The buildingSMART International (bSI) organization is devoted to developing open standards for Building Information Modeling (BIM). They have just given its latest certification– Industry Foundation
Classes (IFC) 2×3 Coordination View 2.0 export, the most current standard—for Autodesk Revit Architecture and Autodesk Revit Structure! IFC is an open standard for building data exchange that makes it possible for architects, engineers and contractors in the architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) industry to exchange data between different software applications. The data schema comprises information covering the many disciplines that contribute to a building throughout its lifecycle–from conception through design, construction, and operation to refurbishment or demolition.
Autodesk is committed to open standards and interoperability for the AEC industry. Since 2005, Autodesk Revit products have provided IFC file import and export, making it possible to export replicas of project models to the standard IFC file format.
“We have long worked with Autodesk and are pleased to provide the latest certification to Revit Architecture and Revit Structure,” said Deke Smith, director at buildingSMART. “Government agencies, commercial firms, and project owners around the world are increasingly mandating the IFC data exchange format—and Autodesk has been one of the companies on forefront in providing software solutions to help ease interoperability and facilitate this exchange.”
“We have many customers worldwide—including the General Services Administration (GSA), the United States Army Corp of Engineers (USACE), the Veterans Administration, a number of state governments, and the Chinese and British governments—that mandate a neutral IFC file format and rely on it to ease the design, construction and maintenance of new and existing buildings,” said Jim Lynch, vice president, building and collaboration products, Autodesk. “IFC 2×3 will allow our customers to facilitate more efficient, collaborative workflows; help increase project team collaboration; and encourage data exchange and interoperability within a BIM workflow.”