BCF (BIM Collaboration Format) is an open data format that facilitates model-based communication. The BCF format was originally developed in 2009 by Solibri Inc. and Tekla Corporation and was later recognized as an integral part of the openBIM standard by buildingSMART International.
The main function of BCF is to enable smooth information exchange during the work process between different BIM software products, based on the IFC exchange format. This promotes transparent communication of issues and changes.
BCF 2.1, which is the most current version, opens the possibility of transferring model-related annotations (issues), information about the affected model elements (using object GUIDs) and reproducible screen excerpts between different BIM applications.
The main goal of BCF is to optimize coordination through model-based communication. Precise information about model problems such as problem reports, status, location, viewing direction, component, comments, user, time and changes in the IFC data model can be exchanged in a targeted manner. The focus is on transmitting marked information instead of the entire model to ensure efficient communication in the BIM process.
BCF is seamlessly integrated into all common BIM applications, although special additional modules (add-ons) may be required for advanced functions. Future versions are aimed at expanding the functionality by transferring properties between different models.
