Published 19 March 2026 · 5 min read
How to use IFC files from 3D scanning with iPhone
Written by Wenn Property
When you scan a building with Wenn Property, you get a 3D model with exact measurements. That model can now be downloaded as an IFC file – a standard format that opens in most design programs.
But what exactly is an IFC file, and what can you use it for?
IFC in brief
IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) is an open file format for building information. Think of it as the PDF format for 3D models in the construction industry – anyone can open it, regardless of which software they use.
An IFC file doesn’t just contain geometry (the shape of the room), but also information about what the elements are: this is a wall, this is a window, this is a door. That makes the file useful for people working with design, quantity estimation, or documentation.
What can you do with an IFC file from Wenn Property?
Open in design programs. Revit, ArchiCAD, SketchUp, Solibri, BIMcollab – all support IFC. You can import the model and work further with it, add details, or use it as a starting point for design work.
Quantity takeoff and estimation. Software like Solibri and dedicated estimation systems can read quantities directly from the IFC file. Wall area, floor area, number of doors – everything is included.
Documentation and archiving. IFC is an open format not tied to any single vendor. That means your file will be readable in five, ten, or twenty years – regardless of which software you’re using then.
Sharing with collaborators. An architect, consultant, or engineer who needs information about a building can open the IFC file without having access to Wenn Property. You send the file, they open it in their tool.
How do you export IFC from Wenn Property?
Open the project in the web app, go to the downloads section, and select IFC. The file is generated in seconds and downloaded to your machine.
You can also export quantities separately as Excel or CSV if you only need the numbers without the 3D model.
When is IFC relevant – and when is it overkill?
Relevant: You’re working on renovation or conversion where an architect, engineer, or estimator will work further with the data. You need to document as-built conditions for a property manager. You want a vendor-independent archiving format.
Overkill: You only need the area of one wall to order paint. In that case the Excel export or the measurements in the web app are more than sufficient.
Most tradespeople don’t need IFC in their day-to-day work. But for projects where multiple parties collaborate, or where documentation needs to outlast the project, it’s a format worth knowing about.
From iPhone to IFC
What makes this particularly significant is the path to get there. Traditionally, IFC files require professional laser scanning with equipment costing tens of thousands, followed by manual modelling. With Wenn Property, you scan with your phone and export IFC directly.
That doesn’t mean an iPhone replaces a professional laser scanner in every situation. For large, complex construction projects with tight tolerances, professional equipment is still the right choice. But for renovation, condition assessments, and routine inspections? Your phone is enough.