Included in: #Concept
Enhanced XRef Manager with Advanced IFC and Cloud Referencing
Greater flexibility, cloud integration, and streamlined collaboration
ALLPLAN 2026 introduces a significantly improved XRef Manager, delivering a more intuitive and efficient workflow for handling external references, especially IFC files. The new manager features integrated 3D previews for referenced IFC files directly within the interface, along with visual icons that indicate whether an XRef is stored in ALLPLAN project folders or in an external location. This helps teams quickly locate and verify resources, which is particularly valuable when working with backup projects containing XRefs. Advanced file management tools such as replace, filter, and file selection provide greater control and efficiency in managing references.
A major innovation is the introduction of the Cloud Reference, a new IFC XRef type that allows direct insertion of IFC files from BIMPLUS, ALLPLAN`S cloud-based collaboration platform. This approach eliminates the need to download files locally, reducing storage requirements and ensuring that teams always work with the latest project data. When IFC source files are stored in the cloud, authorized users can preview them directly in ALLPLAN, take full advantage of IFC XRef capabilities in model space, and access all related information management tools in the XRef Manager. This seamless integration also enhances information sharing within the Common Data Environment.
Further improvements include the automatic preservation of relative file paths, avoiding saving issues and ensuring consistent reference links across different systems. External XRefs can be exported and imported along with their resources, while those stored within project folders can be packaged as .ZIP or .APN files for easy transfer. Together, these enhancements provide architecture and engineering teams with a clear, unified overview of all project references, simplify data management, and strengthen collaboration across both local and cloud-based environments, enabling faster and more reliable project delivery.
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