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1. [Knowledge Base](https://support.lumion.com/knowledge-base?hsLang=en-us)
2. [Import & Export Questions](https://support.lumion.com/knowledge-base/import-export-questions?hsLang=en-us)
3. [Model Import Guidelines](https://support.lumion.com/knowledge-base/import-export-questions?hsLang=en-us#model-import-guidelines)
# Model import guidelines for Chief Architect
**Please note that *Lumion* does not officially support *Chief Architect*.**
## **1. Method A: Export a '.DAE' file**
Export your *Chief Architect* model to a '.DAE' file (*Collada* format) and import it in *Lumion*:
*File* -\> *Export* -\> *Collada...*
This option is known to be supported in *Chief Architect X10* and newer.
## **2. Method B: Export a '.DWG' file**
If method A does not work as expected, please export your *Chief Architect* model to a '.DWG' file and import it in *Lumion*:
*File* -\> *Export* -\> DWG
'.DWG' may be possible for some designs but does not support the export of textures mapped to any surface. In such cases, all materials need to be assigned within Lumion. *Lumion* users of *AutoCAD* use the '.DWG' file format.
## **3. Method C: Export a .3DS Format:**
Although *Lumion* and *Chief Architect* support the '.3DS' format, it is a very old 3D model file format and has a number of serious limitations, so we do not recommend using it.
- **Knowledge Base:** [Model import guidelines for the Autodesk .3DS file format](https://support.lumion.com/knowledge-base/api/v2/help_center/en-us/articles/360049449114.json?hsLang=en-us)
## **4. Tips & Troubleshooting**
**3.1: Why can't you see the model after importing and placing it in your *Project*?**
- The *Insertion Point* for the *Imported Model* in *Lumion* corresponds to 0,0,0 in *Chief Architect*.
- If a model is far away from the *Insertion Point* in *Lumion*, you need to move the model closer to 0,0,0 in *Chief Architect*, before exporting it to *Lumion*.
**3.2: Why can't you assign a *Lumion* material to individual surfaces?**
- *Lumion* will always combine surfaces that use the same material in *Chief Architect*. If you want to assign a *Lumion* material to a specific surface, you *must* assign a unique material to that surface in *Chief Architect* before *Importing* or *Re-Importing* the model.
## **See also:**
- **External Link:** Chief Architect forums: October 6, 2018: [DAE to Lumion](https://chieftalk.chiefarchitect.com/topic/19791-dae-to-lumion/)
- **External Link:** Chief Architect forums: March 10, 2017: [CA to Collada to Lumion](https://chieftalk.chiefarchitect.com/topic/13292-ca-to-collada-to-lumion/)
- **External Link:** Chief Architect forums: November 7, 2019: [Controlling material names during a Collada export](https://chieftalk.chiefarchitect.com/topic/24223-controlling-material-names-during-a-collada-export/)
- **External Link:** YouTube: Jintu Designs: 5 Nov 2017: [Chief Architect to Lumion](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8sucuhRf20)
- **External Link:** YouTube: Mostafa Lamey: 13 Apr 2020: [Chief Architect to Lumion Tutorial Teaser #31](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2K-AMmS4s_w)
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