Input file
IFC
- Full Name: Industry Foundation Classes Format
- Developer: BuildingSMART
Output file
DWG
- Full Name: AutoCAD Drawing Format
- Developer: Autodesk
What is IFC file?
The IFC file extension is a file format developed and managed by the BuildingSMART international organization. It is used for the definition of the physical model of a building, which is comprised of digital data that describes the geometry, material characteristics and other information related to the construction plans and design. [ ⏩ ] IFC file extension
What is DWG file?
The DWG file (short for "drawing") is an AutoCAD drawing database file used to store two and three-dimensional design data and metadata. It is a proprietary format created and controlled by Autodesk to store CAD data and in some instances it can also include user-defined object data. The latest version of the DWG file format released by Autodesk is AutoCAD 2020 DWG. [ ⏩ ] DWG file extension
Software, that you can use to convert
How to convert the file from IFC to DWG?
To successfully convert the IFC file to DWG, you should install one of the applications from the list. After installing the software, open the program and select the file you want to convert (file-name.IFC). The next step is to select the target format from the list, in this case DWG (usually converters allow you to convert to several different formats, so check out their features - maybe one of the available formats will suit you more than DWG).
What is a file conversion?
A data conversion is normally an automated process to some extent. The effect of the operation of one program is automatically the input product of another application. If that does not happen we need to help the process a little bit and convert the file on our own, e.g. IFC to DWG. To obtain a matched structure of the data, it is necessary to use an appropriate converter.
Program for converting IFC files to DWG files is a kind of a "binary code translator" compensating for the differences in the code or translating it in such a way so that another application could use it. For us, as users, the visible change will be only another file extension. (After converting the file, it will be the extension DWG, while before this step we had the IFC file). For the programs, the difference is on a much higher level – either the application will be able to open a new DWG file, or not.