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 2022 toolset 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/.
Starting with AutoCAD Architecture and AutoCAD MEP toolset 2019 toolsets, import and export of IFC4 format is now supported. This support enables users to export AutoCAD Architecture or AutoCAD MEP toolset toolset drawings in IFC4_ADD1 schema format and import IFC files adhering to IFC4_ADD1 and other IFC4 schemas.
This support does not guarantee that AutoCAD Architecture 2022 toolset or AutoCAD MEP 2022 toolset is able to export or import IFC file as per Reference View (RV) and/or Design Transfer View (DTV) specifications, which are specific Model View Definitions (MVDs) for IFC4. These two MVDs are designed for specific engineering workflows and hence require support for new geometry and data types as per their respective schemas. This support for new geometry and data is currently not available in the AutoCAD Architecture 2022 toolset or the AutoCAD MEP 2022 toolset.
Maximum efforts have been made to make the IFC4_ADD1 import/export support as stable as possible. However, because of data sensitive nature of the feature, issues (crash or missing objects) might be faced in some scenarios, especially while importing IFC files supporting RV or DTV schemas.
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 2022 toolset 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.