Export : AutoCAD

GSA can export DWG/DXF files that can be read by CAD packages such as AutoCAD and Microstation.

The CAD Export Options dialog allows the user to specify the content of the exported CAD file. A target version of AutoCAD may be selected; depending on the version selected there will be some variation in the way in which the GSA details are exported. GSA data is stored in SI units, but these may not be convenient units for the CAD program, so the user may select appropriate length units. The user can also choose to export from either the GSA Analysis Layer or the GSA Design Layer. Beam elements or members may be exported either as lines or as lines and 3D sections.

The model can be exported as either a wire-frame model or as wire-frame with 3D sections. Each property can be assigned to a different layer and the 3D sections can be written to separate layers from the wire-frame model. The restraints on a model are exported to a Restraint layer. The 3D sections are written as blocks consisting of 3D faces. Alternatively, elements can be exported based on their group numbers, wherein entities created from those elements will have colours based on the element group.

If a section property in GSA is named "Main Beam" and has the description "CAT%UC%UC152x152x23%19860501" then the elements with this property will be represented in wire-frame style in a layer named "Main_Beam{CAT%UC%UC152x152x23%19860501}", the elements will be represented as 3D in a layer named "3D_Main_Beam" and a block will be created with the section information called BM_MAIN_BEAM.