Open IFC files

  • Full name
    Industry Foundation Classes Format
  • Developer
    BuildingSMART
  • Popularity
Have you encountered a problem with a IFC file? Don’t you know which program opens a file with this extension? You will find all the information you need about working with a IFC file here. In the further part of this page we have added a list of programs that should open your IFC file. It is enough you choose a proper application for your operating system, download and install it.

What is IFC file?

The file extension IFC marks files in the so-called Industry Foundation Classes format. It is an open building standard for the digital description of Building Information Modeling (BIM). Ifc files contain the 3D model data of a building or its furnishings including elements such as windows, walls, floors as well as their attributes, materials and shapes. In addition, the entire logical structure of the building is displayed in an IFC file.

More info

IFC is the standard exchange format for building data and is used, for example, in CAD, static and energy calculation software.

IFC is the default version of such files. In addition, IFC files in the XML standard are provided with ifcXML and ZIP-packed IFC files with the extension ifcZIP. It should be noted that there are different versions of the IFC standard and older programs may have problems reading an IFC file.

Programs which can open a IFC file

How to open file with IFC extension?

In order to open a file with IFC extension one of the following programs must be installed on user’s system. If a problem with opening IFC file occurred, it is highly possible that none of the listed programs is present on user’s system. Even if one or more said programs are installed, there may be issues related with given programs. In order to solve a problem with IFC files, follow the instructions below.
1
Install Adobe Acrobat or other program from the list

Most often resolving problems with opening IFC files is very simple. Just install an appropriate program that supports such files. All of the listed programs support IFC files, but may vary in offered function and purpose. Some programs may be capable only of viewing contents of IFC files or offer file conversion options, but may not be capable of editing such files.

Set Adobe Acrobat as the default program for opening IFC files

It is possible that although a compatible program has been installed on user’s system, it is not used by the system to open it. This may happen because no default application was associated with this type of files. To associate IFC files with given application, select "Open with" from drop-down menu (accessed by right-clicking on the file). Then select from the list the program or application you want to be used to open this type of file. If the Adobe Acrobat applications is not on the list, select "Browse" option in order to manually locate the directory where Adobe Acrobat has been installed.

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Check the section that lists most common problems with IFC files

Sometimes problems with opening IFC files may not lie with the application itself, but can arise due to other causes, such as:

  • File data is corrupted
  • IFC files has been not been completely download from the internet (only a part of the data has been downloaded)
  • Currently used user account hasn’t been granted necessary privileges to open IFC files (should that be the case, please contact your system administrator or IT specialist)
  • IFC file was being copied from a corrupted storage device and is incomplete or data is corrupted. (Copying files from unknown or untrusted sources should be conducted with great care as such files may contain malicious software, which can damage your system)

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