topic Re: How to match AutoCAD drawing coordinates in Archicad? in Modeling

How to match AutoCAD drawing coordinates in Archicad?

FlappyBird — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 09:04:58 GMT

Dear All,

I have a site plan drawing in AutoCAD with the point coordinates already defined. I have inserted this plan into a worksheet already. How can I align/match the coordinates of this plan correctly in Archicad?

Thank you.

Operating system used: Windows

Re: How to match AutoCAD drawing coordinates in Archicad?

Lingwisyer — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 03:31:56 GMT

Use the Survey Point? Align the DWG with your AC drawing, and place the Survey Point on one of your defined locations.

Re: How to match AutoCAD drawing coordinates in Archicad?

FlappyBird — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 08:03:50 GMT

Thank you,

I inserted the CAD file into the worksheet and then traced the reference into the plan. In the worksheet, the CAD file aligns correctly with the floor plan, and point M1 is set as the survey point. However, in the Plan, there seems to be a discrepancy between the (0,0) origin and the (0,0) point of the worksheet.

Also, what is the best way to model this conveniently? If the survey point is too far from the origin (0,0), the modeling process becomes difficult. Is there any way to handle this issue?

https://mega.nz/file/4goFDBqL#B2LpjMAAXCxAmPv7wkLnt2MSqiNgj_VDI0Ys89QQDIw

Thank you.

Re: How to match AutoCAD drawing coordinates in Archicad?

Lingwisyer — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 08:11:08 GMT

You have coordinated points, so ignore the DWG origin. Move the reference closer to your Project Origin and trim the frame of the reference. Modelling far from origin will cause all sorts of issues... The origin of your worksheet not aligning to that of "model space" is possibly one of those issues. If after you have trimmed the reference and shifted the DWG closer to the origin, it is still offset, try setting your trace location.

View => Trace Options => Reset to Default Location

Ling.

Re: How to match AutoCAD drawing coordinates in Archicad?

FlappyBird — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 12:53:15 GMT

Hello,

Thank you for your guidance. I have already used the Reset to Default Location method, but the model origin point (0,0) is still offset from the reference origin point (0,0) in the worksheet.

Could you please check the ArchiCAD file I sent via the link?

Thank you.

Re: How to match AutoCAD drawing coordinates in Archicad?

Claudiu Serban — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 20:28:21 GMT

What are you trying to achieve exactly? If you export stuff from archicad in the same coords as the drawing? Survey point is the way to go, but you need to use offsets to stay close to 0,0 (The easting and northing of location on map). Then export dwg using survey point, not model base.

Re: How to match AutoCAD drawing coordinates in Archicad?

FlappyBird — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 21:02:40 GMT

Hi,

I have a master plan with many construction items. I define point M1 as the project benchmark point used to coordinate the models with each other.

How can I align and connect the different items together if each item is created in a separate PLN file? And for each item model, should it be modeled at the origin point (0,0) to make modeling easier?

Thank you.

Re: How to match AutoCAD drawing coordinates in Archicad?

Claudiu Serban — Mon, 23 Mar 2026 21:08:49 GMT

Best way to deal with multi building projects is to have a file for each building and another master file, the site plan and positioning of each building on x, y, z.

Re: How to match AutoCAD drawing coordinates in Archicad?

FlappyBird — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 00:41:31 GMT

Hi,

As shown in the image, the master plan file already has the CAD file attached, and the Survey Point is set very far from the origin (0,0) of the master plan file.

Next, for example, I create a separate PLN file for Building A in the red-circled area, and the origin point (0,0) of Building A is set at the corner point marked in red.

How can I align and place Building A correctly into the master plan?

Re: How to match AutoCAD drawing coordinates in Archicad?

Claudiu Serban — Fri, 03 Apr 2026 13:42:16 GMT

Not really, but it's kinda easy. Let's take the hardest example: multiple buildings with different story heights, rotated, etc.

How i do it:

0. Prepare the site plan. This will have everything aside the actual buildings: terrain, roads, sidewalks, landscaping, etc. You will need to have a position for you imported models ready. I usually set a worksheet with a siteplan as trace reference, but other methods can work as well: 2d contour of buildings, hotspot the corners, etc.

(OPTIONAL) Link as discussed before, using survey point, if you wish to export an IFC of the whole project in absolute coords. Best way to work here is north facing up, as Archicad has a rotation you can add to the survey point, but in my experience it's always a fraction off. If you want TRVE perfection, go north facing up.

1. Prepare for building hotlinking. Create a layer for each Building, so you can easily turn them on and off, if necessary. This depends on your template, but i usually add extensions for this.

2. Import each building. The default options are quite fine. Make sure you select the proper layer for each of your buildings and for entire buildings always use Keep Elevation as in Story Structure of Hotlink Source. Use Master ID only if you have two or more similar buildings that use the same hotlink source file, otherwise leave it empty. This is required only if you want to schedule anything and you wish to know which is which. Let's say you wish to schedule zone areas by building. If all buildings are unique, you can do it by their file name (hotlink source). Otherwise, assign Master ID to each copy and schedule using that.

3. Keep suspend groups off and move/rotate each building to it's position, both in plan and in elevation.

4. Profit

Thats kinda it. Nothing fancy really. Just remember the more buildings you add, the slower its gonna move.

Pro tip: If you have structural/MEP/HVAC IFC you need to import, i would try to keep it in each file separately. Import them as a hotlink in the building's one file, position it as in step 3 above if required. Remember never to check Skip nested modules if you have hotlinks inside each building file, unless you really dont want to get those carried over as well. If you have ground level platforms for ATUs or Chillers, you can either model them in the file or use a placeholder for the consultant to position it, so all ducts and pipes are connected.

Pro tip 2: Hotlinks are not editable, BUT you can place openings in hotlinked elements and cut them using SEO.

Re: How to match AutoCAD drawing coordinates in Archicad?

FlappyBird — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 01:56:57 GMT

Hi,

I’m very grateful that you shared the detailed process. It would be even more wonderful if you could review the PLN file I sent and show me the specific steps for one item, Building A, which I’m currently trying out.

Thank you very much.

Re: How to match AutoCAD drawing coordinates in Archicad?

Claudiu Serban — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 03:19:30 GMT

https://streamable.com/gb47fa

- how to hotlink and position

https://streamable.com/wdqaak

- how updating works

Re: How to match AutoCAD drawing coordinates in Archicad?

FlappyBird — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 05:41:11 GMT

Hi,

Thank you very much for your video. Is there a way to set up coordinates for each building so that when linking with the Hotlink module, it automatically aligns with the master plan?

Thank you!

Re: How to match AutoCAD drawing coordinates in Archicad?

Claudiu Serban — Tue, 24 Mar 2026 18:16:32 GMT

You don't have to do this and it's not recommended anyway. You position it once and you just update when you modify it.

Re: How to match AutoCAD drawing coordinates in Archicad?

Lingwisyer — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 01:31:03 GMT

...So that if you later decide to move or rotate a building you just do it in the master model with all the context, rather than changing your entire building model.

It would be interesting though if you could place a Hotlink via survey point, though outside of the initial placement, it would be more troublesome.

Ling.

Re: How to match AutoCAD drawing coordinates in Archicad?

Claudiu Serban — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 11:28:06 GMT

I tried several approaches. Best way to model and document a building is with its external walls parallel to the X and Y coordinates. If the shape is non rectangular, i usually chose to align the longest wall to the X axis. And always place the long side on X axis (matching the screen and sheet formats).

Then if you want positioning, do it in another file, or if's a single building, using survey point rotation.

Re: How to match AutoCAD drawing coordinates in Archicad?

Patrick M — Wed, 25 Mar 2026 16:52:48 GMT

in my expereince, there are 4 options to align coordinates with external content (dwg or ifc):
open in a separate instance, and copy/paste the raw lines/fills into your file. The 0,0,0 relationship should match the original source origin/location.
place as an x-ref (this brings in a LOT of extra layers and stuff you may not want)
use the merge function... again, brings in a lot of extra stuff

...

if it is a 3d file, you can use a hotlink. You could also combine step 1 (open in a separate instance), save as a pln or module, and place as a hotlink. when placing the hotlink, you have options to place in original location

...

the only option that is difficult to match is drag/drop, since the drawing is self contained. unless the original drafter gives you a 0,0 relationship and rotation, you are kind of sunk.