Page Comparison

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*NOTE:* While written for [SAP2000|sap2000:home], this article also applies to [CSiBridge|csibridge:home].
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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/.dwg}Drawing{new-tab-link} (*DWG*) 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 for SAP2000 to perform operations.
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The example model we will use for this demonstration contains at least one [joint|kb:Joint], one-joint [link|kb:Link], two-joint 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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*NOTE:* When certain structural objects are selected, only those objects will export to AutoCAD. To export the entire model, ensure that no objects are selected.
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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 DXF Export feature{center-text}
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*NOTE:* AutoCAD must be installed on the desktop to [import|kb:Import] and [export|kb: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.
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# Select AutoCAD .DWG Files (*.DWG) from the 'Save as type' scroll-down menu, then save the model as a DWG file outside of the C:\Program Files\Computers and Structures\SAP2000 folder (Figure 3).
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{center-text}Figure 3 - Save SAP2000 model in DWG format{center-text}
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# The model will then be saved and available as a DWG file, located in the previously specified folder, as shown in Figure 4:
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{center-text}Figure 4 - DWG file{center-text}
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# Open the DWG file within AutoCAD, as shown in Figure 5:
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{center-text}Figure 5 - Open the DWG file within AutoCAD{center-text}
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# The SAP2000 model then opens within AutoCAD (Figure 6), and export to DWG format is complete.
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{center-text}Figure 6 - SAP2000 model as DWG within AutoCAD{center-text}
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*NOTE:* The model will initially open with an enlarged Top view in 2D. Select a corner of the ViewCube and then use the View > Orbit feature to adjust the 3D view and review the imported model.
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[SAP2000|sap2000:home] objects automatically transfer into DWG layer types which are listedentities as follows:
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|| || SAP2000 object || DWG entity || Color ||
| 1 | [Joint|kb:Joint] | Point | Cyan |
| 2 | [Frame|kb:Frame] | Line | Yellow |
| 3 | [Link|kb:Link] (one-point) | Point | Cyan |
| 4 | Link (two-point) | Line | Green |
| 5 | [Shell|kb:Shell] | 3D Face | Red |
| 6 | [Solid|kb:Solid] | Polyface Mesh | Magenta |


h1. See Also

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

* [Import DWG into SAP2000|sap2000:Import DWG into SAP2000] article

* [Import DXF into SAP2000|sap2000:Import DXF into SAP2000] article