All you need access to is the IFC file. You do not have to have the native 3D CAD application installed on your computer. Just simply open Acrobat Pro Extended and drag and drop the IFC file into the open window. This will convert your model to pdf.
I can then zoom into an object and select that object and turn on my Model Tree (File - Navigation Panels - Model Tree). The result is now I can see all the IFC information associated to that particular object as shown below.
It is as simple as that. The value of Acrobat Pro Extended is that it goes much further though than just visualization. A lot of people want to compare us to current 3D viewers on the market. The value is that I am now leveraging 89% of desktops as anyone with the Free Adobe Reader can also view, navigate and see the IFC information. I can also use other Acrobat functionality with the 3D model such as being able to combine this model with other documents, review and comment, collaborate, etc.
Again, I think this is a great feature and support the BIM initiative in being able to share this data across organizations. We will have eSeminars coming up where will demonstrate this feature and go into further details.
Have fun,
Jonathan
Redarding supported IFC formats: (1) Do you also support the ifxXML implementations of IFC? (2) Do you intend to support IFC 2x4 any time soon?
Hello,
Thanks for the inquiry. We do not support these file types at this time, but they will be considered.
Jonathan