IFC Files

You can export SOLIDWORKS files as Industry Foundation Classes .ifc files (either IFC 2x3 or IFC 4.0) for use in software applications commonly used in the building supply chain.

You can import .ifc files into the SOLIDWORKS software to include information from models originally created with structural software applications.

The following attributes can be mapped from a SOLIDWORKS file to an IFC 4.0 file:

  • Geometrical data
  • Material and mass properties
  • Tessellated geometry
  • Face and body colors

The following properties can be written to IFC 2x3 files:

  • Material
  • Mass measure
  • Area measure
  • Volume measure

Exporting .IFC Files

You can export SOLIDWORKS top-level assemblies or components as .ifc files, using either IFC 2x3 or IFC 4. You can export an .ifc file with custom properties that include the IFC metadata along with other properties.

You can apply the Defeature tool to a model before exporting to the .ifc format, thereby removing design details and reducing the model size.
  1. Click File > Save As.
  2. Optional: 3DEXPERIENCE Users: If the Save As New dialog box appears, click Save to This PC.
  3. From the Save As dialog box, for Files of type, select IFC 2x3 or IFC 4.
  4. Click Options.
  5. Select the OmniClass™, Uniclass2015, Custom Properties, Material and Mass Properties, and Units, and click OK.
    Before you select an OmniClass or UniClass, it is important that you understand the classes listed in the dialog box. See http://www.omniclass.org and [http://www.cpic.org.uk/uniclass2/].
  6. If you are exporting to IFC 4, save as one of the following:
    • BREP
    • BREP and Tessellation
    • Tessellation
  7. Select the file name and location, enter an optional description, and click OK.

IFC Export Options

You can export SOLIDWORKS top-level assemblies or components as Industry Foundation Classes .ifc files. You can assign the model OmniClass™, Uniclass2015, Custom Properties, Material and Mass Properties, and Units when exporting.

To open the .ifc Export Options dialog box:

With a model open, click File > Save As. 3DEXPERIENCE Users: If the Save As New dialog box appears, click Save to This PC. Select IFC 2x3 or IFC 4.0 and click Options.

Output as

OmniClass Specifies the OmniClass Construction Classification System class. This classification organizes components for the building supply chain or construction industry.
UniClass2015 Specifies the UniClass2015 development release classification tables, provided through the CPI (Construction Project Information) committee. The UniClass2015 tables describe the content, form, and preparation of construction production information.

Expand the hierarchical tables to locate the appropriate classification for your design. For example:

  • EF - Elements By Form
    • EF_10 - Bridges and Viaducts

      EF_10_10 - Arch Bridges

      EF_10_20 - Cable Stayed Bridges

      EF_10_25 - Cantilever Bridges
Custom Properties Specifies the custom properties of the exported .ifc file.
Material and Mass Properties Specifies the material and mass properties of the exported .ifc file.
Units Specifies the units for the exported model.

IFC4 Export

Save IFC4 files as one of the following

BREP Represents the model in terms of its boundary surfaces, allowing you to process sets of faces as a single shape or object.
BREP and Tessellation Represents objects by both boundary surfaces and tessellations.
Tessellation Represents the model in terms of repeating patterns of polygons that cover a plane with no gaps or overlaps.

Importing .IFC Files

You can import .ifc files into the SOLIDWORKS software to include information from models originally created with structural software applications.

When you import .ifc files into SOLIDWORKS, the file geometry is imported but the resulting SOLIDWORKS model has essentially no features.
  1. Click File > Open.
  2. Optional: 3DEXPERIENCE Users: If the Open from 3DEXPERIENCE dialog box appears, click This PC.
  3. For Files of Type, select IFC 2x3.
  4. To set general options, click Options, set the options, and click OK.
  5. Select the file and click Open.

Classifying SOLIDWORKS files as IFC Entities

You can save a SOLIDWORKS file as an .ifc file with .ifc entity classification.

To classify SOLIDWORKS files as .ifc entities:

  1. Open a SOLIDWORKS part or assembly file.
  2. Click File > Properties.
  3. In the dialog box, on the Custom tab:
    1. In Property Name, select IFC.
    2. In Value/Text Expression, select the appropriate taxonomy.
    3. Click OK.

Importing Selective IFC Entities From IFC Files

You can select which IFC entities to import from the IFC files by defining filters in System Options.

To import selective IFC entities from IFC files:

  1. In an IFC file, click Tools > Options > System Options > Import.
  2. In the dialog box:
    1. In File Format, select IFC.
    2. Under Entities to Import, expand the IFC entities under Classification.
    3. Under Import, select the IFC entities to import.
    4. Click OK.
    After you open the IFC file, only the IFC entities that you specified in the System Options dialog box are imported.