topic Re: 3d model export in AutoCAD Forum

AutoCAD 2026 - 3d model export in FBX or OBJ format to be able to render in twinmotion

federico_gatti85 — Tue, 29 Jul 2025 12:41:49 GMT

hi. I'm trying to export my 3d model from autocad in fbx or obj format to be able to render it in twinmotion. my version of autocad is the full 2026 and there isn't the command *fbxexport nor *export. how can i do a complete export to manage the model in twinmotion? thanks

@federico_gatti85 topic title has been adjust for better findability. Original: 3d model export

Re: 3d model export

Alfred.NESWADBA — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 09:35:54 GMT

Hi,

the FBX file handling was stopped by Autodesk (for unknown reason) I think with release 2019 or so (+/-).

However, TwinMotion should be able to read DXF using command _SAVEAS and change to filetype DXF... (maybe also DWG, but not sure with this).

- alfred -

Re: 3d model export

BhaskarMurari — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 10:40:30 GMT

@federico_gatti85 Can you check this article / help document.

Working with importing and exporting FBX files in AutoCAD Products

Re: 3d model export

federico_gatti85 — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 13:54:58 GMT

Ok, thank you. So, Autocad 2026 doesn't offer the possibility to export in any format but dxf even if I can edit 3d models more or less as sketch up or other 3d modeler. Is it correct? So, what do I do with my 3d dwg file? How can I end up my workflow and render it? Any idea?

P.s.: my version of twinmotion 2024 doesn't import dxf

Re: 3d model export

DGCSCAD — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 13:59:55 GMT

Beyond 2018 I've had to resort to importing my DWG's to 3DS in order to export to FBX as a bridge for importing into Twinmotion, but I had the AEC bundle. I know AEC can be a little pricey, but I believe Sketchup can also import DWG and export FBX.

Re: 3d model export

Alfred.NESWADBA — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 14:03:46 GMT

Hi,

>> my version of twinmotion 2024 doesn't import dxf

this article shows that DXF is supported, however, I can't try it at the moment now...

https://dev.epicgames.com/documentation/en-us/twinmotion/overview-of-geometry-in-twinmotion

- alfred -

Re: 3d model export

pendean — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 14:42:07 GMT

@federico_gatti85 wrote:
...Autocad 2026 doesn't offer the possibility to export in any format but...

May I ask, have you had a chance to look up your query in HELP in AutoCAD 2026 yet?

https://help.autodesk.com/view/ACD/2026/ENU/?guid=GUID-A72DB257-3410-4792-B548-6B9FC1DED72B#:~:text=The%20following%20output%20types%20are%20available%3A

FYI, I suspect fellow Twinmotion users on that software vendor's forum may be to help you as well as the folks trying to over here

https://forums.unrealengine.com/categories?tag=twinmotion

best wishes.

Re: 3d model export

federico_gatti85 — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 15:23:46 GMT

Hi Alfred.

I would ask you to try to export a dfx file so that i can finish my workflow in TM, please. I attached here my dwg modelled in 3d. Take your time, no worries.

I'm quite new of AutoCad, so I hope to make a mistake in my path.

Re: 3d model export

federico_gatti85 — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 19:12:30 GMT

ok guys, thank you all. I usually used Autocad just for 2d drawings, but in this case I tried to model my architectural project in 3d too and I found it quite easy and complete.

I just can't understand the reason why I can't use the model in any other software but inside Autocad itself. Exportation are really few and complicated to manage.

Moreover with a licensed software like autocad, I won't pay another software (Sketchup, rhino, 3ds max, Naviswork, etc) just for a conversion from dxf to fbx and than complete the workflow in Twinmotion (an Autodesk product too)... if you have a solution for an efficient way to draw in 2d, 3d model, export and render an architectural project it would be great!

Re: 3d model export

pendean — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 19:30:20 GMT

@federico_gatti85 As @Alfred.NESWADBA noted, DXF seems possible since FBX is a dead-end option if you only have AutoCAD. Ask in the TwinMotions User Forum for help, here is the link again https://forums.unrealengine.com/categories?tag=twinmotion

There are free online DWG to FBX converter websites too if you want to part with your DWG file to them, use a websearch to find and text them.

Best of luck.

Re: 3d model export

DGCSCAD — Fri, 25 Jul 2025 21:18:27 GMT

It's been a while since I've done 3D stuff, but I just tried AutoCAD 2022 dxfout and imported into Twinmotion 2022 and nothing showed up.

Pretty sure thats why I was always having to convert to FBX.

After a bit of digging, I found this reddit post. I haven't tried it but pcon.planner might be a solution for free FBX output:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Twinmotion/comments/1h2594g/help_dxf_to_fbx/

Other than that, regular old AutoCAD can produce some quality renders if you spend enough time tweaking things. Animations are another story though:

How to export an editable 3d file from Autocad 2026

federico_gatti85 — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 08:21:46 GMT

Hi, I'm trying to export my 3d model from Autocad 2026 in a way so that I will be able to edit it and render it to complete my workflow. I usually use Twinmotion, following Autodesk products. Unfortunately I can't find a format that allows me to do it. I have already tried to convert it into fbx (but autocad 2026 can't), into obj (same problem) and dxf (none of the different possibilities of exportation are readable by Twinmotion). What I would like to know is if there is a possibility to match Autocad for modelling and Twinmotion to render, considering that both of them are made by Autodesk.

Re: How to export an editable 3d file from Autocad 2026

Alfred.NESWADBA — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 08:59:20 GMT

Hi,

please don't start multiple threads. It does not make anything better to create multiple threads with the same question, it's just more work for those who try to support.

Please continue in your previous thread >>>there<<< and in case you have new information, please add it there as reply.

Regarding this:

>> considering that both of them are made by Autodesk.

TwinMotion is not a product from Autodesk.

'- alfred -

Re: 3d model export

federico_gatti85 — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 09:18:30 GMT

Hi, I'm trying to export my 3d model from Autocad 2026 in a way so that I will be able to edit it and render it to complete my workflow. I usually use Twinmotion, that can import fbx, obj, dxf and several other files. Unfortunately I can't find a format that allows me to do it. I have already tried to convert it into fbx (but autocad 2026 can't), into obj (same problem) and dxf (none of the different possibilities of exportation are readable by Twinmotion). What I would like to know is if there is a possibility to use Autocad files for drawing and modelling and Twinmotion to render.

P.s: I dont't want to buy any other licences but Autocad, because all my needs of modelling are satisfied by autocad and I just need a real time render software to make images. Farther Revit is for Bim specialist, and I'm not. All the other free software are forbidden because in my office I can't download and install everything I want on my PC.

Concluding, how can I use Autocad 3d files out of Autocad itself?

Re: 3d model export

Alfred.NESWADBA — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 09:25:25 GMT

Hi,

>> I usually use Twinmotion, that can import fbx, obj, dxf

TwinMotion can import DXF, already verified by @DGCSCAD ... see his post.

Also please understand, that TwinMotion is NOT a product from Autodesk.

So finding the best interchange formats between products of different companies could always be a bit tricky.

- alfred -

Re: 3d model export

federico_gatti85 — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 09:39:34 GMT

Alfred please answer to my questions, not to something else: is Autodesk able not to make software just for itself or not? Is Autodesk able to make ONE software to draw and to model? Or does Autodesk prefer to divide different tools in different software just to sell different licences?

These questions are trick, not allowing people to export their own work into formats that are common and usable by every other softwares: fbx and obj.

If you have answers to my needs, please tell me. I'm here to listen and to improve. If not, please stop to defend a software that, in my opinion, is far away the potential of ArchiCad, for example, that allows everyone to draw in 2d, modelling in 3d and export in several formats or using direct link to several render softwares.

Re: 3d model export

Alfred.NESWADBA — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 10:30:29 GMT

Hi,

>> Alfred please answer to my questions,

I tried

>> Is Autodesk able to make ONE software to draw and to model?

Maybe we need to discuss the wording, but yes, Autodesk has products to draw and to model, e.g. AutoCAD, Inventor, Revit, Fusion, ...

>> Or does Autodesk prefer to divide different tools in different software

>> just to sell different licences?

Each software has it's strength, pros and contras, however, you are referring to a product that is not from Autodesk and you want to use AutoCAD as well as TwinMotion, I don't see where you have to buy now anything else if you want to use these 2 products.

>> If not, please stop to defend a software that, in my opinion, is far away the potential of ArchiCad

If you compare AutoCAD (a generic CAD product without any vertical/branch orientation) with ArchiCAD (which is built for Architecture usage) then you are comparing different product types. You should then compare Revit with ArchiCAD instead of AutoCAD and ArchiCAD.

You may use AutoCAD Architecture (which is in the same license model as AutoCAD), which is AutoCAD + architectural add on's and exchange formats.

>> that allows everyone to draw in 2d, modelling in 3d and export in several formats

Same as AutoCAD and Revit can, however AutoCAD as generic CAD program uses generic exchange formats, while Revit (as well as ArchiCAD) can export specific files for architectural interchange like IFC.

>> using direct link to several render softwares

Same here: Revit has a direct link to TwinMotion, but not AutoCAD.

Maybe the decision to use AutoCAD instead of Revit (which seems to fit better to your needs) was incorrect?

>> If not, please stop to defend a software

To be honest, I don't defend AutoCAD, I just answered to the question exchanging data from AutoCAD to TwinMotion .. this was your question.

If you now see that AutoCAD does not fit your needs (seeing that you compare it with ArchiCAD) and therefor see my replies as wrong .. then sorry.

- alfred -

Re: 3d model export

Alfred.NESWADBA — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 10:53:41 GMT

Hi,

just to show that TwinMotion can use DXF:

This shows the file-open dialog with the available extensions for "Geometry" ==> "Open" inside TwinMotion.

(just to answer the question for the first question inside this thread, how to import geometry from AutoCAD into TwinMotion)

- alfred -

Re: 3d model export

federico_gatti85 — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 11:47:26 GMT

So,we now know you could bo better in a commercial area then in technial one. Seller not technical solver.

Re: 3d model export

federico_gatti85 — Tue, 29 Jul 2025 14:43:43 GMT

Go back to my previous post. I attached my 3d file in autocad. Fbx and obj are not considered by Autodesk anymore, for any unknown reason. So if you can export it in a way that TM can open the DXF to edit it, good to know. And please explain me easy. I'm an architect, not a software expert. Unfortunately I tried several types of DXF exportation from autocad and none of them worked, differently from other DXF I made from other softwares. I'm looking forward to conclude my work in time!

@federico_gatti85 - this post has been edited due to Community Rules & Etiquette violation.