DXF TO ETABS ARCHITECTURAL PLAN PROCEDURE
Part 1: AutoCAD Preparation:
1. Isolate Structural Elements: Use LAYISO to isolate only structural elements (columns,
beams, walls, grid lines).
2. Move to origin: Move the entire drawing so that a main structural intersection or grid
intersection aligns with the Autocad origin (0,0,0).
3. Purge: Use the PURGE command to remove all the unnecessary lines etc.
4. Remove Hatches: Delete all hatch pattern, text and unnecessary details.
5. Set Layers: Move columns, walls, beams and grid lines to different layers.
6. Save File: Use SAVEAS and choose AutoCAD 2013 DXF (*.dxf)
RULES FOR ARCHITECTURAL PLANS IN ETABS
1. ETABS only process arcs, lines and closed polys from DXF/DWG file.
2. ETABS uses closed polygons to create columns and floors. Only rectangular and circular
columns can be converted to ETABS columns.
3. For beams and walls, ETABS uses straight lines and arcs.
4. In case of an E shaped wall, ETABS will create lines for all horizontal legs. There will
not be vertical canter lines as there are not two continuous parallel lines in this direction.
Part 2: Importing to ETABS:
1. Open ETABS and Setup: Start a new model with units matching CAD drawing (e.g., kNm
or kgfm).
2. Use custom grid spacing and add structural objects as blank
Define Material Properties: like concrete grade, steel grade, rebar material.
3. Import DXF: Go to File > Import > DXF/DWG File of Architectural Plan.
4. Configure Import:

DXF File: Select your prepared file.


Units: Ensure it matches the AutoCAD file units.
Import Below Story: Choose the story where the plan should be placed (e.g.,
story 1)
Layers: Map the layers accordingly (e.g., Columns layer for column mapping).

5. Click OK. The plan will appear on the screen.
6. Layers: We can turn on/off architectural layers in ETABS using Architectural plan
option.
Part 3: Modelling in ETABS
1. Draw columns/walls: Use Model Explorer > Display > Model Windows > Plan View –
Story > Architectural Layers > Column/Wall > Right click and Add Column Object/Wall
Object.
2. Draw Beams: If beams centre lines are exported to dxf along with columns/walls, we
can draw the beams using model explorer similar to columns/walls.