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Super3D Import & Export .Ifc

by shouwang·Workflow

Images © shouwang. Used for product review; image policy.

Why we like it

Earns its place as a focused, single-format bridge: rather than full BIM authoring inside Blender, it handles just IFC import and export through the Super3D cloud service. A demo video showing the workflow at double speed is available.

What is Super3D Import & Export .Ifc?

IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) is the open BIM exchange standard maintained by buildingSMART, carrying building elements such as walls, slabs, doors and windows along with metadata, and it moves data across Revit, ArchiCAD, Tekla and Allplan. Super3D Import & Export .Ifc adds dedicated File menu entries in Blender for importing and exporting .ifc files.

On import, you pick a .ifc file, the add-on uploads it to the Super3D conversion service, then downloads the result and merges it into your active scene. Building elements arrive as Blender objects with element-type metadata, storey and level structure maps to collections, and geometry is tessellated from IFC's analytical representation. Property sets are dropped on import, since the converter targets geometry only.

On export, the scene is written to OBJ on the main thread, converted to .ifc via Super3D and saved to disk. Mesh geometry is written as IfcBuildingElementProxy entities and the object hierarchy is preserved as IFC spatial structure. Because conversion runs in the cloud, no BIM tools need to be installed.

Who is Super3D Import & Export .Ifc best for?

Super3D Import & Export .Ifc is best for arch-viz studios loading BIM models for cinematic rendering, BIM coordinators visualizing federated IFC for client review, and construction tech teams pulling IFC into Blender for clash-detection visuals or VR walkthroughs.

How much does Super3D Import & Export .Ifc cost?

Super3D Import & Export .Ifc is completely free to download and use.

Key features

  • One-click import and export through dedicated Blender File menu entries
  • Cloud conversion via the Super3D service, keeping Blender lightweight
  • Import brings building elements in as Blender objects with element-type metadata and maps storey/level structure to collections
  • Export writes mesh geometry as IfcBuildingElementProxy entities with object hierarchy preserved as IFC spatial structure
  • Supports IFC2x3, IFC4 and IFC4.3, including IFC4.3 infrastructure extensions
  • Installs alongside other Super3D format add-ons without conflicts, using separate extension IDs and operator names
  • Tested on Blender 4.2–5.1 and packaged as a focused add-on under GPL licensing

Tags

#IFC#BIM#architecture#arch-viz#import-export#construction#buildingSMART#Blender

Frequently asked questions

Which Blender versions does Super3D Import & Export .Ifc support?

Super3D Import & Export .Ifc is tested on Blender 4.2 through 5.1, and its legacy bl_info entry covers Blender 4.0 and later. It is packaged as a focused add-on under GPL licensing, so you install it as a single extension. Once enabled, it adds dedicated File menu entries for importing and exporting .ifc files. If you run several Super3D format add-ons together, each ships as a separate extension with its own ID and operator names, so there are no conflicts between them.

Do I need Revit, ArchiCAD or other BIM tools installed to use Super3D Import & Export .Ifc?

Super3D Import & Export .Ifc does not require Revit, ArchiCAD, Tekla, Allplan or any other BIM application to be installed. Conversion runs in the cloud through the Super3D service, so you only need Blender and an internet connection. On import, the add-on uploads your .ifc file to the service, then downloads the converted result and merges it into your active scene. On export, the scene is sent through the same service and saved back to disk as .ifc, which keeps Blender itself lightweight.

Does Super3D Import & Export .Ifc preserve element types like walls and doors?

Super3D Import & Export .Ifc reads IFC element types on import and reflects them in object names, bringing building elements in as Blender objects with element-type metadata and mapping storey and level structure to collections. On export, though, Blender meshes are written as generic IfcBuildingElementProxy entities rather than being typed as walls, slabs or doors. Object hierarchy is preserved as IFC spatial structure, but if you need typed elements and BIM property sets, those are added in a downstream BIM tool after export.

Does Super3D Import & Export .Ifc support IFC2x3, IFC4 and IFC4.3?

Super3D Import & Export .Ifc supports IFC2x3, IFC4 and IFC4.3 through the Super3D backend, and newer IFC4.3 infrastructure extensions also work. Both IFC2x3 and IFC4 open fine, though property fidelity can vary between them and some IFC2x3 quirks differ slightly from IFC4. Keep in mind that property sets are dropped on import since the converter targets geometry only, and curtain walls and complex parametric elements come through tessellated rather than parametric. Geometry is tessellated from IFC's analytical representation.

Is Super3D Import & Export .Ifc free?

Super3D Import & Export .Ifc is listed as free in this catalog. It is offered as a focused single-format slice covering IFC only, and a broader Super3D Extra Format Bridge bundles every supported format together if you need more than one. For current licensing terms, check the developer's page. The add-on itself uses GPL licensing and installs as a standalone extension, with conversion handled through the Super3D cloud service rather than bundled locally.

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