Path IFC to DXF

A desktop application for converting IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) building models into DXF (Drawing Exchange Format) files, with a built-in 3D preview and element inspector.

Made by Path.

What It Does

• Scans IFC files and lists all building elements (structural, architectural, MEP, etc.) in a searchable table with metadata: Tag/Mark, Name, IFC Class, Type, and Properties
• Checkbox selection — tick elements individually; checkmarks persist across search/filter changes so you can search for different tags and build up a batch without losing your selection
• 3D Preview — view any selected element in an embedded viewer with Shaded, Wireframe, and Shaded+Edges render modes; supports rotate, pan, and zoom
• Converts to DXF — exports all checked elements as individual .dxf files, one per element named after its Tag/Mark value
• Assembly decomposition — IfcElementAssembly objects (trusses, frames, panels) are walked recursively and merged into a single DXF block per assembly
• AutoCAD-ready output — geometry is exported as 3DFACE entities inside a named BLOCK; feature-edge visibility flags hide smooth interior triangle edges; full ACI colour per IFC class in all visual styles (Wireframe, Hidden, Shaded, Realistic, Conceptual); geometry is centred at the origin with correct extents so the element fills the viewport on open
• Straight/flat orientation — each exported element is automatically rotated so its longest axis (member length) lies along the global X axis and the cross-section height is along Z, regardless of the element's orientation in the building model; for assemblies with end plates and bolts, the rotation is computed from the main structural member only so the connection hardware does not skew the axis
• Prefix-based filenames — output files and DXF block names use the element's Prefix (from Pset_BeamCommon.Reference or equivalent) when available, falling back to the Tag; e.g. RB1001.dxf
• Correct scale — coordinates are always exported in millimetres regardless of the IFC project unit declaration

Requirements

• Python 3.9+
• Windows 64-bit (for the packaged installer; source runs cross-platform)

Installation

Option 1 — Run from source

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone https://github.com/patihagungas/IFCtoDXF.git
   cd IFCtoDXF

2. Create and activate a virtual environment (recommended):

   python -m venv venv
   venv\Scripts\activate      # Windows
   # source venv/bin/activate  # macOS/Linux

3. Install dependencies:

   pip install -r requirements.txt

   Note on ifcopenshell: if pip install ifcopenshell fails on your platform, use the official conda channel or download a pre-built wheel from IfcOpenShell Releases.

4. Run the app:

   python main.py

Option 2 — Windows installer

Download the pre-built installer (IFC2DXF_Setup_v1.0.1.exe) from the Releases page and run it. No Python installation required.

Option 3 — Build the installer yourself

1. Complete steps 1–3 from Option 1.

2. Build the standalone executable with PyInstaller:

   pyinstaller ifc2dxf.spec

   Output is placed in dist\IFC2DXF\.

3. Install Inno Setup 6 and compile the installer:

   ISCC.exe installer.iss

   The installer will be generated at Output\IFC2DXF_Setup_v1.0.1.exe.

Usage

1. Launch the app (python main.py or the installed .exe).
2. Click Browse next to IFC File and select your .ifc file — the scan runs automatically.
3. The table populates with all detected elements. Use the search bar to filter by tag, name, or IFC class.
4. Tick the ☐ checkbox on each row you want to export. Checkmarks survive filtering — search for more tags and keep ticking without losing previous selections.
5. Click All to check all currently visible rows, or None to uncheck them.
6. Click a row (outside the checkbox) to select it and view its full properties in the right panel.
7. With exactly one row selected, click 👁 Preview to view the element in 3D.
8. Choose an output folder and click ▶ Convert Checked (N).
9. One .dxf file per element is written to the chosen folder, named after the element's Tag/Mark.

DXF Output Format

Feature	Detail
Entity type	3DFACE (triangulated mesh)
Block name	Element Tag/Mark
Edge visibility	Feature-edge only — smooth interior edges hidden, real corners visible
Colour	ACI per IFC class (walls=red, columns=cyan, beams=green, …)
Units	Millimetres ($INSUNITS = 4)
Origin	Bounding-box centre of element geometry
Visual styles	Works in Wireframe, Hidden, Shaded, Realistic, Conceptual

ACI Colour Map

IFC Class	AutoCAD Colour
IfcColumn	Cyan (4)
IfcBeam / IfcMember	Green (3) / Olive (62)
IfcWall	Red (1)
IfcSlab	Orange (30)
IfcDoor	Blue (5)
IfcWindow	Magenta (6)
IfcStair	Dark orange (40)
IfcFurnishingElement	Navy (90)

Dependencies

Package	Purpose
ifcopenshell	IFC parsing and geometry kernel
numpy	Required by ifcopenshell
ezdxf >= 1.1.0	DXF read/write
customtkinter >= 5.2.0	Modern dark-themed UI framework
pyinstaller >= 6.0	Build standalone executable (dev only)

Changelog

v1.0.1

• Straight/flat DXF output — Elements are automatically rotated so the member length lies along X and the cross-section height is along Z. For assemblies, the rotation is derived from the largest part only (the main member), so end plates and bolts do not skew the axis.
• Prefix detection — Scans Pset_BeamCommon.Reference (and equivalent psets) at load time using should_inherit=True so type-level properties are included. The Prefix value is shown as a dedicated column in the element table.
• Prefix-based filenames — DXF output files and block names use the Prefix when available (e.g. RB1001.dxf), falling back to Tag only when no prefix is found.
• Expanded search — Search bar now matches against Prefix, Material, Description, and Predefined Type in addition to Tag, Name, and IFC Class.
• Paste & Select — New dialog lets you paste a list of marks/references (newline, comma, tab, or semicolon separated) and auto-checks all matching elements. Includes a "First match only" option to skip duplicates.
• Copy List — Copies all checked rows to the clipboard as TSV (Tab-Separated Values) ready to paste into Excel. Columns: Tag, Prefix, Name, IFC Class, Predefined Type, Type, Reference, Material, Description.
• Larger checkboxes — Row height increased from 26 to 32 px; checkbox column widened for easier clicking.
• UI layout fix — Paste & Select dialog buttons are now always visible regardless of window size.

v1.0.0

• Initial release.

Project Structure

IFCtoDXF/
├── main.py               # Entry point
├── gui.py                # Desktop UI, checkbox table, and 3D preview window
├── converter_engine.py   # IFC parsing, geometry extraction, and DXF export
├── requirements.txt      # Python dependencies
├── ifc2dxf.spec          # PyInstaller build configuration
├── installer.iss         # Inno Setup Windows installer script
├── P.ico                 # Application icon
├── IFC.png               # Installer sidebar image
├── wizard_banner.bmp     # Installer sidebar image (164x314)
└── wizard_logo.bmp       # Installer top-right logo (55x55)