IFC and OpenBIM Explained: Software Interoperability for Pune BIM Engineers 2026

On a real project, the architect might use Revit, the steel detailer uses Tekla, and a consultant sends an ArchiCAD model. They cannot all open each other's native files — so how does the project come together? The answer is IFC, the open, vendor-neutral format that lets every tool exchange a model without losing its meaning. Understanding IFC and OpenBIM is what separates a Revit operator from a BIM coordinator, and in Pune's multi-vendor AEC market it is fast becoming a hiring requirement.

What IFC really is

IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) is an open data schema maintained by buildingSMART and published as the international standard ISO 16739. Think of it as a common language for buildings: instead of storing ‘a Revit wall’ or ‘an ArchiCAD wall’, an IFC file stores a wall as a defined object with properties — type, material, fire rating, dimensions — that any compliant software can read. Because it is neutral and non-proprietary, no single vendor controls it. That is the heart of OpenBIM: collaborating through open standards rather than being locked into one company's ecosystem.

Why OpenBIM matters on Pune projects

Government and infrastructure clients increasingly ask for deliverables in IFC precisely because it protects them from vendor lock-in and keeps the data usable for decades. A metro authority, a PMC department or a large developer wants a model it can open in 2040, not a file that needs a specific 2026 licence. For engineers, this means the ability to publish a clean IFC is a deliverable in its own right. The same open mindset underpins formal standards work like a BIM Execution Plan (BEP), which usually specifies exactly which IFC version and model-view definition each party must hand over.

IFC versions and Model View Definitions

Not all IFC is the same. IFC2x3 is still the most widely supported version on live projects, while IFC4 adds richer geometry and properties. Layered on top are Model View Definitions (MVDs) — agreed subsets of the schema for a purpose, such as Coordination View for clash work or Reference View for lightweight federation. A coordinator's job is to pick the right version and MVD so the receiving team gets exactly what they need and nothing breaks. Choosing blindly is the most common cause of a ‘the IFC looks wrong’ complaint.

Exporting a clean IFC from Revit

A good IFC export is about mapping, not just clicking OK. Before exporting you confirm that Revit categories map to the correct IFC entities (a Revit Structural Column should land as IfcColumn), that your shared parameters are set to export as property sets, and that you are not dumping unnecessary geometry. Set the right IFC version and MVD, control which phases and worksets are included, and validate the result in a free viewer before sending it on. A sloppy export — everything mapped as a generic proxy — is what gives IFC an undeserved bad reputation.

Importing and federating models from other tools

On the receiving side, you link IFC files into Revit (or open them) rather than blindly converting, so the original stays the single source of truth. Federating an architectural Revit model with a Tekla steel IFC and an MEP IFC produces a combined model you can walk through and check. Most coordinators then push these federated IFCs into Navisworks for clash detection — which is why IFC literacy pairs naturally with clash detection in Navisworks. Get comfortable moving models in and out cleanly and you become the person every discipline relies on.

How ABC Trainings builds this skill

At our Wagholi and Hadapsar centres in Pune we teach IFC the way it is used on site: export a mapped IFC from Revit, validate it, import a partner model, federate, and resolve issues. Students finish able to hand over a compliant IFC and explain which version and MVD they used and why — the exact conversation a BIM coordinator has on a real project.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does IFC stand for and who controls it?

IFC stands for Industry Foundation Classes. It is an open, vendor-neutral data schema maintained by buildingSMART International and published as ISO 16739. No single software company owns it, which is why it underpins OpenBIM collaboration.

What is the difference between IFC2x3 and IFC4?

IFC2x3 is older but still the most widely supported version on live projects. IFC4 adds richer geometry and more detailed property handling. The right choice depends on what the receiving software and the project's BIM Execution Plan support.

Should I import or link an IFC into Revit?

Linking is usually safer because it keeps the original IFC as the source of truth and lets you reload updated versions. Direct import converts the IFC into Revit elements, which is useful when you genuinely need to edit the geometry.

Why does my IFC export look wrong in another program?

Most IFC problems come from poor category-to-entity mapping, the wrong IFC version or MVD, or exporting unwanted geometry. A clean export depends on correct mapping and validating the file in a viewer before you send it.