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This page is written for [SAP2000|sap2000:home], though it also applies to [CSiBridge|csibridge:home].
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*DXF* (Drawing Exchange Format) files, such as those produced using AutoCAD, may be *imported into SAP2000* through the process which follows:
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# Within [SAP2000|sap2000:home], select File > Import > AutoCAD .dxf File, as shown in Figure 1:
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{center-text}Figure 1 - Import DXF file{center-text}
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# Select DXF Files (*.DXF) from the drop-down menu within the browse window, as shown in Figure 2:
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{center-text}Figure 2 - Select DXF file for import{center-text}
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# Choose the DXF file you wish to open from the list of saved files which are available.
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# Specify the coordinates desired as the origin of the SAP2000 analytical model.
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# Select Save to begin the conversion process. During conversion, the software within which the DXF file was created will automatically open and then close. The file will then automatically open within SAP2000.
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A few notes which concern this process are as follows:
* The software used to create the DXF file which is being [imported|kb:Import] into SAP2000 must be installed on the desktop.
* Layer 0 of the DXF file will not be imported into SAP2000.
* Entities from the DXF file will convert into SAP2000 objects as described in the following table:
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|| || MAPPING content || ||
|| || DXF entity || SAP2000 object ||
| 1 | POINT | [Point|kb:Joint] |
| 2 | LINE | [Frame|kb:Frame] / [NLink|kb:Link] |
| 3 | 3DFACE | [Area|kb:Shell] |
| 4 | 3DPOLYLINE | [Solid|kb:Solid] |
| 5 | CIRCLE | Line(s) |
| 6 | ARC | Line(s) |
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* Solids must be drawn in AutoCAD as meshed polygons or as meshed solids such that their DXF entities may be imported into SAP2000.
h1. See Also
* The [Sample DXF files for import|sap2000:Sample DXF files for import] article provides sample shell and solid models in DXF format.| Info |
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NOTE: While written for SAP2000, this article also applies to CSiBridge. |
Data Exchange Format (DXF) files may be imported from AutoCAD 2012 into SAP2000 using the procedure which follows:
Create and save a DXF model within AutoCAD. The example model we will use for this demonstration is shown in Figure 1:
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Figure 1 - DXF model for import into SAP2000
DXF entities should be coordinated with SAP2000 objects such that they import as follows:
| DXF entity | SAP2000 object | Color |
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1 | Point | Joint | Yellow |
2 | Line | Frame | Yellow |
3 | Point | Link (one-point) | Green |
4 | Line | Link (two-point) | Green |
5 | 3D Face | Shell | Red |
6 | Polygon Mesh | Solid | White |
Within SAP2000, select File > Import > AutoCAD .dxf File, as shown in Figure 2:
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Figure 2 - Select the DXF Import feature
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NOTE: AutoCAD does not need to be installed on the desktop to import and export between SAP2000 and DXF. This is because DXF files are in text format, which is published and available to the public. |
Verify that DXF Files (*.DXF) is selected from the scroll-down menu, then locate and double-click the DXF file for import into SAP2000, as shown in Figure 3:
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Figure 3 - Select DXF file for import
Select the Global Up Direction and the Units, then select OK, as shown in Figure 4:
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Figure 4 - Import specifications
Assign each type of SAP2000 object to a DXF layer (Figure 5). Each layer which occurs in the DXF file is listed in the scroll-down menu.
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Figure 5 - Layer specifications
Select OK, then the DXF file will import as a SAP2000 model, as shown in Figure 6:
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Figure 6 - DXF file as SAP2000 model
See Also
- Sample DXF files for import article – sample shell and solid models in DXF format