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IFC File - What is an .ifc file and how do I open it?
Learn about .IFC files and view a list of programs that open them.
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Overview
What is an IFC file? An IFC file is a model file created in the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) formats, an open file format used by Building Information Modeling (BIM) programs. It contains a building or facility model, including spatial elements, materials, and shapes.
More Information IFC file open in Areddo Autodesk formed a consortium of several companies named Industry Alliance for Interoperability in the 1990s to develop the IFC format. They released the first version of the IFC format in 1996 and have since released many revisions throughout the years (and changed their name to BuildingSMART in 2005). They developed the IFC file format to be platform-neutral, allowing interoperability between BIM programs utilized in architecture, engineering, and construction industries. As a result, most any BIM program, whether proprietary or open source, can open an IFC file.
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Popularity4.0 | 39 Votes
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.IFC File Extension
Industry Foundation Classes File
| Developer | BuildingSMART |
| Popularity |
4.0 | 39 Votes |
What is an IFC file?
An IFC file is a model file created in the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) formats, an open file format used by Building Information Modeling (BIM) programs. It contains a building or facility model, including spatial elements, materials, and shapes.
More Information
IFC file open in Areddo
Autodesk formed a consortium of several companies named Industry Alliance for Interoperability in the 1990s to develop the IFC format. They released the first version of the IFC format in 1996 and have since released many revisions throughout the years (and changed their name to BuildingSMART in 2005).
They developed the IFC file format to be platform-neutral, allowing interoperability between BIM programs utilized in architecture, engineering, and construction industries. As a result, most any BIM program, whether proprietary or open source, can open an IFC file.
How to open an IFC file
You can open an IFC file with various BIM applications, including Autodesk AutoCAD Architecture (Windows), Tekla BIMsight (Windows), and GRAPHISOFT ArchiCAD (multiplatform). You can also view IFC files with Areddo, a free IFC file viewer.
How to convert an IFC file
Various BIM applications, such as Autodesk AutoCAD Architecture, and GRAPHISOFT ArchiCAD, can export an IFC file to other formats.
For example, GRAPHISOFT ArchiCAD can convert IFC files to various file types, including the following formats:
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Programs that open IFC files
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Windows
Areddo
Free
Autodesk AutoCAD Architecture
Free Trial
Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D 2023
Free Trial
Autodesk MEP
Paid
GRAPHISOFT ArchiCAD
Free Trial
Safe Software FME Desktop
Free Trial
Trimble SketchUp with IFC2SKP plug-in
Free Trial
Autodesk Revit 2023
Free Trial
BIMcollab ZOOM
Free
Solibri Office
Free Trial
ACCA Edificius
Free Trial
Mac
GRAPHISOFT ArchiCAD
Free Trial
BIMcollab ZOOM
Free
Solibri Office
Free Trial
Category: 3D Image Files
Updated: July 30, 2025