"ACAPI_Element_Create: APIERR_BADINDEX" Error when Importing Surveyor's TXT Data

Issue Description

The error "ACAPI_Element_Create": APIERR_BADINDEX appears during the import of a TXT file containing surveyor’s XYZ data into the Mesh Tool. You may observe the error message immediately after selecting the TXT file or during the final placement step, even if the data appears correctly formatted.

Solution

The error can be caused by inconsistencies in the Mesh Tool Settings, improper data formatting in the TXT file, or invalid coordinate references.

Below are different suggestions to resolve the issue:

1. Verify the Mesh Tool’s Default Layer

   1. Open the Mesh Tool Settings dialog.
   2. If the default layer is set to MISSING, assign a valid layer from the Layer Settings dropdown.
   3. You can navigate to Options > Attribute Manager > Layers to create a new layer and reassign it in the Mesh Tool settings.
       

2. Validate the TXT File Format

   
   Open the TXT file in a text editor and confirm the following:
   - Only three columns of numerical data (X, Y, Z) exist, with no headers, footers, or text.
   - Consistent separators (spaces, tabs, or semicolons) are used throughout the file.
   - No rows contain "0,0,0" coordinates, as these may conflict with the project origin.
   - All Z-values are relative to the same sea level reference defined in Options > Project Preferences > Levels & Project North.
    

3. Adjust Coordinate Proximity to the Origin

   
   If the surveyor’s data coordinates are extremely large (e.g., UTM values), manually offset the values in the TXT file to place the mesh closer to the project origin (0,0,0). For example, subtract a baseline X and Y value from all coordinates to center the mesh.
    

4. Reimport the TXT File

   1. Navigate to File > Interoperability > Place Mesh from Surveyors Data and reselect the corrected TXT file.
   2. Ensure the import unit matches the surveyor’s data (e.g., meters or feet).
   3. Set the Height Above Sea Level parameter to align with the project’s elevation reference.
       

5. Reset the Mesh Tool Defaults

   
   If the error persists, reset the Mesh Tool to factory defaults. Open the Tool Settings dialog, click the Options menu in the bottom-right corner, and select Reset All Default Settings. Reassign the layer and retry the import.

TIP: How to import a .TXT

If you need more help…

Check out more content on the Support Site, Graphisoft Community, or the Graphisoft Learn Portal. You can also contact Technical Support for further assistance.