IFC 2x3 Software Certification Coordination View 2.0

This is the official site for the buildingSMART International procedure of the IFC2x3 Coordination View 2.0 (IFC2x3 CV2.0) Software Certification.

The Coordination View 2.0 targets the coordination between the architectural, structural engineering, and building services (MEP) tasks during the design phase. It contains definitions of spatial structure, building elements, structural modeling elements, and building service elements that are needed for coordinating design information among these disciplines. The MVD includes parametric shapes for a limited range of standard elements, and the ability to also include non parametric shape for all other elements. Property sets, material definitions and other alphanumeric information can be assigned to those elements.

The certification process breaks the CV2.0 down into three different specific export exchanges - architectural, structural, and building services, but has only one import exchange, the whole MVD. Developers can elect to certify applications for export only of any one or combination of two or more export exchanges, import only of the CV2.0, or BOTH export of one of more exchanges AND import.

How to participate

  1. Get background information from IFC Certification 2.0 specification to find the basics about the process;
  2. Check the model view definitions (MVDs) open for certification;
  3. Review the detailed workflow and requirements for this certification process;
  4. Review the current cost table for participating in this certification;
  5. Register on https://www.b-cert.org/Account/Register or contact the Software Certification team at b-cert@buildingsmart.org with any questions.

Official documents of the IFC2x3 Coordination View 2.0 Certification

The following official documents guide this certification process:

Workflow of the IFC2x3 Coordination View 2.0 (IFC2x3 CV2.0) Certification

The certification process is organized in three parts:

1. Verifying the export of IFC files conforming to the IFC2x3 Coordination View Version 2.0

The export test files are created based on test instructions that are provided by the Software Certification (SC) team. The test instructions, available as PDF files (optionally as 2D DXF/DWG files) describe the exact content (geometric and alphanumeric content and building structure) and are used by the participating software developers to create the export test case within their own applications. The created IFC export files are then uploaded to the certification platform and validated both automatically and manually. The manual validation is guided by a checklist, with items that conform to the concepts supported by the IFC2x3 Coordination View Version 2.0. The validation is first executed as a self-check by the software developers and later counter-checked by the approved certification tester.

2. Verifying the import of IFC files conforming to the IFC2x3 Coordination View Version 2.0

The import calibration files are provided as prevalidated IFC files by the certification team. The participating software developers import them into their applications, checks for the expected results and fill out manual check items. The check items correspond to the concepts of the IFC2x3 Coordination View Version 2.0. Later the approved certification tester counter checks the import.

3. Verifying the general conformance requirements and finalize certification

Among the general conformance requirements are:

    • Harmonized terminology in the IFC related user interfaces;
    • Sufficient documentation and help files;
    • Registration of IFC icons to be associated with the IFC files;
    • Completing the IFC support statements for the official IFC certification website;
    • Following the guidance on publishing the certification logo and certificate.