IFC 2x Add-On Available for ArchiCAD

Functionality of IFC 2x

As such the 2x version of the protocol allows architects, structural engineers, HVAC engineers, cost estimators, developers, facility managers, to share the key description of the whole facility.

The following entities are supported: Beam, Building, Building Storey, Column, DistributionElement , Door, Grid, Opening Element, Project, BuildingElementProxy, Railing, Ramp, RampFlight, Roof, Site, Slab (Floor, and Roof) Space, Space Boundary, Stair, StairFlight, Wall, WallStandardCase, Window. This entity set is comprehensive enough to underpin a wide range of data sharing needs, based on the shell of a building.

Certification of ArchiCAD IFC 2x Add-On

ArchiCAD was certified by the IAI on May 7, 2003, to be compliant with the IFC 2x standards. The testing process confirmed that files generated in ArchiCAD could be understood by the other applications, and vice versa, and that the same objects were generated. The applications also had to meet other requirements of the IFC model, which includes constraints on the values of the building component attributes (e.g., wall thickness must be greater than zero).

Latest release of IFC 2x

Since the initial release in May 2003 several new features have been added:

• IfcTree
• Express Data Manager engine
• IFC Server handling
• Setting Dialog Box with IFC 2x section