With the Datasmith Exporter plugins, you can bring 3D models and assets from any major Building Information Modeling (BIM), Computer-Aided Design (CAD), or modeling design application into Twinmotion using the following two workflows:
Datasmith File Import Workflow
From your design application, export your content to a .udatasmith file and a folder containing the material assets, and then import the .udatasmith file and material assets into Twinmotion.
If you update the content in your design application, you can create a new .udatasmith file and re-import it into Twinmotion. Any modifications that you have made to the project in Twinmotion are reapplied and saved.
For more information, refer to Datasmith File Import Workflow.
Datasmith Direct Link Workflow
Import your project into Twinmotion by setting up a Datasmith Direct Link between your design application and Twinmotion.
The Direct Link Auto Sync feature synchronizes scenes between your design application and Twinmotion in real-time, or on demand.
Create multiple Direct Links and import files from multiple applications into one Twinmotion project.
For more information, refer to Datasmith Direct Link workflow.
For a complete list of supported design applications for Datasmith, refer to Supported Design Applications for Datasmith.
How It Works
Certain design applications have the Datasmith Exporter functionality built-in to their software. If you are using one of these applications, you do not need to download and install the plugins as described below in steps 1 and 2. For information on design applications that have the Datasmith Exporter functionality built-in, refer to Supported Design Applications for Datasmith.
Download the Datasmith Exporter plugin for your design application. You can access the plugins from:
The Twinmotion website.
The Supported Design Applications for Datasmith documentation page.
The Plugins tab in the Twinmotion Home panel.
Your design application’s website.
Install the Datasmith Exporter plugin in your design application.
After the plugin is installed, the Datasmith Exporter toolbar is added to your design application.
Datasmith Exporter toolbar in Archicad With the commands in the Datasmith Exporter toolbar, bring your scenes and assets into Twinmotion using one of two methods:
About the Datasmith Exporter Toolbar
The following table describes the commands in the Datasmith Exporter toolbar. Depending on the application you are using, the icons may have a different appearance.
| Icon | Command | Description |
|---|---|---|
 | Synchronize with Direct Link | Pushes the selected models to Twinmotion through the Direct Link connection. |
 | Toggle Direct Link Auto Sync | Synchronizes scenes between your design application and Twinmotion in real time or on demand. |
 | Manage Connections | Opens the Datasmith Direct Link Connection Status dialog box, which allows you to manage Datasmith Direct Link connections between your design application and Twinmotion. |
 | Export to Datasmith File | Saves your scene and assets in the |
 | Show Messages | Opens the Datasmith Messages window where you can view logging information and error messages for troubleshooting purposes. |