Use the Snaptrude ArchiCAD add-on to take a Snaptrude BIM model into ArchiCAD. You export the model from Snaptrude as a .trude file, then import that file in ArchiCAD with the add-on, and you can carry on developing the same model in ArchiCAD.

Before you start

Exporting is available on the Starter, Pro, Organization and Enterprise plans; the Free plan has no export.
The add-on runs on Windows and macOS. Install the add-on that matches your ArchiCAD installation and operating system before you import (see the next section).
Finish the BIM model in Snaptrude first. Only geometry that ArchiCAD can represent comes across; see What gets exported and Known limitations below.

Install the ArchiCAD add-on

Download the Snaptrude ArchiCAD add-on installer for your ArchiCAD installation and operating system.
Run the installer (.msi on Windows, .pkg on macOS).
Open ArchiCAD. The add-on adds Snaptrude Import under File > Interoperability.

Note: The add-on checks for updates automatically and downloads updated packages.

Export a .trude file from Snaptrude

Open the project in Snaptrude.
Click the project name to open the project menu.
Choose Export > Model/Drawing.
In File type, select Archicad Export (.trude). Change the File name if you need to.
Click Begin Export. The .trude file downloads to your computer.

Note: RVT, DWG, IFC and PDF exports run one at a time. If you start one of these exports while another is still running, you see An export is already in progress; wait for the first export to finish before starting the next. Double-clicking the export button does not start duplicate jobs, and if one of these exports fails, the dialog closes and shows the reason.

Tip: Objects on hidden layers are left out of exports. Show any layers you need in Snaptrude before you export.

Import the model into ArchiCAD

Open ArchiCAD.
Go to File > Interoperability > Snaptrude Import.
Select the .trude file you downloaded. A progress bar shows the progress.
When the import finishes, review the validation report. It lists every imported element so you can check that the model came across completely.
Continue working on the model in ArchiCAD.

What gets exported

Stories: All stories, including stories below ground level.
Walls: Straight walls come in as parametric ArchiCAD walls mapped to a basic structure type, with their thickness kept. Construction layers are exported. Walls that meet at an angle are split into straight walls. Arc walls come in as Morph elements (not parametric).
Columns: Exported as parametric elements.
Floor Slabs: Mapped to a basic structure type, with their thickness kept. Construction layers are exported.
Beams: Exported with rectangular cross-sections.
Staircases: Straight, Dog-legged, Open-Well, L-Shaped and Square staircases export as monolithic stairs that you can edit parametrically in ArchiCAD. Riser and tread materials are not included.
Voids: Rectangular voids in floor slabs and walls are supported. Irregular polygon voids are converted to rectangles.
Mass objects: Imported as Morph elements (not parametric). This includes arcs, roofs and labelled site context objects such as ground and parking.
Doors, windows and furniture: Custom doors, windows and furniture are supported.
Materials: Snaptrude materials and textures on walls, columns, floor slabs, beams, staircases and other objects are converted to ArchiCAD building materials.

Known limitations

Walls: Mapped to a basic structure type. Junctions between angled walls are not resolved.
Columns: Only rectangular and circular profiles are supported.
Floor Slabs: Mapped to a basic structure type.
Beams: Curved profiles come in as polylines.
Ceilings: Not exported, because ArchiCAD has no matching building element.
Topography: Not exported.
Doors and windows: Edits made in Snaptrude don't update in ArchiCAD.
Furniture: Furniture may come in at the wrong scale. Check sizes after import.

Troubleshooting

Snaptrude Import is missing from the File menu: Check that you installed the add-on that matches the ArchiCAD installation you are running, then restart ArchiCAD.
"An export is already in progress": Another RVT, DWG, IFC or PDF export is still running. Wait for it to finish, then export again.

Export CAD/PDF
Export to Revit
Layers

Export to ArchiCAD