Infraworks - Import an InfraWorks Model into Autodesk Civils

By David Crowther

InfraWorks is a very intuitive tool for undertaking early stage Road, Bridge and Drainage design.

Having now undertaken your design work you may wish to then take that design further using Autodesk Civils, but what are your options for transferring InfraWorks Models into Autodesk Civils?

Option 1: Export from InfraWorks as .IMX

InfraWorks allows you to export your 3D Model as an .IMX file which can then be imported directly into Autodesk Civils.

From the Settings and Utilities menu choose Export IMX.

In the Export to IMX window, choose Define Interactively….

and use a Polygon to define the area to export.

Specify the Coordinate System e.g. British National Grid and save the .IMX file to a specific location and press Export.

Once the .IMX file has been exported, open Autodesk Civils and use the IMX IMPORT command to find the .IMX file…

and import the Model.

The InfraWorks model then opens into Autodesk Civils for you to continue your more detailed design work.

Option 2: Open InfraWorks model within Autodesk Civils.

Autodesk Civils also has a direct Open InfraWorks Model tool. In Autodesk Civils choose the Insert menu and Open InfraWorks Model.

Use the folder option to find and open the InfraWorks Model that you wish to import.

Hint: In InfraWorks hover over the Model to find the the Local Cached location of the Model files.

Having now found the Model file next you can set a Coordinate System…

For example, search for Great Britain and use a British National Grid projection.

Next define an Area of Interest to import or choose to import the whole Model.

Finally, agree to any Object Settings and Open the Model. An Import Progress will appear and once completed the Model will open into Autodesk Civils.

You now have the ability to open an InfraWorks 3D Model within Autodesk Civils so that you can continue your more detailed Design work.