e2k-generator
generate("Story_+3.50.dxf") → model.e2k
E2k Generator
;; DXF floor plans in, ETABS model out
Upload your structural DXF stories and get a complete ETABS .e2k model: columns, shear and retaining walls, PT and RC slabs, beams, openings, piers, diaphragms — with your section names preserved exactly as drawn, an optional load-template import, and a full validation report before download.
// no account or installation is required — upload your DXF files and generate the E2K model directly in your browser
// 0 · supported_element_layer_syntax
Use the following layer names so the generator can identify each structural element and preserve its section properties.
// file_naming
Each DXF file is one ETABS story and must be named <StoryName>_<elevation>.dxf. The split happens at the LAST underscore, so the story name may itself contain underscores; the elevation is read as a number in metres and a leading '+' is fine. Ground_+5.00.dxf becomes story 'Ground' at +5.00 m.
// material_and_units
The material token is written without a separator because AutoCAD layer names cannot contain '/'. The first two digits are the steel grade and everything after is the concrete strength: 6048 = grade 60 / f'c 48 MPa, 5040 = grade 50 / f'c 40 MPa. The separated forms 60-48 and 60_48 are also accepted. All dimensions in a layer name are centimetres and are converted to metres.
| element | required layer syntax | real example | dxf entity | output |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Column | COL-<mat>-<w>X<d>-<n>T<bar> | COL-6048-20X70-12T16from every sample story | Closed LWPOLYLINE | ETABS column (frame) |
| Shear wall | SW-<mat>-<t>CM | SW-6048-40CMfrom every sample story | LINE (or open polyline) | ETABS wall (area) |
| Retaining wall | RW-<mat>-<t>CM | RW-5040-30CMfrom Ground_+5.00.dxf | LINE (or open polyline) | ETABS wall with 0.35 shell modifiers |
| Beam | BEAM-<mat>-<w>X<d> · B-<mat>-<w>X<d> | BEAM 60-48 20X80from First_+9.00.dxf | LINE | ETABS beam (frame) |
| PT slab | SL-<mat>-PT<t>CM-<usage> | SL-6048-PT35CM-RESIDENTIALfrom First / 4th / roof | Closed LWPOLYLINE | ETABS slab (area, 0.5 bending modifiers) |
| RC slab | SL-<mat>-RC<t>CM-<desc> | SL-6048-RC20CM-GSMROOMfrom Second_+13.00.dxf | Closed LWPOLYLINE | ETABS slab (area, 0.25 bending modifiers) |
| Opening | OPG | OPGfrom Ground_+5.00.dxf | Closed LWPOLYLINE | ETABS opening |
Layer pattern: COL-<mat>-<w>X<d>-<n>T<bar>
Real sample: COL-6048-20X70-12T16
Meaning: COL + material 6048 (grade 60, f'c 48 MPa) + 20×70 cm section + 12 bars of T16. At least 4 bars are required.
Layer pattern: SW-<mat>-<t>CM
Real sample: SW-6048-40CM
Meaning: SW + material 6048 + 40 cm thickness. Each line becomes one wall panel spanning to the story below.
Layer pattern: RW-<mat>-<t>CM
Real sample: RW-5040-30CM
Meaning: Same shape as SW, but the RW prefix marks it as retaining and applies cracked-section modifiers of 0.35.
Layer pattern: BEAM-<mat>-<w>X<d> · B-<mat>-<w>X<d>
Real sample: BEAM 60-48 20X80
Meaning: BEAM + material + 20×80 cm section. The BEAM form also accepts spaces instead of hyphens, which is why the sample reads 'BEAM 60-48 20X80'. The short form B-6048-20X80 is equivalent.
Layer pattern: SL-<mat>-PT<t>CM-<usage>
Real sample: SL-6048-PT35CM-RESIDENTIAL
Meaning: SL + material + PT 35 cm thickness + usage label. The usage becomes the load category, so MEP and elec are also valid (SL-6048-PT35CM-MEP).
Layer pattern: SL-<mat>-RC<t>CM-<desc>
Real sample: SL-6048-RC20CM-GSMROOM
Meaning: The RC marker switches the bending modifiers to 0.25. The description may span several hyphenated tokens, which become spaces.
Layer pattern: OPG
Real sample: OPG
Meaning: The layer must be exactly 'OPG' — openings carry no material and no size, only geometry.
// produced_automatically
- Pier — Assigned automatically — every wall area object receives a pier label, so stacked walls merge into one ETABS pier. There is no pier layer to draw.
- Diaphragm — Assigned automatically — one SEMIRIGID diaphragm per story that actually has floor shells. There is no diaphragm layer to draw.
common invalid examples
COLUMN-6048-20X70-12T16— Unknown prefix — the column prefix is COL, not COLUMN.COL-6048-20X70— Column needs four tokens; the reinforcement token (12T16) is missing.COL-6048-20X70-3T16— A column needs at least 4 bars.SW-6048-400MM— Thickness must be in centimetres, e.g. 40CM.SW-60-40CM— Material token is too short — use 6048 (grade 60 / f'c 48).SL-6048-PT35CM— Slab needs a usage token, e.g. SL-6048-PT35CM-RESIDENTIAL.OPG-100X200— An opening layer must be exactly 'OPG' with no extra tokens.Ground.dxf— File name needs the elevation, e.g. Ground_+5.00.dxf.
// 1 · upload_dxf_stories
;; your project files to upload — the samples above are downloads only
Name each file <Story>_<elevation>.dxf (e.g. GroundFloor_+3.50.dxf) — one DXF per story.
You can upload up to 1 DXF file.