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Importing DXF/DWG files into ArchiCADby GRAPHISOFT and Katalin Gtz updated: 12.28.2012

The DXF/DWG Add-On is installed together with the ArchiCAD package and is smoothly integrated in theArchiCAD user interface. It allows you to:

Open AutoCAD drawings as ArchiCAD Project or ArchiCAD Library PartsFile OpenIt is worth to use it if you would like to work on a DWG file as a new project in ArchiCAD.

Merge AutoCAD drawings with your ArchiCAD Project file File > File Special > MergeYou can merge DWG files into the currently open ArchiCAD Project with all the existing DWG Layers. Youcan decide which content (Model Space or Paper Space) of the DWG file should be merged.See also: Merge DXF-DWG(http://www.graphisoft.com/ftp/publishing/ac15_help_INT/Files/wwhelp/wwhimpl/js/html/wwhelp.htm#href=07_Interoperability.10.62.html)in ArchiCAD Help

TIP: Use Smart Merge (round-trip conversion) if you are merging the DXF or DWG file back into the sameArchiCAD file from which you saved it, because it can be exchanged the additional information withminimal loss and interference.See also: Smart Merge(http://www.graphisoft.com/ftp/publishing/ac15_help_INT/Files/wwhelp/wwhimpl/js/html/wwhelp.htm#href=07_Interoperability.10.62.html#1007892)in ArchiCAD Help

Add AutoCAD drawings as external references (XREFs) From the Floor Plan, Detail or Worksheet window, use File > External Content > Attach XREF.XREFs are similar to Hotlinked Modules, except that they are DXF or DWG files and not ArchiCAD files.It is worth to use it if you would like to import the DWG as one, non editable block into your ArchiCADproject that can be reloaded when the DWG file has been modified. You can detach it after import and todelete all Attributes of the DWG in one step.See also: XREFs (http://helpcenter.graphisoft.com/?p=25753)and About XREFs(http://www.graphisoft.com/ftp/publishing/ac15_help_INT/Files/wwhelp/wwhimpl/js/html/wwhelp.htm#href=07_Interoperability.10.63.html)in ArchiCAD Help

Place as Drawing to Layouts or Model Views File > External Content > Place External DrawingIt is worth to use this method if you would like to use the DWG as a reference file (like Trace), do not wantto modify its content in ArchiCAD and would like to avoid to import unused Attributes. The Snap points ofthe DWG can be detected and the parameters can be picked up in the Drawing. You can customize andresize the placed DWG as a general Drawing. (http://www.archicadwiki.com/DrawingScale)

TIP: If you want to edit the DWG as Drawing element, choose Edit > Reshape > Explode into Current View and thenrework the linework and text as desired. This approach has the side benefit that all the components end up on thesame layer as the Drawing element, rather than adding multiple layers to your project layer list.

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Help Center (http://helpcenter.graphisoft.com) > Tips and Tricks (http://helpcenter.graphisoft.com/tips/) > Importing DXF/DWG files into ArchiCAD

Opening a DWG file as Library Part File > Libraries and Objects > Open ObjectThis command will open the GDL Object Editor Window(http://www.graphisoft.com/ftp/publishing/ac16_help_INT/Files/wwhelp/wwhimpl/js/html/wwhelp.htm#href=Appendix_Settings.12.075.html).Here you can browse for any DWG files, then save it as a new object by clicking on File Save ascommand. With this method you can open 3D DWG files.Read more: How to import 3D DWG files (http://helpcenter.graphisoft.com/?p=25573)

Import Blocks from DXF/DWGFile > Libraries and Objects > Import Blocks from DXF/DWGThe Import Blocks feature converts ArchiCAD Library Parts from AutoCAD blocks. The newly created LibraryParts are stored in the Embedded Library of the project and can be placed as any other Object.

See also: Opening DWG/DXF Files(http://www.graphisoft.com/ftp/publishing/ac15_help_INT/Files/wwhelp/wwhimpl/js/html/wwhelp.htm#href=07_Interoperability.10.60.html)in ArchiCAD Help

Note: Sometimes the location of imported DWG may differ from its original AutoCAD position, if the DWG (http://www.archicadwiki.com/DWG) file was saved with

UCS (User Coordinate System) actived.

In AutoCAD UCS (User Cordinate System) or WCS (World Cordinate System) can be set as origin. ArchiCAD always uses the imported DWGs original WCS and places

your project in the calculated distance from ArchiCADs project origin.

If you have set UCS in AutoCAD, changing the DWG (http://www.archicadwiki.com/DWG) file origin back to world coords (WCS) solves the problem.

As an other solution the ArchiCAD model can be moved to Project Origin with the following way: Relocate Projects Placed Far From Origin

(http://helpcenter.graphisoft.com/?p=25472)

Which one is the best choice to import my DWG file?

Open Merge XREF Drawing Object

Can Attributes(Lines, Fills) beimported?

Yes Yes Yes No No

Can the importedAttributes beedited?

Yes, all can be editedseparately

Yes, all can be editedseparately

Yes, afterDetach

- -

Can the importedAttributes beincorporated?

Yes, while Open theybecome the part of theproject

Yes, while Merge theybecome the part of theproject

Yes, afterBind

Yes, useExplodecommand

No

Can Layers beimported?

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Can the importedLayers be turnedOn/Off?

Yes No Yes,withoutdetaching

Yes No

Can the DWG beplaced into ModelView?

Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Can the DWG beplaced into LayoutView?

Yes, the content of PaperSpace(s) can be append toLayout Book

Yes, can append PaperSpace(s) to LayoutBook

No Yes No

Do TranslatorSettings apply toimport?

Yes Yes Yes No No

Can the file have itsown Pen Set?

Yes No No No No

Can 3D data beimported?

No No No No Yes

Related content

DXF-DWG TranslationHow DWG (http://www.archicadwiki.com/DWG) data is imported by ArchiCAD depends on the settings usedin the DXF-DWG Translator (http://helpcenter.graphisoft.com/?p=25746); this dialog box defines howelements in ArchiCAD will be interpreted when importing DXF/DWG files.Depending on how the Translator is opened, not all settings will be available. For example, if the dialog boxis opened during an Open, Merge operation or is attached as XREF, then the Open Options will be listed,but not the Save Options, and vice-versa. If the dialog box is opened from the File>File Special menu thenall options are listed.

Further details about DXF-DWG Translator Import Settings (http://helpcenter.graphisoft.com/?p=25752)

(http://helpcenter.graphisoft.com/tips/dxf-dwg-translation/)

DXF-DWG ImportTranslator Settings

(http://helpcenter.graphisoft.com/tips/dxf-dwg-translation/)

File/File Special/DXF-DWGTranslation Setup By clickingon a Translator during import,you can see and edit its contentin the fields below, which fallsinto five main groups: DXF-DWGTranslator Settings DrawingUnit Select the

read more

(http://helpcenter.graphisoft.com/tips/dxf-

dwg-translation/)

(http://helpcenter.graphisoft.com/tips/dxf-dwg-

translation/)

(http://helpcenter.graphisoft.com/tips/xrefs/)

XREFs(http://helpcenter.graphisoft.com/tips/xrefs/)

XREFs are External referencefiles: DXF or DWG filetypeswhich can be imported intoArchiCAD. It facilitates tocollaborate with SturcturalEngineers. A common use forXREFs is to draw elements thatare common to several kinds ofdrawings within a

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(http://helpcenter.graphisoft.com/tips/xrefs/)

(http://helpcenter.graphisoft.com/tips/xrefs/)

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training/archicad-interactive-training-guide/archicad-13-collaboration-itg-

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collaboration-training-guide-9-2/)

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How to Match DWGcolors to any

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AutoCAD offers two methods ofsetting the color of drawingelements: ByLayer or ByBlock.In ArchiCAD you can use yourdefault or template pen colors,if you match the AutoCAD andArchiCAD colors following thisworkflow: Demo file: Ross StreetHouse

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(http://helpcenter.graphisoft.com/tips/tips-to-import-dwg-files-as-trace-reference/)

Tips to Import DWGFiles as Trace

Reference(http://helpcenter.graphisoft.com/tips/tips-to-import-dwg-files-as-trace-reference/)

Sometimes we get referencefiles such as site plans, draftingaids, plans from co-workers inDWG format that we should notmodify. To display two differentviews concurrently in anyArchiCAD model or layoutwindow, we can use the TraceReference feature

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(http://helpcenter.graphisoft.com/tips/tips-

(http://helpcenter.graphisoft.com/tips/tips-to-

import-dwg-

files-as-trace-

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(http://helpcenter.graphisoft.com/tips/how-to-superimpose-a-2d-floor-plan-onto-a-3d-model/)

How to superimposea 2D Floor Plan onto

(http://helpcenter.graphisoft.com/tips/how-to-

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Copyright 2015 GRAPHISOFT SE. All rights reserved. GRAPHISOFT is part of the Nemetschek Group (http://www.nemetschek.com/en/)

training/archicad-interactive-training-

guide/archicad-13-collaboration-itg-part2-

collaboration/archicad-collaboration-training-guide-

9-2/)

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colors/)

(http://helpcenter.graphisoft.com/tips/tips-

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How to superimposea 2D Floor Plan onto

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This topic demonstrates a wayto place a 2D linear drawing intothe 3D model at the exactvertical position of the CutPlane from which that 2D FloorPlan View was generated. Thiscan help you to compare thecurrent 3D model with its 2Drepresentation

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(http://helpcenter.graphisoft.com/tips/dwg-layers-visibility-in-archicad/)

DWG Layers' visibilityin ArchiCAD

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To control the visibility ofobjects, usually there are moreLayers used in DWG projects.Let's see how can the differentimport options in ArchiCADmanage the DWG layers: OpenFile Open To define howelements in ArchiCAD will be

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Sketch Renderingfrom Floor Plan

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The TechTip July 2002 winner,BertNijs , from Belgium found away to show Floor Plans in the3D Window inspired KarlOttenstein to find a way tocreate a sketchy look of 2Ddrawings of ArchiCAD (FloorPlans, Section-ElevationWindows etc.) The idea came

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