What It Means

Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) is an open, non-proprietary data format standard developed by buildingSMART to facilitate interoperability in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. It enables the exchange of building information between different software platforms, ensuring that geometry, metadata, and object relationships are preserved in a consistent, structured format.

IFC is the foundation of OpenBIM workflows, allowing stakeholders to share models regardless of the authoring tool used. Its structure includes:

• Geometry definitions (e.g., walls, slabs, windows)
• Building hierarchy and spatial zones
• Object classifications and properties
• Quantities and material layers
• Systems and relationships (e.g., connections, assemblies)

The format is commonly used in BIM coordination, facility management, quantity takeoff, and regulatory review workflows.

Why It Matters

In a fragmented software ecosystem, IFC solves a core problem: how to collaborate across disciplines and platforms without data loss.

Key benefits include:

• Long-term data accessibility and archiving
• Vendor-neutral workflows across BIM tools (e.g., Revit, ArchiCAD, Tekla)
• Regulatory compliance in jurisdictions that require OpenBIM
• Model checking, clash detection, and code validation using IFC-compatible tools
• Streamlined coordination between architects, engineers, contractors, and owners

IFC is essential in international projects or large-scale teams that require consistent, standardized data exchange.

Best Practices for IFC

• Export models from native software using verified IFC schemas (e.g., IFC2x3, IFC4)
• Clean up models before export to reduce file bloat and ambiguity
• Include relevant classifications, property sets, and spatial containers
• Validate geometry integrity and object relationships with IFC viewers
• Use naming and structuring conventions that align with OpenBIM standards

Real-World Use

In a cross-border infrastructure project, teams based in different countries used separate BIM authoring tools. Rather than sharing native file formats—which often led to translation issues and broken geometry—they exchanged coordinated models using the IFC schema.

This ensured that each party could work in their preferred environment while still participating in a unified project model. Clash detection, quantity takeoff, and design reviews were conducted using IFC-compatible tools, allowing for better transparency, coordination, and regulatory approval.

Limitations

• Not all software tools support full IFC compatibility
• Data loss can occur when proprietary features aren’t mapped properly
• IFC files can become large and complex for detailed models
• Object behavior (e.g., parametrics or constraints) doesn’t always translate
• Requires careful setup and validation to ensure reliability

In Simple Terms

IFC is like a universal file format for buildings. It helps different software tools speak the same language so everyone on the project stays on the same page.

How D.TO Helps

D.TO promotes structured assemblies and logical transitions during the design process. D.TO helps ensure that exported IFC models retain clarity and can be validated across platforms, improving cross-software coordination and data fidelity in later phases.

Discover how D.TO enhances your daily design workflows on D.TO’s key features page, or schedule a demo to explore them in more detail!!