| Format | Type | Owner | Use Case | Limitation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IFC (.ifc) | Open ISO standard | buildingSMART / ISO 16739-1 | Primary BIM exchange between different authoring tools | Lossy round-trip — re-import won't be 100% identical to native | USE THIS for any cross-tool exchange. Prefer IFC 4 Reference View for handover, IFC 4 Design Transfer View for collaboration. IFC 4.3 ADD2 for infrastructure projects. |
| ifcXML (.ifcxml) | XML serialisation of IFC | buildingSMART | When XML tooling is needed | Larger file size than .ifc | Same data as .ifc, different encoding |
| ifcZIP (.ifczip) | Compressed IFC | buildingSMART | Large IFC files transferred over network | Same as IFC | Just a ZIP-compressed .ifc — saves bandwidth |
| BCF (.bcf / .bcfzip) | BIM Collaboration Format | buildingSMART | Issue tracking — clashes, RFIs, comments | References models but doesn't replace them | Used by BIMcollab, Solibri, Revizto, Navisworks for clash issue exchange |
| gbXML (.xml) | Green Building XML | Open consortium | Energy & thermal analysis exchange | Not full BIM — only thermal-relevant geometry/data | Used for IES VE, EnergyPlus, DesignBuilder, eQUEST workflows |
| Format | Type | Owner | Use Case | Limitation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RVT (.rvt) + RFA (.rfa) | Autodesk Revit native | Autodesk | Working files in Revit | Only Revit reads/writes RVT directly | RFA = family file. Use RVT for working, IFC for exchange |
| PLN (.pln) | Graphisoft ArchiCAD native | Graphisoft | Working files in ArchiCAD | ArchiCAD only | — |
| DGN (.dgn) | Bentley MicroStation / OpenBuildings native | Bentley Systems | Working files in Bentley products | Bentley ecosystem | Strong in infrastructure and plant |
| TEKLA / TKL (.db1, .db2) | Trimble Tekla Structures | Trimble | Steel detailing | Tekla-specific | Industry standard for steel |
| PLA (.pla) | Nemetschek Allplan | Nemetschek | Allplan working files | Allplan-specific | Common in Germany/Europe; some India use |
| VWX (.vwx) | Vectorworks | Vectorworks | Vectorworks working files | Vectorworks-specific | Less common in India for civil/structural |
| Format | Type | Owner | Use Case | Limitation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NWC (.nwc) | Navisworks Cache | Autodesk | Lightweight model export from Revit/Civil 3D for federation | Read-only, lossy | Exported from Revit; opened in Navisworks for federation/clash |
| NWD (.nwd) | Navisworks Document | Autodesk | Federated/published Navisworks model | Navisworks only | Self-contained, no external links |
| NWF (.nwf) | Navisworks File | Autodesk | Navisworks federation index | References external NWC files | Lightweight wrapper that links to source models |
| SMC (Solibri Model Checker) | Solibri native | Solibri / Nemetschek | Quality checking and clash | Solibri only | Reads IFC; writes SMC project |
| Revizto / BIMcollab projects | Cloud-native | Revizto / BIMcollab | Cloud federation + issue tracking | Vendor lock-in | Browser-accessible federation |
| Format | Type | Owner | Use Case | Limitation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DWG (.dwg) | AutoCAD native | Autodesk | 2D drawings — most common in India | 2D unless using AutoCAD Architecture/MEP | Universal but NOT BIM — flat geometry only |
| DXF (.dxf) | Drawing Exchange Format | Autodesk (open spec) | Cross-CAD 2D exchange | 2D, larger than DWG | Read by every CAD tool |
| PDF (.pdf) | Portable Document Format | Adobe / ISO 32000 | Final drawing issue, contractual deliverable | Read-only, no model data | Always issue PDFs alongside DWG/IFC |
| DWFx (.dwfx) | Autodesk Design Web Format | Autodesk | Lightweight design viewing | Niche today | Largely replaced by PDF and BIM viewers |
| Format | Type | Owner | Use Case | Limitation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEP (.step / .stp) | ISO 10303 product data | ISO | Mechanical / industrial product exchange | Not BIM-specific | Used in plant and prefab manufacturing |
| COBie (.xlsx) | Construction Operations Building Information Exchange | buildingSMART / NBIMS | Asset data handover for FM | Spreadsheet — not 3D | Mandated in UK Government BIM Level 2; voluntarily used elsewhere. Uses an Excel workbook with prescribed sheets. |
| LandXML (.xml) | Land surveying exchange | Open consortium | Survey data, alignments, parcels | Not full BIM | Common bridge between survey tools and Civil 3D / OpenRoads |
| FBX (.fbx) | Filmbox | Autodesk | Visualisation/animation export | Geometry + materials only | Used for handover to 3ds Max, Unity, Unreal Engine |
| OBJ (.obj) | Wavefront | Open | Visualisation export | Geometry + texture coords only | Universal 3D format, no BIM data |
| USD (.usd) | Universal Scene Description | Pixar / open | Visualisation, real-time graphics | Visualisation focused | Increasingly used for VR/AR BIM walkthroughs |