topic Re: DWG import/export in Collaboration with other software

DWG import/export

ddl-studio — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 15:10:07 GMT

Hi,

I've got a project where I need to arrange a series of existing 2d autocad blocks (furniture items, with Autocad properties) from a client. They want a dwg drawing back which works and looks like their original so they can run their auditing scripts etc, but I have a couple of problems:

1. Importing - I have managed to successfully import half the blocks (from 1 Autocad file) into AC library as parts using 'import blocks from dxf/dwg' option. However the other half have not imported because I think they are 'dynamic blocks' (additional parameters in blocks setup in autocad). Can AC import these? I can import these using file open or merge commands but blocks do not contain original line type and pen colour info and AC changes or adds to block names.

2. Exporting - I cannot get the blocks back into autocad with the correct properties. And when I use the original autocad drawing containing the blocks as a template file in the dwg translator (to keep autocad layer info etc) i get duplicated blocks slightly misaligned (looks like ghosting). The aligning problem also suggests to me that AC hasn't correctly interpreted the original autocad block positions?

Basically I'm loosing the attributes from dwg blocks in transition - dwg>pln>dwg.

I'm using AC 26-29 version, same issues., macOS/windows
Any suggestions?

Thanks!

Re: DWG import/export

StefanV_BCP — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 13:51:16 GMT

Speaking from long experience, working fluidly with dwg is not something that is gonna happen anytime soon.

If you need to maintain dwg integrity you should think if Arhicad is a tool that you need for that workflow

Simply put,

Arhicad=BIM

Autocad=2D vector drawing

Cheers,

Stefan Veselinović

Re: DWG import/export

ddl-studio — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 17:40:28 GMT

Thanks for your reply,

I agree with you regarding the Archicad / AutoCAD workflow, but for the time being this is the requirement that must be solved on this project.
I also don't want to purchase an additional Autodesk license just for this case.

So I'm looking to save somehow the issue.

Re: DWG import/export

Patrick M — Tue, 13 Jan 2026 22:31:34 GMT

does it make a differnence if you save from a worksheet? also, in the dwg translator, there are options to store original blocks

Re: DWG import/export

Lingwisyer — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 05:58:22 GMT

If you are already familiar with ACAD, a monthy sub should easily be covered by the time saved not messing around with translation and conversion... By the sounds if it, you could even do what you are needing to do in LT which would be covered by the time you have already spent asking around how to manage your workflow...

Ling.

Re: DWG import/export

Stefan L_ — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 08:35:47 GMT

@StefanV_BCP schrieb:

If you need to maintain dwg integrity you should think if Arhicad is a tool that you need for that workflow

Yes. 😊

IMHO @ddl-studio's task can't be done in Archicad.

@StefanV_BCP schrieb:

Arhicad=BIM

Hmmm... 😉

@StefanV_BCP schrieb:

Autocad=2D vector drawing

No! 😾

Autocad is much more than that, with a 3D core I'd trade in one of my kindneys for (well, in a figurative sense).

But it's not "Architecture".

As with any import/export thingy from/to any software, Archicad makes it hard to investigate the contents of DWG files.

Re: DWG import/export

Lingwisyer — Wed, 14 Jan 2026 09:28:06 GMT

Maybe they are refering to LT.

Re: DWG import/export

Laszlo Nagy — Thu, 15 Jan 2026 13:57:23 GMT

This is the checkbox in the DWG Translation setup Dialog that Patrick is referring to:

You can try checking it and see if that makes any difference.

Re: DWG import/export

ddl-studio — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 18:18:51 GMT

Thank you Laszlo for your answer. It’s a solution, but not solving the issue 100%, but is a start. 🙂
Maybe we’ll have chance to meet somehow this year in Cluj and have a chat.

Re: DWG import/export

Rolando — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 10:16:50 GMT

I need to export from archicad to autocad. Can somebody share the screeenshot of the configurations in the translator. I tried to do it but the dwg exported had many layers and when export the walls from archicad in autocad appear many divided lines instead of an only united line, and I have to join manually each line.

Re: DWG import/export

Stefan L_ — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 11:42:22 GMT

Could you share a screenshot showing what you mean?

Re: DWG import/export

Rolando — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 18:53:30 GMT

The principal problem is how I convert the walls in archicad to lines in autocad. I tried to do it but the lines in autocad are divided in many sections so I have to join manually I want that the walls that came from archicad, will convert in an unique line or at least that will be well coneccted. Maybe you can give me a translator configuration that you know that work very good. Thanks.

Betreff: DWG import/export

Stefan L_ — Wed, 15 Apr 2026 15:25:01 GMT

That won't work.

Concerning walls in plan view the DWG export does not much more than 'exploding' AC elements one by one and writing their lines and hatches into a file in a different 'language'.