Archicad object to Vectorworks

[ROBERT ACTON]

How does a user of Vectorworks use AC gsm file? I have created an AC object and want to make it available to as many CAD programs as possible.
Bob Acton

[Erika Epstein]

IFC

[ROBERT ACTON]

Hi Erika, can you be more specific?

[Erika Epstein]

saving out to IFC format will make the library part available with all the embedded data to any other program that can import IFC files. It is an open standard and negates having to create individual files or translators for each set of programs.

That said, the success of importing and exporting IFC files varies per program. Graphisoft has some of the best translators. When developing the library part, see if you can find users of other applications like archicad to test the IFC, or other format(s) that you are considering.
HTH

[Anonymous]

If your intention is to make fully functional (ie parametric or whatever) parts for each program they will have to be created natively in each. Translation methods (IFC, DWG, 3DS et.) will convey the geometry and (to varying degrees) the materials and textures but they will become "dumb" uneditable one offs in the receiving program.

Of course one advantage to ArchiCAD's parametrics is that you could use a single ArchiCAD part to export an entire library of specific instances.

[ROBERT ACTON]

So.....Do I save the pln it was modelled in to IFC, or save the gsm/gdl script to IFC. Whenever I try this, it freezes-result-switch it off at the wall! Is there a simple answer?
GDL object attached.