topic Re: Problem exporting 3ds / fbx to 3ds Max in Installation & update

Problem exporting 3ds / fbx to 3ds Max

AndreasB — Tue, 02 Apr 2019 09:13:07 GMT

I am currently trying to export a model from ArchiCAD, using the .3ds and .fbx formats.

Usually I use .3ds, because it works well using the correct settings. (1000mm, split by surfaces)

In the past, I have been experiencing geometry problems if the model is situated far from the project origin - I could fix this in 3ds max by grouping the whole model and sending it to zero point. I think this is because Max can't properly calculate vertex positions in relation to each other if they are too far from the zero point.

This time, using the .3ds format, the model comes into 3Ds Max right next to the zero point and is the correct size, but I am still getting extreme geometry problems. It looks like this, similar to flickering when two surfaces are on top of each other, only going through the whole model;

This isn't just a display problem either; using viewport clipping in 3ds max solves the flickering, but reveals that the geometry itself is almost completely destroyed;

The .fbx format won't export from ArchiCAD at all unless I only export part of the model - when it does work, it produces a similar problem as .3ds.

Any idea what could be the issue here?

Re: Problem exporting 3ds / fbx to 3ds Max

Lingwisyer — Tue, 02 Apr 2019 09:31:42 GMT

Your images are not displaying for me on the forum but their links work. Is this only happening with furniture? Is the furniture native to AC or imported from some other format?

Ling.

Re: Problem exporting 3ds / fbx to 3ds Max

Anonymous — Tue, 02 Apr 2019 09:35:48 GMT

Andreas,
You mentioned far from origin, this will cause the problems you experienced in Archicad and also other BIM software, you should locate your project as close to the project origin as practical

Scott

Re: Problem exporting 3ds / fbx to 3ds Max

AndreasB — Tue, 02 Apr 2019 10:23:01 GMT

Thanks for the replies!

Ling, I'm not sure if the furniture was imported to ArchiCAD, but the problem is not limited to the furniture.

Scott, I'm aware of this issue, but the project is actually right next to the project origin in ArchiCAD.

Tried importing into Skethup, same problem:

https://www.photobox.co.uk/my/photo/full?photo_id=501766892839

Sorry, don't know why the pictures aren't showing up.

Re: Problem exporting 3ds / fbx to 3ds Max

Lingwisyer — Wed, 03 Apr 2019 01:28:24 GMT

AndreasB wrote:
Sorry, don't know why the pictures aren't showing up.

Your newest image just links to the hosting website...

Re: Problem exporting 3ds / fbx to 3ds Max

AndreasB — Wed, 03 Apr 2019 07:53:20 GMT

Sorry, it's just an image showing the same issue happening in Sketchup.

Starting to wonder if the problem might be a camera or lights being imported really far from the model. Trying to find out how I can avoid those being exported from ArchiCAD.

Re: Problem exporting 3ds / fbx to 3ds Max

Barry Kelly — Wed, 03 Apr 2019 08:34:04 GMT

AndreasB,
You are not having much luck attaching your images.

The instructions can be found here ...

https://archicad-talk.graphisoft.com/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=59187

Barry.

Re: Problem exporting 3ds / fbx to 3ds Max

AndreasB — Wed, 03 Apr 2019 13:15:04 GMT

Thank you. I'm hopeless, can't seem to edit my posts either.

In any case, here are the images. The first two are from 3ds Max, while the third shows the same problem in Sketchup. The geometry "floats" around while navigating the model.

Seems like the problem is that the model somehow won't stay at the project origin after saving - we have contacted Graphisoft support to solve the issue.

Re: Problem exporting 3ds / fbx to 3ds Max

Erwin Edel — Wed, 03 Apr 2019 13:42:31 GMT

Maybe you have a custom user origin that you are confusing for the actual project origin?

Re: Problem exporting 3ds / fbx to 3ds Max

Anonymous — Wed, 03 Apr 2019 14:03:49 GMT

I've had similar problems with large/complex models, which I assume your project is, especially with all the furniture.

Such models with office furniture can easily contain milions of polygons which in my case tend to mess up the .3ds output, even when the whole building is right at the project origin.

I checked one of my recent projects and it has 4,7 mil. polygons - out of which is 4,5 mil. standard archicad furniture... And that's one of the simpler projects.

So far I haven't figured out if I'm doing something wrong with my .3ds export like you, but in the meantime I export to ".obj" format which gives much better results when importing to 3ds max.

Re: Problem exporting 3ds / fbx to 3ds Max

Eduardo Rolon — Wed, 03 Apr 2019 14:07:22 GMT

Also you can try doing an export by phases instead of each to one main Max or SU file.

The trick will be having an object that will let you verify that each export comes in at the same coordinates. Usually Max will import maintaining the same 0,0,0 coordinates but recent SU versions do not.

Re: Problem exporting 3ds / fbx to 3ds Max

AndreasB — Wed, 03 Apr 2019 17:26:22 GMT

Erwin - I thought that was the issue at first, we have since moved it to the project origin - same problem.

mbl, ejrolon - Yes, the model is very complex and takes a long time to export. I tried exporting just parts of the model just to check, and every time I get the same issue.

It's worth mentioning that I have successfully exported the same project earlier, which wasn't very different. I think the only difference is some objects / furniture have been imported, so the problem might lie there - although simply hiding all furniture and exporting is not helping.

Thanks for all the suggestions

Re: Problem exporting 3ds / fbx to 3ds Max

Erwin Edel — Thu, 04 Apr 2019 07:25:05 GMT

AndreasB wrote:
Erwin - I thought that was the issue at first, we have since moved it to the project origin - same problem.

Did you also put the custom user origin back to the project origin?

Just throwing ideas out there.

I'd say Sketchup is woefully under equipped to handle a complex ArchiCAD model. AFAIK it doesn't 'do' solids, so you'll have even more surfaces to deal with than in ArchiCAD.

Re: Problem exporting 3ds / fbx to 3ds Max

AndreasB — Thu, 04 Apr 2019 11:03:36 GMT

Thanks, any input is appreciated!

--- We've narrowed the problem down, it seems this error is only occurring after updating the model with certain objects - so we're now trying to add them one by one, until we find what's causing the problem.

So I guess that sort of solves it.

Re: Problem exporting 3ds / fbx to 3ds Max

Anonymous — Tue, 02 Jul 2019 06:42:23 GMT

Hello,
you could give a try with this tool:
https://www.mirarkitektur.com/mirzasoftwares/?menu=presentationProduit&product=Mirza%20Link%20Manager

I would recommend creating one link for the building and one for the furnitures, by exporting as .obj from the 3d view in achicad with only those objects visibles.

Good luck