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\\ *DWG* (Drawing) files may be *imported into SAP2000* using the same procedure as that for DXF files. This procedure is described in the [Import DXF into SAP2000|sap2000:Import DXF into SAP2000] article. \\ A few notes which concern this process are as follows: * AutoCAD must be installed on the desktop to [import|kb:Import] or [export|kb:Export] between SAP2000 and DWG. This is because DWG files are in binary format, and must be read or written using the AutoCAD functions available using {new-tab-link:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ActiveX}ActiveX{new-tab-link} technology and the AutoCAD API. DXF import and export, however, does not require AutoCAD installation because DXF is a text file of published and available format. * The only difference between import from DWG and DXF, aside from file format, is the mapping between DWG entities and [SAP2000|sap2000:home] objects, which is described in the following table: \\ || || MAPPING content || || || || DWG entity || SAP2000 object || | 1 | AcadPoint | [Joint|kb:Joint] | | 2 | AcadLine | [Frame|kb:Frame] / [NLink|kb:Link] | | 3 | Acad3DFace | [Shell|kb:Shell] | | 4 | AcadDb3DSolid | [Solid|kb:Solid] | {hidden-content} {verify} {hidden-content} \\ {info} *NOTE:* DWG Solid objects differ between import and export. For import, AcadDb3DSolid is useful for DWG files. For export, AcadPolyMesh is useful for obtaining object coordinates. {info} {hidden-content} *NOTE:* DWG Solid import was available to SAP2000 V11.0.4, but is no longer available to V12 and V14. {hidden-content} {hidden-content} *Related Email:* * {email:from=uh|to=ok|date=7/28/2010|subject=Import of autocad DWG solids not available in SAP2000 V12 and V14|comment=|id=3702965} *Related Incident:* * {incident:no=25464|comment=Show the hidden content below after Incident 25464 is resolved.} {hidden-content} h1. See Also * [Import DXF into SAP2000|sap2000:Import DXF into SAP2000] article * [Export SAP2000 to DWG|sap2000:Export SAP2000 to DWG] article h1. Sample DWG files for import The images which follow present the geometric configuration of DWG models which may be [imported|kb:Import] into [SAP2000|sap2000:home]. For your reference, these DWG files are attached below. In these models, the Extrude command converted AutoCAD 3DFace entities into solid objects. Objects were successfully imported into SAP2000 after performing the Rotate3D operation on all solid entities. h2. RoundSolids.dwg \\ !Figure 01.png|align=center,width=800pxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpx! {center-text}Figure 1 - DWG solid entity{center-text} \\ !Figure 02.png|align=center,width=800pxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpx! {center-text}Figure 2 - SAP2000 solid object{center-text} h2. RoundSolids2.dwg \\ !Figure 03.png|align=center,width=800pxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpx! {center-text}Figure 3 - DWG solid entity{center-text} \\ !Figure 04.png|align=center,width=800pxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpxpx! {center-text}Figure 4 - SAP2000 solid object{center-text} h1. Attachments * [RoundSolids.dwg |Import DWG into SAP2000^RoundSolids.dwg] * [RoundSolid2.dwg |Import DWG into SAP2000^RoundSolid2.dwg] {hidden-content} For solid import, SAP2000 supports the AutoCAD2007 entities which follow: * Box * Wedge * Pyramid (or frustum) * Extrusion of 3DFace, which is possible for all 3DFace entities by creating legal shells with four nodes The entities previously listed have been tested using the files which follow: * RoundSolids.dwg * RoundSolids2.dwg * SolidImporttest.dwg The Extrude command converted AutoCAD 3DFace entities into solid objects. \\ h2. SolidImporttest.dwg model \\ !Figure 05.png|hspace=30px,width=800px! \\ !Figure 06.png|hspace=30px,width=800px! \\ AutoCAD 3dSolid entities, including the box, wedge, and pyramid, are imported into SAP2000. \\ !Figure 07.png|hspace=30px,width=800px! \\ !Figure 08.png|hspace=30px,width=800px! \\ !Figure 09.png|hspace=30px,width=800px! \\ !Figure 10.png|hspace=30px,width=800px! \\ !Figure 11.png|hspace=30px,width=800px! h1. Attachments * [SolidImporttest.dwg |Import DWG into SAP2000^SolidImporttest.dwg] {hidden-content}
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Info

NOTE: While written for SAP2000, this article also applies to CSiBridge.


Drawing (DWG) files may be imported from AutoCAD 2012 into SAP2000 using the procedure which follows:


  1. Create and save a DWG model within AutoCAD. The example model we will use for this demonstration is shown in Figure 1:


    Image Added

    Figure 1 - DWG model for import into SAP2000



  2. DWG entities should be coordinated with SAP2000 objects such that they import as follows:


    DWG entity

    SAP2000 object

    Color

    1

    Point

    Joint

    Cyan

    2

    Line

    Frame

    Yellow

    3

    Point

    Link (one-point)

    Cyan

    4

    Line

    Link (two-point)

    Green

    5

    3D Face

    Shell

    Red

    6

    N/A

    Solid

    N/A


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    NOTE: SAP2000 solid objects export to AutoCAD 2012 DWG as Polyface Mesh, and DXF as Polygon Mesh, but then 3D AutoCAD DWG entities (Polyface Mesh, Polygon Mesh, and 3D Solid) do not import into SAP2000 as solid objects.


  3. Within SAP2000, select File > Import > AutoCAD .dxf File, as shown in Figure 2:


    Image Added

    Figure 2 - Select the DXF Import feature



    Info

    NOTE: AutoCAD must be installed on the desktop to import and export between SAP2000 and DWG. This is because DWG files are in binary format, which must be read and written using the functions available through the AutoCAD API.


  4. Select DWG Files (*.DWG) from the scroll-down menu, then locate and double-click the DWG file for import into SAP2000, as shown in Figure 3:


    Image Added

    Figure 3 - Select DWG file for import



  5. Select the Global Up Direction and the Units, then select OK, as shown in Figure 4:


    Image Added

    Figure 4 - Import specifications



  6. Assign each type of SAP2000 object to a DWG layer (Figure 5). Each layer which occurs in the DWG file is listed in the scroll-down menu.


    Image Added

    Figure 5 - Layer specifications



Select OK, then the DWG file will import as a SAP2000 model, as shown in Figure 6:


Image Added

Figure 6 - DWG file as SAP2000 model


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NOTE: DWG entities may not be imported into SAP2000 as solid objects. This feature was last available to SAP2000 V11.0.4.

Related Emails:

  • Email Import of autocad DWG solids not available in SAP2000 V12 and V14: (uh → ok, 7/28/2010, ID 3702965)

Related Incidents:

  • Incident 25464: Show the hidden content below after Incident 25464 is resolved.

See Also