DWG to FBX - 2019/2020 - Twinmotion

[VCivil3D]

Since Autodesk chose to put away the practical and logical feature FBX Export/Import from AutoCAD 2019 and 2020, I’ve being struggling with attempts to export my 3D models (solids) from AutoCAD to Twinmotion properly.

When I choose to export the 3D model from Infraworks, it goes OK in terms of scale and spatial position (original coordinate system) but messes with the model itself, changing the triangulation behavior.

I’ve tried to use 3DS Max and Navisworks, both using the corresponding unit from the original DWG, without changing the original geographical reference, but when I try to import those on Twinmotion, it goes all crazy both on scale and spatial position (random coordinate system) , not being able to find the correct correlation to fix it.

Here on the Forum people were talking about a palliative fix that Autodesk provided (AutodeskAutocadFBX2019_64.exe) but is now offline…

Thinking as users and not employees, are you guys experiencing difficulty with that ‘consuming more products’ policy or found another solution to bypass this horrible workflow to get a simple FBX out of 3D solids?

Thanks!

[pendean]

As a 2020 user you are entitled to install and use 2019 and its FBX add-in tool if you need it all the time.

Also explore this identical post on the topic for other solutions and discussions https://forums.autodesk.com/t5/autocad-forum/fbximport-export-for-autocad-2020/td-p/8732473

[VCivil3D]

As I pointed, the FBX add-in tool in no longer available to download.

[pendean]

You can legally install and use 2018 with your subscription too.

Point is, Autodesk has deemed FBX ability obsolete, if you only want an Autodesk fix, then use your subscription to its maximum benefit by using versions that still have it.
Or do what that other post suggested, explained here https://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/autocad/troubleshooting/caas/sfdcarticles/sfdcarticles/fbximp...

You can always try and find a 3rd party non-Autodesk solution too, here is one that may or may not be good enough, you have Google Search to find others https://www.blender3darchitect.com/cad/how-to-convert-dwg-files-to-obj-or-fbx-without-autocad/

[R_Tweed]

I don't know if this helps but I've been opening/importing DWG files to 3ds and then exporting to Twinmotion using the fbx file format with somewhat acceptable results.  My issues are with converting Arch'l Civil Objects , Solids and how the transfer deals with layering etc. and mesh resolution.  Swept curbs are never smooth enough etc..  Recently I've tried using the Unreal Engine Data Smith and the IFC Format and have found that if I take into account that Unreal Engine uses metric I can get results that are expected and the meshing works nicely. My data comes in at 0,0 , scaling, mesh etc. all are pretty neat and it seems like everything drops right into Twinmotion.  I would say performance is better but I'm one of those guys that thinks his car is somehow faster after every oil change. I wouldn't say that this is the answer but it's the direction I'm going to follow as it works best for me and I will probably be using unreal/quixel etc. more.  As far as I know they are working on a straight dwg import through datasmith but It appears that this has been going on for sometime.

[chetheringtonXMPQ6]

So far I've found the greatest success with model imports through Sketchup. I sign up for the 30 day free trial. You import your model to sketchup, and then save. In twinmotion I import the sketchup file. No issues with triangulation, no issues with positioning. - Seems to be the most seamless