Open IFC Viewer

Open Design Alliance

June 15, 2023

Unleashing Engineering Excellence with ODA Platform SDKs


To truly gauge the quality and usefulness of an SDK, it is essential to listen to the feedback from end users who benefit from the enriched functionality it provides in applications. Their perspective is invaluable in assessing the impact and value of the SDK in real-world scenarios.

That's why in 2020, we created Open IFC Viewer based on the ODA IFC SDK, making it freely available to everyone.

In March 2023, we surveyed approximately 400 users about their experience using the application. Here are the key findings:

  • 60% of respondents stated that they regularly use Open IFC viewer in their work.
  • 70% of users had a positive experience with the application.

As for user demographics:

  • 51% of users were end users, including architects and other professionals involved in design work.
  • 20% of users were BIM software developers.
  • 29% of users were BIM experts who act as intermediaries between developers and end users, leveraging their expertise in the field.

But what makes Open IFC Viewer truly exceptional? Let's delve into the feedback:
75% of respondents use Open IFC Viewer for simple viewing and investigating IFC and BIM data. Its intuitive interface and comprehensive functionality make it a go-to tool for professionals in the industry.

Furthermore, 80% of users recognized the advantages of Open IFC Viewer over other solutions. Here are some key benefits highlighted by users:

  • Easy to use: Open IFC Viewer offers a user-friendly experience, ensuring smooth and hassle-free navigation in IFC models.
  • Free: The application comes at no cost, providing accessibility to all users and promoting widespread adoption.
  • Fast: With its optimized performance, Open IFC Viewer delivers swift loading and rendering of IFC files, saving valuable time for users.
  • Good level of validation: Users rely on the application as a trusted validation tool for IFC data exports and queries, ensuring compliance with industry standards.
  • Open files of the latest IFC versions: Open IFC Viewer sets itself apart by supporting the latest IFC file versions, enabling users to explore cutting-edge data that other viewers may not yet support.

Here are a couple of quotes from satisfied users:

“I use it as a validation tool for IFC data exports/queries from vendor software to ensure compliance with the standard.”
“I tried it only to visualize AlignmentHorizontal and AlignmentVertical in Ifc 4.3. Other viewers don't implement this feature.”

Open IFC Viewer's excellence is a testament to its foundation on the ODA Platform and, more specifically, the powerful capabilities of IFC SDK. User feedback underscores the value and functionality that can be achieved with this technology. We invite you to experience it firsthand by trying the Open IFC Viewer yourself at https://openifcviewer.com/.