Can I (easily) import a .vwx Vectorworks file?

[Anonymous]

We received a Vectorworks file from a previous Architect. Is there a way to open this without pestering them to change the format or to use IFC?

The typical "merge" command does not work.

Thanks,

[Karl Ottenstein]

If the 30 day free trial lets you save an IFC, then that might be the easiest way:

http://www.vectorworks.net/trial/form

[Anonymous]

Thanks Karl.

[Karl Ottenstein]

You're welcome. Please post back if it is successful... at least with saving the IFC. Their free trial might be like AC's demo mode which doesn't allow saving files... I've never tried VW...

[Anonymous]

Well... it was sort of successful. I downloaded the trial (seems like a full version, you can export to IFC) and exported the file. Then imported into AC, but the results were not as expected. Supposed to be floor plans.

I'll try as a dwg.

[Anonymous]

DWG export was successful. I think the original file was mostly 2D with 3D parts for plumbing fixtures, which were lost in translation and came through as those blocky blobs.

[Karl Ottenstein]

Thanks for sharing the info on the trial. Knowing that it seems to be a full version with save capabilities will help some of us in the future.

[Laszlo Nagy]

Yes, a Vectorworks Trial version is a 30-day fully functional version, just like in case of ArchiCAD Trial. You can do everything with it until the 30 day expires.

I was wondering that the way you save that IFC from Vectorworks might matter. I am not that familiar with it, this is just an idea: try to display the 3D model of the file in Vectorworks (not its Floor Plan View) and save as IFC then.

[schagemann]

Sorry for the late reply - we are in fact operating both Vectorworks and ArchiCAD in tandem with one of our clients.

Your best bet is using DWG's to export, then place a plan drawing to avoid polluting your ArchiCAD file with the VW attributes.

The obvious irony here is that Graphisoft is owned by Nementschek / Vectorworks...

[Laszlo Nagy]

schagemann wrote:
The obvious irony here is that Graphisoft is owned by Nementschek / Vectorworks...

It is a bit different: both Graphisoft and Vectorworks are owned by Nemetschek.
But I get what you are referring to.