Importing MEP Content into ARCHICAD
The two most commonly used file formats to import data from MEP applications to ARCHICAD are DWG and IFC.
Importing MEP Data via DWG
MEP data from engineers that use AutoCAD arrive in DWG format. The best practice is to import only the MEP content, plus the structural grid added for reference. Import the received MEP content in ARCHICAD either as an XREF or place as a Drawing. ARCHICAD’s Drawing Tool includes an Embedded Layer Visibility Setting, which enables the switching of layers on and off within the drawing content.
For further information, see Show/Hide Layers of Imported DWG/DXF/DWF Files.
For importing MEP content into ARCHICAD via IFC, software-specific export extensions are offered by GRAPHISOFT, enabling seamless integration of the imported MEP design into the architectural model. It is possible to open the files created by these export extensions using any software that opens IFC, as they are not written in a custom format but are standard IFC files carrying some additional information that aid the element translation process for ARCHICAD.
The free GRAPHISOFT ARCHICAD Connection Add-In for Revit can export MEP elements only using IFC format optimized for GRAPHISOFT MEP Modeler. The installer for this Add-In is available from GRAPHISOFT's website at:
http://www.graphisoft.com/support/archicad/downloads/interoperability/.