Import architectural models or 2D drawings into Graphisoft's MEP Designer

[Andrea Polgar]

Efficient collaboration between architectural and MEP disciplines is critical to successful building projects.

Graphisoft's MEP Designer offers multiple methods for importing architectural models and 2D drawings to facilitate seamless coordination and integration. This knowledgebase article provides detailed guidance on five key import methods: Hotlink, Xref, Place an External Drawing, and Merge.

MEP Designer supports native integration with Archicad, allowing MEP professionals to work either within Archicad using the MEP Design work environment profile or as a standalone application.

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Method 1: Hotlink - BIM models

Hotlinking allows you to connect an external architectural model or IFC file to your project. The key advantage of Hotlinks is that they maintain a live connection to the source file. Even if the source file is temporarily unavailable, the hotlinked content remains visible in the host project. The placed Hotlink can only be edited as one entity. Its elements cannot be edited as long as they remain part of a Hotlink. Use the Break Hotlink command to embed the elements into the host project and make them editable.

This method is ideal when you want the external file to remain linked so any changes made to the source reflect automatically in your host project.

You can add a Hotlink by going to File > External Content > Place Hotlink and selecting your source file, such as an IFC or PLN file. IFC files can be hotlinked the same was PLN files, but the Hotlink elements are imported based on the selected Translator. Modules can be managed and updated easily, supporting iterative design and coordination.

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Supported file types

• Solo Projects (.pln files)

• Module-type file (.mod files)

• Teamwork Projects from BIMcloud (must be the same version as the host project)

• IFC files (covered separately in Method 2)

• Revit files (.rvt)

• Rhino files (.3dm)

• 2D Lines (.2dl)

One significant advantage of Hotlink is the ability to update when the architectural model changes. When updating a Hotlink, MEP Designer offers the option to launch the Model Compare window, which visualizes exactly what has changed as a result of the update. This feature is invaluable for tracking architectural modifications that might affect MEP systems.

How to place a Hotlink module?

• Choose File > External Content > Place Hotlink.
• Click Select Module in the dialog.
• Click New Module to add a new Hotlink Module to the current project.
• Choose the source of the new Hotlink: either From File, or From BIMcloud.
• If you want to hotlink an IFC file, choose a Translator for import from the New Hotlink Module dialog.
• Click Select.
• If the selected PLN or .mod file has multiple stories, the Select Story dialog box appears.
• Click OK.
• Click Select to return to the Place Hotlink dialog box.
• Modify settings according to your needs, eg. assign an optional Master ID.
• Click Place Hotlink.
• In the Match Stories dialog box in case of multiple stories, select which story of the module to place onto the current story in the host project.
• Click OK to place the Hotlink.

How to update a Hotlink module?

• Get the newest version of the hotlinked file and replace it in your file dialog.
• Open the Hotlink Module Manager, File > External Content > Hotlink Module Manager
• Check Status: The Hotlink Sources list shows the status of each module, such as “Up-to-date,” “Missing,” or “Modified.” If the source file has been changed, its status will show as “Modified”.
• Select the hotlink module or its source file from the list, then click the Update button.

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Method 2: Xref (External Reference) - DWG/DXF

External reference files ,Xrefs (File > External Content > Attach Xref) are similar to Hotlinked Modules, except that they are DXF or DWG files and not IFC or other BIM model files.

Using Xrefs is effective when regular updates from DWG or DXF files are needed. The Xref function keeps the external file connected, allowing you to reload it if the original source changes. Xref layers and settings can be managed within the Layer Settings dialog, ensuring visibility control and mapping preferences. This method also supports layer listing and attribute configuration via dedicated translators for DWG or DXF files.

With this method, the engineer must model the architectural design in order to work within a BIM environment.

How to place an Xref?

• From the Floor Plan, Detail or Worksheet window, use File > External Content > Attach XREF.
• The Attach XREF dialog box appears.
• Browse for a DWG or DXF file in a local file system or from BIMcloud.
• Set insertion and rotation options as needed.
• Choose a DWG/DXF Translator.
• Click Attach.
• To manage XREFs attached to the project, use File > External Content > XREF Manager.

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Method 3: Place an External Drawing - DWG/DXF, PDF (etc.)

Placing an external drawing as a Reference Drawing in a Worksheet provides a safe way to display extra information without risking accidental edits.

Activate the Drawing tool and click in the model window where you want to place the drawing. Alternatively, use File > External Content > Place External Drawing (or Place External Drawing from BIMcloud). Use Trace and Reference to display the reference drawing.

With this method, the engineer must model the architectural design in order to work within a BIM environment.

DWG

Use the Drawing tool in a Worksheet, select "Link to..." and choose your DWG file.

The entire plan is placed on one layer, embedded DWG layers can be toggled, and pen set assignments are available. The drawing itself is locked, but can be exploded to editable elements if necessary. This approach is best for visual referencing rather than direct data manipulation.

PDF

If the imported drawing is a multi-page PDF, A chooser dialog appears. Select one or more or all pages. After placing a PDF, use the Replace page context menu command (from selected Drawings or Drawing Manager) to relink to another page within the same PDF document.

If it is needed PDF files can be turned into 2D drawing primitives with Edit > Reshape > Explode into Current View command.

 

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Method 4: Merge - BIM models

The Merge option is suitable when you need editable native elements in your project following import.

Use Merge when:

• You need to directly edit imported architectural or structural elements.
• The imported content will not require updates from the source.

• You want to create a self-contained project file without external dependencies.

• Round-trip workflows (Smart Merge) are planned with AutoCAD users.

• You're importing IFC content that should be treated as native elements rather than reference geometry.

 Merge is accessed from File > Interoperability > Merge, and supports layer selection and custom DXF/DWG and IFC Translators, streamlining collaboration with consultants using different file standards.

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Summary 

Method	Updates Source Automatically	Editable After Import	Best For
Hotlink	Yes	No	Continuous sync with external PLN/IFC
Xref	Yes	No	DWG/DXF overlays that can be update frequently,  Needing to maintain layer structure
Place External Drawing	No	No (unless exploded)	Locked 2D reference, single layer placement, no attribute import
Merge	No	Yes	Directly edit imported architectural