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Export Objects from Vectorworks to ArchiCAD

ethanbodnar
Enthusiast
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!
4 REPLIES 4
Laszlo Nagy
Community Admin
Community Admin
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?
Loving Archicad since 1995 - Find Archicad Tips at x.com/laszlonagy
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ethanbodnar
Enthusiast
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.
Laszlo Nagy
Community Admin
Community Admin
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).
Loving Archicad since 1995 - Find Archicad Tips at x.com/laszlonagy
AMD Ryzen9 5900X CPU, 64 GB RAM 3600 MHz, Nvidia GTX 1060 6GB, 500 GB NVMe SSD
2x28" (2560x1440), Windows 10 PRO ENG, Ac20-Ac27
ethanbodnar
Enthusiast
Oh good call, that seemed to work well, thanks so much for thinking through it!