ArchiCAD .nwc Exporter
While JetStream Roamer cannot directly read ArchiCAD files, there is an addon for ArchiCAD v6.5, v7.0, v8.0 and v9.0 that will export the model to an .nwc cache file that can then be read into Roamer. The export add-on for ArchiCAD is available from both the 2D and 3D windows. All standard ArchiCAD elements and library parts can be exported as long as they have a 3D representation, and any others will be ignored. The exporter will save both standard materials and custom GDL script materials.
When saving from the 2D window the current story will be exported by default. An option may be set so that the whole model will be exported. A default view will be determined from the bounding box of the model.
When saving from the 3D window the view will become the default JetStream view (including window settings such as cutaway planes).
Note
Only visible layers will be exported.
Cutaway plane settings does not set the JetStream section plane, but exports items that are physically reduced by the plane. It is advised to turn off the >Enable library part instancing option since all instances will show the same sectioning as the original item (usually the first library part in the file), and this may lead to unexpected effects.
With a model loaded choose File, Save As . An options dialog will allow you to change settings before the export process begins.
Select "NavisWorks (*.nwc)" as the file type and type in a file name.
Click OK to advance to the > options dialog
Click OK on the options dialog to export the file or click Cancel to return to ArchiCAD without saving anything.
Exporting an .nwc file from ArchiCAD
Supported Entities
Global Unique Identifiers (GUIDs).
Custom parameters for library parts defined by GDL scripts .
Storeys.
Library part instances.
Cameras.
Hotlinks.
Sun attributes.
Materials (requires a valid JetStream Presenter license).
Unsupported entities
Section planes.
Points.
Lines.
Textures.
ArchiCAD .nwc Exporter Options
The export options appear after choosing OK from the File, Save As menu.
Check the Export GUIDs check box if you want to attach a Globally Unique IDentifier as a property to each item in the model. This is mainly useful for clash detection to track clashes.
Check the Enable library part instancing check box if you want to make instances of library parts rather than creating new items. This is only possible when multiple library part elements within the ArchiCAD model have exactly the same properties. Instancing these parts means a smaller .nwc file, and shorter export times.
Library parts defined in GDL scripts may have a number of user defined custom parameters. Check the Export library part parameters check box if you want to save library part parameter values as item properties in JetStream.
Check the Export current story only check box if you want to only export the current story. Otherwise all stories will be exported. This is only applicable to exports from 2D views, as 3D views will export everything contained within the view.