1-4050-954d-607cd5e48aa3"
}, {
    "related_topic_guid": "bac66ab4-331e-4f21-a28e-083d2cf2e796"
}]

Example Response

Response Code: 200 - OK
Body:
[{
    "related_topic_guid": "db49df2b-0e42-473b-a3ee-f7b785d783c4"
}, {
    "related_topic_guid": "6963a846-54d1-4050-954d-607cd5e48aa3"
}, {
    "related_topic_guid": "bac66ab4-331e-4f21-a28e-083d2cf2e796"
}]

4.7 Document Reference Services

Service for relating documents to topics. Related documents can be either internal or external, determined by the fields url and document_guid.

The url and the document_guid fields are mutually exclusive, which means that only one of these fields are set. A document_reference with url set, is referencing an external resource. A document_reference with document_guid set, is referencing an internal document which can be downloaded using the GET Document Service.

4.7.1 GET Document References Service

Resource URL

GET /bcf/{version}/projects/{project_id}/topics/{guid}/document_references

document_reference_GET.json

Retrieve a collection of all document references to a topic.

Example Request

GET /bcf/2.1/projects/F445F4F2-4D02-4B2A-B612-5E456BEF9137/topics/B345F4F2-3A04-B43B-A713-5E456BEF8228/document_references

Example Response

Response Code: 200 - OK
Body:
[{
    "guid": "212ab37a-6122-448e-86fc-86503183b520",
    "url": "http://example.com/files/LegalRequirements.pdf",
    "description": "The legal requirements for buildings."
}, {
    "guid": "6cbfe31d-95c3-4f4d-92a6-420c23698721",
    "document_guid": "472ab37a-6122-448e-86fc-86503183b520",
    "description": "The building owners global design parameters for buildings."
}]

4.7.2 POST Document Reference Service

Resource URL

POST /bcf/{version}/projects/{project_id}/topics/{guid}/document_references

document_reference_POST.json

Add a document reference to a topic. This operation is only possible when the server returns the updateDocumentReferences flag in the Topic authorization, see section 4.2.8

Should either reference an internal or an external document.

Internal
- document_guid must match an existing document in the project
- url must be null
External
- document_guid must be null
- url must be the url to the external resource

Example Request

POST /bcf/2.1/projects/F445F4F2-4D02-4B2A-B612-5E456BEF9137/topics/B345F4F2-3A04-B43B-A713-5E456BEF8228/document_references
Body:
{
    "url": "http://example.com/files/LegalRequirements.pdf",
    "description": "The legal requirements for buildings."
}

Example Response

Response Code: 201 - Created
Body:
{
    "guid": "275ab37a-6122-448e-86fc-86503183b520",
    "url": "http://example.com/files/LegalRequirements.pdf",
    "description": "The legal requirements for buildings."
}

Example Request

POST /bcf/2.1/projects/F445F4F2-4D02-4B2A-B612-5E456BEF9137/topics/B345F4F2-3A04-B43B-A713-5E456BEF8228/document_references
Body:
{
    "document_guid": "472ab37a-6122-448e-86fc-86503183b520",
    "description": "The building owners global design parameters for buildings."
}

Example Response

Response Code: 201 - Created
Body:
{
    "guid": "135ab37a-6122-448e-86fc-86503183b520",
    "document_guid": "472ab37a-6122-448e-86fc-86503183b520",
    "description": "The building owners global design parameters for buildings."
}

4.7.3 PUT Document Reference Service

Resource URL

PUT /bcf/{version}/projects/{project_id}/topics/{guid}/document_references/{guid}

document_reference_PUT.json

Update an existing document reference identified by guid. Uses the same rules as POST Document Reference Service. This operation is only possible when the server returns the updateDocumentReferences flag in the Topic authorization, see section 4.2.8

Example Request

PUT /bcf/2.1/projects/F445F4F2-4D02-4B2A-B612-5E456BEF9137/topics/B345F4F2-3A04-B43B-A713-5E456BEF8228/document_references/472ab37a-6122-448e-86fc-86503183b520
Body:
{
    "guid": "135ab37a-6122-448e-86fc-86503183b520",
    "url": "http://example.com/files/LegalRequirements_Update.pdf",
    "description": "The legal requirements for buildings."
}

Example Response

Response Code: 200 - OK
Body:
{
    "guid": "135ab37a-6122-448e-86fc-86503183b520",
    "url": "http://example.com/files/LegalRequirements_Update.pdf",
    "description": "The legal requirements for buildings."
}

4.8 Document Services

4.8.1 GET Documents Service

document_GET.json

Resource URL

GET /bcf/{version}/projects/{project_id}/documents

Retrieve a collection of all documents uploaded to a project.

Example Request

GET /bcf/2.1/projects/F445F4F2-4D02-4B2A-B612-5E456BEF9137/documents

Example Response

Response Code: 200 - OK
Body:
[{
    "guid": "472ab37a-6122-448e-86fc-86503183b520",
    "filename": "LegalRequirements.pdf"
}, {
    "guid": "6cbfe31d-95c3-4f4d-92a6-420c23698721",
    "filename": "DesignParameters.pdf"
}]

4.8.2 POST Document Service

Resource URL

POST /bcf/{version}/projects/{project_id}/documents

Upload a document (binary file) to a project. This operation is only possible when the server returns the createDocument flag in the Project authorization, see section 4.1.5

Example Request

POST /bcf/2.1/projects/F445F4F2-4D02-4B2A-B612-5E456BEF9137/documents

Example Response

Response Code: 201 - Created
Body:
{
    "guid": "472ab37a-6122-448e-86fc-86503183b520",
    "filename": "Official_Building_Permission.pdf"
}

4.8.3 GET Document Service

Resource URL

GET /bcf/{version}/projects/{project_id}/documents/{guid}

Retrieves a document as binary file.

Example Request

GET /bcf/2.1/projects/F445F4F2-4D02-4B2A-B612-5E456BEF9137/documents/472ab37a-6122-448e-86fc-86503183b520

Example Response

Retrieves a document as binary file.

4.9 Topics Events Services

The topic events service reflects the events for topics. Each creation or update of a topic generates new topic events. Note: Whenever a topic has been created, the server also generates "update" and "add" events for all fields that are initially set. Example: If a topic contains a description, the description_updated event is generated. This is to ensure the full history.

4.9.1 GET Topics Events Service

Resource URL

GET /bcf/{version}/projects/{project_id}/topics/events

topic_event_GET.json

Retrieve a collection of topic events related to a project (default sort order is date).

Topic event types

type	value
topic_created	null
title_updated	The title (limit: 128 characters)
description_updated	The description (limit: 1024 characters)
description_removed	null
status_updated	The status (value from extensions)
type_updated	The type (value from extensions)
priority_updated	The priority (value from extensions)
priority_removed	null
due_date_updated	The due date
due_date_removed	null
assigned_to_updated	The assigned user (value from extensions)
assigned_to_removed	null
label_added	The label added (value from extensions)
label_removed	The label removed (value from extensions)

Odata filter parameters

parameter	type	description
topic_guid	string	guid of the topic
author	string	userId of the author (value from extensions)
type	string	type of the event (value from Topic event types, table above)
date	datetime	date of the event

Odata sort parameters

parameter	description
date	date of the event

Example Request with odata

Get events of type 'status_updated' made by Architect@example.com and created after December 5th 2015. Sort the result on least recent

GET /bcf/2.1/projects/F445F4F2-4D02-4B2A-B612-5E456BEF9137/topics/events?$filter=author eq 'Architect@example.com' and type eq 'status_updated' and date gt 2015-12-05T00:00:00+01:00&$orderby=date asc

Get latest events of given topic. Skip the 10 first, and get the 5 next

GET /bcf/2.1/projects/F445F4F2-4D02-4B2A-B612-5E456BEF9137/topics/events?$filter=topic_guid eq 'A245F4F2-2C01-B43B-B612-5E456BEF8116'&$top=5&$skip=10

Get events that are of type 'status_updated', 'type_updated' or 'title_updated' or 'label_added'

/bcf/1.0/projects/F445F4F2-4D02-4B2A-B612-5E456BEF9137/topics/events?$filter=type eq 'status_updated' or type eq 'type_updated' or type eq 'title_updated' or type eq 'label_added'

Example Request

GET /bcf/2.1/projects/F445F4F2-4D02-4B2A-B612-5E456BEF9137/topics/events

Example Response

Response Code: 200 - OK
Body:
[{
    "topic_guid": "A211FCC2-3A3B-EAA4-C321-DE22ABC8414",
    "date": "2014-11-19T14:24:11.316Z",
    "author": "Architect@example.com",
    "events": [
        {
            "type": "status_updated",
            "value": "Closed"
        }
    ]
}, {
    "topic_guid": "A245F4F2-2C01-B43B-B612-5E456BEF8116",
    "date": "2013-10-21T17:34:22.409Z",
    "author": "Architect@example.com",
    "events": [
        {
            "type": "type_updated",
            "value": "Warning"
        }
    ]
}]

4.9.2 GET Topic Events Service

Resource URL

GET /bcf/{version}/projects/{project_id}/topics/{topic_guid}/events

topic_event_GET.json

Retrieve a collection of topic events related to a project (default sort order is date).

Topic event types

type	value
topic_created	null
title_updated	The title (limit: 128 characters)
description_updated	The description (limit: 1024 characters)
description_removed	null
status_updated	The status (value from extensions)
type_updated	The type (value from extensions)
priority_updated	The priority (value from extensions)
priority_removed	null
due_date_updated	The due date
due_date_removed	null
assigned_to_updated	The assigned user (value from extensions)
assigned_to_removed	null
label_added	The label added (value from extensions)
label_removed	The label removed (value from extensions)

Odata filter parameters

parameter	type	description
author	string	userId of the author (value from extensions)
type	string	type of the event (value from Topic event types, table above)
date	datetime	date of the event

Odata sort parameters

parameter	description
date	date of the event

Example Request with odata

Get events of type 'status_updated' made by Architect@example.com and created after December 5th 2015. Sort the result on least recent

GET /bcf/2.1/projects/F445F4F2-4D02-4B2A-B612-5E456BEF9137/topics/A245F4F2-2C01-B43B-B612-5E456BEF8116/events?$filter=author eq 'Architect@example.com' and type eq 'status_updated' and date gt 2015-12-05T00:00:00+01:00&$orderby=date asc

Get latest events. Skip the 10 first, and get the 5 next

GET /bcf/2.1/projects/F445F4F2-4D02-4B2A-B612-5E456BEF9137/topics/A245F4F2-2C01-B43B-B612-5E456BEF8116/events?$top=5&$skip=10

Odata does not support list operators. To achieve list query, use the 'or' operator. Get events that is of type 'status_updated', 'type_updated' or 'title_updated' or 'label_added'

/bcf/1.0/projects/F445F4F2-4D02-4B2A-B612-5E456BEF9137/topics/A245F4F2-2C01-B43B-B612-5E456BEF8116/events?$filter=type eq 'status_updated' or type eq 'type_updated' or type eq 'title_updated' or type eq 'label_updated'

Example Request

GET /bcf/2.1/projects/F445F4F2-4D02-4B2A-B612-5E456BEF9137/topics/A245F4F2-2C01-B43B-B612-5E456BEF8116/events

Example Response

Response Code: 200 - OK
Body:
[{
    "topic_guid": "A245F4F2-2C01-B43B-B612-5E456BEF8116",
    "date": "2014-11-19T14:24:11.316Z",
    "author": "Architect@example.com",
    "events": [
        {
            "type": "type_updated",
            "value": "Error"
        }
    ]
}, {
    "topic_guid": "A245F4F2-2C01-B43B-B612-5E456BEF8116",
    "date": "2013-10-21T17:34:22.409Z",
    "author": "Architect@example.com",
    "events": [
        {
            "type": "status_updated",
            "value": "Open"
        }
    ]
}]

4.10 Comments Events Services

The comment events service reflects the events for topic comments. Each creation or update of a comment generates new comment events.

Note: Whenever a comment has been created, the server also generates "update" events for all fields that are initially set. Example: If a comment contains a viewpoint, the viewpoint_updated event is generated. This is to ensure the full history.

4.10.1 GET Comments Events Service

Resource URL

GET /bcf/{version}/projects/{project_id}/topics/comments/events

comment_event_GET.json

Retrieve a collection of comment events related to a project (default sort order is date).

Comment event types

type	value
comment_created	null
comment_text_updated	The comment text(limit: 1024 characters)
viewpoint_updated	The viewpoint guid
viewpoint_removed	null
reply_to_comment_updated	The reply to comment guid
reply_to_comment_removed	null

Odata filter parameters

parameter	type	description
comment_guid	string	guid of the comment
topic_guid	string	guid of the topic
author	string	userId of the author (value from extensions)
date	datetime	date of the event
type	string	type of the event (value from Comment event types, table above)

Odata sort parameters

parameter	description
date	date of the event

Example Request with odata

Get events of type 'comment_created' made by Architect@example.com and created after December 5th 2015. Sort the result on least recent

GET /bcf/2.1/projects/F445F4F2-4D02-4B2A-B612-5E456BEF9137/topics/comments/events?$filter=author eq 'Architect@example.com' and date gt 2015-12-05T00:00:00+01:00 and type eq 'comment_created'&$orderby=date asc

Get latest events of given comment. Skip the 10 first, and get the 5 next

GET /bcf/2.1/projects/F445F4F2-4D02-4B2A-B612-5E456BEF9137/topics/comments/events?$filter=comment_guid eq 'C4215F4D-AC45-A43A-D615-AA456BEF832B'&$top=5&$skip=10

Get events that are of type 'comment_created', or 'viewpoint_updated'

/bcf/1.0/projects/F445F4F2-4D02-4B2A-B612-5E456BEF9137/topics/events?$filter=type eq 'comment_created' or type eq 'viewpoint_updated'

Example Request

GET /bcf/2.1/projects/F445F4F2-4D02-4B2A-B612-5E456BEF9137/topics/comments/events

Example Response

Response Code: 200 - OK
Body:
[{
    "comment_guid": "C4215F4D-AC45-A43A-D615-AA456BEF832B",
    "topic_guid": "A211FCC2-3A3B-EAA4-C321-DE22ABC8414",
    "date": "2014-11-19T14:24:11.316Z",
    "author": "Architect@example.com",
    "events": [
        {
            "type": "comment_created",
            "value": null
        }
    ]
}, {
    "comment_guid": "C4215F4D-AC45-A43A-D615-AA456BEF832B",
    "topic_guid": "A245F4F2-2C01-B43B-B612-5E456BEF8116",
    "date": "2013-10-21T17:34:22.409Z",
    "author": "Architect@example.com",
    "events": [
        {
            "type": "viewpoint_updated",
            "value": "b24a82e9-f67b-43b8-bda0-4946abf39624"
        }
    ]
}]

4.10.2 GET Comment Events Service

Resource URL

GET /bcf/{version}/projects/{project_id}/topics/{topic_guid}/comments/{comment_guid}/events

comment_event_GET.json

Retrieve a collection of comment events related to a comment (default sort order is date).

Comment event types

type	value
comment_created	null
comment_text_updated	The comment text(limit: 1024 characters)
viewpoint_updated	The viewpoint guid
viewpoint_removed	null
reply_to_comment_updated	The reply to comment guid
reply_to_comment_removed	null

Odata filter parameters

parameter	type	description
author	string	userId of the author (value from extensions)
date	datetime	date of the event
type	string	type of the event (value from Comment event types, table above)

Odata sort parameters

parameter	description
date	date of the event

Example Request with odata

Get events of type 'comment_created' made by Architect@example.com and created after December 5th 2015. Sort the result on least recent

GET /bcf/2.1/projects/F445F4F2-4D02-4B2A-B612-5E456BEF9137/topics/A211FCC2-3A3B-EAA4-C321-DE22ABC8414/comments/C4215F4D-AC45-A43A-D615-AA456BEF832B/events?$filter=author eq 'Architect@example.com' and date gt 2015-12-05T00:00:00+01:00 and type eq 'comment_created'&$orderby=date asc

Get latest events of given comment. Skip the 10 first, and get the 5 next

GET /bcf/2.1/projects/F445F4F2-4D02-4B2A-B612-5E456BEF9137/topics/A211FCC2-3A3B-EAA4-C321-DE22ABC8414/comments/C4215F4D-AC45-A43A-D615-AA456BEF832B/events?$top=5&$skip=10

Get events that are of type 'comment_created', or 'comment_text_updated'

GET /bcf/2.1/projects/F445F4F2-4D02-4B2A-B612-5E456BEF9137/topics/A211FCC2-3A3B-EAA4-C321-DE22ABC8414/comments/C4215F4D-AC45-A43A-D615-AA456BEF832B/events?$filter=type eq 'comment_created' or type eq 'viewpoint_updated'

Example Request

GET /bcf/2.1/projects/F445F4F2-4D02-4B2A-B612-5E456BEF9137/topics/A211FCC2-3A3B-EAA4-C321-DE22ABC8414/comments/C4215F4D-AC45-A43A-D615-AA456BEF832B/events

Example Response

Response Code: 200 - OK
Body:
[{
    "comment_guid": "C4215F4D-AC45-A43A-D615-AA456BEF832B",
    "topic_guid": "A211FCC2-3A3B-EAA4-C321-DE22ABC8414",
    "date": "2014-11-19T14:24:11.316Z",
    "author": "Architect@example.com",
    "events": [
        {
            "type": "comment_created",
            "value": null
        }
    ]
}, {
    "comment_guid": "C4215F4D-AC45-A43A-D615-AA456BEF832B",
    "topic_guid": "A245F4F2-2C01-B43B-B612-5E456BEF8116",
    "date": "2013-10-21T17:34:22.409Z",
    "author": "Architect@example.com",
    "events": [
        {
            "type": "comment_text_updated",
            "value": "This is the updated comment"
        }
    ]
}]

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BCF REST API

1. Introduction

1.1 Paging, Sorting and Filtering

1.2 Caching

1.3 Updating Resources via HTTP PUT

1.4 Cross Origin Resource Sharing (CORS)

1.5 Http Status Codes

1.6 Error Response Body Format

1.7 DateTime Format

1.8 Authorization

1.8.1 Per-Entity Authorization

1.8.2 Determining Authorized Entity Actions

1.9 Additional Response and Request Object Properties

1.10 Binary File Uploads

2. Topologies

2.1 Topology 1 - BCF-Server only

2.2 Topology 2 - Colocated BCF-Server and Model Server

3. Public Services

3.1 Versions Service

3.2 Authentication Services

3.2.1 Obtaining Authentication Information

3.2.2 OAuth2 Example

3.2.3 OAuth2 Protocol Flow - Dynamic Client Registration

3.3 User Services

3.3.1 Get current user

4. BCF Services

4.1 Project Services

4.1.1 GET Projects Service

4.1.2 GET Project Service

4.1.3 PUT Project Service

4.1.4 GET Project Extension Service

4.1.5 Expressing User Authorization Through Project Extensions

4.1.5.1 Project

4.1.5.2 Topic

4.1.5.3 Comment

4.2 Topic Services

4.2.1 GET Topics Service

4.2.2 POST Topic Service

4.2.3 GET Topic Service

4.2.4 PUT Topic Service

4.2.5 DELETE Topic Service

4.2.6 GET Topic BIM Snippet Service

4.2.7 PUT Topic BIM Snippet Service

4.2.8 Determining Allowed Topic Modifications

4.3 File Services

4.3.1 GET Files (Header) Service

4.3.2 PUT Files (Header) Service

4.4 Comment Services

4.4.1 GET Comments Service

4.4.2 POST Comment Service

4.4.3 GET Comment Service

4.4.4 PUT Comment Service

4.4.5 DELETE Comment Service

4.4.6 Determining allowed Comment modifications

4.5 Viewpoint Services

4.5.1 GET Viewpoints Service

4.5.2 POST Viewpoint Service

4.5.2.1 Point

4.5.2.2 Direction

4.5.2.3 Orthogonal camera

4.5.2.4 Perspective camera

4.5.2.5 Line

4.5.2.6 Clipping plane

4.5.2.7 Bitmap

4.5.2.8 Snapshot

4.5.2.9 Components

4.5.2.10 Component

Optimization rules

4.5.2.11 Coloring

Optimization rules

4.5.2.12 Visibility

Optimization rules

4.5.2.13 View setup hints

4.5.3 GET Viewpoint Service

4.5.4 GET Viewpoint Snapshot Service