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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 4.0.

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. From the Save As dialog box, for Files of type, select .IFC 2x3 or IFC 4.0.
  3. Click Options, select the OmniClass™, UniClass2, 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/].
  4. If you are exporting to IFC 4.0, save as one of the following:
    • BREP
    • BREP and Tessellation
    • Tessellation
  5. 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™, Uniclass2, and units when exporting.

To open the .ifc Export Options dialog box:

With a model open, click File > Save As, 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.
UniClass2 Specifies the UniClass2 development release classification tables, provided through the CPI (Construction Project Information) committee. The UniClass2 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
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.
ifcimportsample.gif
  1. Click File > Open.
  2. For Files of Type, select IFC 2x3.
  3. To set general options, click Options, set the options, and click OK.
  4. Select the file and click Open.


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