For small scale stuff with less detail recreating the model from scratch makes the most sense. It depends on how detailed your BIM model is (depending on what stage the project is in) and how much detail you want to keep from the BIM model into your final printed model. To be honest I am still refining the process. I have used Sketchup for most of the brunt work but some times I use AutoCAD mesh maker to adjust the model before using the slicing software and create the G code. The process is fairly convoluted and it involves creating the model in ArchiCAD but using different software to partition the model out in the various pieces before printing. I have printed several models with a small 3D printer in my office. The goal is not to go through other software (Rhino or other 3D mesh-based software) because most of the people on these boards and in our firm are most comfortable using ArchiCAD to draw their models.Īlso, I'd be interested to see if anyone has been able to print a detailed/almost-completed ArchiCAD model successfully. If you have more useful information on your ArchiCAD to 3D printer process, then please share it here. To begin, here are some of the resources out there: There's not much information on the IoT, so I think it's a good idea to get a discussion going. I'm currently researching this process at an architectural firm in Canada. I'm starting a general discussion going from an ArchiCAD model to a 3D printer.

Simplify 3d break apart models