Exporting a 3D model from ArchiCAD in .dxf format

[Anonymous]

I need to export a 3D model from ArchiCAD in .dxf format and/or .dwg format. How is this done?
Thank you,
John

[Anonymous]

"Save As..." from the 3D window.

[Anonymous]

Matthew Lohden,
Thank you for the quick answer. When I "Save As" .dxf my ArchiCAD project and then open the resulting .dxf file with ArchiCAD all of the polygons seem to be transformed to lines. Is this correct? Should I be able to open the resulting file with ArchiCAD and see a 3D model?
Thank you,
JOhn

[Anonymous]

You have to open it as a library part to get the 3D in ArchiCAD.

BTW why are you using DXF? DWG is generally much better.

[Anonymous]

Matthew Lohden,
Would you tell me how to open the .dxf or a .dwg as a library part or point me to instructions on how to open a .dxf or a .dwg as a library part?

This would help me out in an entirely different problem. I have a library of 3D models (People for People) in .dwg format that I would like to use in ArchiCAD.

Can you tell why .dwg is better than .dxf?
In this case I am trying to save out to .dxf because we have a client that is using a program that can import .dxf files.

In another case I was sending .dwg 2D files from plotmaker to one of our consultants. When the consultant had a problem with one of the Plotmaker to .dwg files she asked that we resend them as .dxf files. She is using AutoCAD. I didn't know what the problem was so I tried opening the .dwg file that I had created in ArchiCAD with AutoCAD. I couldn't get AutoCAD to show both the plotmaker border and the placed drawings to show up in paper space so I tried opening the drawing in ArchiCAD to see what was up. Only some of the placed views were visible when viewed with ArchiCAD. The GraphiSOFT tech support person informed me that there is a limit on number of placed views when exporting to a AutoCAD compatable format. I'm not sure if this issue was causing the problem for our consultant but I thought that I'd mention it while we were discussing .dxf and .dwg formats.

Thank you,
John

[Anonymous]

File > GDL Objects > Open Object...

Specify "All Files", DWG or DXF in the pop-up.

You must also pick the appropriate translator. In your case this is simply the same one you used to save the part in the first place.

To open DWG from US sources it is usually safe to use a 1" drawing unit. If it ends up 12 times smaller than it should be then the unit should be 1'-0", 25.4x too big and it's 1mm, about 33x too small and it's a meter.

RE: DWG vs DXF. I don't know the details but DWG is the AutoCAD native format. DXF is a dumbed down version Autodesk made for others to use. The only time I use DXF anymore is to send files to Vectorworks users.

[Anonymous]

Matthew Lohden,
Thank you again for all of the information. You've clarified the dwg vs. dxf issue and helped me to open one of the 3D models of people from the "People to People" library (.dwg).

So far I've only been sucessful in opening the models of people with one solid color. Next thing that I need to do is figure out how to import the 3D model with the colors for it's clothes, skin and hair showing in ArchiCAD. I've attached the model in .dwg format. Would you be able to tell me how or if this is possible?

Thank you,
John

[Djordje]

johncassel wrote:
So far I've only been sucessful in opening the models of people with one solid color. Next thing that I need to do is figure out how to import the 3D model with the colors for it's clothes, skin and hair showing in ArchiCAD. I've attached the model in .dwg format. Would you be able to tell me how or if this is possible?

John,

Is Rex Maximilian still alive and well somewhere in Hawaii? As far as I remember, he was a pretty good local representative, with extensive support. As a new user, you probably could use some.

As for the people - there is an old, but perfectly usable ArchiCAD library of people, by David Maudlin (see http://www.davidmaudlin.com/ArchiCAD/DigitalArchitecture/PeoLib/PeoLib.html) - MUCH better than the wiry DWG you sent, posable, full of parameters (limb bending, sitting/walking, etc).

For your DWG in query - there is a small tutorial on ArchiGuide on DXF and DWG import that needs updating to 8.x. What you can do is change the colors of the layers in your DWG and then use them in ArchiCAD. However, the models will be heavy, unusable in hidden line views, and it is sincerely recommended that you:

- check Alfaville people libraries at Objects Online (demo downloads are available AFAIR)
- check David's people library
- check out the people included in the standard ArchiCAD library

Unless there is a specific reason why you want to use exactly these DWG files, I would advise against it.

HTH,

[Anonymous]

Djordje,
Thank you for the thorough answers to my questions. I'll look into the resources that you listed. You didn't mention Maccaddy's "People and More". Can you give me any input on that library?
Thank you,
John

[Djordje]

johncassel wrote:
You didn't mention Maccaddy's "People and More". Can you give me any input on that library?

Old, and needs reworking the height (zzyzx) parameter. There is a text on how to on ArchiGuide. However, still useful. Part of it is included with ArchiCAD installation(s).