Importing solid geometry (BREPs)

[Anonymous]

hello,
is there a way to import solid geometry (BREP) into Archicad? Something saved as *.SAT or similar.
IFC2x3 - although handling BREPs internally - comes into Archicad as tesselated mesh. Anyway to import it as solid (maybe as Morph object, which btw is based on solids or meshes?)

thanks for input!

[Piotr Dobrowolski]

Triangulation is a problem of most 3d formats unfortunately...all depends on the imported object itself, but in most cases afer import You can change the object to morphs - even if the triangles will be there too, but can be removed manually.

Best Regards,
Piotr

[Anonymous]

So, no way to import SAT file straight into morph(are you saying this is the equivalent of solid geometry in other packages?)

for a case like this solid geometry is a must:



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

form is generated in rhino, watertight solid geometry. please advise me in getting it flawless into archicad.[/img]

[Piotr Dobrowolski]

The best connection is via Cinema4D, You can also try 3ds format import - Rhino probably export to this format - if the UV-map is good there will not be unneeded triangles (fingers crossed).

If You loaded this via IFC - and there are triangles - You can change the resulting object to morph and than modify further - hiding edges etc.

If the object is complicated You may change all edges to hidden - the visible edges will still be visible in planar views like sections.

Best Regards,
Piotr

[Anonymous]

No, as i said mesh importers are not acceptable. I loose geometry data and that renders sections and plans unusable. Morph after selecting "hidden edges" is all funky.

Can someone confirm that in archicad 17 there is no way to import solid BREP geometry?

Cheers,
Chris

[Anonymous]

have a look at this:
http://geometrygym.blogspot.com/2012/08/gh-to-archicad-openbim-ifc.html

so... archicad has the capability to import BREPs from IFC2x3 file, only its not documented well. maybe someone from dev team would like to shine some light on how to prepare IFC files so they transmit solid geometry?

much appreciated!

[Piotr Dobrowolski]

If You need parametric geometry from GH...I think it is not possible out of the box. If someone wrote a plugin that would convert GH script to gdl than maybe possible but not in the whole spectrum of possibilities.
IFC does not translate the script by any kind - the only parameters would be materials/finishes and size (IMHO).

Translation by IFC will produce AC objects native or GDL (if the more complicated)
If You wish to have morph of them: You need to change the resulting objects to morps (right click menu on selected object) - as for any AC object.

Best Regards,
Piotr

[Anonymous]

the output from GH is a baked SOLID. it has nothing to do with how the object was created- at the end its BREP geometry.

Please understand i don't want double conversion (Solid >> Archicad makes mesh of it >> Convert to Morph (what is morph? solid or mesh? i don't know, maybe doesn't matter because it changes the geometry drastically)

Again, the question is simple: Is there a way to import solids as native solid/surf archicad object (no meshing)?

Regards,
Chris

[Piotr Dobrowolski]

Maybe I do not fully understand Your need but all 3d entities in any 3d software are displayed/rendered etc as meshes even if they are parametric.

Morph is a mesh type object...and all AC objects GDL and native are meshes (under the hood - when talking about 3d)

Morph can be a linear object, surface or solid depends on the faces, if you make a cube and delete one face - You will receive object that is not solid, but can be solidified.

Best Regards,
Piotr

[Anonymous]

yes, i am aware of that every geo object (nurbs, brep) is at the end represented by a mesh tesselated version of itself. but thats just display, the underlaying geometric info prevails and is accessible when needed.

the purpose of this topic was to find out if anybody (preferably one of the developers of archicad) knows a way to import such geometry in archicad WITHOUT tessellation (triangulating for approximation).

the previously attached picture is of a form generated in Rhino and saved as *SAT file, which after importing into Revit can be treated to sectioning, filling and further documenting. tesselated mesh that after import to Archicad just wont cut it.

i mentioned IFC import, which might be it, but somebody has to shine some light at how to prepare it (rhino side).

thanks for your input,
chris