Definition from IAI: The enumeration defines whether the definition of a profile shape shall be geometrically resolved into a curve or into a surface.

HISTORY: New type in IFC Release 1.5.

Enumeration values:

Curve
The resulting geometric item is of type curve and closed (with the only exception of the curve created by the IfcArbitraryOpenProfileDef which resolves into an open curve). The resulting geometry after applying a sweeping operation is a swept surface. This can be used to define shapes with thin sheets, such as ducts, where the thickness is not appropriate for geometric representation.

Area
The resulting geometric item is of type surface. The resulting geometry after applying a sweeping operation is a swept solid with defined volume.