Convert Smart 3D to IFC in your application
3D InterOp is a CAD interoperability SDK that lets your software read Smart 3D files and write IFC, writing the Smart 3D facets as faceted geometry, since Smart 3D 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 Smart 3D · Writes IFC
- Triangle mesh → faceted model
- C++ / C# APIs
Smart 3D to IFC at a glance
Smart 3D stores triangles; IFC can hold facets alongside exact solids, so the mesh is written as faceted geometry.
| Smart 3D (source) | IFC (target) | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Hexagon (Intergraph) Smart 3D review files | Industry Foundation Classes |
| Standard / owner | Hexagon | buildingSMART, ISO 16739 |
| File extensions | .xml with its .vue | .ifc, .ifczip |
| Geometry | Tessellated geometry | Exact B-Rep and tessellated geometry |
| Assemblies / structure | Yes: plant hierarchy (.xml) | 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 Smart 3D to IFC.
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Preserved
Product structureThe Smart 3D product structure is written to IFC.
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Changes
Faceted geometrySmart 3D 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 Smart 3D 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 Smart 3D input: the .xml file with its .vue file.
- Provide the .xml with its .vue file: a standalone .vue gives visualization data only.
- 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 Smart 3D file?
Hexagon Smart 3D is a plant and marine design system. Its models are shared as review files: a .vue file with the geometry and an .xml file with the plant hierarchy and 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
No. Smart 3D stores triangles, and 3D InterOp writes them to IFC as faceted geometry. It doesn’t rebuild exact B-Rep from a mesh.
Yes. 3D InterOp reads the Smart 3D 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.
Provide the .xml file with its .vue file. A standalone .vue file gives visualization data only.
3D InterOp reads the .xml file with its .vue file, as visualization data.
3D InterOp writes IFC2x3 to IFC4x3 ADD2 (.ifc).
No. 3D InterOp reads Smart 3D but doesn’t write it. To send data back to Smart 3D users, write a neutral format they can import.
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Building software that needs to convert Smart 3D to IFC?
3D InterOp is an SDK that lets your application read Smart 3D and write IFC alongside 30+ CAD and BIM formats.