Convert Revit to IFC in your application
3D InterOp is a CAD interoperability SDK that lets your software read Revit files and write IFC, mapping geometry and structure from one model format to the other.
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 Revit · Writes IFC
- Mixed geometry → mixed geometry
- C++ / C# APIs
Revit to IFC at a glance
Both formats can hold exact solids and faceted geometry. The translation is about how geometry, structure and properties map from Revit to IFC.
| Revit (source) | IFC (target) | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Autodesk Revit project | Industry Foundation Classes |
| Standard / owner | Autodesk | buildingSMART, ISO 16739 |
| File extensions | .rvt | .ifc, .ifczip |
| Geometry | B-Rep and mesh | Exact B-Rep and tessellated geometry |
| Assemblies / structure | Yes: levels and building elements | Yes: spatial and element hierarchy |
| 3D InterOp support | Read only | Read and write |
What's preserved, what changes
Here is what your application can expect to carry across from Revit to IFC.
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Preserved
Exact geometryExact B-Rep read from Revit is written to IFC as exact geometry.
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Preserved
Product structureThe Revit product structure is written to IFC.
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Changes
Faceted partsParts the Revit file stores only as facets are written as facets.
Why software vendors add Revit 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.
- Supported Revit input: Revit 2015 to 2026.
- 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 Revit (.rvt) file?
An RVT file is an Autodesk Revit project: the complete building model with its elements, levels, views and BIM properties.
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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
The exact B-Rep that 3D InterOp reads from Revit is written to IFC; parts stored only as facets stay faceted.
Yes. 3D InterOp reads the Revit 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.
3D InterOp reads Revit 2015 to 2026.
3D InterOp writes IFC2x3 to IFC4x3 ADD2 (.ifc).
No. 3D InterOp reads Revit but doesn’t write it. To send data back to Revit users, write IFC, or Revit families (.rfa) with 3D InterOp.
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Building software that needs to convert Revit to IFC?
3D InterOp is an SDK that lets your application read Revit and write IFC alongside 30+ CAD and BIM formats.