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This page is*NOTE:* While written for [SAP2000|sap2000:home], thoughthis itarticle 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 DWG* (Drawing) format through the processas {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 Withinthe [SAP2000|sap2000:home], select File > Export > AutoCAD .dxf File 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 this 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 - Export SAP2000 model tofor DWG formatexport{center-text}
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# Select AutoCADFile .DWG> Files (*.DWG) from the drop-down menu within the browse windowExport > AutoCAD .dxf File, as shown in Figure 2:
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{center-text}Figure 2 - Select filethe forExport exportfeature{center-text}
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# Choose the SAP2000 model you wish to [export|kb:Export] to DWG format from the list of saved files which are available 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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# Specify the global vertical direction and the appropriate units, then select OK. {hidden-content} {verify} {hidden-content{info}
*Note:* AutoCAD does not need to be installed on the desktop to save in DXF format. [Import|kb:Import] and [export|kb:Export] between SAP2000 and DXF format does not require AutoCAD installation because DXF is a text file of published and publicly available format.
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{center-text}Figure 3 - Save SAP2000 model in DXF format{center-text}
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# AssignSelect DWGYes layersto touse the SAP2000DXF layer objects, then select OK. {hidden-content} {verify} {hidden-contenttemplate, as shown in Figure 4:
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{center-text}Figure 4 - DXF layer template{center-text}
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# The SAP2000 model will then automatically convert and open as a DWG file. {hidden-content} {verify} {hidden-content}

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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 through the AutoCAD API. DXF import and export, however, does not require AutoCAD installation because DXF is a text file of published and available format.

* SAP2000 uses {new-tab-link:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ActiveX}ActiveX{new-tab-link} late binding to create AutoCAD entities.

* SAP2000 objects will convert into DWG entities as described in the following table:
 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|sap2000:home] 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 each menu has another scroll bar which presents additional options.
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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 which occurs within the SAP2000 model which will be [exported|kb:Export] to AutoCAD. The model will then be saved and available as a DXF file located in the previously specified folder, as shown in Figure 7:
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|| || MAPPING content || ||
|| || SAP2000 object || DWG entity ||
| 1 | [Joint|kb:Joint] | AcadPoint |
| 2 | [Frame|kb:Frame] | AcadLine |
| 3 | [NLink|kb:Link] (2 or 3 points) | AcadLine |
| 4 | NLink (1 point) | AcadPoint |
| 5 | [Shell|kb:Shell] | Acad3DFace |
| 6 | [Solid|kb:Solid] | AcadPolyFaceMesh |

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*NOTE:* DWG Solid objects differ between export and import. For export, AcadPolyMesh is useful for obtaining object coordinates. For import, AcadDb3DSolid is useful for DWG files.
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h1. See Also

* [Import DWG to SAP2000|Import DWG into SAP2000] article

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