topic Re: FBX or Twinmotion for ArchiCAD 25 in Collaboration with other software

FBX or Twinmotion for ArchiCAD 25

Rex Maximilian — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 20:49:24 GMT

When will we see an export option to FBX or Twinmotion for ArchiCAD 25? At the very least, FBX (generic) should be included on the day a new version ships as it has become an industry standard for 3D import into rendering packages.

Re: FBX or Twinmotion for ArchiCAD 25

Aaron Bourgoin — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 21:06:27 GMT

Epic have just provided the final versions of the twinmotion/datasmith connections.

https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/datasmith/plugins

versions for 23, 24 and 25

Re: FBX or Twinmotion for ArchiCAD 25

Rex Maximilian — Fri, 20 Aug 2021 09:59:10 GMT

Aaron wrote:
Epic have just provided the final versions of the twinmotion/datasmith connections.

https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/datasmith/plugins

versions for 23, 24 and 25

I saw that. Will try it out. However, nothing beats saving out to FBX as we could do in earlier ArchiCAD versions. I hope the datasmith plugin still allows it. Thx!

Re: FBX or Twinmotion for ArchiCAD 25

Rex Maximilian — Fri, 20 Aug 2021 10:11:38 GMT

It appears saving as FBX is out, which is a bummer because it is a universal format for 3D model interchange. But, you can save as a .udatasmith solo file and import into Twinmotion using conventional importation methods.

There's been previous discussions on the TM FB forum as to why FBX (or traditional export/import) is advantageous over direct link methods.

Re: FBX or Twinmotion for ArchiCAD 25

rjwilden — Fri, 20 Aug 2021 18:55:24 GMT

I found the direct link very unreliable, multiple crashes. FBX export very much better. Has the direct link in 25 become more stable. Will not upgrade to 25 until there is certainty with this, as TM cloud is my preferred method of presentation.

Re: FBX or Twinmotion for ArchiCAD 25

Martin Jules — Sun, 22 Aug 2021 11:50:51 GMT

We also need the latest update displayed on the following web page: https://graphisoft.com/downloads/addons/datasmith-exporter

Re: FBX or Twinmotion for ArchiCAD 25

Barry Kelly — Mon, 23 Aug 2021 00:50:14 GMT

rjwilden wrote:
Has the direct link in 25 become more stable.

Apparently there is no 'Direct Link' with 25.
You have to use the Datasmith add-on.
The one for 25 was in preview until just a few days ago.
The release version can be found here as Aaron posted earlier.

https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/datasmith/plugins

Barry.

Re: FBX or Twinmotion for ArchiCAD 25

Laszlo Nagy — Mon, 23 Aug 2021 17:16:38 GMT

The Release Notes page states that the Datasmith Exporter does provide a direct link to both the Unreal Engine and Twinmotion. Or do I misunderstand something?:

Unreal Engine 4.27 brings with it a new Datasmith Exporter for Archicad, the popular architectural CAD software by Graphisoft. The plugin provides support for the Datasmith Direct Link workflow, allowing Archicad users to synchronize their application with Unreal Engine and Twinmotion; as well as the ability to export data in the .udatasmith file format.

https://docs.unrealengine.com/4.27/en-US/WhatsNew/Builds/ReleaseNotes/4_27/#datasmithexporterpluginforarchicad

Re: FBX or Twinmotion for ArchiCAD 25

Barry Kelly — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 01:19:32 GMT

When I say 'Direct Link', I mean the 'Direct Link' add-on.
That is not available for 25 as far as I know.

The Datasmith workflow is a little different I think - although I have not tried it yet.
The old 'Direct Link' would actually start Twinmotion and load the Archicad model.
And the Twinmotion Model could be syncronised directly from Archicad.

I don't think the Datasmith add-on works quite the same.

Barry.

Re: FBX or Twinmotion for ArchiCAD 25

Laszlo Nagy — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 09:27:20 GMT

Then maybe it is this one:

https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/twinmotion/plugins?lang=en

There is also a video about how to use the Direct Link. The video shows Revit, but it is probably the same workflow with Archicad:

Twinmotion DirectLink CRASHES AC25

scom570 — Fri, 27 Aug 2021 14:20:36 GMT

Just updated my model to AC25 but the linking crashes ArchiCAD everytime.
Did uninstall and reinstall of the Datasmith to no avail.

BTW to get the link to work:

Open TM to IMPORT

Open AC model to 3D window. (If you don't see the Datasmith plugin you can activate it from
WINDOW, PALETTES, DATASMITH.)
The refresh icon only activates when in 3D Window.

On TM click IMPORT and Select IMPORT DIRECT LINK

A window pops up that shows the available filename of the AC drawing you have open. Click OK.

Voila, you are connected.

When you want to update the TM, select refresh on DATASMITH toolbar in AC.

Works for me in AC24 but not AC25 which crashes everytime.

Not sure if Datasmith link or direct link is better just yet but I do see how it might be more flexible for UE.

Re: FBX or Twinmotion for ArchiCAD 25

Tim Ball — Sat, 28 Aug 2021 12:43:17 GMT

I can find the Datasmith add on but when I try to add to the menu bar nothing happens.
Has anyone got a step by step install worked out yet?

Re: Twinmotion DirectLink CRASHES AC25

Minh Nguyen — Mon, 30 Aug 2021 14:37:06 GMT

scom570 wrote:
Just updated my model to AC25 but the linking crashes ArchiCAD everytime.
Did uninstall and reinstall of the Datasmith to no avail.

BTW to get the link to work:

Open TM to IMPORT

Open AC model to 3D window. (If you don't see the Datasmith plugin you can activate it from
WINDOW, PALETTES, DATASMITH.)
The refresh icon only activates when in 3D Window.

On TM click IMPORT and Select IMPORT DIRECT LINK

A window pops up that shows the available filename of the AC drawing you have open. Click OK.

Voila, you are connected.

When you want to update the TM, select refresh on DATASMITH toolbar in AC.

Works for me in AC24 but not AC25 which crashes everytime.

Not sure if Datasmith link or direct link is better just yet but I do see how it might be more flexible for UE.

Hello,

Thank you for the report and I am very sorry to hear about it!

If I understand correctly, the same model doesn't crash when linking AC24 and Twinmotion, but with AC25 it crashes every time? Did you keep the bug ID from one of the crash? I would like to know whether the issue comes from the addon or from Archicad.

Looking forward to hearing from you!
Best regards,
Minh

Re: FBX or Twinmotion for Archicad 25

scom570 — Wed, 29 Sep 2021 13:23:20 GMT

I can try to regenerate the bug ID later today. WRT Tim Ball's question. Go to: WINDOWS from pulldown menu, then PALETTES and you will find it at the bottom of the list (at least that is where mine is).

Re: FBX or Twinmotion for Archicad 25

2raarchitecture — Wed, 29 Sep 2021 18:42:53 GMT

Thank you!

Re: FBX or Twinmotion for Archicad 25

Rafal SLEK — Sun, 07 Nov 2021 20:04:23 GMT

The lack of FBX format is unfortunately a big step backwards for Archicad users, it's a pity that Epic Games abandoned this format. For example, by linking an FBX file, you can automatically update and sync a model between Achicad and 3DSmax with Corona Render. Maybe Graphisoft would prepare a quick update though?