Industry Foundation Class files, commonly known as IFC, have become the industry “standard” for sharing data between different software platforms. The main goal of IFC is to provide an open format, that removes the need for organisations to require the use of unpublished propriety files.
As the IFC format is open source, and software vendor neutral, it satisfies the BIM requirements for the “Sharing and collaboration of information“.
Civil Infrastructure and IFC
Like any type of file, IFC has different versions, and it is the later versions that have better support for Infrastructure Objects (IfcEntity). However, this can create problems for 12d Model users if asked to export an older version that does not support the latest IfcEntity types.
So when the “BIM Expert” tells you there is a problem with IFC files from 12d Model, there most likely is no problem, but in fact will be a limitation with the IFC format/version or the receiving software.
Always check your IFC files in a 3rd Party application.
- Always check your IFC files.
- Yes, always!
- Never accept the problem is 12d, just because someone who can’t spell 12d “said so“.
Not all software reads all versions of IFC files;
- You should check this with the receiving person.
The IFC format only allows for Project and String Attributes;
- IFC does not support Segment and Vertex Attributes.
- You may need to copy to String Attributes before exporting;
- Copy Segment & Vertex Attributes to String Attributes
Some software, such as Revit, does not understand non-coplanar polylines;
- Why? We don’t know…
- This is why 3d Strings need to be exported as “Tiny Pipes”.
Super Alignment and Tin can only be exported as IFC4x1 or later;
- IFC2x3 / IFC4 does not support Super Alignment or Tin.
- 3d Strings or Triangles won’t work either, because…
- Some software doesn’t understand non-coplanar polylines!
Entities such as IfcPavement and IfcKerb, only exist in IFC4x3 or later.
- The data will export, but everything will be “Proxy” elements.
- You’ve done the hard work in 12d Model, so use the latest version.
For more information on IFC files, and BIM in general, visit buildingSMART at www.buildingsmart.org.au
BIM => Export => IFC => Write Infrastructure IFC
When exporting an IFC, most of the default settings on the Write Infrastructure IFC panel can be left as-is. For some of the common settings that you may need to change, please see here;
The video below shows a brief run through on exporting an IFC file;