topic Re: Saving New 3D Object in Libraries & objects

Saving New 3D Object

Mik001 — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 07:53:05 GMT

Hi,

I am trying to create a 3D object from a .dwg file that has contours in it at 1m height intervals. I can get it into imported into ArchiCAD no trouble. But when I try to save the 3D object I get an error message saying 'To save this object in version 28, you must choose a License on the Details page'.

Does anyone have any idea what this means and how to get through this? I have a full license for AC 28 so am quite confused why it is asking me for my license number...

Operating system used: Windows 11

Re: Saving new 3D odject

Barry Kelly — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 07:27:05 GMT

It is the type of licence for the object not your actual Archicad license.

In the DETAILS tab of the object ....

Barry.

Re: Saving New 3D Object

Mik001 — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 08:07:26 GMT

Thanks Barry,

I feel like a bit of a dope, but it is my first time making a 3D object.

If I may ask, because this is technically surveyors data (3D contours), I am guessing now that as a placeable object it has lost its original coordinate system so cannot be place in its original geolocation? Is it possible to maintain the z values for the contours in a .dwg file while importing, but still retain the correct geospatial location information so it can be stacked with other georeferenced .dwg files such as land parcels?

Also another question, back in the 2D window, I am unable to use the level dimension tool to establish what height the contours are at. I think I am using the wrong workflow here...

Re: Saving New 3D Object

Barry Kelly — Wed, 04 Mar 2026 08:58:03 GMT

@Mik001 wrote:

I feel like a bit of a dope, but it is my first time making a 3D object.

We all have to learn some thing new.

@Mik001 wrote:

If I may ask, because this is technically surveyors data (3D contours), I am guessing now that as a placeable object it has lost its original coordinate system so cannot be place in its original geolocation? Is it possible to maintain the z values for the contours in a .dwg file while importing, but still retain the correct geospatial location information so it can be stacked with other georeferenced .dwg files such as land parcels?

When saving as an object, it will be in the position it was from the project origin when you saved it.

In all directions, X, Y and height (Z) - at least I think so, I have never tried with survey data.

It will have lost any geolocation data, but you can of course move it to anywhere you want.

@Mik001 wrote:

Also another question, back in the 2D window, I am unable to use the level dimension tool to establish what height the contours are at. I think I am using the wrong workflow here...

Because it is an object, the dimension tool will not link to the surface.

You will need to keep it as a mesh to be able to use the dimension tool.

You can import as a mesh using the 'Place mesh from surveyors data' command.

You will need a text file with the XYZ coordinates.

If you don't have it I remember reading a post here somewhere about extracting that data from the XYZ file.

If I get a chance later I will try to search for it.

Barry.

Re: Saving New 3D Object

Lingwisyer — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 02:11:22 GMT

Do note, that if you import surveyor data by their origin, you will often end up very far from Project Origin, which AC very much dislikes and will cause you many issues.

Ling.

Re: Saving New 3D Object

Mik001 — Thu, 05 Mar 2026 17:24:49 GMT

Yes, I've noticed that. I am curious though if it's possible in AC to simply drop in (xref) georeferenced files with respect to the origin, place a hotspot where the origin was, and then move the origin closer to the georeferenced file? Then, when the surveyor needs to go and stake out the building etc, move the origin back to its original position so they have the correct georeferenced coordinates for staking out in the dwg file. Would that work? Just curious how to retain the very valuable georeferenced coordinates within AC without causing issues due to large distances away from the project origin?..

Re: Saving New 3D Object

Lingwisyer — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 01:01:54 GMT

Use the Survey Point to offset it.

Re: Saving New 3D Object

Barry Kelly — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 01:02:39 GMT

I am no expert on this as I don't use it.

But you need to keep the model close to the origin as Ling has suggested.

There is a 'Survey Point' that you can place where the survey should be that will allow for geolocation when you share files with other software.

But as I mentioned, I really don't know how this all works as I never use it.

Barry.

Re: Saving New 3D Object

Mik001 — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 05:30:08 GMT

Tell me if I have this right. After dropping in the georeferenced xref files so they stack correctly, I then move the entire project somewhere near the project origin. Then I activate the survey point, at which stage I need the Easting and Northing values (from the surveyor I'm guessing) to input into the coordinates box. When I save out or export the file, I use export with survey point and not with the project origin. Is that correct?

I'm just quite confused as to how the drawing remains correctly georeferenced after the project is moved closer to the project origin.

Please forgive these basic questions, I have not used the survey point for georeferenced files before.

Re: Saving New 3D Object

Lingwisyer — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 06:24:23 GMT

I have never used it in AC either, but yeah, export by survey point. I assume it remains correctly georeferenced as the coordinate you put into the survey point offsets the distance to project origin. That is what is suppose to do anyway.

https://help.graphisoft.com/AC/29/INT/_AC29_Help/020_Configuration/020_Configuration-37.htm#XREF_82264_Survey_Point

Ling.

Re: Saving New 3D Object

Mik001 — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 19:50:26 GMT

Here is what I have tried: I attached the relevant georeferenced xrefs so they all stack (align) with each other. At this point the drawings are thousands of kilometers away from the project origin. I activated the survey point which was dead on the project origin. I then moved the survey point to a known point on the project drawing (xref), turned on the survey point coordinates and noted down the new coordinates. I then moved the entire drawing and positioned it back beside the project origin. I moved the survey point back to the same known point on the drawing, then re-entered the same coordinates but this time as negative values. Now, in theory, the survey point is still at the same distance away from the drawing itself, only the drawing is now close to the origin so AC will play nicely.

Does that sound correct?