Simplebim
Simplebim is a Windows desktop IFC processing application from Datacubist that merges open BIM models, runs repeatable dataflow recipes to clean and enrich geometry and properties, then exports tidy IFC or spreadsheet tables for coordination, QTO, and analytics.
Simplebim targets teams that receive messy IFC from many authors and need one controlled place to normalize that data before downstream teams trust it. Imports can merge discipline models, including infrastructure-oriented IFC, then expose the result in 3D, tables, and property palettes for inspection.
Datacubist advertises more than one hundred discrete processing actions and a growing library of starter dataflows, while noting customers in more than fifty countries on the public marketing site (Simplebim, 2026). Those figures highlight how long-running automation templates, not one-off manual fixes, anchor the product story.
Each dataflow follows a predictable pipeline: import and merge, restructure metadata, purge dead weight, enrich with calculated quantities or external lookups, validate against rules, then export to IFC, CSV, or Excel. Validation can feed BCF topics back to authors when data fails checks, keeping remediation inside open standards.
Because Simplebim writes new exports instead of mutating supplier files, legal and contractual questions about model of record stay clearer. You still need an information delivery plan that states who may run processing, which templates are binding, and how hashed exports tie back to tender packages.
Specifications
Pricing
Platforms
Used for
Used by
Tasks
Pros and cons
Pros
- Deep focus on IFC pipelines rather than authoring geometry
- Reusable dataflows scale across projects once templates mature
- Keeps source IFC untouched while publishing controlled derivatives
- Exports align with analytics and ERP teams that want flat tables
Cons
- Windows desktop deployment only; no native browser editing
- Success depends on disciplined libraries of approved dataflows
- Heavy merges still need hardware sizing and thoughtful scheduling
- Licensing and support packages should be confirmed with Datacubist or partners
Key features
IFC merge and exploration: Combine IFC inputs, walk the model tree, and inspect properties side by side with the 3D view.
Visual dataflows: Chain processing steps with a UI aimed at repeatable templates instead of manual clicks each week.
Cleanup and sub-models: Strip redundant objects, shrink files, and publish purpose-built subsets for field or estimating teams.
Enrichment and calculations: Add classifications, locations, quantities, and spreadsheet-driven data pulls back into the model dataset.
Rule-based validation: Apply range, enumeration, and cross-field checks, then push issues through BCF when teams expect that loop.
Open exports: Write processed IFC plus CSV or Excel tables so BI, ERP, and other BIM tools consume the same numbers.
Pricing
Commercial license
per year
Free
Datacubist sells term licenses and partner bundles; request a quote for network deployment, training, or enterprise maintenance.
Frequently asked questions
Does Simplebim edit my original IFC files?
Simplebim imports IFC, processes a working copy, and exports new files or tables. Marketing copy stresses that the original file on disk stays unchanged, which helps when contracts require auditable supplier submissions.
Can Simplebim validate models against project rules?
Yes. Validation steps include range checks, datatype checks, and membership tests, with optional BCF reporting back to authors. You still need an agreed requirements baseline so validators encode the right tolerances.
Is infrastructure IFC supported?
Product messaging calls out support for relevant IFC versions and mentions infrastructure models alongside building disciplines. Test large alignment-based models on pilot hardware because performance varies with facet counts.
What skills does a Simplebim admin need?
Admins blend BIM knowledge with light data-wrangling habits similar to spreadsheet automation. Expect a learning curve while you catalog dataflows, map property naming conventions, and document which exports feed each downstream system.
How does Simplebim help estimators?
Processed models can carry consistent quantities, classifications, and locations, then export to CSV or Excel for takeoff templates. Accuracy still depends on upstream modeling quality and the validation rules you enforce before quantities freeze.
Can Simplebim integrate with other software?
Exports target generic IFC and tabular formats so you can load results into coordination tools, BI dashboards, or custom scripts. Any deeper API or partner connector should be verified against your license tier and support agreement.