topic Re: GDL Import from DWG Block in Libraries & objects

GDL Import from DWG Block

Anonymous — Tue, 27 Apr 2004 12:15:26 GMT

Dear People
I have created a 3D block in AutoCAD that I would like to import in ArchiCAD and use it as railings pattern in most of my projects.It is shown in the attachment.How can I import it in ArchiCAD?I must say that the use of this specific railing is the only reason for me returnig to AutoCAD from now and then.
Please help.

Re: GDL Import from DWG Block

Djordje — Tue, 27 Apr 2004 17:53:19 GMT

chris_pap wrote:
Dear People
I have created a 3D block in AutoCAD that I would like to import in ArchiCAD and use it as railings pattern in most of my projects.It is shown in the attachment.How can I import it in ArchiCAD?I must say that the use of this specific railing is the only reason for me returnig to AutoCAD from now and then.
Please help.

Import it as any 3D DWG.

Please post the screen shot; then we can tell you whether you really HAD TO revert to AutoCAD

Re: GDL Import from DWG Block

Anonymous — Tue, 27 Apr 2004 22:05:12 GMT

Do you mean that I should merge the drawing?Will that method keep the 3D properties of the block?
What I am trying to do is "Import Block from DWG/DXF" through the GDL Objects menu.
I will post the picture tomorrow first thing in the morning
Djordje, I would HATE to go back...

Re: GDL Import from DWG Block

Anonymous — Tue, 27 Apr 2004 22:05:38 GMT

Re: GDL Import from DWG Block

Karl Ottenstein — Tue, 27 Apr 2004 23:10:59 GMT

chris_pap wrote:
Do you mean that I should merge the drawing?Will that method keep the 3D properties of the block?
What I am trying to do is "Import Block from DWG/DXF" through the GDL Objects menu.

No, what you're trying to do is correct. Merge/xref only brings in 2D information ... to get 3D you have to open the DWG/DXF as an object...use the forum Search function to find other discussions about this.

Karl

Re: GDL Import from DWG Block

Anonymous — Wed, 28 Apr 2004 09:48:33 GMT

Here is the railing pattern shown the way it is in AutoCAD and the way it is imported.
Any suggestions to erase the uneccessary lines?

Re: GDL Import from DWG Block

Anonymous — Wed, 28 Apr 2004 09:49:39 GMT

And here it is the way it looks when imported.Here it is shown in wireframe mode.In rendering projection the extra lines do not show.
But if I perform an elevation these lines within the steel frame appear.
Any suggestions please?

Re: GDL Import from DWG Block

Djordje — Thu, 29 Apr 2004 11:18:29 GMT

chris_pap wrote:
And here it is the way it looks when imported.Here it is shown in wireframe mode.In rendering projection the extra lines do not show.
But if I perform an elevation these lines within the steel frame appear.
Any suggestions please?

Yes.

Take 5 minutes of your time and do it in ArchiCAD! A piece like this is less than 5 minutes. You can do it with the slab, you can do it with the Truss Maker. Why bother yourself with importing DWG ?!?!?!?

See the ArchiTips section at ArchiGuide (link up left) on how to do it with Truss Maker. The procedure is for the stair railing, but it is the same.

Re: GDL Import from DWG Block

Anonymous — Thu, 29 Apr 2004 18:01:41 GMT

I m sorry Djordje but I am not capable of creating by myself in ArchiCAD neither by slabs etc. nor with TrussMaker.
All my efforts were unsuccessful that's why I tried to import it from AutoCAD.If it is only 5 minutes' work could you please do it?
I know I'm asking for too much but hey I had to give it a shot.
Thank you in advance anyway.

Re: GDL Import from DWG Block

Eduardo Rolon — Thu, 29 Apr 2004 19:13:58 GMT

here you go

Re: GDL Import from DWG Block

Djordje — Fri, 30 Apr 2004 07:02:02 GMT

chris_pap wrote:
I m sorry Djordje but I am not capable of creating by myself in ArchiCAD neither by slabs etc. nor with TrussMaker.

Instead of giving you a fish, let's teach you how to fish

First, check the TrussMaker link at http://www.graphisoft.com/support/archicad/archiguide/techtipsept2002.html

What you have to do is draw the center lines of your railing in an S/E window, set different pen color for the members of different size, and start TrussMaker. If the S/E line is at your railing axis, and the storey is correct, the object will be automatically placed. Make sure to save it in the project library.

Second, try to find the book called Object making with ArchiCAD, by David Nicholson Cole, published by Graphisoft. Basic stuff like what you need is VERY well described there. AFAIK a new edition is being prepared to cover the 8.x changes in object handling, but the old one will suffice.

Re: GDL Import from DWG Block

Anonymous — Fri, 30 Apr 2004 14:35:50 GMT

Thank you SO MUCH ejrolon!!!!!
I am truly grateful.
Thank you very much.I hope one day I will be able to do the same thing for you...
Thank you Djordje for your advice and your immediate response to all my rookie questions so far!!

Re: GDL Import from DWG Block

Eduardo Rolon — Fri, 30 Apr 2004 22:38:24 GMT

No problem I was bored.

BTW as Djordie says "learn how to fish"

It only takes a couple of minutes to do it, the procedure is simple:

1) draw everything using walls, slabs or combination.
2)make sure the elements are in their proper z coordinate.
2a) All this is done in the story view drawn as it looks in elevation
3) Go to the 3D view and using the window settings get the model to be shown in top view, this is the tricky part until you get use to it. Remember that you drew it in elevation on the story window, so you have to choose the front elevation icon instead of the roof icon.
4)After you are sure you have the object looking as a top view, select all and then choose from File- GDL Objects- Save 3D Object As-

That's it

Re: GDL Import from DWG Block

Djordje — Sat, 01 May 2004 06:41:59 GMT

ejrolon wrote:
No problem I was bored.

BTW as Djordie says "learn how to fish"

It only takes a couple of minutes to do it, the procedure is simple:

1) draw everything using walls, slabs or combination.
2)make sure the elements are in their proper z coordinate.
2a) All this is done in the story view drawn as it looks in elevation
3) Go to the 3D view and using the window settings get the model to be shown in top view, this is the tricky part until you get use to it. Remember that you drew it in elevation on the story window, so you have to choose the front elevation icon instead of the roof icon.
4)After you are sure you have the object looking as a top view, select all and then choose from File- GDL Objects- Save 3D Object As-

That's it

Tell the man how to put the bait on! 😉

The stuff you are modeling with slabs etc should:

- be on the storey with elevation 0
- start at the origin - either a corner or the middle of the whole structure; for example, if you are modeling a door or a window this way the origin HAS TO be in the middle.

See you fishing!

Re: GDL Import from DWG Block

Anonymous — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 08:42:09 GMT

Ejrolon,

Great post, brief and effective.Unusually useful!