No FBX in Archicad 26

[Rex Maximilian]

Having downloaded Archicad 26 today, my first order of business was to see if they’ve included FBX export from the 3D window.

Nope.

Everyone, I’m at a loss for words. Imagine a word processing app not being able to save PDF, or an image editing program not being able to save JPG!

FBX is the industry standard for 3D model exchange and asset creation, and our $5K software with a $900 yearly price tag to remain current can’t save an industry standard format… SketchUp can… Revit can… Archicad falls short!

What are our options? A petition? An en masse open letter to major software publications highlighting this glaring omission?

Graphisoft has stopped responding to any forum post regarding FBX, and obviously from its lack of FBX exportability in Archicad 26, Graphisoft has ignored our repeated requests!

But guess what Archicad can export?

1. Electric Image (last release in 2013)
2. Piranesi (last release in 2007)
3. Wavefront (acquired by Autodesk in 2008)
4. Collada (last release in 2008)
5. VRML (last code update in 1997)

They offer us these antiquated and outdated formats, yet no FBX! What do we do next?

Graphisoft, you’re on the clock here. We need a response and we need it now.

[Djordje]

... you forgot Lightscape 😉

BTW, Datasmith...

... speaking of, any news from Unreal when the export plugin will be available? Their web still says 23-25... https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/datasmith/plugins

[Rex Maximilian]

Haha! I didn't see Lightscape in the export list.

[Rex Maximilian]

Ah yes, always frustrating to know I can't save to Twinmotion until... whenever that may be. I have a new project to start for a housing subdivision unit types with color scheme options. I'll have to stick with 25. I've been flirting with saving out to SKP from Archicad as my new method of export/import, but who knows what wrinkles that may entail down the line.

[Emre Senoglu]

I've asked the question to TM team - someone will probably reply soon:

https://twinmotionhelp.epicgames.com/s/question/0D54z00007p3STbCAM/ac26-plugin?language=en_US

[Francois_MCD]

@Rex Maximilian & @Emre Senoglu I'm not sure but this could be a issue of "licensing". FBX is a proprietary format licensed by Autodesk and that's probably a factor in it's availability in Archicad. 

[Rex Maximilian]

That is an interesting bit of info; but DWG is also, which has been available extensively on Archicad since the 90s. Hmmm... but, we don't know as GS has offered no explanations since it first became unavailable (albeit from Epic) in 25. I'd love to know why.

[Djordje]

It is always safer to save to 25 and then export to TM, than to go to SKP, adding a layer of troubles...

... guessing from experience with the previous versions, the exporter will show up quickly.

[Rex Maximilian]

Yup, workarounds and hoops to jump through. If only there were an FBX format to save to... I haven't found any advantages to using Datasmith in 25 over FBX in previous versions. I also don't use the Direct Link as it locks you in even more to a closed environment for future edits and refreshed imports.

I also use AR apps and have to save down to 24 to export FBX with Epic's TM add-on.

[Martin Jules]

Planning to leave Archicad. would be the best solution.