Import a DXF file

The DXF file import is intended to facilitate importing model geometry from AutoCAD and other DXF compatible
programs. DXF for AutoCAD r12, r13 and r14 is supported.
1 Start a new model or open an existing model. You can not import a DXF file if you do not have a model or
coordinate system defined first.
2 From the File menu, click Import and then .DXF. This will display the Import DXF File dialog box.
3 Choose the file from the list box and press the Open button.
4 From the Import Data dialog box select the Global Up direction of the DXF file elements being imported and
the units that the file was drawn in.
5 Press the OK button in the Import Data dialog box to see the DXF Import dialog.
6 Select from the dropdown list boxes the layer to import from the DXF file for each SAP2000 element type. A
layer can only be used for one element type.
7 If there is no data to be imported for a given element type, then the corresponding list box should read
NONE
8 Click the OK button to import the DXF data.

The SAP2000 element types correspond to the following DXF element types.
SAP2000 Elements DXF Elements
Grids Lines – Currently Not Active
Special Joints Points
Frames Lines
NL Links 1-Noded Points
NL Links 2-Noded Lines
Shells 3Dfaces
Plane elements 3 to 8 sided Polyline – Currently Not Active
Asolids 3 to 8 sided Polyline – Currently Not Active
Solids Solids NOT 3Dsolds and Meshed Polylines

Note: Point and Line elements can be on the same NL Link layer.
The imported DXF objects are assigned to a new group called DXFINx to facilitate editing of the
objects.
The SOLID entity can be drawn by selecting 2D Solid Surface from the Draw menu. The Meshed
Polyline can be drawn by typing “3d” in the Command line and entering a Box or Wedge.

Export a DXF file

The DXF file Export is intended to facilitate exporting geometry data into AutoCAD and other DXF compatible
programs. DXF for AutoCAD r12, r13 and r14 is supported.

1 If you want to export a limited number of elements then select the elements first; otherwise go directly to step
2.
2 From the File menu, select Export and then .DXF.
3 This will display the Select Template DXF file. The Template DXF file is used to set up all the basic data for
the exported DXF file. You can select any DXF file that you want. Then press the Open button.
Note: For your convenience there is a file SAPDXF.DXF provided for you in the SAP2000 directory.
4 This will display the DXF Export dialog box, which is used to select the layer to export to, for each element
type. The layer names are the same as the ones in the Template DXF file.
5 Select from the dropdown list boxes the layer to export to in the DXF file. A layer can only be used for one
element type.
6 If you want to add another layer name, type its name in the text box at the bottom of the dialog box and
press the Add Layer button. Then the new layer can be selected from the drop down list boxes.
7 If there is no data to be exported for a given element type then the corresponding list box should read
NONE.
8 Press the OK button when finished with the layer assignments.
9 This will display the Save AutoCAD DXF File As dialog box.

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 10 Type in the file name in the File name edit box.
11 Click Save. This will save the DXF file, which may be imported into AutoCAD.

The SAP2000 element types correspond to the following DXF element types.
SAP2000 Elements DXF Elements
Grids Lines – Currently Not Active
Joints Points
Frames Lines
NL Links 1-Noded Points
NL Links 2-Noded Lines
Shells 3Dfaces
Plane elements 3 to 8 sided Polyline – Currently Not Active
Asolids 3 to 8 sided Polyline – Currently Not Active
Solids Meshed Polylines
Text Text

Note: Point and Line elements can be on the same NL Link layer.
The template file can be used to set up all the layer names, colors, line types and so on so that the
exported DXF files are consistent. The Template DXF file can be any AutoCAD r13 or r14 file.
There is a file SAPDXF.DXF file provided in the SAP2000 directory.
The text will only be exported if the current view is a 2D view with visible text. The text will be
exported and displayed in the same plane as the 2D view.

Hint: If you want to only export a 2D plane of the model then set the 2D view that you are interested in.
Select all the elements that are visible, and then select Export… DXF.

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