Collaboration with other software
About model and data exchange with 3rd party solutions: Revit, Solibri, dRofus, Bluebeam, structural analysis solutions, and IFC, BCF and DXF/DWG-based exchange, etc.

Importing Autocad Solids into AC 8.0r3

tsturm
Newcomer
Dear Group

I am trying to import an AutoCAD 2000 DWG or DXF (I was made both) which contains objects which, according to the author, are made in AutoCAD using solids. I have tried numerous ways to import the information to get these objects. But nothing works. I get some of the information. Such as walls and lines as objects.

Can AC 8.003 import this type of information from AutoCAD?

What do I need to tell the author to do to his file for me to get the objects as library parts. Binary objects would be fine.
Terrence Sturm, Architect
_______________
MBP OSX 10.15.4 Quad Core Intel i7 2.2hz
AC 17 build 5019
AC 22 build 7000
AC 23 build
AC 24 build 5000
14 REPLIES 14
David Larrew
Booster
ArchiCAD, as well as many other 3D oriented applications, cannot read AutoCAD solids.

If you have access to Autodesk VIZ or MAX (3D Studio) you could try a double file translation, converting the solids into usable faces for import into AC. Or you will need to have the author break the solids down into faces and edges in order to import the 3D information.

No real easy/clean way of doing it. Sorry.
David Larrew, AIA, GDLA, GSRC

Architectural Technology Specialist

a r c h i S O L U T I O N S



WIN7-10/ OSX 10.15.7

AC 5.1-25 USA
Ben Odonnell
Contributor
ArchiCAD, as well as many other 3D oriented applications, cannot read AutoCAD solids...
You can do it in ArchiCAD 8.1. It allows you to convert solids into meshes..
Ben O'Donnell
Architect and CTO at BIMobject®
Get your BIM objects from bimobject.com
David Larrew
Booster
I must disagree. We are talking about AutoCAD "Solids" not ArchiCAD "Solid Element Operators". AFAIK - AutoCAD "Solids" are not transferable into ArchiCAD.

I quote from the ArchiCAD Help File:
"ACIS, REGION, 3D SOLID
The basic implementation of the DXF add-on does not support them."

I just double-checked by creating some basic Solids (Cube, Sphere, Cylinder) in AutoCAD and tried importing the DWG into ArchiCAD as an Object. "No 3D elements found."

If you have been able to import AutoCAD Solids into ArchiCAD please explain how.
David Larrew, AIA, GDLA, GSRC

Architectural Technology Specialist

a r c h i S O L U T I O N S



WIN7-10/ OSX 10.15.7

AC 5.1-25 USA
Thomas Holm
Booster
There's a workaround for importing solids described in the Archiguide:

http://www.graphisoft.com/support/archicad/archiguide/importsolids.html

THomas
AC4.1-AC26SWE; MacOS13.5.1; MP5,1+MBP16,1
David Larrew
Booster
That was what I was referring to in my earlier post...

Thanks for the link, Thomas.

And as I mentioned earlier, the work-around is not very easy for most AutoCAD drones, I mean users .
David Larrew, AIA, GDLA, GSRC

Architectural Technology Specialist

a r c h i S O L U T I O N S



WIN7-10/ OSX 10.15.7

AC 5.1-25 USA
tsturm
Newcomer
Thank you gentlemen.

As I thought, I would need AutoCAD to get the job done or have the jockey at the other end of the line make some changes.

The best I can see. I will have to scale the printed drawings and make my own version of the object.

Sure would like those AutoCAD people get something which does not mess the rest of us up.

Does modeling in solids in AutoCAD that much easier than in other ways?
Terrence Sturm, Architect
_______________
MBP OSX 10.15.4 Quad Core Intel i7 2.2hz
AC 17 build 5019
AC 22 build 7000
AC 23 build
AC 24 build 5000
David Larrew
Booster
If you've ever modelled in AutoCAD before the introduction of Solids you'd understand.

ArchiCAD STILL runs circles around the latest release of vanilla AutoCAD for architectural modelling.
David Larrew, AIA, GDLA, GSRC

Architectural Technology Specialist

a r c h i S O L U T I O N S



WIN7-10/ OSX 10.15.7

AC 5.1-25 USA
Ben Odonnell
Contributor
David wrote:
I must disagree. We are talking about AutoCAD "Solids" not ArchiCAD "Solid Element Operators". AFAIK - AutoCAD "Solids" are not transferable into ArchiCAD.

I quote from the ArchiCAD Help File:
"ACIS, REGION, 3D SOLID
The basic implementation of the DXF add-on does not support them."

I just double-checked by creating some basic Solids (Cube, Sphere, Cylinder) in AutoCAD and tried importing the DWG into ArchiCAD as an Object. "No 3D elements found."

If you have been able to import AutoCAD Solids into ArchiCAD please explain how.
You are right I had it confused with Polyface mesh. Please disregard what I wrote ealier as it does not work!!

The tutorial that Thomas posted is to date the only work around
Ben O'Donnell
Architect and CTO at BIMobject®
Get your BIM objects from bimobject.com
Djordje
Ace
Ben wrote:
The tutorial that Thomas posted is to date the only work around
Not a work around. That is a method.

If you missed the announcement in Tips&Tricks - the ArchiGuide is revamped as of today, take a look!

http://www.graphisoft.com/support/archicad/archiguide/
Djordje



ArchiCAD since 4.55 ... 1995
HP Omen