BCF software

Looking for a BCF file viewer for effective BIM issue management?

Use usBIM.bcf and discover how to view BIM issues directly on the IFC model and manage communications, reports, and issues in real time!

Get started now for free

Free online application integrated in usBIM
Get free access to a complete range of online software and 10 GB cloud storage

usBIM.bcf, the professional yet intuitive tool for BIM issue management

With its ease of use combined with full support for the open BCF standard by buildingSMART, usBIM.bcf guarantees you a superior coordination experience.

usBIM.bcf provides everything you need to manage project clashes and reports in an innovative, smooth, and efficient way, highlighting real-time collaboration and seamless integration with your daily openBIM workflow.

Like all usBIM applications, usBIM.bcf works as a BCF reader completely online. You can use it at anytime, from anywhere and with any device without depending on other third-party software.

Video advantages of the BCF format | usBIM.bcf | ACCA software

Get started now for free

Discover the online BCF viewer integrated in usBIM

Co-work on BIM issues | usBIM.bcf | ACCA software

Optimized communication flows avoiding interoperability problems with the BCF software

usBIM.bcf is an usBIM integrated service that allows you to create, import or edit a BCF file directly online using any device.

The BCF (BIM Collaboration Format), is an open file format serving the purpose of communicating coordination information that can be completely separated from the 3D model. It contains problem descriptions, snapshots, comments, authors, creation date, and all relevant data concerning issues without containing any model geometry references at all.

With the BIM coordination software usBIM.bcf:

optimize information exchange flows without having to transfer large BIM models;
solve interoperability problems that normally occur when working with different software solutions, but also when different BIM stakeholders end up using different versions of the same software;
manage, report, check and resolve project interferences/issues in a seamless co-working process;
accelerate the reviewing process, identify and resolve critical issues in real time way before the construction process begins.

Get started now for free

Discover the free BCF Manager integrated in usBIM

BCF creation, classification and management | usBIM.bcf | ACCA software

The issue management process with usBIM.bcf: create, classify and resolve interferences

With usBIM.bcf, transmit all the relevant information useful to uniquely identify encountered problems by means of:

MARKUPS, a file that contains text info concerning the IFC file with the model, the author of the report, the entities involved and any comments with instructions useful for solving the issue;
VIEWPOINTS, specific views that provide a detailed representation of the problem directly on the digital model. These can be multiple and also be directly linked to the comments contained in the Markup;

usBIM.bcf is a BIM coordination software integrated in the usBIM digital platform allowing you to operate according to two distinct workflows:

view or edit a file with the .BCFZIP file extension generated by other popular BIM tools. This file must have been previously loaded into a project folder;
create a BCF file from scratch and export it in the .BCFZIP format.

After creating a new BCF, you can manage issues and viewpoints in an advanced way with:

creation, editing, and deletion of issues.
completion of detailed fields: Title, Description, Status, Priority, Type, Phase, Creation Date, and Due Date.
direct assignment of the issue to a specific user for problem resolution.
capture of spatial coordinates of the viewpoint and camera direction referenced to the IFC model.
insertion of model views as images in .PNG format.
direct linking to specific model entities via a unique identifier (GUID).

After creating a new BCF, you can add an issue, define its title and description and specify the resolution task to a designated user; classify the criticality level using the "Priority" combo box (Label, Status and Type).

The BCF file is linked to a specific point of the project where, at any time, you can easily jump to the exact point of the model where the clash detection took place, using a simple web browser and above all using any device.

Get started now for free

Discover the BCF system integrated in usBIM

BCF file format management in cloud | usBIM.bcf | ACCA software

Instantly view BIM issues on the IFC model and manage them in real time

With usBIM.bcf, every BIM issue is directly linked to the IFC model: with a click you can immediately navigate to the corresponding 3D view and see the problem in its digital context, with all involved objects clearly identified.

Additionally, thanks to the integration of ACCA’s BCF server within the usBIM platform, you can share and synchronize issues in real time with your team in the cloud, always working on a single, up-to-date repository for everyone.

This results in smooth coordination workflows, without errors or wasted time, improving both project quality and teamwork.

You can choose the BIM issue management approach that best suits your needs:

BCF file exchange: use standard .BCF and .BCFZIP files to import and export issues to and from any BIM software. This ensures maximum openBIM compatibility and a simple workflow: the BCF file can be shared among multiple stakeholders and edited in turn, ensuring everyone has the necessary information (while avoiding the creation of multiple copies of the same file).
Integrated BCF server: leverage the BCF server integrated into the usBIM cloud (provided by ACCA), which acts as a centralized hub for issue management in live coordination. Every change or comment is automatically synchronized instantly for all project participants, who always work on the most up-to-date version of each issue. This approach eliminates the risk of conflicts or outdated versions and allows you to resolve issues in a collaborative and immediate way, without manually exchanging files or using additional software. You can identify design problems faster and resolve them before they become on-site issues, with a faster and more reliable workflow compared to traditional methods.

FAQ BCF file viewer

What is the BCF format?

BCF (BIM Collaboration Format) is a format developed by buildingSMART International for facilitating open communications by leveraging the use of IFC models.

It is an open XML-based file format that allows comments to be added to an IFC model.

Its structure is composed of:

one or more model views, captured in .PNG (image file) format;
coordinates of the snapshot point and direction within an IFC file;
comments relating to entities, referencing information with respect to the model elements.

Issues and comments are linked to the model elements by means of global unique IDs (GUIDs).

Why use BCF format files?

The BCF format aims at simplifying the collaboration process between the different team and project members working on the same model by allowing them to raise issues, provide solutions and comments in an open format that does not contain model elements.

The BCF is therefore an interchange format that is not used to exchange geometric information but simple graphical/descriptive info capable of illustrating which issues need to be addressed and solved.

Adding specific exchange notes, comments, reports, images during the management of a BIM project with a BIM management platform such as usBIM offers further advantages in terms of coordination and integration of activities.

Each BCF file "records" who, and when a comment was added during the planning and execution phases. The exchange of comments between the team members, in addition to indicating date and time references and the author, and therefore an exact cronology of status changes, is supported by using .PNG snapshots that locate the problem within the project.

Testimonials What they say about us Find out more

usBIM, the BIM management system, scalable and configurable according to your needs.

Get started with applications and 10GB of cloud storage space for free. Then choose the applications that you need to configure your usBIM experience according to your preferred workflow!

usBIM is the online system that integrates different types of BIM tools:
- BIM interoperability tools: allowing full interoperability during the various phases of construction design, execution and the relating maintenance processes
- BIM collaboration tools: specific BIM tools for improved collaboration and sharing of information among all the various stakeholders involved in creating or updating the digital twin during the project's entire life cycle.
With usBIM, manage the project, construction management and maintenance phases of a building or infrastructure, starting from the free usBIM solution.
usBIM offers you infinite configurations with functions, applications and cloud storage space that you can activate from the online store.
Only subscribe to the BIM tools that you really need.
Keep your usBIM tools under control. Check out your current configurations and remain updated with the latest available plugins.