Industry Foundation Classes
Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) is an open, neutral data format for Building Information Modeling (BIM) that enables interoperability between different software applications in the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. It defines a standardized schema for exchanging and sharing building and construction data, including geometric, spatial, and semantic information. IFC is maintained by buildingSMART International and is widely adopted as an ISO standard (ISO 16739).
Developers should learn IFC when working on BIM software, AEC applications, or digital twin projects that require data exchange between different tools like Revit, ArchiCAD, or Navisworks. It is essential for creating interoperable systems, enabling collaboration across disciplines, and ensuring long-term data preservation in construction projects. Use cases include developing import/export plugins, cloud-based BIM platforms, and analysis tools that integrate with multiple CAD/BIM environments.