Blog — IFC, BCF and open BIM
Practical notes on the open formats behind BIM coordination: what IFC and BCF are each for, where their versions differ, and which one to reach for when the two overlap. Each post takes one question that comes up on real projects and answers it properly.
BCF 2.1 vs BCF 3.0: what's the difference?
Compare BCF 2.1 and BCF 3.0, understand the practical differences, and learn which version to use for BIM coordination.
Read article →How to export BCF to Excel online
Learn how to export BCF issues to Excel for filtering, reporting and sharing, without installing BIM software or uploading project data.
Read article →How to convert BCF to PDF online
Learn how to turn BCF issues into a clear PDF report online, without installing BIM software or uploading project data.
Read article →What is the .bimlyte format?
The .bimlyte format preserves an entire Bimlyte project in one encrypted file — models, issues, views and project settings included.
Read article →IFC vs BCF: what's the difference?
IFC carries the BIM model; BCF carries the conversation around it. Learn why the two open formats solve different problems and work best together.
Read article →
Where to look for what
There are three kinds of writing on this site, and they answer three different questions. If you are not sure which one you want:
- Guides
- "How do I do this in Bimlyte?" — numbered steps with screenshots for a specific task, such as exporting BCF to Excel or merging viewpoints from two files.
- Glossary
- "What does this term mean?" — short definitions of IFC, BCF, IDS, viewpoints, federated models and the rest of the vocabulary, each with a link to the standard it comes from.
- Blog (this page)
- "Which option should I choose, and why?" — the judgement calls that steps and definitions cannot make for you: which BCF version to export, when a spreadsheet beats a BCF file, what each format is actually for.
- IFC viewer comparison
- "Which kind of tool do I need?" — how local-first browser viewers, cloud viewers, free desktop viewers and commercial BIM suites differ, including where Bimlyte is the wrong answer.