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*SAP2000* models may be *exported to* {new-tab-link:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autocad}AutoCAD{new-tab-link} 2012 as {new-tab-link:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dxf}Drawing Exchange Format{new-tab-link} (*DXF*) files using the procedure which follows:

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# Save the [SAP2000|sap2000:home] SDB file within the C:\Program Files\Computers and Structures\SAP2000 folder. This is where models must be saved to perform SAP2000 operations.
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The example model we will use for demonstration contains at least one [joint|kb:Joint], nonlinear [link|kb:Link], [frame|kb:Frame], [shell|kb:Shell], and [solid|kb:Solid] object, as shown in Figure 1:
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{center-text}Figure 1 - SAP2000 model for export{center-text}
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# Select File > Export > AutoCAD .dxf File, as shown in Figure 2:
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{center-text}Figure 2 - Select the Export feature{center-text}
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# Verify that AutoCAD .DXF Files (*.DXF) is selected from the 'Save as type' scroll-down menu, then save the model as a DXF file outside of the C:\Program Files\Computers and Structures\SAP2000 folder (Figure 3). Files within this folder may only be accessed through SAP2000.
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Note that AutoCAD does not need to be installed on the desktop to save in DXF format.
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{center-text}Figure 3 - Save SAP2000 model in DXF format{center-text}
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# Select Yes to use the DXF layer template, as shown in Figure 4:
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{center-text}Figure 4 - DXF layer template{center-text}
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# Go back to the C:\Program Files\Computers and Structures\SAP2000 folder, then double-click SAPDXF (Figure 5). This is the DXF layer template which will transfer SAP2000 objects into AutoCAD layers.
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{center-text}Figure 5 - DXF layer template{center-text}
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# For each SAP2000 object type listed under Assign Layers, two options are available for transfer into DXF layer type, described as follows:
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#* *Default layer assignment*. Coordinate SAP2000 object types with the DXF layer types available under each scroll-down menu to the right. Note that another scroll bar presents additional options within each of these menus.
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#* *Manual layer assignment*. For each DXF layer name desired, type the name into the lowest box, then select Add Layer. These options will then become available within each scroll-down menu, as demonstrated with Layer 3 shown in Figure 6:
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{center-text}Figure 6 - Assign SAP2000 objects to DXF layers{center-text}
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# Select OK once layer names are assigned to each object type within the SAP2000 model which will be exported to AutoCAD. The model will then be saved and available as a DXF file in the location previously specified, as shown in Figure 7:
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{center-text}Figure 7 - DXF file{center-text}
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A few notes which concern this process are as follows:

* AutoCAD does not need to be installed on the desktop to [import|kb:Import] or [export|kb:Export] between SAP2000 and DXF.

* The only difference between [export|kb:Export] to DXF and DWG, aside from file format, is the mapping between [SAP2000|sap2000:home] objects and DXF entities, which is described in the following table:

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|| || MAPPING content || ||
|| || SAP2000 object || DXF entity ||
| 1 | [Joint|kb:Joint] | POINT |
| 2 | [Frame|kb:Frame] | LINE |
| 3 | [NLink|kb:Link] (2 or 3 points) | LINE |
| 4 | NLink (1 point) | POINT |
| 5 | [Shell|kb:Shell] | 3DFACE |
| 6 | [Solid|kb:Solid] | 3DPOLYLINE |

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h2. How are text labels for section sizes exported from SAP2000 to DXF?

*Answer:* Text is exported to DXF only when active-window views are 2D. All labels visible in active windows will be exported.


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*Related Email:*
* {email:date=5/26/2011|from=rs|to=ok|subject=Export of text to DXF|comment=|id=7635999}
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h1. See Also

* [Export SAP2000 to DWG|sap2000:Export SAP2000 to DWG] article

* [Import DXF to SAP2000|Sample DXF files for import] article