Importing Autocad Solids into AC 8.0r3

[tsturm]

Dear Group

I am trying to import an AutoCAD 2000 DWG or DXF (I was made both) which contains objects which, according to the author, are made in AutoCAD using solids. I have tried numerous ways to import the information to get these objects. But nothing works. I get some of the information. Such as walls and lines as objects.

Can AC 8.003 import this type of information from AutoCAD?

What do I need to tell the author to do to his file for me to get the objects as library parts. Binary objects would be fine.

[David Larrew]

ArchiCAD, as well as many other 3D oriented applications, cannot read AutoCAD solids.

If you have access to Autodesk VIZ or MAX (3D Studio) you could try a double file translation, converting the solids into usable faces for import into AC. Or you will need to have the author break the solids down into faces and edges in order to import the 3D information.

No real easy/clean way of doing it. Sorry.

[Ben Odonnell]

ArchiCAD, as well as many other 3D oriented applications, cannot read AutoCAD solids...

You can do it in ArchiCAD 8.1. It allows you to convert solids into meshes..

[David Larrew]

I must disagree. We are talking about AutoCAD "Solids" not ArchiCAD "Solid Element Operators". AFAIK - AutoCAD "Solids" are not transferable into ArchiCAD.

I quote from the ArchiCAD Help File:
"ACIS, REGION, 3D SOLID
The basic implementation of the DXF add-on does not support them."

I just double-checked by creating some basic Solids (Cube, Sphere, Cylinder) in AutoCAD and tried importing the DWG into ArchiCAD as an Object. "No 3D elements found."

If you have been able to import AutoCAD Solids into ArchiCAD please explain how.

[Thomas Holm]

There's a workaround for importing solids described in the Archiguide:

http://www.graphisoft.com/support/archicad/archiguide/importsolids.html

THomas

[David Larrew]

That was what I was referring to in my earlier post...

Thanks for the link, Thomas.

And as I mentioned earlier, the work-around is not very easy for most AutoCAD drones, I mean users .

[tsturm]

Thank you gentlemen.

As I thought, I would need AutoCAD to get the job done or have the jockey at the other end of the line make some changes.

The best I can see. I will have to scale the printed drawings and make my own version of the object.

Sure would like those AutoCAD people get something which does not mess the rest of us up.

Does modeling in solids in AutoCAD that much easier than in other ways?

[David Larrew]

If you've ever modelled in AutoCAD before the introduction of Solids you'd understand.

ArchiCAD STILL runs circles around the latest release of vanilla AutoCAD for architectural modelling.

[Ben Odonnell]

David wrote:
I must disagree. We are talking about AutoCAD "Solids" not ArchiCAD "Solid Element Operators". AFAIK - AutoCAD "Solids" are not transferable into ArchiCAD.

I quote from the ArchiCAD Help File:
"ACIS, REGION, 3D SOLID
The basic implementation of the DXF add-on does not support them."

I just double-checked by creating some basic Solids (Cube, Sphere, Cylinder) in AutoCAD and tried importing the DWG into ArchiCAD as an Object. "No 3D elements found."

If you have been able to import AutoCAD Solids into ArchiCAD please explain how.

You are right I had it confused with Polyface mesh. Please disregard what I wrote ealier as it does not work!!

The tutorial that Thomas posted is to date the only work around

[Djordje]

Ben wrote:
The tutorial that Thomas posted is to date the only work around

Not a work around. That is a method.

If you missed the announcement in Tips&Tricks - the ArchiGuide is revamped as of today, take a look!

http://www.graphisoft.com/support/archicad/archiguide/