Authoring an IFC File from Scratch

A valid IFC file is not just a header plus elements. Every physical element depends on a mandatory skeleton: a context root, units, a geometric frame, and a spatial tree. Omitting any part of that skeleton makes every later element invalid or invisible. This skill teaches the exact setup sequence, GlobalId generation, and a complete worked minimal file containing one wall.

Verified against the buildingSMART IFC4.3 specification, the IFC4 ADD2 TC1 and IFC2x3 TC1 specifications, and the IFC Header Data Implementation Guide v1.0.2. See references/methods.md for full entity signatures, references/examples.md for copy-paste files per version, and references/anti-patterns.md for what fails and why.

Quick Reference

The mandatory setup sequence