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Import new DWG drawings to Dalux FM

This article will show you how to import DWG drawings to Dalux FM using the custom template for the first time.

If you are updating an existing drawing, then read this article: Update DWG drawings in Dalux FM

In Dalux FM, DWG drawings can be enhanced with interactive room data, which allows users to navigate and manage building spaces. However, to ensure the import of the data, the data must be placed in the correct layers within the DWG file.

This includes information such as room numbers, room names, square meters, and other relevant details that may be needed for efficient facility management.

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We assume you're familiar with Autodesk AutoCAD or Architecture and know how to create a DWG drawing.

Table of contents

  1. Video
  2. Prepare DWG drawings
  3. Import room data via the custom DWG template
  4. Example data

Video

User rights

To import DWG drawings into Dalux FM, the user must be either an administrator or part of a user role with "Edit building mass" permissions under Locations.

DWG requirements

The DWG file can contain room data that can be displayed within Dalux FM, allowing it to be shown as part of the floor plan.

System-defined fields are:

  • Gross area (Outside perimeter of each floor)
  • Net area (Inside perimeter of each room)
  • Room number (should be used as the unique identifier of each room)
  • Room type
  • Name
  • User

Additional user-defined fields can be created under Settings User fields 'Rooms'.

Prepare DWG drawings

To successfully import data into Dalux FM, it is important to follow the rules for creating the DWG drawings.

Gross and net area

To import the gross and net area of a level, each area should be created on a separate layer.

Gross area
Create a polyline around the building and name a recognizable name.

For example: Create a polyline on the "Dalux Gross area" shown by the white rectangle.

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Net area

Create polylines along the internal walls of each room and label them for easy recognition.

For example: Create polylines on a layer named "Dalux Net Area" shown by the green rectangles:

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User defined fields

For the user-defined fields, you have two options:

  • Text elements
  • Block reference

Text elements

Create text elements that have the blue square grip inside the net area polyline of each room.

These text elements should be labeled with names that are recognizable to you.

For example, create the Room name on a layer named "Dalux Room name", shown with the yellow text color:

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The Room number (should be used as the unique identifier of each room) on a layer called “Dalux Room number” shown with the purple text:

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The Room type on a layer called “Dalux Room type” is shown with the blue text:

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Block reference

Create a block that contains the room attributes. The block should be positioned with the blue square grip inside the polyline of the net area within each room, and placed on a layer that you can easily identify.

Ensure that the block contains each room's attributes on separate layers, as mentioned above.

For instance, you can create one block for each room on the "Dalux Block Layer", and each block should contain the relevant attribute elements.

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Note: The block layer is not imported, only the attributes on the matching layers.

DWG layers

The DWG will now contain the following layers, ready to be imported to Dalux FM:

Import room data via the custom DWG template

Navigate to the building you want to import the DWG drawing to and click on Drawings and BIM.

Then click on Add, and then From your computer.

Select the DWG file to import from your computer and click open.

Drawing settings

Select the drawing discipline and choose the 'Custom' file format.

Check 'Import rooms' and 'Crop' and click 'Next'.

Please note that the imported drawing will be in black and white.

To import it with colors from the DWG, select the 'Colors' option.

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  • Drawing discipline: This is mandatory and can be used to filter the drawing under Documents.
  • Drawing sub discipline: This is optional and can filter the drawing under Documents.
  • File format: This is the behavior of the import, in this article, we only describe "Custom".
  • Import rooms: Select whether to import the room data or not. 
  • Crop: This will allow you to create a rectangle around the drawing, to remove unnecessary data.
  • Color: The drawing is displayed in black and white. If you select colors, the layer colors of the drawing will be shown.

Floor mapping

Create a new floor or choose an existing one. Verify the floor name, Type, and Elevation, then click 'Next'.

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  • Action: Select between creating a new floor, or using an existing one.
  • Existing floor: If you select "Use existing" under "Action", you can view the available floors. However, you cannot change the floor name, type, or elevation during an update.
  • Floor name: If you selected "Create new floor" under "Action", you can type in the floor name here.
  • Floor type: If you have multiple floors at the same elevation, select a type for filtering purposes.
  • Elevation: Type in the elevation of the floor, which will be sorted from highest to lowest.

Layer names

Select a template (see below), or type in the layer names of the net + gross areas then match the Layer type (user-defined fields) with the layer names.

Click 'Next' when finished.

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  • Select template: You can create a predefined template so that every layer is matched automatically with each import.
  • Template name: Display the name chosen under 'Select template'.
  • Net area: For each closed polyline in the drawing, Dalux FM will create a room. 
  • Gross area: For each closed polyline in the drawing, that matches this layer, Dalux FM will create a gross area, and populate the gross area parameter on the building.
  • Layer type: Select the Dalux parameter, which will be populated with the chosen layer name.
  • Layer name: Type in the layer name, and the content of the text element or attribute will populate the selected Dalux parameter.

DWG file format template:

Create a template under Settings General settings Floor plans: DWG file format templates.

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Warnings

If there are any errors in the drawing, they will appear here.

Verify each one, as it will impact your data. Once you're satisfied, click 'Next'.

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Visible layers

Check the boxes of the layers that you want to show in the drawing.

Generally, this includes only the gross and net areas, along with any permanent installations like toilets and sinks.

Please note that this will only affect the view of the drawing and not the imported information.

Also, remember that you can turn on room information in Dalux FM at a later stage when you view the drawing, so there is no need to select them here to make them visible.

Click 'Next' to continue.

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Crop

Drag a square around the specific area of the drawing you want to be displayed.

This allows you to remove any unwanted information such as annotations or drawing heads, ensuring that only the necessary details are visible.

Click 'Next' to continue.

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Room parameters

Check that each Dalux FM attribute is correctly matched to a CAD attribute from the drawing.

You can only select CAD attributes from layers matched in the "Layer names" step.

Click 'Next' to continue.

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Rooms

A list of all the rooms that will be created is displayed with the room name and room number.

Since this is your first upload, the only available option at this point is to create a new room.

Click 'Next' to continue.

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Gross area

This displays the gross area from the polyline that matched the gross area layer.

As this is your first upload, the only option is to create a new one.

Click on 'Next' to continue.

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Confirmation

Please review the information listed, which will be imported from the drawing.

It is important to ensure that the data matches before clicking the 'Confirm' button to proceed with the import.

Please note that this action is irreversible, so it is important to verify that the data is correct before importing.

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The drawing is being processed and the completion time depends on the amount of data.

Example data

The article includes a link below to download DWG drawings to view a sample floor plan.

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