topic Re: Export Objects from Vectorworks to ArchiCAD in Collaboration with other software

Export Objects from Vectorworks to ArchiCAD

ethanbodnar — Wed, 12 Aug 2020 19:51:43 GMT

Curious if anyone has any experience with this and would you would suggest as the ideal export / import formats?

I'm working on building out a project that was created in Vectorworks, and would like to be able to import out some of the more complex objects from the Vectorworks and import them into ArchiCAD.

Been playing around with a couple methods so far:

3DS Format
https://app-help.vectorworks.net/2018/eng/VW2018_Guide/Export/Exporting_in_3ds_Format_3D_only.htm
https://helpcenter.graphisoft.com/knowledgebase/25539/

OBJ Format
https://app-help.vectorworks.net/2018/eng/VW2018_Guide/Export/Exporting_OBJ__3D_only.htm

Also, just got the trial of Modelport which seems to be maybe the best option for this and long term (file size, clean models, most settings) for importing future SketchUp objects, etc.
https://archvista.com/modelport/

Thank you!

Re: Export Objects from Vectorworks to ArchiCAD

Laszlo Nagy — Thu, 13 Aug 2020 03:27:29 GMT

The most obvious choice would be the IFC format. Both companies are committed to the Open BIM approach.
Have you tried saving an IFC from Vectorworks and opening that in Archicad?

Re: Export Objects from Vectorworks to ArchiCAD

ethanbodnar — Sun, 16 Aug 2020 21:17:01 GMT

Thanks Laszlo, let me play around with that, seems like the most solid path forward for getting the whole file over!

I guess just thinking I'd like to export a couple of the more complex objects (pergola for example) from VW into AC as their own individual objects, so could save them as objects in my AC library for future use with this project or other projects.

Re: Export Objects from Vectorworks to ArchiCAD

Laszlo Nagy — Mon, 17 Aug 2020 11:25:19 GMT

If you just want to export individual objects from Vectorworks and import them into Archicad, another possible route is to save them as a Revit Family (RFA) file. AFAIK, both software support it (for Archicad you may need to install the Add-On).

Re: Export Objects from Vectorworks to ArchiCAD

ethanbodnar — Fri, 28 Aug 2020 04:17:00 GMT

Oh good call, that seemed to work well, thanks so much for thinking through it!