topic Re: 3D Import Problems in Collaboration with other software

3D Import Problems

Anonymous — Wed, 12 Jul 2006 20:57:02 GMT

I am trying to import/ merge/ open as object - both a dwg and 3ds file with no luck at viewing the 3d elements. I tried with AC10 and AC9 with no luck.
Yet I can import the same files into Google SketchUp with no problem.
Whats the deal?
Am I not using the 3ds import add-on correctly?

Re: 3D Import Problems

David Larrew — Thu, 20 Jul 2006 20:30:09 GMT

What units are you using?

How far away from the project origin (0, 0, 0) are your 3D elements. ArchiCAD has a problem converting 3D geometry when it is too far from the project origin.

Re: 3D Import Problems

Anonymous — Thu, 20 Jul 2006 21:03:18 GMT

The 3D elements are less that 30'-0" away in the Z direction.

Well I think I solved the problem (or got it to do what I wanted.)
In the latter versions you could view the model in the "Internal 3D" mode and save it off as a DWG. This would let you import the 3D view as lines and fills so you could easily put dim. on the axon or overlay the shadows (now fills) on a line drawn plan.
I still don't know if you can do that with AC10 but I was able to save the axon view in the navigator (now Organizer) while viewing it in "Internal 3D" mode.
I then loaded the view to the layout book and copied it from there back to the plan view to apply dim. (this allows you to click on each node of the axon.)
I then ran into the problem of losing my dimensions if I moved or streched the image box that holds the axon view. If I explode the image box it turns all the colors to grayscale. SO I ended up exploding the dim. strings once I plugged in the correct measurements.
CRAZY I know but couldn't figure out a better quicker way.

Re: 3D Import Problems

David Maudlin — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 14:16:56 GMT

sfriday:

A simpler way may be to create a blank detail window at the scale you want for the detail, generate the 3D view using the Hidden Line engine, use the "flat" version of the marquee tool to copy from the 3D window, then paste into the Detail window. You can then dimension and notate in this window and place it in a layout. This will work in ArchiCAD 9 or 10. This will not update from the model automatically, but neither does your current method.

HTH

David

Re: 3D Import Problems

Anonymous — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 19:42:45 GMT

Thanks for the advice. I will give it a try. Maybe I can do it with shading too which is what I like.
Thanks Again.

Re: 3D Import Problems

Dwight — Fri, 21 Jul 2006 23:02:19 GMT

I'm no expert in the layout book (very happy with only 2 projects so far - no more epithet "Plotmaker: It's a PLOT!"), but what if a layout sheet had a published perspective view on it. Overlaid on top, you could annotate and dimension in 3D and also update the 3D.

Is this nuts?

Re: 3D Import Problems

David Maudlin — Sat, 22 Jul 2006 13:18:04 GMT

sfriday wrote:
Maybe I can do it with shading too which is what I like.
Thanks Again.

sfriday:

This will work with the Internal Engine Analytic Shading mode. In ArchiCAD 9, the shading color will be changed to the closest pen color. In ArchiCAD 10, a matching uneditable RGB color will be assigned to the fill.

Dwight wrote:
I'm no expert in the layout book but what if a layout sheet had a published perspective view on it. Overlaid on top, you could annotate and dimension in 3D and also update the 3D.

Dwight:

Nice lateral thinking. Unfortunately, the dimension tool (along with the other intelligent tools) is not available in the Layout environment.

David

Re: 3D Import Problems

Dwight — Sat, 22 Jul 2006 13:45:07 GMT

Yes.

I was thinking purely from a graphic viewpoint.

I didn't think it a problem since we can't dimension in 3D anyways without using the 3rd Dimension tool.

Re: 3D Import Problems

Dwight — Sat, 22 Jul 2006 13:48:34 GMT

3rd dimension tool - objexonlyne

Re: 3D Import Problems

Anonymous — Sun, 23 Jul 2006 00:42:33 GMT

David Maudlin wrote:

This will work with the Internal Engine Analytic Shading mode. In ArchiCAD 9, the shading color will be changed to the closest pen color. In ArchiCAD 10, a matching uneditable RGB color will be assigned to the fill.

David
Yeah I did that but ran into the problem that I talked about in my previous post.

I then ran into the problem of losing my dimensions if I moved or streched the image box that holds the axon view. If I explode the image box it turns all the colors to grayscale. SO I ended up exploding the dim. strings once I plugged in the correct measurements.

I am working in AC10 do you get the same problem?
Thanks for your time.

Dwight wrote

3rd dimension tool - objexonlyne

Is objexonlyne a web site? How much is this addon?

Thanks

Re: 3D Import Problems

Dwight — Sun, 23 Jul 2006 00:51:47 GMT

www.objectsonline.com

Re: 3D Import Problems

Anonymous — Sun, 23 Jul 2006 00:57:19 GMT

COOL!
THANKS!

Re: 3D Import Problems

David Maudlin — Sun, 23 Jul 2006 16:07:24 GMT

sfriday wrote:
David
Yeah I did that but ran into the problem that I talked about in my previous post.

I then ran into the problem of losing my dimensions if I moved or streched the image box that holds the axon view. If I explode the image box it turns all the colors to grayscale. SO I ended up exploding the dim. strings once I plugged in the correct measurements.

I am working in AC10 do you get the same problem?
Thanks for your time.

sfriday:

This is what I did in ArchiCAD 10:
1. Generated a 3D axonometric view with the Internal Engine Analytic Shading mode.
2. Used the flat marquee in the 3D window to copy the axon.
3. Opened a Detail Window and pasted. The image comes in as fills and lines.
4. Used the Dimension Tool to dimension some of the points in the image.
5. Used the marquee tool to stretch part of the image with part of the dimension string, just for fun. The dimensions updated correctly.
6. Placed this view in a layout, resized the placed drawing, all is fine.

At this point I am not sure where the problem is. Can you provide more information and a screen shot of what has gone wrong?

David

Re: 3D Import Problems

Anonymous — Mon, 24 Jul 2006 04:44:47 GMT

Ahhhhhh!
I see the light!
I was doing it the round about way of setting the axon like you did but I saved it as a view then imported it into the layout book then copied it to the detail window.
I like your way much better.
Thanks for your help.

Re: 3D Import Problems

David Maudlin — Mon, 24 Jul 2006 15:38:48 GMT

sfriday wrote:
Ahhhhhh!
I see the light!
I was doing it the round about way of setting the axon like you did but I saved it as a view then imported it into the layout book then copied it to the detail window.
I like your way much better.
Thanks for your help.

sfriday:

I am glad this works for you. Thanks for letting me (and the Forum) know.

David