Importing a Model from a Text File

LAVA allows you to create a model by importing a tab-delimited text file. This provides a fast way to generate geometry from external tools or structured data.

Because the import is format-driven, the file must follow LAVA’s required structure exactly. Even small differences in headers or level names will prevent a successful import.

Before You Begin

Before importing a file, the LAVA model must already be set up.

1. Create a new LAVA file

   1. Or open your blank LAVA template file that has all your preset settings saved.

2. Add the required number of levels (floors)

3. Save the model

Importing the File

1. Open your LAVA model

2. Go to File > Import Model

3. Select your tab-delimited text file

4. Complete the import

Template File

Use the template below as a starting point when creating your import file.
You can copy this directly into a text file and modify the coordinates as needed.

Make sure the file is saved as tab-delimited (.txt).

Tips for Using the Template

• Keep the headers exactly as shown (including the colon)

• Use tabs between values, not spaces

• You can remove any sections you don’t need

• You can add additional levels by repeating the same format

• Element names (B1, SW1, etc.) can be anything

Import File Requirements

File Type

• Must be tab-delimited text (.txt)

• Each value must be separated by a tab (not spaces or commas)

Level Structure

Each portion of the file begins with a level definition.

Level names must match LAVA exactly:

• ROOF

• FLOOR1

• FLOOR2

• FLOOR3

• FLOOR4

• FLOOR5

• FLOOR6

If a level name does not match exactly, the import will fail for that section.

Supported Elements

Within each level, elements are grouped under section headers.

Each section must include a colon:

Supported section headers

• Beams:

• Plates:

• Diaphragms X:

• Diaphragms Y:

• ShearWalls:

• BearingWalls:

Coordinate format
Each row contains:
Display Name X1 Y1 X2 Y2

How geometry is interpreted

• Beams: X1, Y1 is the start point and X2, Y2 is the end point.

• ShearWalls: X1, Y1 is the start point and X2, Y2 is the end point.

• BearingWalls: X1, Y1 is the start point and X2, Y2 is the end point.

• Plates: coordinates define a rectangle using opposite corners.

• Diaphragms X / Diaphragms Y: coordinates define a rectangle using opposite corners.

Element Data Format

Each row defines one element using:

• Name: Any label (used for identification)

• X1, Y1: Start point or first corner

• X2, Y2: End point or opposite corner

All values must be numeric except the name.

Common import failures

• Text file is open while importing

• Level name does not match a LAVA level exactly

• Section header is misspelled or formatted differently

• File is not tab delimited

• Required levels were not created in the LAVA model before import