Two Formats, One Model
When commissioning a BIM model of an existing building, one of the first questions to resolve is which file format you need. The two main options are the native Revit file (.RVT) and the IFC file (.IFC) — and understanding the difference between them helps you specify the right deliverable for your design team from the start.
At SurveyX we deliver both formats as standard with every BIM model — but knowing which one your team will actually use, and why, is worth understanding.
What Is a Revit File (.RVT)?
A Revit file is the native file format for Autodesk Revit — the most widely used BIM authoring application in the UK. An RVT file contains the complete BIM model with all its parametric intelligence: wall families with their properties, level structure, view templates, schedules, annotations and the full project hierarchy.
If your architect, structural engineer or BIM coordinator works in Revit, the RVT file is what they want. They can open it directly, link it into their own Revit project as a reference model, or work over it to develop their design. Everything in the model is fully editable and the parametric relationships between elements are intact.
Limitation: RVT files are version-specific. A model produced in Revit 2025 can be opened in Revit 2025 but not in any earlier version. Revit files cannot be downgraded — this is a fundamental limitation of the software. If your team uses Revit 2022, for example, they cannot open a Revit 2025 file without upgrading their software.
What Is an IFC File (.IFC)?
IFC stands for Industry Foundation Classes — an open, vendor-neutral file format for BIM data that can be read by any IFC-compatible application. It's managed by buildingSMART International and is the standard format for exchanging BIM data between different software applications.
An IFC file contains the geometry and properties of the building elements — walls, floors, windows, doors, spaces and so on — in a format that can be opened by virtually any BIM or CAD application, including ArchiCAD, Bentley AECOsim, Trimble products, Solibri and many others.
Limitation: IFC is an exchange format, not an authoring format. When a Revit model is exported to IFC, some of the parametric intelligence is lost — Revit families become generic IFC element types, and the full project hierarchy may not be preserved. The IFC is excellent for coordination, clash detection and viewing, but working in it as an editable design model is more limited than working in the native Revit file.
When to Use Each Format
| Situation | Use RVT | Use IFC |
|---|---|---|
| Design team works in Revit | ✓ Yes — primary format | Optional — for coordination |
| Design team works in ArchiCAD | ✗ Can't open | ✓ Yes — primary format |
| Clash detection in Navisworks | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| BIM coordination with multiple disciplines | ✓ Yes (if all use Revit) | ✓ Yes (open standard) |
| Viewing model without authoring software | ✗ Requires Revit | ✓ Free IFC viewers available |
| Editing the model | ✓ Best for editing | Limited — exchange format only |
The Revit Version Problem
This is the most common issue that arises on BIM projects and it's worth addressing directly. Our models are produced in Revit 2025. If your design team is using an older version of Revit, they cannot open the RVT file — Revit does not support opening files from newer versions and does not provide a downgrade tool.
The solutions are:
- Upgrade Revit — if your team is on subscription licensing, upgrading to the current version is straightforward
- Use the IFC — the IFC file can be opened in any version of Revit using the IFC import function, though with some loss of parametric data
- Agree the Revit version upfront — if you need the native RVT in a specific earlier version, this must be discussed before the survey takes place, not after
We always ask about Revit version requirements at the quote stage — don't leave it until after the model is delivered to discover there's a compatibility issue.
What We Deliver
Every SurveyX BIM model delivery includes:
- Native Revit file (.RVT) — Revit 2025 format, fully structured with levels, families and views set up
- IFC export (.IFC) — IFC2x3 format, compatible with all current IFC-compatible applications
- Registered point cloud — RCP and E57 format, for use as a reference dataset alongside the model
- 2D drawings — floor plans, elevations and sections extracted from the model, in DWG and PDF
Need an As-Built BIM Model?
We deliver Revit models and IFC exports from laser scan data across the whole of the UK. Confirm your Revit version at enquiry stage and we'll make sure the delivery works for your team.
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