3ds. to gsm. ? the best way to do it.

[Anonymous]

My question is whether is there or not a plug-in that can allow me to import 3ds. models into ArchiCAD, without getting huge files and without losing the quality of the curved surfaces.

The easy way seems to be to export from 3dsmax a dxf. file that can be later opened in ArchiCAD> However if the object is more cpmplex (a car for example) the object itself will contain a huge amount of polygons.

[Djordje]

Mihai wrote:
My question is whether is there or not a plug-in that can allow me to import 3ds. models into ArchiCAD, without getting huge files and without losing the quality of the curved surfaces.

The easy way seems to be to export from 3dsmax a dxf. file that can be later opened in ArchiCAD> However if the object is more cpmplex (a car for example) the object itself will contain a huge amount of polygons.

If ArchiCAD 9, look in the Goodies folder ...

[Ignacio Azpiazu]

There is a very neat add-on by Oleg Schmidt that creates a GDL object with a material parameter setting for each material in the 3ds file. I don't remember if it can do anything about the polygon count, but those typical ArchiCAD material parameters save a lot of work.

It is available for free at www.arexline.com .

[Dwight]

When using the 3ds import tool found in the Goodies folder, remember that many modeling applications create objects where y=z - set the Options for import accordingly or it comes in laying down.

For smooth obejcts, specify smooth during import dialog.

[Anonymous]

Dwight,

I have used the import 3ds file / GDL converter and found that im not able to render materials on the building. What i have is an AutoCAD 3d model that i saved as a 3ds file and then converted that file into a gsm file. im able to change the materials using the gdl script. but when i render the material doesn't come through at all. Do you or anyone else know what could cause this and how i can get the stone adn brick to render? Im sending an example rendering as well.

[Dwight]

That is probably because the translated script refers to an imbedded material.

You'll enter the 3D Script and assign a material variable.

[Anonymous]

I'm assuming that to enter the 3d script and material variable that i use the parameters menu in the gdl script menu. I have changed the values and materials and i got the rendering below. Is there anywhere writen in the script that has values of reflection, or material glazing. What i have on this building is brick and stone and glass, but evrything comes in all reflective and wrong. it does take the color of the material it just doesn't render the stone image. Is there any other way to import from AutoCAD into ArchiCAD. Thanks for the help.

[Dwight]

Not the parameters - the script.

If you have no GDL skills, then it will be tricky.

Post your 3D script.

Open the GDL Object using the

File>GDL Objects>Open

[Anonymous]

Very new to GDL and the Script, its coming to me however adn pretty fast.

here is peice of the script, i beleive this is where i can change some of the values but im just not sure what to change them to, or if i can erase them all together. Im not looking for a full course just a quick bit of your brain.

Thanks Dwight, your a big help on this site. i hope you get paid well.

!Applied textures:7

IF AC3D_SHOW3D THEN


MUL A/46.3281250, B/38.6474609, zzyzx/8.0524406

hotspot -26.91797, -17.74438, 0.00000
hotspot 19.41016, -17.74438, 0.00000
hotspot -26.91797, 20.90308, 0.00000
hotspot 19.41016, 20.90308, 0.00000
hotspot -26.91797, -17.74438, 8.05244
hotspot 19.41016, -17.74438, 8.05244
hotspot -26.91797, 20.90308, 8.05244
hotspot 19.41016, 20.90308, 8.05244
hotspot 0.00000, 0.00000, 0.00000
hotspot -0.02557, 0.01419, 3.31332

DEFINE MATERIAL "__GLOBAL_" 0,
0.000000, 0.000000, 1.000000,
!surface RGB [0.0..1.0]x3
0.650000, 0.800000, 0.900000, 0.000000,
!ambient, diffuse, specular, transparent
!coefficients [0.0..1.0]x4
50.000000,
!shining [0.0..100.0]
1.000000,
!transparency attenuation [0.0..4.0]
0.000000, 0.000000, 1.000000,
!specular RGB [0.0..1.0]x3
0.000000, 0.000000, 0.000000,
!emission RGB [0.0..1.0]x3
0.000000
!emission attenuation [0.0..65.5]

[Dwight]

My approach here is to delete the imbedded material definition and call existing ArchiCAD materials to surface the object. You'll need to do this procedure for each material change in the object.

Delete the DEFINE MATERIAL statement and the following lines.

For the deleted material definition, substitute the line:

MATERIAL mtl


Add "mtl" to the parameter list

Change the parameter category to material - the little platonic solids symbol.

You will then get a material list in the parameter list.

If you're using a special texture - this must be added to a new ArchiCAD material.

I am a volunteer who only gets paid if you buy my book.