Convert 3MF to IFC in your application
3D InterOp is a CAD interoperability SDK that lets your software read 3MF files and write IFC, writing the 3MF facets as faceted geometry, since 3MF 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 3MF · Writes IFC
- Triangle mesh → faceted model
- C++ / C# APIs
3MF to IFC at a glance
3MF stores triangles; IFC can hold facets alongside exact solids, so the mesh is written as faceted geometry.
| 3MF (source) | IFC (target) | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | 3D Manufacturing Format | Industry Foundation Classes |
| Standard / owner | 3MF Consortium, ISO/IEC 25422 | buildingSMART, ISO 16739 |
| File extensions | .3mf | .ifc, .ifczip |
| Geometry | Triangle mesh | Exact B-Rep and tessellated geometry |
| Assemblies / structure | Objects and build items | Yes: spatial and element hierarchy |
| 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 3MF to IFC.
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Changes
Faceted geometry3MF stores triangles, so the IFC file holds faceted bodies, not solids. 3D InterOp doesn’t rebuild exact B-Rep from a mesh.
Why software vendors add 3MF 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.
- 3MF has no BIM semantics: check which IFC class your application assigns to each object.
- Supported 3MF input: 3MF 1.1.
- 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 3MF (.3mf) file?
3MF is an open format for additive manufacturing, defined by the 3MF Consortium. It stores triangle meshes with units, colors and build information in a single package.
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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. 3MF stores triangles, and 3D InterOp writes them to IFC as faceted geometry. It doesn’t rebuild exact B-Rep from a mesh.
Write IFC4 or later to keep exact B-Rep: IFC2x3 files only get tessellation. 3D InterOp writes IFC2x3 to IFC4x3 ADD2.
3MF has no BIM semantics, so your application decides which IFC class each object is written as.
Per-facet colors are imported. Textures and materials aren’t.
3D InterOp reads 3MF 1.1, as visualization data.
3D InterOp writes IFC2x3 to IFC4x3 ADD2 (.ifc).
Yes. 3D InterOp reads and writes both formats, so IFC to 3MF is supported too.
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Building software that needs to convert 3MF to IFC?
3D InterOp is an SDK that lets your application read 3MF and write IFC alongside 30+ CAD and BIM formats.