OrthoGraph™ CAD Connectivity Tools

When a building survey is done with OrthoGraph Architect or OrthoGraph Survey, then the most important question is always where and how it can be further used. This page lists all the CAD integration that is available for OrthoGraph applications.

Actually there are two dedicated CAD converter tools that can work on OrthoGraph's file format:

The freely usable, unlimited OrthoGraph Google SketchUp Converter - currently it is in beta -, and the	And the free to try (converts up to 5 rooms per drawing) OrthoGraph ArchiCAD Import Module that creates 3D BIM models.

An example of the same survey in OrthoGraph, in SketchUp and in ArchiCAD

Please read about the details of CAD conversion in the sections below:

OrthoGraph’s native export CAD format is IFC.

OrthoGraph Architect 3D projects can be saved into IFC 2x3 format directly from the iPad. Based on established, international standards for common objects in the building industry, the Industry Foundation Classes (IFC) file format provides an interoperability solution between different software applications. Using IFC reduces the loss of information when files are transmitted.

OrthoGraph’s IFC format contains the logical structure of the building with all properties, all walls, windows and doors in a 3D model also including their measured properties, and the objects will also be included in a soon release (objects will have only 3D box representations in their proper position and with their properties transferred).

IFC files created with OrthoGraph can be imported into most CAD systems. Some important links describing the opportunities are listed here:

Import IFC to AutoCAD Architecture:
http://exchange.autodesk.com/autocadarchitecture/enu/online-help/ARCHDESK/2012/ENU/pages/WS1a9193826455f5ffa23ce210c875431153fd1.htm

Import IFC to AutoCAD MEP:
http://exchange.autodesk.com/autocadmep/enu/online-help/BLDSYS/2012/ENU/pages/WS1a9193826455f5ffa23ce210c875431153fd5.htm

Convert IFC into AutoCAD through Revit:
http://forums.autodesk.com/t5/Autodesk-Revit-MEP/Import-IFC-into-Revit-MEP-then-Export-to-AutoCAD-3d-solids/td-p/3590146

Revit IFC import:
http://www.designmaster.biz/support/blog/2011/01/revit-ifc-import/

To ArchiCAD and Google SketchUp there are native import/converter tools provided by OrthoGraph. The native import tools provide detailed, specific conversion with many benefits for the user. Please read the details below.

The most common way of using the result of an on-site floorplan survey is to convert it to a CAD program. If this program is Google SketchUp, then now you have OrthoGraph Google SketchUp Converter for this purpose, a free to use, unlimited converter of your drawings.

OrthoGraph Google SketchUp Converter is available for download for Windows. The software is running in its full functionality, which means drawings with unlimited number of rooms can be converted into .skp format.

How to start - OrthoGraph Google SketchUp Converter

Graphics survey made with OrthoGraph Architect can easily be further used in Google SketchUp.

First you have to download the stand alone converter application from OrthoGraph's download center, and then install it. After installing the application it will be registered into the Start menu of Windows below the OrthoGraph program group with then name of OrthoGraph Google SketchUp Converter.

When you start the software, then you will find a button labeled "Google SketchUp Conversion". If you click it, then first you have to choose the source file with OrthoGraph Architect's file format (".srvd"), and then the destionation file with Google SketchUp's file format (".skp").

The most common way of using the result of an on-site floorplan survey is to convert it to a CAD program. If this program is ArchiCAD, now you have OrthoGraph ArchiCAD Import Module for this purpose.

OrthoGraph ArchiCAD Import Module is available for download for Mac and Windows. The software is running in demo mode by default, which means drawings with up to 5 rooms can be converted into ArchiCAD. This restricion can be removed by purchasing the full version.

OrthoGraph ArchiCAD Import Module is running on your Mac or Windows, and it is compatible with the following CAD software:

• ArchiCAD 14
• ArchiCAD 15
• ArchiCAD 16
• ArchiCAD STAR(T) Edition 2011

Mac compatibility:

• All Mac OS X where ArchiCAD 15 is available

Windows compatibility:

• Windows XP 32&64 bit
• Windows Vista 32&64 bit
• Windows 7 32&64 bit

How to start - OrthoGraph ArchiCAD Import Module

Graphics survey made with OrthoGraph Architect can easily be further used in ArchiCAD. In case you have ArchiCAD installed on your computer, then by installing OrthoGraph ArchiCAD Import Module your ArchiCAD's open funtcion will be extended to natively support OrthoGraph Architect's file format (".srvd").

Opening an OrthoGraph ".srvd" file in your ArchiCAD

If your OrthoGraph ArchiCAD Import Module is installed properly, you can easily open your survey files from the ArchiCAD Open menu. After opening an „.srvd” file in ArchiCAD the program offers to open a type definition file (like the „.shx” file at „.dwg” import), this enables the use of earlier made OrthoGraph-ArchiCAD associations. In case we have no „.srvm” file, or we want to create new associations we can proceed with pressing the Skip button. In case we needed an „.srvm” file later we still can use the Open button in the top of the association wizard.

In the Matching dialog OrthoGraph and ArchiCAD objects can be associated with each-other: in the upper section the wall openings and the walls, on the lower section the objects can be associated in both systems.

Highlighting a wall opening entry and pressing the arrow on the right side, a drop down list appears, where the corresponding ArchiCAD wall opening can be selected.

Objects can be associated similary, but instead of the drop down list ArchiCAD's familiar Object Settings Dialog helps.

After the above associations a type definition file („.srvm”) can be saved for later projects. With this step the survey file is imported, and finally a 3D BIM model is created from the original OrthoGraph on-site survey.