Convert 3DXML to IFC in your application
3D InterOp is a CAD interoperability SDK that lets your software read 3DXML files and write IFC, writing the 3DXML facets as faceted geometry, since 3DXML stores triangles rather than solids.
Spatial does not offer an online converter or a desktop conversion app. 3D InterOp is a component that software vendors embed in their own products.
- Reads 3D XML · Writes IFC
- Triangle mesh → faceted model
- C++ / C# APIs
3DXML to IFC at a glance
3D XML stores triangles; IFC can hold facets alongside exact solids, so the mesh is written as faceted geometry.
| 3D XML (source) | IFC (target) | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | 3D XML | Industry Foundation Classes |
| Standard / owner | Dassault Systèmes | buildingSMART, ISO 16739 |
| File extensions | .3dxml | .ifc, .ifczip |
| Geometry | Tessellated geometry | Exact B-Rep and tessellated geometry |
| Assemblies / structure | Yes | Yes: spatial and element hierarchy |
| PMI | Graphical PMI | Not part of the IFC schema |
| 3D InterOp support | Read and write | Read and write |
What's preserved, what changes
Here is what your application can expect to carry across from 3D XML to IFC.
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Preserved
Product structureThe 3DXML product structure is written to IFC.
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Changes
Faceted geometry3DXML stores triangles, so the IFC file holds faceted bodies, not solids. 3D InterOp doesn’t rebuild exact B-Rep from a mesh.
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Not carried
PMIIFC has no PMI, so the PMI read from 3DXML isn’t written. Keep STEP AP242 as an output when PMI matters.
Why software vendors add 3DXML to IFC conversion
Open BIM deliverables
Many projects specify IFC deliverables. Writing it lets your users meet those requirements from your software.
Coordination and clash detection
Coordination tools gather models from every discipline in IFC. Your users can contribute without a round trip through another tool.
Facility and asset data
Owners and operators often receive building data as IFC for asset management after handover.
Things to check before you ship
- Written IFC versions: IFC2x3 to IFC4x3 ADD2 (.ifc).
- Exact B-Rep needs IFC4 or later; IFC2x3 files only get tessellation.
- 3DXML has no BIM semantics: check which IFC class your application assigns to each object.
- Supported 3DXML input: 3D XML 4.0 to 4.3 (tessellated data only).
- B-Rep stored in authoring-mode 3D XML files isn’t imported: only the tessellation is read.
- Validate a sample of translated files in the target system your users actually work with.
Working with Spatial was a real milestone for us: Thanks to the powerful 3DInterOp library, we were able to successfully bring our complex CAD-based solutions to the cloud while remaining flexible to meet individual customer requirements. For us, Spatial is not just a technology partner, but a true enabler of our product strategy.
Dr. Arno Michelis, Founder, Simus Systems
Read the Case StudyAbout the formats
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Source format
What is a 3D XML (.3dxml) file?
3D XML is Dassault Systèmes’ lightweight XML-based format for sharing 3D product data. 3D InterOp reads and writes its tessellated representation, with product structure and graphical PMI.
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Target format
What is an IFC (.ifc) file?
IFC is the open, vendor-neutral standard for exchanging building information models, maintained by buildingSMART and published as ISO 16739. It carries building elements with their geometry, properties and relationships.
Frequently asked questions
No. 3DXML stores triangles, and 3D InterOp writes them to IFC as faceted geometry. It doesn’t rebuild exact B-Rep from a mesh.
IFC has no PMI, so the PMI read from 3DXML isn’t written. When PMI matters, offer STEP AP242 as an output.
Yes. 3D InterOp reads the 3DXML product structure and writes it to IFC.
Write IFC4 or later to keep exact B-Rep: IFC2x3 files only get tessellation. 3D InterOp writes IFC2x3 to IFC4x3 ADD2.
3DXML has no BIM semantics, so your application decides which IFC class each object is written as.
No. B-Rep stored in authoring-mode 3D XML files isn’t imported: 3D InterOp reads the tessellation only.
3D InterOp reads 3D XML 4.0 to 4.3 (tessellated data only), as visualization data.
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Building software that needs to convert 3DXML to IFC?
3D InterOp is an SDK that lets your application read 3D XML and write IFC alongside 30+ CAD and BIM formats.