topic Re: 3ds. to gsm. ? the best way to do it. in Libraries & objects

3ds. to gsm. ? the best way to do it.

Anonymous — Fri, 13 Jan 2006 13:50:27 GMT

My question is whether is there or not a plug-in that can allow me to import 3ds. models into ArchiCAD, without getting huge files and without losing the quality of the curved surfaces.

The easy way seems to be to export from 3dsmax a dxf. file that can be later opened in ArchiCAD> However if the object is more cpmplex (a car for example) the object itself will contain a huge amount of polygons.

Re: 3ds. to gsm. ? the best way to do it.

Djordje — Fri, 13 Jan 2006 18:59:21 GMT

Mihai wrote:
My question is whether is there or not a plug-in that can allow me to import 3ds. models into ArchiCAD, without getting huge files and without losing the quality of the curved surfaces.

The easy way seems to be to export from 3dsmax a dxf. file that can be later opened in ArchiCAD> However if the object is more cpmplex (a car for example) the object itself will contain a huge amount of polygons.

If ArchiCAD 9, look in the Goodies folder ...

Re: 3ds. to gsm. ? the best way to do it.

Ignacio Azpiazu — Sat, 14 Jan 2006 05:15:27 GMT

There is a very neat add-on by Oleg Schmidt that creates a GDL object with a material parameter setting for each material in the 3ds file. I don't remember if it can do anything about the polygon count, but those typical ArchiCAD material parameters save a lot of work.

It is available for free at www.arexline.com .

Re: 3ds. to gsm. ? the best way to do it.

Dwight — Sat, 14 Jan 2006 05:44:57 GMT

When using the 3ds import tool found in the Goodies folder, remember that many modeling applications create objects where y=z - set the Options for import accordingly or it comes in laying down.

For smooth obejcts, specify smooth during import dialog.

Re: 3ds. to gsm. ? the best way to do it.

Anonymous — Tue, 17 Jan 2006 20:03:22 GMT

Dwight,

I have used the import 3ds file / GDL converter and found that im not able to render materials on the building. What i have is an AutoCAD 3d model that i saved as a 3ds file and then converted that file into a gsm file. im able to change the materials using the gdl script. but when i render the material doesn't come through at all. Do you or anyone else know what could cause this and how i can get the stone adn brick to render? Im sending an example rendering as well.

Re: 3ds. to gsm. ? the best way to do it.

Dwight — Tue, 17 Jan 2006 20:20:45 GMT

That is probably because the translated script refers to an imbedded material.

You'll enter the 3D Script and assign a material variable.

Re: 3ds. to gsm. ? the best way to do it.

Anonymous — Tue, 17 Jan 2006 20:40:30 GMT

I'm assuming that to enter the 3d script and material variable that i use the parameters menu in the gdl script menu. I have changed the values and materials and i got the rendering below. Is there anywhere writen in the script that has values of reflection, or material glazing. What i have on this building is brick and stone and glass, but evrything comes in all reflective and wrong. it does take the color of the material it just doesn't render the stone image. Is there any other way to import from AutoCAD into ArchiCAD. Thanks for the help.

Re: 3ds. to gsm. ? the best way to do it.

Dwight — Tue, 17 Jan 2006 20:42:00 GMT

Not the parameters - the script.

If you have no GDL skills, then it will be tricky.

Post your 3D script.

Open the GDL Object using the

File>GDL Objects>Open

Re: 3ds. to gsm. ? the best way to do it.

Anonymous — Tue, 17 Jan 2006 20:46:39 GMT

Very new to GDL and the Script, its coming to me however adn pretty fast.

here is peice of the script, i beleive this is where i can change some of the values but im just not sure what to change them to, or if i can erase them all together. Im not looking for a full course just a quick bit of your brain.

Thanks Dwight, your a big help on this site. i hope you get paid well.

!Applied textures:7

IF AC3D_SHOW3D THEN

MUL A/46.3281250, B/38.6474609, zzyzx/8.0524406

hotspot -26.91797, -17.74438, 0.00000
hotspot 19.41016, -17.74438, 0.00000
hotspot -26.91797, 20.90308, 0.00000
hotspot 19.41016, 20.90308, 0.00000
hotspot -26.91797, -17.74438, 8.05244
hotspot 19.41016, -17.74438, 8.05244
hotspot -26.91797, 20.90308, 8.05244
hotspot 19.41016, 20.90308, 8.05244
hotspot 0.00000, 0.00000, 0.00000
hotspot -0.02557, 0.01419, 3.31332

DEFINE MATERIAL "__GLOBAL_" 0,
0.000000, 0.000000, 1.000000,
!surface RGB [0.0..1.0]x3
0.650000, 0.800000, 0.900000, 0.000000,
!ambient, diffuse, specular, transparent
!coefficients [0.0..1.0]x4
50.000000,
!shining [0.0..100.0]
1.000000,
!transparency attenuation [0.0..4.0]
0.000000, 0.000000, 1.000000,
!specular RGB [0.0..1.0]x3
0.000000, 0.000000, 0.000000,
!emission RGB [0.0..1.0]x3
0.000000
!emission attenuation [0.0..65.5]

Re: 3ds. to gsm. ? the best way to do it.

Dwight — Tue, 17 Jan 2006 20:58:19 GMT

My approach here is to delete the imbedded material definition and call existing ArchiCAD materials to surface the object. You'll need to do this procedure for each material change in the object.

Delete the DEFINE MATERIAL statement and the following lines.

For the deleted material definition, substitute the line:

MATERIAL mtl

Add "mtl" to the parameter list

Change the parameter category to material - the little platonic solids symbol.

You will then get a material list in the parameter list.

If you're using a special texture - this must be added to a new ArchiCAD material.

I am a volunteer who only gets paid if you buy my book.

Re: 3ds. to gsm. ? the best way to do it.

Anonymous — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 14:23:44 GMT

Dwight,

I've been reading people respond rather highly about your book. Im curious how I can order the book? Do you have a site set up or do you take orders in here? I searched for a posting that talks about how to order the book but i found nothing.

Thanks.

Re: 3ds. to gsm. ? the best way to do it.

Dwight — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 18:43:06 GMT

Thank you for the inquiry.

As stated in my signature at the bottom of each of my postings - albeit rather cryptically - anyone can order the book from me by doing the following:

Sign up with PAYPAL if you are not already a member. Paypal is the international system for transferring small amounts of money and is free for the sender.

Sign up with your credit card at PAYPAL : www.paypal.com

Send US$95.00 if in America or
US$110.00 if elsewhere, to:

info.beginnernomore@telus.net

The book will ship immediately by air mail.

I am grateful to all ArchiCAD TALK Forum members for their support in producing this fine book. Attached is the Table of Contents.

Re: 3ds. to gsm. ? the best way to do it.

Anonymous — Wed, 25 Jan 2006 18:45:28 GMT

Thank you very much for getting back with me and i cannot wait to get the book and learn some tricks.