converting archicad to sketchup file size

[Anonymous]

When i convert the archicad document to .3ds and bring it into sketchup the file is very slow. Also everything comes in with lots of faces. How can i reduce the file size and prevent this?

[Eduardo Rolon]

The main question here is why are you going from AC to SketchUp?
When you export from AC you are creating gazillions of polygons which make a light work program like SketchUp cry, get depressed and move slowly. Atlantis, C4D, Maya, 3DStudio etc. can handle all of the polys but if you are going to use SU then you will have to do a lot of cleanup and export the project in little pieces.

[Anonymous]

the project needs to be submitted in sketchup. aside from the file size can i get the faces to read as one face instead of being split?

[rocorona]

Interesting question. Why the SketchUp Plugin allows for READING and not for WRITING files in ArchiCAD.
The second seems the more easy task, as the SU models are only composed by lines and surfaces, not distinguishing them in construction elements.

[Eduardo Rolon]

The solution is that when you import the 3DS or DWG in SU click on Options and select Merge Coplanar Surfaces.

I totally forgot about this, sorry.

[Eduardo Rolon]

BTW lpbolden if the above option solved your problem it is an implied custom to acknowledge the fact.

[Anonymous]

it worked. Thank you.

[Anonymous]

Thanks, it worked for me as well!

In my case, the reason is to model walls with protruding or extruding polygonal shapes around the windows, like in this example:

http://www.wallpaper.com/architecture/interactive-floor-plan-house-in-charrat/4916

This geometries are very easy to create in Sketch UP (by just selecting and then moving a square previously drawn within a wall)...

But if you know of a better way of doing this, please let me know!

[Eduardo Rolon]

Though it can be done in AC I agree that it is easier to do the initial modeling in SU.

Though there are advantages if you spend the time doing the model in AC.

Example playing with the door reveal settings

[Anonymous]

Thanks ejrolon!!

I had the feeling that there must be a trick (one of those reserved to advanced users...), so thanks for sharing your wisdom!!