Editing drawings saved as dwg from ArchiCAD

[Lora_D]

Hey,

 

Quick question.

I'm using Autodesk 2008, and have received a .dwg file from someone who was drawing in ArchiCAD. The file name is .dwg however when I open it, the drawing seems to be an image or something, I cannot explode anything, or edit anything.

Is there anyway for me to edit this drawing, without having to trace over it?

 

Thanks in advance,

Lora

[ReMark]

I'd call the sender up and ask them just what the heck they sent me. I'd also request that they send me a DXF file of the drawing instead.

[Lora_D]

I'd be able to work with a dxf file? I've never done that before?

[ReMark]

Ask the sender if the drawing contains GDL objects. Maybe you need to download a GDL Object Adaptor.

 

"The GDL Adapter offers the ability to work with intelligent and parametric GDL objects in the AutoCAD and ADT environments."

[ReMark]

Download the adaptor here:

 

http://www.graphisoft.com/products/archicad/object_technology/downloads/

[Lora_D]

Thanks.

I called the person who drew the drawings and he will make the changes from his end.

[ReMark]

While I'm glad you got your problem solved it does not answer your question. Were you able to learn what had been sent? Did the drawing contain GDL objects? Inquiring minds would like to know in case the question comes up again.

[Lora_D]

I will try and find out and get back to you

[gus.h]

All. Having exported thousands of files from ArchiCAD to AutoCAD (and dealt with the corresponding import into AutoCAD), I can say that this is simply a case of understanding what needs to be done with each piece of software to achieve the required result.

 

Some tips:

 

- In ArchiCAD, export DWG files from the model environment rather than the layout environment. This just makes the process slightly simpler.

- Create a new translator in ArchiCAD, and set the key settings as follows (there may be differences between versions, I'm using v12):

 

Save options:

- Save as: = whatever version you need.

- Save layout into: = Paper space with full drawing's content

- Place drawings into: = Linked xref drawings ** this option will create a 'layout' and a linked file containing the 'model' data. Use the 'model' file if you need to do any futher editing in AutoCAD. Alternatively you can use the 'single file' option and bundle everything up into a single DWG. Experiment with the two options and see what happens.

- Saving floor plan: = Explode complex archicad elements

- Save zones as: = Stamp only

 

Attribute options:

- Create layers according to: = ArchiCAD layers

- Save elements on: = visible layers only

- Set all Elements Colors and Lineweights to "BYLAYER" ** This makes it a little easier for autocad users (particularly consultants) to adjust penweights. It may result in some lineweights changing slightly.

- Do not export ArchiCAD penweights: = ticked

 

All other settings can remain default. This should give you a simple DWG file with data in modelspace, and just about everything you need editable. You do not need to GDL plugin. This is necessary if you want to make changes to ArchiCAD generated blocks within AutoCAD, but we generally find that this isn't needed.

 

Many more things are possible using the ArchiCAD translator system, and it is pretty rare that you can't achieve what is needed.

 

It is worth doing a purge when you receive the resulting file. If the guys on ArchiCAD have been tidy, then the file should be easy to use. If not, then the reason is most likely the user, not the software.

[ReMark]

gus.h: That was excellent advice. Thanks for your input and welcome to the CADTutor forum.