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Exporting to IFC for Revit / ArchiCAD

Export your FrameAI model to IFC 4.3 for direct import into Revit, ArchiCAD, and AllPlan — with Eurocode utilisation ratios embedded as IFC property sets.

Download as PDF Fabrication
5 steps in this guide


Exporting to IFC for Revit / ArchiCAD

FrameAI exports **IFC 4.3** files conforming to ISO 16739-1:2024 — the latest buildingSMART standard and the format required for EU public procurement under BIM Level 2/3 mandates (NL Rgd, DE BIM Stufe 2, FR PTNB).

The IFC file carries not only geometry but also **Eurocode check results** embedded as custom property sets (FrameAIEurocode and FrameAIConnection), so downstream tools in Revit and ArchiCAD can read utilisation ratios and governing checks directly on each element.

Step 1. Run your PDF through the intake pipeline

/intake. FrameAI will:

  • Extract member schedule (profile, length, steel grade)
  • Run EN 1993-1-1 section class + buckling checks
  • Auto-design connections per EN 1993-1-8
  • Generate the IFC 4.3 model
Wait for the job to reach **done** status (usually under 2 minutes).

Step 2. Download the IFC 4.3 file

Once the job is done, find it in your **Projects** page. In the revision row, click **IFC 4.3** to download project-name-ifc43.ifc.

Alternatively, call the API directly:

GET /api/intake/{jobid}/export/ifc

The file uses FILESCHEMA('IFC4X3') and is compatible with:

Step 3. What's inside the IFC file

Entity mapping

FrameAI typeIFC entity
Rafter / beamIfcBeam (PredefinedType BEAM)
ColumnIfcColumn (PredefinedType COLUMN)
Brace / strutIfcMember (PredefinedType BRACE)
End plate / gussetIfcPlate (PredefinedType BASEPLATE)
BoltIfcMechanicalFastener
RC beamIfcBeam with concrete material
RebarIfcReinforcingBar
Pad footingIfcFooting (PADFOOTING)
PileIfcPile (BOREDPILE / DRIVENPILE)
Composite slabIfcSlab (FLOOR)
Shear studIfcMechanicalFastener (SHEARSTUD)

FrameAIEurocode property set

Every steel member carries a FrameAIEurocode Pset with:

  • UtilisationRatio — e.g. 0.8743
  • GoverningCheck — e.g. LTB (lateral-torsional buckling)
  • CodeReference — e.g. EN 1993-1-1
  • DesignMomentkNm, DesignShearkN, DesignAxialkN
  • ResistanceMomentkNm
  • Passes — TRUE or FALSE
In Revit, these appear under Properties > Identity Data after import.

FrameAIConnection property set

Each end plate carries a FrameAIConnection Pset with:

  • ConnectionType — e.g. beamtocolumnmoment
  • EndplateThicknessmm — e.g. 20
  • BoltGrade — e.g. 8.8
  • BoltSize — e.g. M20
  • BoltCount — e.g. 8
  • WeldThroatmm — e.g. 6.5
  • EndplateUtilisation — e.g. 0.9120

Structural analysis model

The IFC file also includes an IfcStructuralAnalysisModel grouping load cases derived from your EN 1990 load combinations. If seismic data is available, an IfcStructuralLoadGroup with ActionType = SEISMICLOAD is added per EN 1998-1.

Step 4. Import into Revit

1. Open Revit 2024.
2. Go to **File > Open > IFC**.
3. Select project-name-ifc43.ifc.
4. In the IFC Import settings, choose **Reference View**.
5. After import, select any beam and check **Properties** — you'll see the FrameAIEurocode parameters.

Revit may ask about IFC mapping. Accept the defaults — FrameAI uses standard IFC 4.3 entity names that map directly to Revit categories.

Step 5. Import into ArchiCAD

1. Go to **File > Interoperability > IFC > Import IFC**.
2. Select the .ifc file.
3. Set Import Mode to **Create new elements**.
4. After import, open the **Element Info** palette to see FrameAI Pset values.

EU public procurement compliance

IFC 4.3 is the required format for:

 FrameAI's FILESCHEMA('IFC4X3') declaration and Coordination View 2.0 entity mapping make the file compliant with these procurement requirements out of the box.

Troubleshooting

**The IFC file imports but no Psets appear in Revit.**
Check you're on Revit 2024+. Earlier versions silently drop custom Psets. You can also open the file in IfcOpenShell to verify: ifcopenshell.open('file.ifc').bytype('IfcPropertySet').

**Members appear at wrong scale.**
FrameAI uses SI metres throughout (IfcSIUnit LENGTHUNIT METRE). Revit will ask about units on import — select **Meters** or let Revit auto-detect.

**Free-tier watermark in the file.**
Upgrade to Pro or Studio to get clean IFC output. The watermark is a STEP comment in the HEADER block and does not affect geometry — it is a usage restriction indicator only.

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