topic Re: How to import DWG blocks to be used as objects (furnitur in Libraries & objects

How to import DWG blocks to be used as objects (furnitures)

Anonymous — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 21:50:14 GMT

Hi everyone,

I need to find a way to import the hundreds of DWG blocks that the manufacturers provided me with, in archicad in order to have them always available to use them as objects.

Basically I do interior design for offices. The dwg blocks are piece of furnitures in 3d.
I used to work with autocad, but then, thank to a friend of mine, I foud Archicad much quicher in the workflow and the library/objects are great! so if i could import the dwg blocks I will switch over straight away!

Thanks in advance!

Re: How to import DWG blocks to be used as objects (furnitur

Anonymous — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 11:01:39 GMT

File>Libraries and Objects>Open Object....
Open 3D DWG/DXF as Library Parts
3D Data in created Library Parts: Choose one of the following options:

a) Binary 3D: store the 3D information in binary format
b) GDL Script: store the 3D information in GDL script

If you process 3D data, the Binary 3D form is recommended: it is much quicker if the script doesn‘t have to be recompiled every time you generate the 3D view.
Note: The Open Object command is the only way to get all the 3D data stored in a DXF/DWG file!

Re: How to import DWG blocks to be used as objects (furnitur

Anonymous — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 21:55:51 GMT

Hi Andro, I really apprecciate your help, but i can't really get there..

maybe we run a different version of archicad. mine is 13

anyway

File -> Libraries and object -> Open Object.

then i choose Browse for a folder and i select the DWG file.

In the same window there are the options for the translator (where i guess i have to select the option Binary 3d or GDL script) right?

I'm kinda of stuck there..
I've tried to go ahead to import the DWG file, but i had no luck with all the settings i tried. I only managed to import an invisible and undescaled object...

Thanks in advance!

Re: How to import DWG blocks to be used as objects (furnitur

rob2218 — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 22:21:45 GMT

you might want to try to saveout the DWG 3d information as a 3DS file. then try to import/open that very same 3ds file into Archicad?
try that?

Re: How to import DWG blocks to be used as objects (furnitur

Anonymous — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 06:42:50 GMT

It's been a long time since I've done this so I don't know if it still works, but if the blocks are placed in an AutoCAD drawing there should be an option to convert them to library parts when you open the DWG in ArchiCAD. It might only make the 2D symbols though. I don't recall if it converts the 3D info.

Re: How to import DWG blocks to be used as objects (furnitur

Anonymous — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 17:11:24 GMT

debtz wrote:
Hi Andro, I really apprecciate your help, but i can't really get there..

maybe we run a different version of archicad. mine is 13

anyway

File -> Libraries and object -> Open Object.

then i choose Browse for a folder and i select the DWG file.

In the same window there are the options for the translator (where i guess i have to select the option Binary 3d or GDL script) right?

I'm kinda of stuck there..
I've tried to go ahead to import the DWG file, but i had no luck with all the settings i tried. I only managed to import an invisible and undescaled object...

Thanks in advance!

It works on AC13 too. There is the Step by step procedure:
1. File -> Libraries and object -> Open Object
2. Browse for a folder and select the 3D DWG file
3. Select the translator (which has option ...Save AC blocks As Binary 3d)
4. Pick OK button
5. Now opens the GDL window.... Click X to close it and select SAVE
5. Now opens the SAVE LIBRARY PART WINDOW....Input Name for the new object, Place where to be saved (Embeded Library or Browse for external path), Type=ArchiCAD Object > Options...Select both
6. Pick OK button
7. Pick SAVE button

That's all folks. Before you do this, open DWG files with AutoCAD or another FREE clone of it (Dassault DraftSight, IMSI Double CAD XT) and CHECK the Units, put all elements on Layer 0, use Purge to Delete all unwanted elements, and Save As to preserve the original.

I attach my TRANSLATOR for AC13 (works with AC14 but IT IS NOT MODIFYABLE in it).

Re: How to import DWG blocks to be used as objects (furnitur

Anonymous — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 17:12:55 GMT

One example for this method:

Re: How to import DWG blocks to be used as objects (furnitur

Anonymous — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 21:33:52 GMT

Thanks to everyone, much apprecciate your help!

Andro unfortunately the translator you posted is not compatible. i cannot import it...maybe because i'm on mac... I have to thank you for the effort. really

anyway i think i'm going to give up, because i would be importing tens if not hundreds of bwg blocs only for one project and this way of converting is time consuming apart the fact that so far i dindn't managed to make it working....

I think i'm going to use archicad for the starting plan (walls, windows, doord and some objects), then will tranfer to autocad to import the dwg blocks.

it's a pity though..it was love at first sight

Re: How to import DWG blocks to be used as objects (furnitur

Anonymous — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 21:41:43 GMT

Most likely my next post is going to be: "how to export dwg retaining the 3d dimension"

Re: How to import DWG blocks to be used as objects (furnitur

Anonymous — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 03:32:13 GMT

Andro...you nailed it! I was searching for so long how to import autocad 3d models. Haha.. hours of frustration have come to an end. thanks.

Re: How to import DWG blocks to be used as objects (furnitur

Anonymous — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 08:23:51 GMT

Thanks for letting me know about other good stuff !

Re: How to import DWG blocks to be used as objects (furnitur

Scott Bulmer — Wed, 02 May 2012 23:40:14 GMT

Andro, thanks for your explanation. Applying your process, I can import a 3D DWG however the object comes in rotated laying down on its back and with a single material. Have you any recommendations? Thanks, Scott

Re: How to import DWG blocks to be used as objects (furnitur

Anonymous — Thu, 03 May 2012 07:02:50 GMT

Scott,
Set the 3D view as "Front View", "Azimuth=90°" to see the .dwg element from the top.
Materials must be predefined in .dwg file or later in .gsm object adding the right code.

Re: How to import DWG blocks to be used as objects (furnitur

Scott Bulmer — Thu, 03 May 2012 14:31:31 GMT

Andro, you mention

andro55 wrote:
Set the 3D view as "Front View", "Azimuth=90°" to see the .dwg element from the top.

Can you please describe where you find these settings. They do not appear for me when opening the imported DWG object by File>Libraries & Objects>Open Object.
Thanks, Scott

Re: How to import DWG blocks to be used as objects (furnitur

Anonymous — Thu, 03 May 2012 16:00:54 GMT

When you have the 3D .dwg inserted on the plan, select it and open the 3D window. Here you must set the view to see the element from the TOP (use 3D Projection Settings > Parallel Projections > Side View and Azimuth=90°, 180° or 270°). Now you can save the element as .gsm object.

Re: How to import DWG blocks to be used as objects (furnitur

Scott Bulmer — Thu, 03 May 2012 16:20:35 GMT

Andro, brilliant & simple! For whatever reason however the DWG obtained from Sub Zero degenerates in the 3D view during the process as seen in the attached plan & 3D view screenshots. The 2D plan view representation is correct, the model not so much. Thanks, Scott

Re: How to import DWG blocks to be used as objects (furnitur

Anonymous — Thu, 03 May 2012 19:00:46 GMT

Scott,
can you attach the .dwg file (ZIP) so I can check it?
or a link for downloading?

Re: How to import DWG blocks to be used as objects (furnitur

Scott Bulmer — Thu, 03 May 2012 19:12:37 GMT

Here ya go!
http://www.subzero-wolf.com/wine-cooler/wine-chiller

Once at this page select 'Specifications & Downloads' from the center of the page, then select the 3D DWG icon under CAD Downloads for the WS-30 Framed Refrigerator. I think it is 6.5 MB.

Please let me know what you discover.
Thanks, Scott

Re: How to import DWG blocks to be used as objects (furnitur

Anonymous — Fri, 04 May 2012 08:43:27 GMT

OK,
1. I open the "WS-30 Framed_LH.dwg" in Draft Sight, purged all unnecessary elements; change the color to 9 (gray); then I rotate the refrigerator (rotate3d, x, 90°) and save it.
2. Next in AC I used Open Object (translator 02) and save as object (binary 3D);put it on the plan (4 errors - normal vector and edge xxx is not perpendicular in pgon xxx).
3. The bad thing - object has only 1 material (no such settings in the original .dwg model).

Re: How to import DWG blocks to be used as objects (furnitur

Anonymous — Fri, 04 May 2012 08:45:35 GMT

These settings in mine DXF-DWG translator 02: