3ds Max to ArchiCAD: convert and move your model | ConvertAnyModel
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3ds Max to ArchiCAD · via FBX and IFC

3ds Max to ArchiCAD

Export FBX from 3ds Max, drop it here, pick the parts you need and export IFC for ArchiCAD. The model stays in your browser.

Drop a model here STEP, IFC, Rhino, FBX, OBJ, STL, 3MF, glTF, DXF, SVG and 50+ more. Include the .bin, .mtl and textures that go with it.
  • Private. Models open in your browser and are never uploaded.
  • Pick elements. Tick walls, doors or any category and export only those.
  • Keeps the data. Names, categories and BIM properties travel with the geometry.

What arrives in ArchiCAD

FeatureIn the IFC file
GeometryKept
Colours and materialsKept
Element namesKept
CategoriesIFC classes
BIM propertiesProperty sets

How to move a model from 3ds Max to ArchiCAD

  1. Export from 3ds Max. In 3ds Max, go to File › Export and choose Autodesk (.fbx).
  2. Open it here. Drop the .fbx file on this page. It opens in 3D in your browser.
  3. Pick what you need. Tick the elements or categories you want. Move, rotate or scale them if the model needs it.
  4. Export for ArchiCAD. Choose IFC (.ifc) in the export list and press Export. The IFC is written as IFC4 with one element per ticked item, its class, colour and a property set.
  5. Open it in ArchiCAD. In ArchiCAD, go to File › Open and pick the .ifc file.

Questions

Can I move a 3ds Max model into ArchiCAD?

Yes. Export FBX from 3ds Max, convert it to IFC here, and open that in ArchiCAD. It takes a few minutes and needs no plug-in.

Can I drop the .max file itself?

No. 3ds Max's own .max files can only be read by 3ds Max, so export FBX from it first. That is one menu command.

What arrives in ArchiCAD?

The IFC file keeps geometry, colours, element names, categories (ifc classes) and properties (property sets).

Do I need 3ds Max or ArchiCAD installed?

You need 3ds Max only to export the FBX file, or ask whoever sent the model to export it. The conversion itself runs in your browser.

Is it free?

Opening, viewing and editing are free. Your first export is free with a free account. After that, Pro is $5 a month or $39 a year for unlimited exports.

Are my files uploaded?

No. The model is read and converted inside your browser tab. It is never sent to a server, and closing the tab clears it.

What do you need it for?

Over 50 formats open here. Find your use, drop the file, and export what the next program wants.

3D printing

Bambu Studio, PrusaSlicer, Cura, OrcaSlicer

Open.stl.3mf.obj.amf.ply.step
Export

3MF keeps colours and separate parts; VRML is for full-colour printers.

Laser cutting and CNC

LightBurn, Glowforge, xTool, LaserGRBL, VCarve

Open.dxf.svg.step.stl.3dm
Export

Each ticked part is cut flat and laid out in millimetres, ready to cut.

Blender and animation

Blender, Maya, Cinema 4D, Houdini, 3ds Max

Open.fbx.glb.obj.dae.usd.3ds.lwo.ms3d.ac.x
Export

In Blender: File › Import › glTF 2.0 keeps names, colours and the hierarchy.

Game engines

Unity, Unreal, Godot, Roblox Studio

Open.fbx.glb.obj.md2.md3.md5mesh.smd.b3d.x
Export

Pick only the parts you need, so the export stays light.

Architecture and BIM

Revit, ArchiCAD, SketchUp, Rhino, AutoCAD

Open.ifc.3dm.dae.kmz.dxf.fbx.obj
Export

IFC keeps classes and property sets; the CSV lists every element for Excel.

CAD and engineering

Fusion, SolidWorks, Inventor, FreeCAD, Onshape, CATIA

Open.step.stp.iges.igs.brep.3dm
Export

STEP export is a surface body of flat facets, good for reference and fit checks.

AR, VR and the web

iPhone and iPad AR, Reality Composer, Meta Quest, websites

Open.usdz.usd.usda.usdc.glb.gltf.wrl
Export

USDZ opens in AR straight from Safari on iPhone and iPad.

Scans, science and voxels

MeshLab, CloudCompare, ParaView, MagicaVoxel

Open.ply.obj.stl.vtk.vtp.off.vox
Export

Clean up a scan by unticking the parts you do not want.

Coming soon

  • .skpSketchUp. Open and save .skp directly. Until then, SketchUp exports and imports .dae.
  • .dwgAutoCAD. Open .dwg directly. Until then, save as .dxf in AutoCAD and open that.
  • .blendBlender. Open and save .blend. Until then, use glTF (.glb), which Blender reads and writes.
  • .rvtRevit. Only Autodesk can read .rvt. Export IFC from Revit and open that here.
  • .max3ds Max. Only Autodesk can read .max. Export FBX from 3ds Max and open that here.
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