IFC to 3MF - 3-Step IFC Conversion with Reliable Accuracy

Convert IFC to 3MF

IFC to 3MF Conversion

Follow these steps to seamlessly change IFC to 3MF with our converter:

  1. Download & Install:

    Convert your IFC files to 3MF format seamlessly using Autoconverter - simply install and launch the software on your system.

  2. Import IFC File:

    Either click Open... to browse for your .ifc file, or drag and drop it anywhere in the application window.

  3. Export to 3MF Format:

    Use Save As... to specify both location and filename (with .3mf extension) for your exported file.

Searching for help with IFC to 3MF conversion? These reliable guides ensure proper IFC files conversion:

IFC Industrial Foundation Classes File

It is an open, ISO-certified standard (ISO 16739) specifically designed for the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. As a vendor-neutral format, IFC enables seamless data exchange and interoperability between different software applications, eliminating proprietary barriers in collaborative projects.

IFC Format Capabilities

The IFC format can store comprehensive project data for AEC workflows, including but not limited to:

  • Geometry:

    The IFC standard captures detailed 3D representations through multiple entity types including solids, surfaces, curves, and point clouds.

  • Units:

    Each model component specifies its measurement system (meters, inches, degrees, or radians) for precise interpretation.

  • Materials:

    IFC's material system controls visual properties through RGBA values (0-1 range) for accurate color and transparency settings.

  • Instances:

    Through IFC's mapping system, identical geometries can be referenced multiple times, optimizing storage and performance.

  • Structure:

    IFC organizes projects hierarchically using named components with unique identifiers, enabling complex project management.

  • BIM:

    As a BIM-native (Building Information Modeling) format, IFC stores building information like properties, constraints, and relationships alongside geometry.

IFC File Conversion

Autoconverter and Automesher Application support IFC format, allowing you to import and export IFC models seamlessly. You can edit custom properties of IFC geometries and convert them to various 3D file formats. However please note that some IFC-specific features might not be fully supported in other formats and could be lost during conversion.

3MF 3D Manufacturing File

An open-source XML file format developed by the 3MF Consortium, a collaboration of companies and organizations in the 3D printing industry. It was designed to overcome the limitations of older formats, such as STL, which only store geometric data, by providing a more comprehensive and extensible framework for additive manufacturing workflows.

Main Advantages Over STL

Unlike STL, 3MF can store additional information, making it a more advanced and versatile choice for additive manufacturing:

  • Color Support:

    Defines the color of individual triangles, enabling more realistic and visually detailed prints.

  • Transparency:

    Specifies opacity levels for triangles or vertices, allowing for the creation of transparent or translucent objects.

  • Textures:

    Supports texture mapping by associating 2D images with 3D models, enhancing realism in prints.

  • Metadata:

    Allows embedding custom data such as author, title, description, and license, facilitating better file management and sharing.

3MF File Conversion

Our products, Autoconverter and Automesher Application, are fully compatible with the 3MF file format. They utilize the official lib3mf library to enable seamless import and export of 3MF files. A significant limitation of the 3MF format is its lack of support for group hierarchies. When converting a 3D model containing nested subgroups - often used for organizational purposes - these structural relationships are not preserved in the 3MF file. Despite this, 3MF remains a powerful and modern format for 3D printing, offering a rich set of features that go beyond traditional STL files.

IFC vs. 3MF Comparison

Property IFC 3MF
Extensions .ifc .3mf
Name Industry Foundation Classes 3D Manufacturing Format
Versions
  • Min: IFC2x3
  • Max: IFC4x3 ADD2
Textures
Colors
Geometry components
Readers
Writers