🔄 Convert COB to IFC: Caligari File to Industry Foundation Classes Converter

How to Convert COB to IFC?

Whether you're new to COB to IFC conversion or a seasoned professional, our step-by-step guide and reliable tool make the process effortless:

  1. 📥 Download and Install

    Download and install Autoconverter on your system. This application will let you to convert your COB files to IFC format - no additional CAD software required.

  2. 📂 Open Your COB File

    Go to File > Open to load your COB file (*.cob, *.scn), or drag and drop it directly into the application window. The model loads into the 3D viewport for inspection before converting.

  3. 💾 Save As IFC Format

    Go to File > Save As, select IFC (*.ifc) as the output format, choose your destination folder and filename, then click Save to complete the COB to IFC conversion.

COB Caligari TrueSpace COB File Format

The COB file format was developed by Caligari Corporation for its 3D modeling and animation software, TrueSpace. COB files store complete 3D scene data including geometry, materials, textures, lights, and animation. Though TrueSpace is now discontinued, COB remains an essential format for preserving and converting legacy 3D content.

Key Features of COB Files

  • Full 3D Scene Storage: COB files encapsulate entire scenes with objects, lighting, cameras, and animation data.
  • Two Format Variants:
    • ASCII COB: Human-readable format ideal for manual inspection and debugging.
    • Binary COB: Compact format optimized for performance and faster loading times.
  • Material & Texture Support: Includes surface colors, image textures, and basic shading information.
  • Geometry Types: Supports both NURBS-based and polygon mesh 3D models for greater flexibility.

COB File Conversion Tools

Use Autoconverter and Automesher Application to import and convert COB files into modern 3D formats such as FBX, OBJ, SKP, STEP, and SAT. Our converters retain crucial data including UV mapping, materials, and mesh topology by utilizing the Open Asset Import Library (Assimp) for accurate and reliable file processing.

Note: COB files can only be imported - exporting to COB format is not supported.

IFC Industrial Foundation Classes (IFC) File Format

The IFC file format is an open, ISO-certified standard (ISO 16739) designed for the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. As a vendor-neutral format, IFC facilitates seamless data exchange and interoperability between different software applications, eliminating proprietary barriers in collaborative building projects.

Key Capabilities of the IFC Format

The IFC format can store a comprehensive range of project data for AEC workflows, including:

  • Measurement Units: IFC supports diverse measurement systems (meters, inches, degrees, etc.), ensuring precise and consistent data interpretation across different software.
  • Materials and Visual Properties: Control visual properties such as color and transparency using RGBA values for accurate representation of materials in the model.
  • Optimized Storage: IFC's mapping system allows identical geometries to be referenced multiple times, improving storage efficiency and performance.
  • Hierarchical Structure: Organize complex projects with named components and unique identifiers, making it easier to manage large-scale construction designs.
  • Building Information Modeling (BIM): As a BIM-native format, IFC integrates building information such as properties, constraints, and relationships alongside geometry for comprehensive project data.

IFC File Conversion: BIM Interoperability Made Simple

Convert between IFC formats (including IFC2x3, IFC4 and IFC4.3) while preserving BIM properties and geometry data using Autoconverter or Automesher Application. Our tools maintain maximum compatibility when exporting to DWG, SKP, STL and OBJ formats, though some IFC-specific metadata may require manual mapping for optimal results in non-IFC conversions.

Easily import, export, and convert IFC files to various 3D formats with full support for custom properties. Try it now and optimize your AEC workflows!

COB vs IFC - Comparison

The table below evaluates COB vs IFC file formats to support efficient 3D modeling, CAD, or GIS workflows.

Feature COB IFC
Extensions .cob, .scn .ifc
Name Caligari TrueSpace Object Industry Foundation Classes
Versions 🚫
  • Min: IFC2x3
  • Max: IFC4x3 ADD2
Textures ❌ ❌
Colors ✅ ✅
Geometry Components ❌ ✅
User Attributes ❌ ✅
Quads ❌ ❌
Importers
Exporters 🚫

More COB and IFC Conversion Guides

Is COB to IFC conversion holding up your workflow? Our step-by-step guides below make COB files conversion smooth and efficient:

👉 Make COB and IFC format conversion part of a smarter workflow. Try our COB to IFC converter now and save time with precise, automated output.