Export IFC Data

Task area Export / IFC Interface

This tool exports 3D components as IFC 2x3, IFC 4 or IFC 4.3 file types as one file into the *.ifc or *.ifcXML formats.

Note: For more information about IFC and buildingSMART, see "Principles of IFC Interface".

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.

To export 3D components to an IFC file

• The building structure must be in compliance with IFC. You can ensure compliance by using the Restrictions of building structure function (see "Ensure compliance of building structure").
• Only visible smart symbol foils and layers will be transferred. Before you export the data, define the Reference Scale and the visibility settings of layers so that all required elements are visible.

1. Click Export IFC Data (How).
   

   Activate Export IFC Data in one of the following ways

   • Actionbar:Role Draft Task Teamwork Task area Export

   • Menu bar: File Export

   • Palette: Tools Create area in the following module(s):

   Interfaces

   • Title bar: Allplan icon Export

   The IFC Export Settings (default) dialog box pops up; the last settings made are preset.

2. Click Use current drawing files that are open.

   Or:

   Click Select to select other drawing files in the Select drawing file dialog box. Then click OK.

   Note: You can export only drawing files that you have already assigned to the building structure.

3. If the settings fit, you can export the IFC data quickly and easily. Do the following:
   • Enter the path and file name in the box or click Browse ... to select the path and file in a dialog box.
   • Please check if the desired exchange profile is selected or select another one if necessary.
   • Click OK.

     Note: You can specify the default setting for the path in the Options - Work environment page - Folders for saving.

4. If you want to customize the export settings, click Settings.

   The IFC Export Settings dialog box is extended.

5. Make your own settings for the IFC export.

   In particular, select the File type (= IFC version) and the Format of the IFC file.

6. Click OK.
7. Check the log file and click OK.

   The log sorts elements that are ignored by category and IFC entity type, listing the elements with the Name and Allright_Comp_ID attributes.

Notes on IFC export of certain objects