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This page is written for [SAP2000|sap2000:home], though it also applies to [CSiBridge|csibridge:home].
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*SAP2000* models may be *exported to DWG* (Drawing) format through the process which follows:
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# Within [SAP2000|sap2000:home], select File > Export > AutoCAD .dxf File, as shown in Figure 1:
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{center-text}Figure 1 - Export SAP2000 model to DWG format{center-text}
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# Select AutoCAD .DWG Files (*.DWG) from the drop-down menu within the browse window, as shown in Figure 2:
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{center-text}Figure 2 - Select file for export{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.
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# Select Save to begin the conversion process. During conversion, the destination software will automatically open and then close. The SAP2000 model will then be available in DWG format.
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A few notes which concern this process are as follows:
* AutoCAD must be installed on the desktop to successfully export a SAP2000 model into DWG format. DXF [import|kb:Import] and export, however, does not require AutoCAD installation on the desktop.
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DXF is a text file with known/published format and anyone is allowed to write it without AutoCAD installation. DWG is a binary file and we don't want to read/write by our own functions. We use ActiveX technology by using AutoCAD through their API. So we need AutoCAD for import/export of DWG file.
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* 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:
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|| || SAP2000 object || DWG entity ||
| 1 | [Point|kb:Joint] | AcadPoint |
| 2 | [Line|kb:Frame] | AcadLine |
| 3 | [NLink|kb:Link] (2 or 3 points) | AcadLine |
| 4 | NLink (1 point) | AcadPoint |
| 5 | [Area|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] | Info |
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NOTE: While written for SAP2000, this article also applies to CSiBridge. |
SAP2000 models may be exported to AutoCAD 2012 as Drawing (DWG) files using the procedure which follows:
Save the SAP2000 SDB file within the C:\Program Files\Computers and Structures\SAP2000 folder. This is where models must be saved for SAP2000 to perform operations.
The example model we will use for this demonstration contains at least one joint, one-joint link, two-joint link, frame, shell, and solid object, as shown in Figure 1:
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Figure 1 - SAP2000 model for export
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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. |
Select File > Export > AutoCAD .dxf File, as shown in Figure 2:
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Figure 2 - Select the DXF Export feature
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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. |
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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Figure 3 - Save SAP2000 model in DWG format
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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Figure 4 - DWG file
Open the DWG file within AutoCAD, as shown in Figure 5:
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Figure 5 - Open the DWG file within AutoCAD
The SAP2000 model then opens within AutoCAD (Figure 6), and export to DWG format is complete.
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Figure 6 - SAP2000 model as DWG within AutoCAD
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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. |
SAP2000 objects automatically transfer into DWG entities as follows:
| SAP2000 object | DWG entity | Color |
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1 | Joint | Point | Cyan |
2 | Frame | Line | Yellow |
3 | Link (one-point) | Point | Cyan |
4 | Link (two-point) | Line | Green |
5 | Shell | 3D Face | Red |
6 | Solid | Polyface Mesh | Magenta |
See Also