If you want to continue detailed design and documentation in AutoCAD, you can export your Forma Building Design project as a DWG or DXF file.
The export creates a vector drawing of each individual floor plan for each building, where the representation can be customized.
Workflow
- In Forma Building Design, click Export to AutoCAD in the top toolbar.
- This opens up an view, where you can specify how you want the floor plans to be exported, and in which format (DWG/DXF).
- When the export is complete, a notification will appear in the bottom menu bar, and the file has been downloaded to your specified download folder for your browser
- Open the saved .DWG or .DXF file directly in AutoCAD to continue your work.
Choosing What to Include in the Export
Before you export from Forma Building Design to AutoCAD, you can choose exactly what gets included in the file using the export settings panel.
This gives you control over which buildings, model components, labels, and units are sent to your DWG file, so you only export what you actually need.
Buildings
At the top of the panel, you can choose which buildings in your project are included in the export. Each building in your design is listed individually (for example, Building 1, Building 2, and so on), with a checkbox to include or exclude it.
- Check a building's box to include it in the export.
- Uncheck it to leave it out.
- Use the arrow next to each building to expand it and see (or select) individual floors within that building, if you only need part of a building exported.
Components
The Components section controls which model elements are included for the buildings you've selected. You can use Show all or Hide all to quickly select or deselect every component, or toggle individual items on and off:
- Outer walls – exterior wall geometry
- Inner walls – interior partition walls
- Columns – structural columns
- Grid lines – structural/building grid lines
- Elevators – elevator shafts and cores
- Stairs – staircases
- Doors – door objects
- Windows – window objects
- Balconies – balcony geometry
- Curtain walls – curtain wall systems
- Unit net areas – net area outlines for units (not included by default)
- Frame – building frame/structural framing
Only the components you check will appear in the exported DWG. This is useful, for example, if you need a clean structural export (columns, grid lines, frame) without doors, windows, or finishes cluttering the drawing.
Labels
The Labels section lets you include descriptive text labels alongside the geometry:
- Building labels
- Floor labels
- Space / room labels
- Unit labels
These labels are helpful for orientation and reference in the exported drawing, but can be turned off if you prefer a label-free export for further annotation in AutoCAD.
Unit
Finally, you can set the measurement unit used for the exported geometry: in, ft, m, cm, or mm. Changing this setting rescales the underlying geometry to match your chosen unit, so make sure to select the unit your AutoCAD template or workflow expects before exporting.