Based on established, international standards for common objects in the building industry, the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) file format provides an interoperability solution between different software applications. Using IFC reduces the loss of information when files are transmitted.
AutoCAD Architecture is IFC-certified for importing and exporting version 2x3 IFC files. IFC files from versions 2x2 and 2x can also be imported if the data is compatible with 2x3 and is consistent with implementation agreements as defined for the IFC 2x3 coordination view. For more detailed information, go to http://www.buildingsmart.com/.
IFC certification enhances your ability to share project information across disciplines and technical applications over the life of the project. Using the IFC format, you can export these drawings to other IFC-certified applications that could not otherwise open a DWG file. For example, building models drawn in AutoCAD Architecture are saved to a DWG file format. You can export the drawing using the IFC format. Likewise, you can import an IFC file to create and work in a DWG that was originally created in a format other than DWG.
Visual fidelity for three-dimensional (3D) objects is maintained in model views. This means that dimensions are maintained for 3D objects exported to IFC. Objects must be dimensionally accurate in the single IFC model because it is shared by diverse applications.