topic Re: ETABS and ArchiCAD, SAF and ifc files in Collaboration with other software

ETABS and ArchiCAD, SAF and ifc files

Afeefa Adeeba Rahman — Mon, 06 Mar 2023 11:35:55 GMT

Hi, I was trying to explore collaboration with ETABS but am facing a problem importing the SAF file where there is no option to import SAF in my ETABS 2020 and the XML import also shows errors related to single and multiple XML files.

Assigning loads in ArchiCAD also have some issue and the IFC import gives warnings, with some of the boxes unchecked.

Re: ETABS and ArchiCAD, SAF and ifc files

Laszlo Nagy — Sun, 12 Mar 2023 12:12:06 GMT

According to this document, ETABS does not currently support SAF (Structural Analytical Format):

https://www.saf.guide/en/stable/getting-started/who-supports-saf.html

Re: ETABS and ArchiCAD, SAF and ifc files

Afeefa Adeeba Rahman — Thu, 16 Mar 2023 10:37:03 GMT

Thank you so much for your reply! But how can I import the live load in ETABS? Is there any detailed workflow tutorial?

Re: ETABS and ArchiCAD, SAF and ifc files

Laszlo Nagy — Thu, 16 Mar 2023 12:48:43 GMT

I do not know of any such document. As far as I know, the SAF file format is the only way currently using which Archicad can exchange such data with Structural Analytical software like ETABS, but only if the other software also supports SAF file import/export.

Someone else may chime in here if they have a solution, but I cannot be more help in this topic.

Re: ETABS and ArchiCAD, SAF and ifc files

Afeefa Adeeba Rahman — Thu, 16 Mar 2023 12:58:23 GMT

Thank you again for your reply!

Re: ETABS and ArchiCAD, SAF and ifc files

udhayprakash111 — Wed, 12 Nov 2025 11:54:09 GMT

Your best bet will be using Saf file format.

using Xlsx you can derive the analytical members involved in analysis.

Grasshopper with bhom used to send model directly to Etabs. it is in beta.

Also xlsx file can be used in staad pro to required member data editor.