How to Import Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) Files

Import Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) files to your portal to view your site's 3D model of a building, structure, or underground infrastructure. This is useful to see the final model compared to a current survey.

Importing an IFC file

Click the IMPORT A DESIGN button from the DESIGNS tab on the left-hand side of the screen.

Design files must match the site's Coordinate Reference System and Units. If you need help determining which CRS and/or units were used to create your site, you can verify it in the site's settings.

A dialogue box will appear, allowing you to drag and drop the IFC files you want to upload or browse your computer for the file location.

Once imported, the IFC resides in the DESIGNS tab for viewing. It can also be toggled on and off by checking or unchecking the box next to the file.

You can also download the source file from the Platform by clicking on the three dots next to the file you want to download.

To view different angles of your design on your site, use the scroll wheel on your mouse or the tools in the platform to rotate, drag, or pan the map.

Please note: currently, viewing in the Crew app and using the measurement tools are not supported.

Use Case

Vertical Offset

You can apply the Vertical Offset tool to IFC designs to quickly visualize the subgrade or lift of your design.

To apply an offset, click the three dots to the right of the layer you want to offset and choose Apply Vertical Offset.

Add the offset amount and click SAVE.

The units of measure will match the units used to create your site. In this example, feet were used.

The new offset layer will be accessible in the DESIGNS tab below the original design used for the offset.

Point cloud

Adding point cloud data will provide a 3D representation of the current survey in relation to the final design.

From the SURVEY tab, toggle on Point Cloud.

You can also view the IFC files in the Cross section measurements of your site.

Viewing IFC files on the Propeller App

You can also view IFC files in the Propeller Mobile App for more context while onsite. This feature makes it easy to simplify project planning, perform quality assurance by comparing as-built images against the design, and provides opportunities to catch any errors early on before they impact later stages of the project.

From the Layers tab, select Designs.

Search Designs or navigate to the IFC file you want to view and toggle it on.

Using your index finger and thumb, “pinch” the screen to zoom in and out on the map. Double-tap a location on the map to zoom in quickly. To tilt or rotate the map, use two fingers together and push up, down or twist to change the angle of or rotate the map.

You can also view the IFC files in the Cross section measurements of your site in the mobile app.

I still can't do it!

We wrote these articles to equip you with everything you need to get the job done on your own, but we understand that sometimes this isn't sufficient.

If you're stuck, you can connect with our support team by clicking the support button on the top right corner of your user portal.