1Overview
XML import begins with parsing and an import audit. The selected audit profile can be changed and rerun before Import is enabled. The importer can optionally apply compatible editable project attributes and can recover unrecognised supplementary types into the loaded profile.
Receiving an ADAC deliverable for review, design continuation, migration or comparison.
2Before you begin
- Back up the current design and choose the profile expected by the XML receiver/author.
- Check the incoming file and supporting resources for trust and completeness.
- Decide whether imported Project Attributes should replace compatible current values.
3Import decisions and recovery
Project data, asset identity and supplementary definitions each have an explicit reconciliation path.
| Feature or choice | Current behaviour |
|---|---|
| Pre-import audit | Parses XML, validates project/assets against the selected profile and creates a temporary DOCX report.Problems are visible before geometry is created. |
| Project values | Flattens compatible imported project fields into the effective current project schema when approved.Current project context is not overwritten without consent. |
| Identity handling | Tracks duplicates and generates new unique IDs where the import workflow requires them.Imported assets do not intentionally collide with current identities. |
| Supplementary recovery | Can build runtime definitions for incoming supplementary types and offer to persist them to the loaded profile.Receiver-specific data is not discarded merely because the local profile is incomplete. |
| DCAD native import | Creates native 12d models and elements, including world-space Annotation Text, then records imported ADACIds against their actual native ObjectId mappings.Later Edit, Audit and Export operations resolve the imported native elements reliably. |
4Audit before importing
Choose the profile and review the report before any incoming geometry changes the active design.
Select the XML
The import audit starts when a file is chosen.
- Run
ADACImport. - Browse to the
.xmlfile. - Wait for parsing, schema mapping and the initial audit report.
Review audit and profile
Import can proceed with issues, but the report explains risk.
- Choose the intended profile in Audit Parameters.
- Let the audit rerun after a profile change.
- Open Report and review project, standard, supplementary, geometry and attribute findings.
Choose project-attribute handling
Import offers a deliberate project update.
- Select Import.
- At Set Project Attributes, choose Yes only when compatible editable imported values should become current project values.
- Review ignored/export-only fields such as ExportDateTime.
Import and reconcile
Assets are prepared in bulk where possible and fall back per item when required.
- Allow point and prepared-geometry groups to complete.
- Review created, skipped, duplicate-ID and error counts.
- When offered, append recognised unregistered supplementary types to the loaded profile.
- Save the host project and use the import result's zoom action when needed.
5Product differences
The task is shared where possible, but selection, interface integration and model operations follow the host shown below.
Creates AutoCAD blocks, points, polylines, polygons, groups and enhancements from parsed XML.
BCAD uses equivalent Teigha geometry and shared importer logic.
The desktop host audits the XML, then the native worker creates 12d models and elements, including world-space Annotation Text. Imported ADACId values are stored against the actual native ObjectId mappings after creation.
6Troubleshooting
The XML cannot be parsed
Confirm it is a complete supported ADAC XML file, not a ZIP or report. Check the exact parse error and request a corrected export.
The report changes when a profile is selected
That is expected: required fields, allowed types and geometry come from the chosen profile. Use the receiver-appropriate profile.
An imported supplementary type is missing later
Accept the append-to-profile option or add the definition through the Asset Library, save/export the profile and reload it.