In this article, ACCA software explains the IFC format, and how their BIM management system, usBIM is innovative solution for viewing IFC files online
IFC stands for Industry Foundation Classes and is a standardised digital description of the built environment, including buildings and civil infrastructures. It’s an open international standard promoted by buildingSMART International for information exchanges between different software applications regarding the various phases of design and construction of buildings.
The IFC format was developed to provide a common language between designers and contractors, so that they could communicate more effectively during the design phase and also support interoperability between the different software applications typically used in architecture, engineering and construction (AEC).
IFC VIEWER: Features and Functions
At this point, a few doubts may arise: how can I view and access all the information contained in an IFC file? Well, there are several solutions, depending on the needs. First of all, a BIM software that supports importing and exporting IFC files. This kind of software, however, are complex to use, require many hardware resources to work with, and can also be very expensive.
Secondly, you could use an online IFC viewer, which is an online tool that allows you to view IFC files on the Internet without installing any software on your computer. Most online IFC viewers work in a very simple way, but offer extremely limited functions: the file is uploaded to the server and the BIM model is displayed through the classic three-dimensional browsing functions.
Also, there are online IFC viewers, integrated within cloud platforms for the management of all the design documentation of the BIM process. One of the is usBIM. It is an innovative and convenient solution that will not only allow you to open and view any IFC file, but will offer a whole series of very interesting additional functions to architects and engineers.
usBIM: the IFC online viewer you need
ACCA software BIM management system, usBIM integrates an online ifc viewer that can open and manage not only IFC files, but many other 3D file formats including BCF, DWG, point cloud, RVT, EDF, OBJ, 3DS. With usBIM you can work with these files even if they are large and at a really extraordinary speed.
With usBIM, models can be fully accessible online in different formats. They can also be shared with others in real time. No matter what software they were produced with, everything works completely in the browser and this allows you to view and share IFC files (and many other formats) without the need to have commercial licenses of these systems or have each of the viewers of particular vendors.
The great innovation introduced by usBIM, is that the powerful online IFC viewer is part of an integrated system of applications that address the fundamental activities of the BIM process (federations of BIM models and point clouds, BCF format management, BIM clash detection, BIM validation etc). The integrated application system is also available in several languages (Portuguese-Brazilian, German, English, Spanish, French and Italian) and has a very interesting distribution model.
Addressing the fundamental activities of the BIM process
It is completely and includes 10 Gb of storage space, providing a suite of 12 tools to address the fundamental activities of the BIM process, including powerful communication tools to make collaboration and communication between all parties involved in the project even easier.
In addition to the free functions, other applications with which it is possible to manage the BIM process completely can also be added. AEC professionals can extend their solution with additional applications allowing them to customise their work experience according to different needs.
Storage space can be expanded by simply purchasing a different storage plan. Choose up to 1Tb of cloud storage or add other apps to the 12 free applications already provided, you can customise your usBIM ecosystem with other applications available in the usBIM.store.
