Importing formZ to ArchiCAD 9.0

[Anonymous]

formZ for years has enabled exporting model info in a quickdraw format (3DMF or .3df). In years past ArchiCAD used to be able to read this file as an Object. These were 3D objects and the .3df files were relatively small. This option for bringing in formZ models has not been available in ArchiCAD for some time now. Using .dwg or .dxf to try to bring in the 3D model from formZ has resulted in objects with triangulation lines covering the objects surfaces and is unacceptible.

I've been using formZ to create a 3D model of the frame only of timber frame structures. Each individual beam is modeled with all it's associated joinery, mortise & tenon joints, etc, even holes for the oak pegs. The entire frame is modeled and "assembled" in formZ. I use ArchiCAD for the architectural part of the design and bring in the timber frame as an object inserted into the model to produce construction details that include the timber frame.

Of course I could import the info into an older version of ArchiCAD on a machine running System 9, then possibly bring that into the current version of ArchiCAD on my system with OS X. Not what i would consider very elegant or straight forward.

Any ideas or help would be greatly appreciated.

[Anonymous]

I don't use formZ but if you can export your object into 3ds you can import it then into ArchiCAD 9.

[Anonymous]

I still get triangulation lines on all faces using 3ds. Besides the Import dialog for 3D Studio In will only accept metric dimensions. Not that one can't enter the inches equivalent, but how many projects in the USA are metric?

[Djordje]

ArtGJr wrote:
I still get triangulation lines on all faces using 3ds.

Of course you do, as the 3ds is triangulated surface geometry.

Try doing it through MaxonForm, you will have much more control.

[Anonymous]

I assume I would have to own MaxonForm to do that. Or is there a plugin available like for 3DStudio?

From formZ I can export the model in: 3DStudio, Art•lantis, DWG, DXF, FACT, IGES, Lightscape, Lightware, OBJ, RIB, SAT, Shockwave W3D, STL, 3DGF, 3DMF, VRML. Don't know how many of these are of any use to get the model into ArchiCAD. DWG, DXF, and 3DStudio are no good for my needs.

Unfortunately ArchiCAD seems to have limited it's Import capabilities from older versions. I can remember when ArchiCAD could import ZOOM files. But ZOOM was inferior to formZ and don't even know if it's still available. Now Graphisoft is pushing MaxonForm, which from my review of it, is still no formZ or even close, except for it's tight integration with ArchiCAD.

[Djordje]

ArtGJr wrote:
I assume I would have to own MaxonForm to do that. Or is there a plugin available like for 3DStudio?

Yep, if you want to use something, you should have it first The 3DS in is in the Goodies folder in your ArchiCAD installation (again, it is beyond me why the obviously necessary stuff like 3DS in, Profiler and Check duplicates is not loaded automatically) You do know how to load API AddOns, don't you?

ArtGJr wrote:
From formZ I can export the model in: 3DStudio, Art•lantis, DWG, DXF, FACT, IGES, Lightscape, Lightware, OBJ, RIB, SAT, Shockwave W3D, STL, 3DGF, 3DMF, VRML. Don't know how many of these are of any use to get the model into ArchiCAD. DWG, DXF, and 3DStudio are no good for my needs.

I might be wrong, but OBJ is still alive AFAIR. Another reason for MaxonForm ...

ArtGJr wrote:
Now Graphisoft is pushing MaxonForm, which from my review of it, is still no formZ or even close, except for it's tight integration with ArchiCAD.

Matter of taste and familiarity ... ZOOM for me was always cryptic and hard to use. As long as you know how to use something, it will seem to you more powerful than something else that is nominally more powerful, but works in a different way or is just not easy to use or learn. People do swear by Cinema4D, that MaxonForm is the modeling part of.

BTW, what are the shapes you are getting into ArchiCAD? Screenshot? Rendering? Let us know

[Anonymous]

Djordje wrote:
Yep, if you want to use something, you should have it first .........You do know how to load API AddOns, don't you?

Yes, I've loaded AddOns.

Djordje wrote:
I might be wrong, but OBJ is still alive AFAIR. Another reason for MaxonForm ...

AFAIR?????????

Djordje wrote:
Matter of taste and familiarity .... People do swear by Cinema4D, that MaxonForm is the modeling part of.

Checked out Cinema 4D, downloaded a demo. Certainly different from formZ. Don't know if it can provide the boolean operations (union, intersection, difference) with the ease of formZ. Of course i've been using formZ for ~10 years.

Djordje wrote:
BTW, what are the shapes you are getting into ArchiCAD? Screenshot? Rendering? Let us know

Tried to post multiple attachments, but could only attach one. Is it possible to post an image into the reply other than as an attachment? Was trying to show the overall timber frame model and a couple of individual timbers from that model with their joinery.

The formZ model will be made up of 200 to 300 individual timbers. Some, such as knee braces, floor joists or roof purlins may each be multiples of one timber. Each timber is an individual object in formZ. Certain timbers are put on specific layers. Groups can be created within both the layer dialog and the object dialog. Groups can be used like the stories in ArchiCAD and you can hide or ghost individual objects, layrs, or groups of either. Makes it a lot easier in developing the entire model. One only needs to see and work with the relevant timbers of the model.

[Anonymous]

Here is an entire formZ model of a timber frame.

[Djordje]

Not that I am any expert on timber framing, but many of the people here are.

Try FrameWright from Encina. Look for user Ralph Wessel - he is one of the authors.

AFAIR means As Far As I Remember 😉

I am rather sure that with the standard ArchiCAD library, TrussMaker and Roof wizard you can do all of this easily. Someone should show you how, of course.

[Anonymous]

Djordje wrote:
Not that I am any expert on timber framing, but many of the people here are.

Try FrameWright from Encina. Look for user Ralph Wessel - he is one of the authors.

AFAIR means As Far As I Remember 😉

I am rather sure that with the standard ArchiCAD library, TrussMaker and Roof wizard you can do all of this easily. Someone should show you how, of course.

Djordje, the timber framing that is possible with FrameWright and the ArchiCAD tools you mention will not provide me with the degree of joinery detail that I include in my frame models. Over the past 16 years to model the timbers in 3D I have used AutoCAD with AME, Microstation's Modeler and currently formZ. Ashlar-Vellum is another program that I've looked at but not used or tried.

AC is great at architecture, but limited or difficult to use for special needs.

I have been unable to Open, Merge, or bring in as a Library part an OBJ file into AC9. When you look in Add-Ons, then the Import-Export folder several items are Export only. As I mentioned earlier it is really too bad that Graphisoft is limiting AC's ability to use other files that previous versions could.

I appreciate your help and suggestions, but it seems as if my quest is a futile one to be able to easily bring 3D objects from formZ into ArchiCAD without the triangulation lines on the objects as I used to be able to do.

Again, thanks!