ArchiCAD Tutorial: How to Import 3D Objects from IFC and DWG files

Article source: Eric Bobrow

In this ArchiCAD tutorial excerpted from the Best Practices Course (http://www.acbestpractices.com) you’ll learn how to import manufacturer components as 3D library parts. These are becoming more widely available in IFC and DWG formats from many websites, and allow you to place highly accurate representations of actual real world equipment and furniture into your ArchiCAD models.

ArchiCAD 16 makes this an easy process. You can import IFC files directly using the File menu – File Special – Merge command, which will create a new library part and immediately place it. If it appears faceted (due to curved or detailed surface models), you may select a copy of the new object and use the Design menu – Convert to Morph command, then adjust the Morph settings to make the edges “Soft”. This will make both the 2D plan view and the 3D window (and Elevation) views much cleaner.

A similar process may be followed to import a DWG file using the File menu – Libraries and Objects – Open Object command.

Note that you can add Listing parameters to these new objects for your Schedules by changing the Object Subtype from Model Element to a more specific type of element.

WEB PAGES SHOWN IN THE VIDEO:
IFC download of NBL sink:
http://www.nationalbimlibrary.com/GenericBIMObject?id=345

DWG download of Duravit sink:
http://www.duravit.co.uk/website/homepage/products/product_overview/series/architec.com-en.html/p-90552

Note that access to files on http://www.nationalbimlibrary.com requires registration, which is free.

Tags: Tutorial

Category: ArchiCAD

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