Datasmith File Import Workflow

3D models and assets from any major Building Information Modeling (BIM), Computer-Aided Design (CAD), or modeling design application can be brought into Twinmotion using the Datasmith File Import workflow. Once you’ve installed the Datasmith Exporter plugin in your design application, you use the Datasmith Exporter toolbar to convert your content into a .udatasmith file and a folder containing all your material assets. You then import the .udatasmith file and the material assets into Twinmotion using the same workflow for importing Geometry.

Creating Datasmith Files

To convert the files in your design application to the Datasmith format and import them into Twinmotion, do as follows:

• Step 1: Download and install the Datasmith Exporter plugin for your design application. This installs the Datasmith Exporter toolbar in your design application.

• Step 2: In your design application, use the Datasmith Exporter toolbar to export your content and create a .udatasmith file and Material assets folder.

• Step 3: Import the .udatasmith file and Material assets folder into Twinmotion.

Step 1: Download and Install the Datasmith Exporter plugin

1. 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.

   For information on how to install the Datasmith Exporter plugin for Archicad, Revit, Rhino, or SketchUp Pro refer to:

   Using Datasmith with Archicad

   Using Datasmith with Revit

   As of Twinmotion 2023.1 and Revit 2024, the Datasmith Exporter Plugin is managed by Autodesk and is built in to Revit. No download or separate installation is required.

   Using Datasmith with Rhino

   Using Datasmith with SketchUp Pro

Step 2: Export the Content with the Datasmith Exporter Toolbar

1. In your design application, open the scene that you want to export

2. In the Datasmith Exporter toolbar, click Export to Datasmith

   

3. In the file browser window that opens, select the location where you want to save the .udatasmith file and folder.

4. Choose a file name and click Save. The .udatasmith file and a folder containing the assets of the scene are created. In most design applications, only assets that are visible in the Viewport are exported; hidden assets are not exported.

Step 3: Import the Content Into Twinmotion

You can import Datasmith files into Twinmotion using the same workflow you use to import geometry. For more information, refer to Importing Geometry.

Replacing or Updating Datasmith Files in Twinmotion

If you updated or modified a .udatasmith file you are working with outside of Twinmotion, you can update the scene in Twinmotion by either refreshing or reimporting the file in Twinmotion.

1. In the Footer, click the Import icon to open the Import dock.

   

2. If the source file name and location has not changed, click the Refresh icon that appears above the Datasmith file.

   

3. If the file name and/or location has changed, you need to reimport the file.

   1. In the Import dock, click the ellipsis (...) above the Datasmith file.

   2. In the menu that opens, click File settings.

      

   3. In the Datasmith File Import window, select the new .udatasmith file, then choose the import options and click OK.

      

Resetting and Reimporting Individual Assets

If you delete objects or make changes to objects or materials in an imported Datasmith file, you can reimport the objects and reset the original settings for these objects only, instead of doing a full reimport.

In the Import dock, click the ellipsis (...) that appears above the file, and in the menu select one of the options.