User guide

Overview

CCTech’s IFC Exporter for AutoCAD Plant 3D lets you export intelligent plant models from Plant 3D drawings directly to IFC2X3 (.ifc) files. You can share geometry, Plant 3D object classes, and property data with downstream BIM tools, without the manual EXPORTTOAUTOCAD workflow that turns plant objects into generic solids.

The exporter runs inside AutoCAD Plant 3D 2024, 2025, 2026, and 2027 on Windows. Each Plant 3D release has its own installer. Use the Export to IFC dialog to choose what to export, where to save the file, and start the export.

What is an IFC export?

An IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) file is an open, vendor-neutral exchange format for built assets. For plant projects, an IFC export captures:

Typical uses include coordination with architectural and structural models, clash detection, openBIM deliverables, design review in viewers, and handover to owners and operators.

This release writes IFC2X3 files suitable for coordination workflows (for example, opening in Navisworks, ACC, or Revit).

System Requirements

Software

Operating system	Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit)
Host application	AutoCAD Plant 3D 2024, 2025, 2026, or 2027 (product series R24.0, R25.0, R25.1, or R26.0). Install the exporter that matches your release.
Exporter version	0.9.6.0 or newer (shown under Help → Exporter Version in the dialog)
Runtime	Matches your Plant 3D release: .NET Framework 4.8 (2024), .NET 8 (2025 and 2026), or .NET 10 (2027)

Prerequisites

Install

Figure 1: CCTech's IFC Exporter for AutoCAD Plant 3D installer files (one per Plant 3D release).

Figure 2: Accept the license agreement, then click Install.

The exporter is installed as an AutoCAD application plug-in: C:\Program Files\Autodesk\ApplicationPlugins\Plant3DIfcExporter{Year}.bundle (for example, Plant3DIfcExporter2025.bundle). Restart AutoCAD Plant 3D if it is open during installation.

Uninstall

Alternatively, run the same installer again. On the Modify Setup screen, click Uninstall and complete the wizard.

Export to IFC

This section describes how to export the active drawing using the Export to IFC dialog.

Launch the exporter

The Export to IFC dialog opens.

Figure 5: Export to IFC: export settings dialog.

Export settings

Configure the following fields before you click Export.

Field	Description
Source drawing	Read-only name of the active .dwg file being exported.
Output file	Full path for the .ifc file. Use Browse… or edit the path directly. The exporter remembers the last folder in %APPDATA%\CCTech AutoCAD Plant 3D IFC Exporter\last-output-directory.txt.
Export scope	Controls which model content is included (see below).
IFC format	Displays the schema used for this release: IFC2X3.

An info line under the settings summarizes the task: Choose where to save the IFC file and what to include in the export.

To export: open a Plant 3D drawing with your model, choose an output .ifc path with Browse… or by editing the file name, then click Export to create an IFC2X3 file at that location.

For help and support, click the question-mark icon (bottom-left) to open the Help menu. It lists:

If a Help page is not configured in your build, the dialog shows a message instead of opening a page.

Export scope

Use Export scope to limit what is written to the IFC file.

Figure 6: Export scope options.

Scope	When to use it
Everything in View	Export all exportable Plant 3D (and supported non–Plant 3D solid) content in the current drawing context. Default choice for full-model exports.
Individual export as IFC	Create one IFC file per exportable object in a folder next to the chosen output path. Use for object-level delivery or debugging. Cannot be combined with layer, object type, or selection filters.
Export selected objects only	Export only Plant 3D objects you pick in the drawing. Click Select objects when this scope is active. If nothing is selected, the exporter prompts you to select objects before exporting.
Export by Layer	Export objects on one or more layers. Click Select layers and choose from the list. Only layers that contain objects are listed. Selected layers are combined into one IFC file.
Export by Object Type	Export only chosen Plant 3D part kinds (for example, Pipe, Heat Exchanger, Grating). Check the types to include. Selected types are combined into one IFC file.

Run the export

When export succeeds, the .ifc file appears at the path you specified. For Individual export as IFC, a folder is created containing multiple .ifc files (one per exported object). Click Close to exit the dialog without exporting it again.

Review export results

Open the IFC file

Export log (.plant3dtoifc.log)

For each export, a detailed text log is written next to the output IFC file, with the same base name: YourDrawing.ifc → YourDrawing.plant3dtoifc.log. The log includes:

Use this log to diagnose skipped entities, empty exports, or performance questions. Some builds also produce an HTML summary report (*.ifc.log.html) alongside the IFC file for entity counts and warnings.

Supported content

The exporter targets Plant 3D objects and related 3D content, including:

Objects that are not Plant 3D, solids, or eligible block references are skipped and listed in the log (for example, standalone LINE or POINT entities).

Troubleshooting

Message or situation	What to do
No objects were selected for export	Choose Export selected objects only, click Select objects, pick Plant 3D objects, then export again.
No layers were selected for export	Choose Export by Layer, select one or more layers, then export again.
No exportable object types found	Open a valid Plant 3D drawing with exportable content or change scope to Everything in View.
Individual export as IFC cannot be combined with a filtered export scope	Use Individual export as IFC alone, or switch to a single-file scope (view, selection, layer, or object type).
Export cancelled: no exportable geometry was found	Nothing in scope could be exported. Widen scope or check the log for skipped objects.
IFC export failed: None of the selected objects could be matched…	Selection did not match exportable Plant 3D elements. Clear Selection Filter, re-select, or use Everything in View.
Please select an output IFC file path	Set Output file to a valid .ifc path with Browse….
Exporter tab or command missing	Confirm that the installed exporter matches your Plant 3D release (2024, 2025, 2026, or 2027), reinstall the bundle, and restart Plant 3D.

Advanced commands (optional)

These AutoCAD commands are registered with the plug-in for diagnostics and automation. End users typically only need IFCEXPORT.

Command	Purpose
IFCEXPORT	Opens the Export to IFC dialog (recommended).
PLANT3DTOIFC	Runs export workflow from the command line (same core engine as the dialog).
PLANT3DTOIFC_GATHER	Collects and logs plant elements without writing a full IFC file.
IFCCOUNT	Prints an inventory of Plant 3D geometry in the drawing (no IFC file created).
PLANT3DTOIFC4	Reserved for IFC4-related development; the UI currently targets IFC2X3.

Current Limitations

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