topic Re: Help with Exporting to Vectorworks in Collaboration with other software

Help with Exporting to Vectorworks

Anonymous — Tue, 21 Jul 2020 07:15:02 GMT

Hi

Twice in the the last week if been asked to export to Vectorworks 2020.

2D
The file needs to be editable at the other end. I tried the "editable export" from AC 22 without changing any settings. Apparently the file is a mess and is not editable in Vectorworks. I have asked support for their advise but thought I would throw a line out here to see if anyone has any experience with this.

3D
I tried an IFC from AC 22. I don't think there was much joy with that either.

Its hard to understand whats happening on the other side, as I don't use Vectorworks.. and I can't really pop round to their office given social distancing.

Thanks in advance.

Re: Help with Exporting to Vectorworks

Laszlo Nagy — Wed, 22 Jul 2020 13:37:04 GMT

I think the request itself for the file to be editable in Vectorworks is the problem here. Anyone familiar with data exchange between BIM applications knows that this is not something that can be expected. Applications and their data structures are just so different. Some elements and geometries may go through properly, but it cannot be reasonably expected that all will.
You should just create the IFC model and they should use it as a reference model.

Re: Help with Exporting to Vectorworks

Brett Brown — Wed, 22 Jul 2020 20:27:25 GMT

Central Innovation has just done a series of 9 IFC collaboration videos on Youtube. Should answer your questions.

Re: Help with Exporting to Vectorworks

Anonymous — Wed, 29 Jul 2020 04:30:38 GMT

Hi Laszio. Yes that is the feedback I have just received, everything is exploded and not easily edited.
Brett. Thanks for the tip. I didn't think that Vectorworks worked with ifc. Support said that its possible to export an entire project both 2d & 3d with one ifc file... which would be great.

Will post back if I get anywhere.

Re: Help with Exporting to Vectorworks

Laszlo Nagy — Wed, 29 Jul 2020 18:37:32 GMT

Yes, Vectorworks does support IFC, both their IFC 2x3 Export and Import are certified by buildingSMART, and just as other companies of the Nemetschek Group, they are also proponents of OPEN BIM:

https://technical.buildingsmart.org/services/certification/ifc-certification-participants/

IFC is your best bet for file exchange between the two applications.