> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/bnares/AI-BIM-APP/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Querying with AI

> Learn how to effectively use the AI assistant to query and analyze your BIM model data

AI-BIM App includes an integrated AI assistant powered by OpenAI that can answer questions about your loaded IFC models.

## How AI Queries Work

The AI system analyzes your IFC file data and responds to natural language questions:

1. When you load an IFC file, the system extracts relevant data
2. Property information is organized and prepared for AI analysis
3. You ask questions in plain English
4. The AI analyzes the extracted data and provides concise answers

Reference: ChatGpt component at `/src/bim-components/ChatGpt/index.ts:30`

## Accessing the AI Panel

The AI query interface is available in the **Load to** tab:

<Steps>
  <Step title="Load an IFC File">
    First, ensure you have loaded an IFC model. The AI needs model data to analyze.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Navigate to Load to Tab">
    Click on the **Load to** tab in the floating toolbar at the center of the viewport.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Find the AI Panel">
    The AI Panel section contains a text input field labeled "Write Question" and a response area.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Reference: AI Panel UI at `/src/bim-components/ChatGpt/src/user-interface.ts:42`

## Making Your First Query

<Steps>
  <Step title="Type Your Question">
    In the "Write Question" text input field, type your question about the model. For example: "How many walls are in this building?"
  </Step>

  <Step title="Click Query Button">
    Click the **Querry** button to submit your question to the AI.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Wait for Response">
    The AI processes your question against the model data. This may take a few seconds.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Read the Answer">
    The AI's response appears in the text area below the input field. Responses are concise and based only on the available data.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Ask Follow-up Questions">
    Click **Reset** to clear the previous query and response, then ask another question.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Reference: Query submission at `/src/bim-components/ChatGpt/src/user-interface.ts:14`

## What Data is Available to Query?

The AI has access to specific IFC data extracted from your model:

### Material Information

* Material names and types
* Material associations with elements
* `IFCMATERIAL` entities

Reference: Material extraction at `/src/bim-components/LoadIfc/index.ts:94`

### Building Storey Data

* Building level names (Ground Floor, Level 1, etc.)
* Elements contained in each storey
* `IFCBUILDINGSTOREY` entities
* Spatial containment relationships

### Element Properties

* Element types (walls, slabs, beams)
* Property sets (`IFCPROPERTYSET`)
* Element quantities (`IFCELEMENTQUANTITY`)
* Defined properties for each element

Reference: Property extraction at `/src/bim-components/LoadIfc/index.ts:47`

### Entity Types

The system extracts data for:

* `IFCWALL` and `IFCWALLSTANDARDCASE`
* `IFCSLAB`
* `IFCBEAM`
* `IfcRelAssociatesMaterial`
* `IfcRelContainedInSpatialStructure`

Reference: Valid entities filter at `/src/bim-components/ChatGpt/index.ts:39`

## Example Questions

### Material Queries

<CodeGroup>
  ```text Good Questions theme={null}
  How many different materials are used in this building?
  What materials are used for the walls?
  List all the materials in this model.
  What is the most common material?
  ```

  ```text Better Questions theme={null}
  How many IFCMATERIAL entities are defined?
  What materials are associated with wall elements?
  List the unique material names.
  ```
</CodeGroup>

### Storey Information

<CodeGroup>
  ```text Good Questions theme={null}
  How many building storeys are in this model?
  What are the names of each floor?
  How many elements are on the ground floor?
  Which level has the most elements?
  ```

  ```text Better Questions theme={null}
  List all IFCBUILDINGSTOREY names.
  How many elements are contained in each building storey?
  What is the spatial structure of this building?
  ```
</CodeGroup>

### Element Counts

<CodeGroup>
  ```text Good Questions theme={null}
  How many walls are in the building?
  How many slabs and beams are there?
  What types of elements are in this model?
  Count the total number of structural elements.
  ```

  ```text Better Questions theme={null}
  How many IFCWALL and IFCWALLSTANDARDCASE elements exist?
  What is the distribution of IFCSLAB, IFCBEAM, and IFCWALL entities?
  Count elements by IFC entity type.
  ```
</CodeGroup>

### Property Queries

<CodeGroup>
  ```text Good Questions theme={null}
  What properties are defined for wall elements?
  Are there any element quantities specified?
  What property sets are available?
  ```

  ```text Better Questions theme={null}
  List all IFCPROPERTYSET entities.
  What IFCELEMENTQUANTITY data is available?
  What properties are defined in property sets?
  ```
</CodeGroup>

## Crafting Effective Questions

### Be Specific

<Tip>
  Instead of "Tell me about this building," ask "How many walls are on Level 1?"
</Tip>

### Reference IFC Terms

<Tip>
  The AI understands IFC terminology. Use terms like "IFCWALL", "building storey", "property sets", and "material associations".
</Tip>

### Ask One Thing at a Time

<Tip>
  Break complex questions into simpler ones: "How many walls?" followed by "How many slabs?"
</Tip>

### Request Counts and Lists

<Tip>
  Questions about counts and lists work best: "Count the materials" or "List all building storeys".
</Tip>

## Understanding AI Responses

The AI system is configured to provide concise, fact-based answers:

### Response Characteristics

* **Concise**: Answers use as few words as possible
* **Data-driven**: Only information from the IFC file is included
* **No assumptions**: If data isn't available, the AI won't guess
* **JSON-based**: The AI analyzes structured JSON data extracted from IFC

Reference: System prompt at `/src/bim-components/ChatGpt/index.ts:78`

### When the AI Says "Not Found"

If the AI responds that information isn't available:

* The IFC file may not contain that specific data
* Property sets might be incomplete
* The data may be in a format not currently extracted

## AI System Architecture

Understanding how the system works helps you ask better questions:

### Data Extraction Process

<Steps>
  <Step title="IFC File Loaded">
    When you load an IFC file, it's read as text and converted to an array buffer.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Properties Extracted">
    The system extracts properties for specific entity types using the IFC Relations Indexer.
  </Step>

  <Step title="JSON Conversion">
    Extracted properties are converted to JSON strings for AI analysis.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Filtered Data">
    Only relevant IFC entities are included to reduce data size and improve response speed.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Reference: File loading at `/src/bim-components/LoadIfc/index.ts:63`

### Query Processing

<Steps>
  <Step title="User Submits Question">
    Your question is sent to the OpenAI API along with the extracted IFC data.
  </Step>

  <Step title="AI Model: GPT-3.5-Turbo">
    The system uses GPT-3.5-Turbo for fast, cost-effective responses.
  </Step>

  <Step title="System Prompt Applied">
    A system prompt instructs the AI to answer only based on provided data and to be concise.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Response Returned">
    The AI's answer is displayed in the text area.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Reference: GPT query processing at `/src/bim-components/ChatGpt/index.ts:67`

## Data Filtering for Performance

The system includes an optional data filtering mechanism:

* Filters IFC file content to include only relevant entities
* Reduces data sent to the AI API
* Improves response time and reduces API costs
* Focuses on: materials, walls, slabs, beams, storeys, and relationships

Reference: Data modification at `/src/bim-components/ChatGpt/index.ts:37`

<Note>
  The filtering function is implemented but may not be active by default. Check the code configuration if responses seem incomplete.
</Note>

## Limitations and Considerations

### Data Availability

* AI can only answer questions about data present in the IFC file
* Some IFC files have minimal property sets
* Geometric data (shapes, dimensions) may not be fully queryable

### Response Time

* Queries typically take 2-5 seconds
* Large IFC files with extensive data may take longer
* API response times vary based on OpenAI service load

### API Costs

* Each query consumes OpenAI API credits
* Consider data filtering for cost optimization
* GPT-3.5-Turbo is chosen for cost-effectiveness

### Privacy

* IFC data is sent to OpenAI's servers
* Ensure compliance with your data privacy requirements
* Sensitive project data should be handled according to your security policies

## Troubleshooting

### "No file data, cant answear" Alert

* Ensure you've loaded an IFC file before querying
* Reload the file if necessary
* Check that the file loaded successfully (visible in viewport)

Reference: File data check at `/src/bim-components/ChatGpt/src/user-interface.ts:19`

### Empty or Generic Responses

* Your IFC file may lack the requested data
* Try more specific questions using IFC terminology
* Check that property sets are defined in the source BIM model

### Query Button Doesn't Respond

* Ensure you've entered a question in the text input
* Check browser console for error messages
* Verify your OpenAI API key is configured (developer setting)

### Responses are Incomplete

* The AI is configured for concise answers
* Ask follow-up questions for more detail
* Try rephrasing your question to be more specific

## Tips for Best Results

<Tip>
  Load IFC files that include comprehensive property sets for the most detailed AI responses.
</Tip>

<Tip>
  Start with simple counting questions to understand what data is available, then ask more complex queries.
</Tip>

<Tip>
  Use the Reset button between unrelated questions to clear the previous context.
</Tip>

<Tip>
  If a question doesn't work, try using exact IFC entity type names like "IFCWALL" instead of just "wall".
</Tip>

## Next Steps

Combine AI queries with other features:

* Use [data visualization](/guide/analyzing-data) to see element distributions
* Apply [measurements](/guide/measurements) to verify dimensions mentioned in AI responses
* Cross-reference AI answers with the element selection panel for detailed properties