Importing IFC files

Using content

Program: Allplan 2018

IFC files include an IFC model in the formats certified by buildingSMART. Allplan's IFC interface transfers geometric data of elements and the attributes assigned.

buildingSMART (founded in 1995 as IAI - International Alliance for Interoperability) is a worldwide consortium. It is committed to driving the development of open internationally-recognized standards, tools and training to support the wider use of Building Information Modeling (BIM) by the Architecture, Engineering & Construction (AEC) and Facilities Management (FM) industries. In supporting BIM, buildingSMART believes significant improvements in cost, value and environmental performance can be achieved through the use of open sharable asset information in the creation and operation of civil infrastructure and buildings worldwide. BIM (Building Information Modeling) is a digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of a facility. A building information model is a shared knowledge resource for information about a facility forming a reliable basis for decisions during its life-cycle; defined as existing from earliest conception to demolition. Open BIM is a universal approach to the collaborative design, realization and operation of buildings based on open standards, in particular the IFC format registered by ISO as ISO 16739.

You can find further information on buildingSMART on the Internet.

IFC stands for Industry Foundation Classes. IFC define an object-oriented data model for all those involved in the building process. It can be used by all applications that support IFC. It facilitates the accurate exchange of data between these applications. IFC are defined and developed by the IAI.

IFC supports the Allplan approach by providing an intelligent description of building elements. In addition to the building topology being transferred to the building structure, the IFC interface imports the associated components with all associated data and information (type, geometry, material properties, layout properties and element attributes).

Note: IFC files require a building structure. If the current project does not include a building structure, an IFC-compliant building structure will be created and the drawing files will be assigned automatically when you import the IFC model.

To import an IFC file

1. Download the file.
2. Decompress the file and save it in any folder on your computer.
3. Start Allplan 2018.
4. Open the File menu, point to Import and click Import IFC 4 Data or Import IFC Data.
5. Click Settings to adjust the IFC import settings.
6. Enter the path and file name in the data entry box or click Browse ... to select the path and file in a dialog box.
7. Select the format of the IFC file in the File type area.

   You can choose between IFC and IFC XML.

8. Specify the first drawing file in the 'Select File' dialog box.

   The program imports the data to consecutive drawing files.

   The program assigns the data to the drawing files in accordance with the structural levels in the IFC model (story, building, site). If the IFC structural levels imported match the current building structure of the project, the new drawing files will be assigned directly to the building structure.

Tip: You can also import IFC files by dragging them from Windows Explorer into the workspace or by double-clicking an IFC file.

Exporting IFC files

You can use Export IFC Data to export an IFC model in the formats certified by buildingSMART. The IFC interface transfers the geometric data and attributes of elements.