How to convert files from Unigraphics
to IFC?

Unigraphics is a former name for Siemens NX, an advanced CAD/CAM/CAE software application suite. However, veterans are still using the Unigraphics name.

In 2002, the new version of Siemens Unigraphics, merged with I-DEAS software, was released and called NX, which means "Next Generation". In fact, it was the last version of the software released under the Unigraphics name. All further releases became known as NX. So the addition of I-DEAS functionality to the core code of the Unigraphics has become the basis of the existing NX product line.

Siemens NX / Unigraphics use a .prt extension, which contains 3D CAD parts.

IFC or Industrial Foundation Classes is a 3D file format, used in the Architecture Engineering Construction (AEC) segment. It’s supported in the major software packages like Revit and AutoCAD by Autodesk, Tekla Structures by Tekla or SmartPlant3D by Intergraph.

The main value of the IFC is accordance to the Building Information Modeling requirements. BIM is a concept of design, construction and exploitation of the buildings prescribing creation of the large volume of the digital data around architectural objects.

This data may include not only 3D geometry, but tons of information pieces like authors, milestones and deadlines, supplier information and so on. Prior to beginning of the construction, the data base is created. It will include all the information, related to the building. Once the process kicks off the project team members will populate the data base with all the aspects of the future building.