Supported Geometry for Import

Learn what geometry the IFC 4.3 Extension for Civil 3D can import.

Only 3D objects and a subset of 3D solid geometry import using the Import from IFC tool. This extension focuses on IFC Reference View geometry and not older Coordination Views. If you have issues importing geometry try exporting them from the source file as Reference View geometry.

Solid binary and union operations such as Cut, Join, and Voids are not supported.

Reimporting an IFC file will not update the original geometry. A second copy of each element will be created.

Civil 3D Geometry

• COGO Points
• COGO Point Groups
• TIN Surfaces
• Feature Lines
• Sites
• Parcels
• Alignments
  • Alignments import as individual arcs, spirals, and tangents.
  • Alignments with no profile are supported.
  • Profiles import as tangents, arcs, and curves.
    • The IFC file format does not support curve groups.
    • The extension attempts to merge multiple profiles on the original single alignment as the IFC file format does not support alignments with multiple profiles.
    • The extension attempts to recreate surface profiles if detected in the file.
  • Tangential joins may be broken due to the tolerance and rounding of ASCII numbers in the IFC file.
  • CANT data imports with rail alignments.
Note: Break lines and hidden areas are not supported.

Solved Solid Geometry

• Corridors
• Bridge Objects
• Gravity Networks
• Pressure Networks

AutoCAD Objects

• Corridors
  • Corridor feature lines import as Civil 3D feature lines
  • Corridor links import as lofted surfaces
  • Corridor shapes import as AutoCAD meshes
• Bridge parts import as AutoCAD meshes

IFC Shape Representations

• IfcExtrudedAreaSolid. Progresses when the profile is polyline (including IfcIndexedPolyCurve)
• IfcTriangulatedFaceSet. Imports as AutoCAD Mesh
• IfcPolygonalFaceSet. Imports as AutoCAD Mesh, ignoring faces with more than four edges or internal openings
• IfcFacetedBrep. Imports as AutoCAD Mesh, ignoring faces with more than four edges or internal openings
• IfcMappedItem. Progresses to import as a block when IfcRepresentationMap is associated with a relating IfcTypeProduct

Property Set Data

IFC GUID for All Objects
IfcObject Properties
IFC::GlobalId Base	Base 64 GUID
IFC::IfcExportAs	IFC class to which the object belongs
Additional File Information Attached to Each Imported Source IFC File
IFC::Creation Data	Creation time of the file
IFC::File Name	Name of the file
IFC::File Path	Location of the file
IFC::Import Date	Date and time when the file was imported
IFC::Originating System	Name of the program that created the file
Additional Alignment Profile Information - IfcAlignmentHorizontal Properties
IFC::GlobalId Base 64 GUID of the Profile
IFC::IfcExportAs IFC class that the object belongs to (IfcAlignmentHorizontal)