LogoLogo
Autodesk Interoperability ToolsRevit IFC GIthubOfficial Roadmaps
  • Autodesk IFC Manual
  • Introduction
  • Understanding IFC
    • 🟢IFC Schema versions
    • 🟢Model View Definitions (MVD)
    • IFC Classes
    • IFC Viewers
  • REVIT
    • 🆕New in Revit 2025
    • Using IFC Files in Revit
      • 🟢Revit IFC Open Source
      • 💡Link IFC
      • Open IFC
    • 🆕IFC Export - Category Mapping
      • Basic IFC Structure
      • 🟢Category Mapping override
      • 🟢Excluding specific elements
      • Export for Layer-based Software
      • 🟢Using IFC Shared Parameters
    • IFC Export Settings Dialog
      • General Settings
      • Additional content
      • Property Sets
        • Revit Property Sets
        • Common Property Sets
        • Base Quantities
        • 💡User Defined Properties
          • Schedules
          • 🟢Configuration File
        • Parameter mapping table
      • Level of Detail / Advanced
      • Geographic Reference
    • Classifications
      • Multiple Classifications
      • 🟢Standardized Data Tool for Revit
    • Advanced topics and Best Practices
      • Zones
      • Assemblies
      • Nested Families
      • Provision for Void
      • Slabs and Floors
      • 🟢IFC 4.3 Support
  • Civil3D
    • 🟢IFC 4.3 Support
    • Classic AutoCAD Export (IFC2x3)
    • 🟢Standardized Data Tool for Civil 3D
  • Expert Articles
    • 🗞️Digital Quality Management for IFC Projects
    • 🗞️EIR and BEP
Powered by GitBook

© 2024 Autodesk Inc.

On this page

Was this helpful?

Export as PDF
  1. Understanding IFC

IFC Schema versions

PreviousUnderstanding IFCNextModel View Definitions (MVD)

Last updated 1 year ago

Was this helpful?

The IFC schema has had various versions released throughout the last 20 years and is still being actively developed.

The currently used IFC Schema versions are:

IFC2x3

Released in 2005 and still in common use due to its wide integration across various software tools. However, it is outdated and does not include classes for infrastructure projects.

IFC4

The most current official standard and the recommended version due to many improvements if compared to IFC2x3, such as:

  • IfcAlignment for better support of infrastructure projects

  • Major efficiency improvements, better consistency of the schema, and significantly smaller file sizes

  • Extended definitions for building service elements, structural and analysis models

  • GIS coordinate system transformation

  • Support for property set templates, multi-language references, and integration with the buildingSMART Data Dictionary

  • General geometry enhancements (tapering in extrusions, arbitrary sweeps, non-planar surfaces, better tessellation, textures, and lighting)

  • Support for non-uniform rational b-spline representation (NURBS) in the Design Transfer View

IFC4.3 ADD2

As software certification and dedicated MVDs are not yet in place, the quality of IFC4.3 implementation varies across different software products and should be checked before using in active projects.

Includes further improvements for infrastructure, like additional classes for IfcBridge, IfcRailway, IfcRoad and IfcMarineFacility. It has been and .

A full overview of all versions and direct links to the official documentation can be found here:

🟢
ISO-approved in January 2024
officially published as ISO 16739 in April 2024
https://technical.buildingsmart.org/standards/ifc/ifc-schema-specifications
The evolution of IFC (c) Keenliside / Liebich / Grobler