There are various types of BIM software, each with its own corresponding file formats. Today, the editor of the BIM Building Training Network will provide a summary of the most common BIM file formats.
CGR
This file format is used by Digital Project, a building design software with BIM capabilities developed by Gehry Technologies based on Dassault Systèmes’ CATIA. Gehry Technologies is a company owned by architect Frank Gehry. Different design elements may be stored across several CGR files, which must be combined to create a complete BIM model.
DWG
DWG stands for DraWinG format, a graphics file format authorized by Autodesk since 1982. By 2009, there were 18 different non-public DWG versions. RealDWG, licensed by Autodesk, is a library toolkit that supports reading and writing various DWG versions for secondary development. Bentley and Autodesk have an agreement to exchange software libraries to improve interoperability between DGN and DWG files. Although DWG can store some metadata, it is generally insufficient for full BIM purposes.
DXF
DXF (Drawing eXchange Format) was developed by Autodesk as a graphic interchange format for data exchange between AutoCAD and other software. Autodesk publishes and maintains this format. However, DXF supports only a limited number of graphic objects and primarily focuses on 2D graphics, with minimal 3D geometric data. Therefore, it is not adequate for BIM data exchange.
DWF
DWF is a web-friendly design format created by Autodesk. It is a lightweight, compressed format intended mainly for publishing and reviewing designs online, as well as for simple interactive applications. DWF is a one-way format, unsuitable for bi-directional data exchange between professionals. It is based on the ISO/IEC 29500-2:2008 Open Packaging Conventions standard.
DGN
The DGN (DesiGN) format was developed by Bentley Systems to support their MicroStation product and Intergraph’s IGDS (Interactive Graphic Design System). Before 2000, DGN was based on the ISFF (Intergraph Standard File Format) specification, known as V7 DGN. Since 2000, Bentley has updated the format to V8 DGN to better handle BIM data structures. Bentley also provides an OpenDGN software library for reading and writing V8 DGN files.
PLN
PLN (Drawing PLaN) is a proprietary format used by Graphisoft’s ArchiCAD product. It directly supports BIM data and retains the characteristics of ArchiCAD, which was introduced in 1987 as the first BIM implementation.
RVT
RVT is a highly proprietary and protected format used by Autodesk’s Revit software. It is specifically designed to support BIM data directly.
STP
STP (Standardized Exchange of Product Data) is a non-proprietary, international standard CAD format used widely in automotive, aerospace, manufacturing, and consumer goods industries for exchanging geometric information.
VWX
VWX is a proprietary format used by Nemetschek’s Vectorworks since 2008, replacing the earlier MCD format from when Vectorworks was known as MiniCAD. This format can represent BIM data.
3D PDF
The 3D Portable Document Format (PDF) is managed by Adobe Systems and mainly used for collaboration and communication involving 3D design files. Similar to DWF, it is primarily intended for digital publishing and model review, and cannot be imported back into design or analysis software.
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