In the ever-evolving landscape of Building Information Modelling (BIM), the significance of open standards has become increasingly paramount. As we approach 2025, the need for seamless interoperability across various digital tools in construction is more pressing than ever. At the heart of this interconnected ecosystem is the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC), an open and universal standard that facilitates the sharing and exchange of Building Information Models irrespective of the platform in use. Adyantrix has been at the forefront of championing open BIM standards, ensuring that our clients receive unparalleled support and efficiency in their projects.
The Rise of Open BIM Standards
The open BIM standard movement advocates for a universal approach to accessing and leveraging information across all systems involved in building projects. When the BuildingSMART initiative introduced these concepts, it was a pivotal moment for the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industries. Open standards, by nature, are inclusive, and they encourage collaboration by ensuring that data can be shared freely and efficiently.
A critical aspect of open BIM is its ability to facilitate a collaborative working environment. Within our practice at Adyantrix, we have observed a significant improvement in project outcomes when open standards are employed. Projects are delivered with more precision, fewer errors, and a remarkable reduction in clashes and rework instances. Consequently, this leads to reduced costs and shorter project timelines.
BuildingSMART International, the organisation that governs IFC development, reports that firms adopting open BIM frameworks consistently report fewer coordination failures and better delivery predictability. The shared data environment enabled by open standards also reduces the friction that arises when disciplines use incompatible proprietary formats, a problem that has historically cost AEC projects significant time and budget.
Understanding IFC Schema Versions: IFC2x3, IFC4, and IFC4.3
Not all IFC implementations are equal. The standard has evolved through several major versions, each introducing new capabilities and expanding the range of building elements that can be described with semantic precision.
IFC2x3 is the most widely supported version across legacy software. Released in 2006, it remains the baseline that most authoring tools export to by default. It covers the core geometric and property set structures needed for architectural and structural coordination, but it lacks detailed support for MEP systems and infrastructure elements.
IFC4 (also called IFC 4.0 or IFC 2x4) introduced significant improvements in 2013, including better support for parametric geometry, richer property sets, and enhanced material definitions. It also introduced the IfcAlignment concept for linear infrastructure, laying groundwork for what would become IFC4.3.
IFC4.3 is the current published ISO standard (ISO 16739-1:2024) and the version that BuildingSMART is actively pushing for adoption. It introduces full support for infrastructure disciplines — roads, railways, bridges, and ports — bringing them into the same open BIM ecosystem that buildings have occupied for years. For AEC firms working on mixed-use or infrastructure-adjacent projects, IFC4.3 is the target schema for new workflows.
At Adyantrix, we help clients assess which IFC version is appropriate for their project type and software stack, and we configure export templates that maximise data fidelity at the chosen schema level.
The Importance of IFC in Design Interoperability
Industry Foundation Classes play a crucial role in the interoperability of BIM data. IFC ensures that project information can move seamlessly between different applications, irrespective of the software's proprietary nature. This capability is essential for large-scale projects where multiple stakeholders and disciplines collaborate.
Consider a scenario where architects and engineers are working on a complex building design across different software platforms. The IFC standard acts as a common language, eliminating the need for data conversion or compromises on data integrity. When our teams at Adyantrix utilise IFC, we ensure that all design elements from different software integrate smoothly, allowing professionals to communicate effectively with one another.
The practical impact extends beyond geometry. IFC carries semantic data — element type, material, fire rating, load-bearing status — that downstream consultants and contractors rely on for cost estimation, energy analysis, and facilities management handover. Without this semantic layer, models shared as proprietary formats or neutral geometry files lose the intelligence that makes BIM valuable.
Configuring Revit for Optimal IFC Export
Autodesk Revit ships with built-in IFC export, but the default settings are not optimised for interoperability. The following configuration steps, recommended by Adyantrix consultants, ensure that exported IFC files carry accurate geometry, correct element classifications, and complete property sets.
// Revit IFC Export Configuration (Revit 2024 / IFC4 Reference View)
// Access via: File > Export > IFC
Step 1: Select the correct IFC version
- In the IFC Export dialog, set "IFC Version" to "IFC4 Reference View"
- Use IFC2x3 Coordination View 2.0 only for legacy receivers
Step 2: Configure property sets
- Enable "Export IFC Common Property Sets" (checked by default)
- Enable "Export user defined property sets" and point to your PSet mapping file
- PSet mapping file path: C:/BIM-Standards/Adyantrix_PSet_Map.txt
Step 3: Space and zone export
- Enable "Export rooms in 3D view" to include IfcSpace elements
- Set "Level of detail" to "High" for coordination-grade geometry
Step 4: Site and coordinate handling
- Set "Origin" to "Project Internal" for federated model workflows
- Export shared coordinates when the IFC receiver supports IfcSite georeferencing
Step 5: Run the export
IFCExporter.ExportToIFC(document, view3D, exportOptions);
// Verify output with Solibri or BIMcollab Zoom before issuing to team
After export, always validate the IFC file using a free viewer such as Solibri Anywhere or xBIM Xplorer before distributing to project partners. Validation catches missing GUIDs, broken geometry references, and incomplete property sets before they cause downstream errors.
Configuring ArchiCAD for IFC Workflows
ArchiCAD (Graphisoft) has one of the most mature IFC implementations in the industry. Its native data model maps closely to the IFC schema, which means ArchiCAD exports tend to carry richer semantic data with less manual configuration than Revit.
Key ArchiCAD IFC settings to review on every project:
- Translator settings: Navigate to File > Interoperability > IFC > IFC Translators. Select or create a project-specific translator that maps ArchiCAD element types to the correct IfcProduct subtypes.
- Property mapping: Use the IFC Property Manager to assign custom PSets to element categories. Export shared parameters as IfcPropertySingleValue entries.
- Geometry method: For coordination models, use "Brep" geometry for maximum compatibility. Use "Extrusion" only when the receiving software is known to support parametric reconstruction.
- Model filter: Export only the elements relevant to the receiving discipline — structural elements for structural engineers, spaces and finishes for FM handover — using ArchiCAD's model filter sets.
Adyantrix maintains a set of standard ArchiCAD IFC translators for common project types (residential, commercial, healthcare) that clients can adopt directly, reducing setup time and configuration errors.
A Step-by-Step Workflow for Clash-Free IFC-Based Coordination
Implementing IFC interoperability is most effective when paired with a structured coordination workflow. The following process is used by Adyantrix on multi-discipline projects:
- Establish a Common Data Environment (CDE): All disciplines upload IFC files to a shared platform — BIM 360, ACC, or Trimble Connect — using agreed naming conventions (BS EN ISO 19650 format recommended).
- Define federated model responsibilities: Agree which discipline owns which IFC containers. Typically: Architecture (IfcBuilding, IfcBuildingStorey, IfcSpace), Structure (IfcBeam, IfcColumn, IfcSlab), MEP (IfcFlowSegment, IfcFlowFitting, IfcDistributionElement).
- Set coordinate reference: All teams export using the same shared coordinate origin. Verify using the IfcSite and IfcGeometricRepresentationContext entities in the IFC file header.
- Run automated clash detection: Use Solibri Model Checker or Autodesk Navisworks to federate IFC files and run discipline-pair clash tests (Architecture vs Structure, Structure vs MEP).
- Issue BCF reports: Export clash issues as BCF (BIM Collaboration Format) files. BCF is an open standard (also maintained by BuildingSMART) that links issue descriptions to model elements by GUID.
- Resolve and re-issue: Authoring teams resolve clashes in their native tool and re-export updated IFC files. The cycle repeats until the clash count reaches zero for hard clashes and an agreed threshold for soft clashes.
- IFC model freeze for handover: At practical completion, issue a final IFC4 file with COBie data sheets for facilities management handover.
This workflow has allowed Adyantrix project teams to reduce hard clashes at construction stage by eliminating coordination gaps during design, translating directly into fewer RFIs and reduced on-site rework costs.
Why IFC Matters More Than Ever in 2025
As we approach 2025, the adoption and enhancement of IFC standards are vital for several key reasons. Notably, projects are becoming increasingly complex, involving multiple contractors, sub-contractors, and cross-border teams. Such complexity necessitates a system that enables everyone to work off the same set of data without limitations or errors.
A study by Dodge Data and Analytics noted that firms leveraging IFC and open BIM standards have significantly higher success rates in completing projects on time and within budget. Adyantrix has incorporated this knowledge into our methodology, ensuring our approaches meet these evolving industry requirements.
Regulatory drivers are also accelerating adoption. The UK government's mandate for BIM Level 2 on public projects, and the European Union's push for digital building logbooks under the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive, both explicitly reference open data formats including IFC as the mechanism for data exchange. Firms that have not yet standardised on IFC risk exclusion from public procurement in an increasing number of markets.
BIM Authoring Tool IFC Support Comparison
The choice of tools and approaches can impact the effectiveness of implementing open BIM standards. Below is a comparison of common authoring tools and their IFC support levels.
| Tool | IFC2x3 Support | IFC4 Support | IFC4.3 Support | Notable Strengths |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Autodesk Revit | High | Medium | Partial (via plugin) | Widest industry adoption, large family library |
| Graphisoft ArchiCAD | High | High | In progress | Best native IFC mapping, mature translator system |
| Tekla Structures | High | High | Partial | Excellent structural detail, reinforcement export |
| Bentley OpenBuildings | Medium | High | High | Strong infrastructure-building hybrid workflows |
| Vectorworks Architect | Medium | Medium | Low | Good for smaller practices, straightforward interface |
| Nemetschek Allplan | High | High | In progress | Strong in continental European markets |
While most tools now support IFC in some capacity, integrating these standards fully into project workflows can maximise their benefits. At Adyantrix, we guide firms through best practices in leveraging these tools effectively based on their discipline mix and project complexity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Conclusion
Open BIM standards are no longer an optional standard to adopt; they are a necessity in our globally connected and digital AEC industry. As highlighted in this post, the role of IFC in ensuring interoperability cannot be overstated. By embracing these open standards — and configuring your authoring tools to export IFC correctly — organisations can foster collaboration and prevent costly coordination errors. With Adyantrix by your side, your path to adopting these standards can be seamless and effective. To learn more about how we can support your BIM needs, visit our BIM consulting services.
