Archicad to Max

[Devin Johnston]

It's been a few years since I looked into this so I figured why not see if anything has changed, currently I export .3ds files from ArchiCAD by material. As you know any changes in the model require a complete reworking of the scene as materials and mapping are gone. What I really want to do is use the file link manager so any changes made to the exported DWG are automatically reflected in my Max model. I'm not an ArchiCAD user myself so I'm not aware of the changes made to the program, is this possible?

[Sauger Sepper]

I use 3ds export (with layers/materials option), then use fbx converter default FBX 2013 settings(embed media), and link the FBX.
As usual when reload "keep max materials/assingments", and it works.
Modifiers like "edit poly" are not overwritten, not perfect but worth the effort.

It´s 1-2 extra mouseclicks, some more for each project you add the first time, and the convert extra time.
I use SSD´s so about 15sec on a 30mb Archicad project, that export into a 10mb 3ds file.

[Sebastien Enselme]

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[Sebastien Enselme]

Hi All,
I use Max and have been working for many years with architects using Archicad.
For all these years i've used the .3ds export, and wishing there was something better. Keeping the archicad hierarchy and avoiding all those Multi/Sub materials.
At last someone has done something ! It's a plugin called din3d. The Archicad exporter is free, you pay only for the importer (60 euros).
By far this is the best "productivity gain for the bucks" i've seen in many years !
It's not a big company software but a developper from hungary doing this alone, so i think he deserved to be know. His work helps me a lot ! (He even actually took a request i've made into account and developped an option i needed).

[play maker]

yes.. plugin din3D

[Engin Erel]

I use 3ds export (with layers/materials option), then use fbx converter default FBX 2013 settings(embed media), and link the FBX.
As usual when reload "keep max materials/assingments", and it works.
Modifiers like "edit poly" are not overwritten, not perfect but worth the effort.

It´s 1-2 extra mouseclicks, some more for each project you add the first time, and the convert extra time.
I use SSD´s so about 15sec on a 30mb Archicad project, that export into a 10mb 3ds file.

I use these steps but max says "unable to attach this file; the file may be missing, corrupted, or may not contain valid data". Max can import file. When i want to use file link manager this happens. If this work will be best workflow for Archicad to 3dmax. How can you do this, please help.

[Sauger Sepper]

It works flawlessly for me, in Max 2013 with updated FBX plugins/converter etc it´s faster then ever.
What ver of Archicad/Max do you use?, perhaps some nonstandard geometry from Archicad addons make problems?

If upload the file I´ll have a look at it.

[Engin Erel]

Archicad 14 64bit and 3dmax design 2011 64bit. I try standar archicad tools like wall-slab. in FBX converter 2012 i choose FBX2011. it converts and max can import model without any problem. but file link manager can't import and says "unable to attach this file; the file may be missing, corrupted, or may not contain valid data" for same FBX file.

[Sauger Sepper]

I just tested with Max 2012/FBX 2011, still working fine.
I use Archicad 16 though, if you upload the 3ds file I can test if same problem as you.

[Engin Erel]

https://www.box.com/s/y63xujkxzb6q6ymqtk1s
you can download 3ds file here. if you upload fbx2011 you converted, i can try it.
Thank you for your help.