topic Re: Library (3ds and rpc) in Libraries & objects

Library (3ds and rpc)

Anonymous — Tue, 05 Sep 2006 09:27:44 GMT

Hello,

Apologies if it turns out to be a FAQ.

Is it possible to use .3ds and .rpc object files within AC10?
If yes, how?
If not, why not?

Bob

P.S. Revit can use .rpc object files.

Re: Library (3ds and rpc)

Rafal SLEK — Tue, 05 Sep 2006 14:15:09 GMT

3ds - of course. You import them to Archicad and they become parametric objects in it. The tool for this is in every Archicad - it is 3dsImport add-on.
Imported 3ds got mapped texture or bitmap also.

Re: Library (3ds and rpc)

Anonymous — Tue, 05 Sep 2006 14:58:57 GMT

Rafal,

I cannot find this add on in the AC10 default library. All I could find, including the manual, is the "3DStudio Out" in the folder "Add-Ons/Import-Export/". The one you are mentioning is the input part, which is indeed what I am looking for. Where did you get yours?

Bob

Re: Library (3ds and rpc)

Anonymous — Tue, 05 Sep 2006 15:05:18 GMT

... ah! It is a "goodie"!

http://www.graphisoft.com/support/archicad/downloads/goodies10/INT.html

Thanks
Bob

Re: Library (3ds and rpc)

Anonymous — Tue, 05 Sep 2006 15:20:56 GMT

... I followed the installation instructions. The option is in the "Design/Extra Design/" menue. However, it is grayed out, and I cannot run it. Any clue? Also, why is this a goodie instead of a standard feature, close to the 3dsout option menue? Furthermore, why not using the 3dsin as part of the library manager?

Bob

Re: Library (3ds and rpc)

Rafal SLEK — Tue, 05 Sep 2006 17:50:01 GMT

jdk wrote:
... I followed the installation instructions. The option is in the "Design/Extra Design/" menue. However, it is grayed out, and I cannot run it. Any clue?

Have You got right Goodies version for your Archicad?
When You have latest Hotfix You should download also latest Goodies.
Check it in the add-on manager (if something is wrong you'll see notice).
3dsImport works only in Floorplan window, in another views it will be inactive (grayed)

jdk wrote:
Also, why is this a goodie instead of a standard feature, close to the 3dsout option menue?

From my observations maybe 5% AC users need this - so it is the right place for it.

jdk wrote:
Furthermore, why not using the 3dsin as part of the library manager?
Bob

Visit wishlist category and make poll 🙂

Re: Library (3ds and rpc)

Anonymous — Wed, 06 Sep 2006 08:58:51 GMT

>3dsImport works only in Floorplan window, in another views it will be inactive (grayed)

Yes, I spotted this last night, which puzzled me. There is no reason to lock this plugin in 3d mode. I understand this plugin as a converter from .3ds files to whatever is AC10 using for its libraries.

>>Also, why is this a goodie instead of a standard feature, close to the 3dsout option menue?

>From my observations maybe 5% AC users need this - so it is the right place for it.

I can't make sense of it all.

Anyway, I tried this plugin with a file by Dosch. The result is, that AC10 crashed. I tried over and over again, and it crashed each and every time.

I went further with another plugin, which is supposed to interface with Artlantis by translating from .pln to .atl. The file is generated, but Artlantis (latest version) complains that it cannot find the library of embedded objects. Whaterver that plugin is worth for, I think it should instruct Artlantis to know where to read the libraries.

In summary both plugins failed to deliver, but I need them badly...

> Visit wishlist category and make poll Smile

mmm... a pool to say, "please make the plugin x and y work at all"? I think this is more of a design or implementation problem than a feature request.

Bob

Re: Library (3ds and rpc)

Rafal SLEK — Wed, 06 Sep 2006 09:58:26 GMT

...with a file by Dosch. The result is, that AC10 crashed. I tried over and over again, and it crashed each and every time.

Try to re-write the file using software like DeepExploration or 3DPhotoBrowser - it helps very often. I use 3DS import very often and it is very reliable. If You got some crashes try to use it in AC9 (it is installed with program).

Re: Library (3ds and rpc)

Anonymous — Wed, 06 Sep 2006 18:16:56 GMT

Thanks Rafal, I'll have a look at it.

Re: Library (3ds and rpc)

Anonymous — Wed, 06 Sep 2006 18:29:11 GMT

... I observe that both applications run on windows only. I wonder if there is anything like it for mac too.

Re: Library (3ds and rpc)

Anonymous — Wed, 06 Sep 2006 18:59:42 GMT

... I spotted the following application. It is open source, it runs on windows, mac and linux, and it is free.

http://www.blender3d.org

Using this application, I could re-write a Dosch .3ds file as suggested here, importing it and then exporting it into another .3ds file. This time, the AC10 plugin "3dImport" managed to read the file and import it. A few statistics on file size:

original .3ds: 388KB
exported .3ds: 377KB (via Blender3D)
converted .gsm: 3.2MB (via 3Dimport)

Comments:

1. what whent wrong with the conversion? The file is huge and the object takes ages to render on screen via the open-library-object menu, and there was no fortune in persuading AC10 to list it in the local library.

2. AC can read and write .dwg files natively. How about doing the same for .3ds files? It would be a dream to just drop the (usually large) collection of objects into the library, and use it on the fly, with no need for conversion. As the above application is open source, and it includes a (fast) reader of .3ds (and other) files, I think it is possible for ArchiCAD to be extended with a revised version of the open source code... and use .3ds natively for its libraries.

3. out of my chest, the gallery at Artlantis is inspiring, but how do we get there? I mean, those are .3ds file objects, right? How can I possibly convert hundreds of .3ds files with the above method, which take gigabytes in their non-converted format, persuade AC10 to use them swiftly, and then convert to artlantis? It is realistic, or they are using another method?

Finally, AC10 uses LightWorks for its rendering, LW is compatible with .rpc objects, as shown in the following page, but AC10 cannot load .rpc libraries . Why?

http://www.lightwork.com/glossary/rpc.htm

Bob

(revised and extended)

Re: Library (3ds and rpc)

Electric Flute — Thu, 07 Sep 2006 00:54:32 GMT

The 3DS file issue is the ArchiCAD biggest deficiency in my opinion.
It is a shame that ArchiCAD can't handle 3ds files without making huge files.

Please Graphisoft, let AC communicate with the rest of the world efficiently!

Re: Library (3ds and rpc)

Anonymous — Thu, 07 Sep 2006 10:36:11 GMT

We all know about Gutenberg, the father of typography. Today, typography consists of two components: high quality outlook fonts and and engine. There is a business around fonts, with designers, makers, and sellers. Adobe is one of the best known companies to deliver high quality fonts. There is also business around the engine, with different approaches, but all such engines are compatible with the fonts. You can use any (professional) engine you like, and be certain that it can use professional fonts from any professional designer. This is possible because there are standards on file types for fonts, and these standards are open.

Something similar is happening in architectural design. Objects are like fonts. ArchiCAD is an engine. It makes very good business sense for ArchiCAD and other engines to agree in the development of industry standards, so that we can all win. Having proprietary approaches to objects (.3ds, .rpc, etc.) is a shoot on everybody's foot.

It is my humble opinion that ArchiCAD can deliver more. There are open source programs out there that can read and write 3d object files from major companies. If no standard exists, it is still possible to adjust. Let ArchiCAD be open to major designers of 3d objects, just like professional typography engines are open to various file types for fonts. ArchiCAD will show its ability to read its own business with critical eye, and ride the wave of 3d architectural modelling, because no other engine is presently doing it.

Bob

Re: Library (3ds and rpc)

Anonymous — Thu, 07 Sep 2006 11:00:40 GMT

Yet another open source application that reads and writes 3ds...

http://wings3d.com/

Bob

Re: Library (3ds and rpc)

Anonymous — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 14:00:04 GMT

It is too much to as for feedback from Graphisoft? Perhaps this thread is not visible to most readers, but I think it is worth further comments.

Bob

Re: Library (3ds and rpc)

Anonymous — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 16:33:32 GMT

I do not like fork lifts...

Have a look at this:

http://www.evermotion.org/shop_display_item.php?item=169

Click around until you see the objects. It is simply stunning.

It supports everything you can think of, except ArchiCAD...

Wake up Graphisoft.

Bob

Re: Library (3ds and rpc)

Rafal SLEK — Mon, 11 Sep 2006 12:48:18 GMT

jdk wrote:
It is too much to as for feedback from Graphisoft? Perhaps this thread is not visible to most readers, but I think it is worth further comments.
Bob

Answer is simply - your thread is in bad category. It is Installation/new user not Libraries or ArchiCAD+.
Second - you've written dozen self-replying posts...

It supports everything you can think of, except ArchiCAD...
Wake up Graphisoft.

No, You are wrong - you'll find there only 3ds, obj, dxf, max - mainly autodesk formats - no C4D, no LWO etc.
Simply buy these collection (If you really need them) and import 3ds files directly into Archicad.

1. what whent wrong with the conversion? The file is huge and the object takes ages to render on screen via the open-library-object menu

I don't understand. The object weight is not problem for archicad - it is slightly slower in 3d window (if you got dozens of them). In rendering with LW maybe it took some additional time. When you got full Hard disk simply compress libraries in *.lfc container format.
In Artlantis you'll see no difference at all.

Re: Library (3ds and rpc)

Electric Flute — Mon, 11 Sep 2006 14:19:48 GMT

Rafal,

I understand your point, but it doesn't make any better with the ArchiCAD's well known deficiency of handling 3ds files.
Yes they are primary Autodesk files, but they do rule the world like DWG.

ArchiCAD makes huge and obscene file sizes from 3ds. They are soooo heavy and slow that makes almost impossible to have dozens of them in your project depending of the complexity of the model.

Autodesk files = CAD world standard files.

I live in an isolated small island called Graphisoft.. I like where i live, i do not regret to live in this isolated beautiful place... But I feel so alone, I should communicate with the civilization...

Re: Library (3ds and rpc)

Anonymous — Mon, 11 Sep 2006 14:31:38 GMT

Rafal,

>mainly autodesk formats

If you spent thousands on them, they are an asset. If the paradigm is that in order to migrate from AutoCAD to ArchiCAD you have to toss away your former assets, the conclusion is the obvious one.

> The object weight is not problem for archicad

It is for me, because of the size of the resulting library. If a 400K file is converted into a 3.2MB one, you need additional storage. Further, you need to convert each file, one by one. I would rather use the original files, with no need for conversion and additional storage.

Bob

Re: Library (3ds and rpc)

Rafal SLEK — Mon, 11 Sep 2006 15:07:23 GMT

I can't understand where lies your problem - maybe look at these screenshots
- it is ONE Archicad object made from three 3ds files.
I've added some additional info, material parameter for every part, 2D options, producer info, link to www etc. - all in text and graphical user interface.
Simply to use (if you know polish a little 🙂) with integrated 2D and 3D.
Hundreds of combinations.
It is impossible to made in any other software!