Revit 2012 Export to IFC does not Include Columns

I wanted to provide a potential scenario and approach around missing columns when exporting to IFC format from Revit 2012.

The symptom is an IFC file, exported from Revit 2012, with missing columns \ structural columns:

This could potentially occur for columns if the project file does not contain any associated floor plan views.

For example, columns associated base \ top level is Level 01 & Level 02; however those associated views were deleted from the project prior to IFC export.

If there are no associated floor plan views for the columns, they could potentially be excluded from the export.

If you run into this, you can simply do the following prior to IFC export:

1.  View > Plan Views > Floor Plan.

2.  Verify Do not duplicate existing views is checked, and select all of the views which appear on the list.  You can use the SHIFT or CTRL key to select all of the views at once.  Click OK.

3.  This will create a view for each level which does not currently have one.  Then export to IFC format.

After exporting to IFC you can delete the views [or undo] if you no longer need them.