SAP2000 models may be exported to

2012 as

(DXF) files using the procedure which follows:

1. Save the SAP2000 SDB file within the C:\Program Files\Computers and Structures\SAP2000 folder. This is where models must be saved to perform SAP2000 operations.
   
   The example model we will use for demonstration contains at least one joint, nonlinear link, frame, shell, and solid object, as shown in Figure 1:
   
   
   
   
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   Figure 1 - SAP2000 model for export

   
   
   
2. Select File > Export > AutoCAD .dxf File, as shown in Figure 2:
   
   
   
   
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   Figure 2 - Select the Export feature

   
   
   
3. 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.
   
   Note that AutoCAD does not need to be installed on the desktop to save in DXF format.
   
   
   
   
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   Figure 3 - Save SAP2000 model in DXF format

   
   
   
4. Select Yes to use the DXF layer template, as shown in Figure 4:
   
   
   
   
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   Figure 4 - DXF layer template

   
   
   
5. 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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   Figure 5 - DXF layer template

   
   
   
6. For each SAP2000 object type listed under Assign Layers, two options are available for transfer into DXF layer type, described as follows:
   
   
   • Default layer assignment. Coordinate SAP2000 object types with the DXF layer types available under each scroll-down menu to the right. Note that another scroll bar presents additional options within each of these menus.
     
     
   • 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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     Figure 6 - Assign SAP2000 objects to DXF layers

     
     
     
7. Select OK once layer names are assigned to each object type within the SAP2000 model which will be exported to AutoCAD. The model will then be saved and available as a DXF file in the location previously specified, as shown in Figure 7:
   
   
   
   
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   Figure 7 - DXF file

   
   
   

A few notes which concern this process are as follows:

• AutoCAD does not need to be installed on the desktop to import or export between SAP2000 and DXF.

• The only difference between export to DXF and DWG, aside from file format, is the mapping between SAP2000 objects and DXF entities, which is described in the following table:

How are text labels for section sizes exported from SAP2000 to DXF?

Answer: Text is exported to DXF only when active-window views are 2D. All labels visible in active windows will be exported.

See Also

• Export SAP2000 to DWG article

• Import DXF to SAP2000 article