autocad to lightwave

[lsddigital]

there are any autocad-lw convert plugins?

thanks you

[ravantra]

I always use export ---->3DS. Works pretty well except for curved surfaces. If anyone knows of a plugin I would be interested too.

[robk]

Output a version 12 dxf from Autocad then convert with Accutrans 3D to a Lightwave file. Accutrans will let you set the dxf segments per arc globally or by angle. i.e. 24 segments for all arcs whether the included angle is 15 degrees or 360 degrees or set it to less segments for smaller arcs by doing a spread or say 32 segments for a 360 degree angle and proportionally less for a smaller angle.
I usually use 24 segments 90% the time and then when I set my surftab1 to 24 in Autocad and I surface between two arcs the arcs and the ruled surface vertexes match up perfectly. No such control exists for .3ds files.
Strangley enough if you want to convert 3d solids in Autocad. The closer you zoom in on the item when you save it out to .3ds format the more facets it will have. (be sure to up the facetres variable to its max of 10 and up your viewres also).
The dxf format does not save out solids so you will have to use 3ds for any solids you use (which I avoid like the plague) .
When importing into Accutrans use the import with options and then click on the Dxf segment per arc to set the arc divisions. I have used Accutrans for about 10 years now and find it an invauable tool for converting my Autocad dxf files to Imagine and Lightwave. It also helps that I have lunch with the programs authour (Wayne Hogue) every Thursday and he is quick to add features to Accutrans 3d to make it better. He added region support within the latest version which helps to surface some tricky faces. Just create a closed pline segment in Autocad then execute the region command and the region will be face in Accutrans whithout you having to worry about it. A real time saver.
I use it all the time now for facing odd areas that are planar. Auto cad will not convert the closed plines if the will become too complex but if a region is created Accutrans should be able to face it. Just remember once you use the region command on the closed pline it converts it to a region and your pline disappears. so I generally make a copy of the pline before I chage one to a region.
(Hmmm maybe I shouldn't be giving all my secrets away)

[barnabythebear]

Hiya,

I brought the PC version of the Electric Image Toolkit for a bargain $99.00. The EI modeler is able to import .sat file from AutoCad (Version 6). In the modeler the tesselation options are second to non, with a preview of your settings. Export as .fac and import it directly into LW.

ta

nige.

(EI Toolkit www.dvgarage.com)

[robk]

QUOTE
I brought the PC version of the Electric Image Toolkit for a bargain $99.00. The EI modeler is able to import .sat file from AutoCad (Version 6). In the modeler the tesselation options are second to non, with a preview of your settings. Export as .fac and import it directly into LW.

So are you saying this toolkit is a modeller or is it some kind of add on to Electric images modeller? From the write up it just looks like tutorials or is it a rendering program in it's own right?

I am always on the lookout for an easier way to get solids into Lightwave or Imagine and have some of the controll that 3ds files out of autocad lacks.

[barnabythebear]

Hiya,

Nope - it's a full on Modeler and Rendering/Animation package. The Modeler is a fantastic solids/surface hybrid with a SDS modeler that creates a true nurbs surface. It does not have any polygon capabilities. The rendering side is an updated version of Electric Image 2.9. I also use it to get models from Ashlars 'Argon' into EI or Lightwave via .sat The DVD also has some really cool tutorials on it.

ta

nige.

[robk]

It's odd I just had lunch with Wayne Hogue (Accutrans 3D Author) and we disscuseed the .sat file importing. The last time he had checked, it was about $10000 US a year to licence the .sat convertor technology from the authors "Spatial technologies" and in order to use their technology in your program your program had to sell for a minumum amount (in the hundreds of dollars) so Waynes $20 US program couldn't use the technology because it doesn't sell for enough not to mention the 10,000/year licencing. So my question is how is a program selling for $99 US able to incorporate this technology.
Wayne says he has many requests to include .sat import but the cost and the fact his program retails for such a low price prohibites this.

Rob k

[barnabythebear]

Hi,

Thats intersting. EI dropped devolopment of the modeller last year due to a fall out with Spacial - very sad. The 3D Toolkit is aimed as a training/educational package and may be that gets special dispensation. It also may be due to the fact that it's now based on relativly old asic engine - V6. My advice would be to snap it up!

ta

nige.

[Signal to Noise]

I would like to know how the experienced LW/CAD users import their models from AutoCAD to LW as well.

I am using Architectural Desktop R2 (almost time to upgrade methinks!) and LW 8.2. So far I've only had success in bringing across a 2D DXF into LW which means I'd have to extrude and/or rebuild everything.

If I try to export my ADT 3D model as is (i.e. no Explode command) either as a 3DS file or DXF all I get within LW are 2D footprints of the columns, doors and windows. The walls do not come across!

As for bringing the ADT model across as a 2D floor plan I have to Explode the model first then save as a DXF ver. 12, open in Accutrans and save out to an LWO file and then I get everything as mentioned previously.

I also tried exporting the ADT model as an EPS file. LW simply gives me an error of "unknown file type" when using the Import EPSF tool. One time LW just hung without an error message and I thought that was good sign since perhaps LW was thinking of bringing in the file but after about 10 minutes I had to give LW the three-finger salute. I can't remeber if I exploded the model prior to saving out as an EPS but will try that tonight to see.

I am sure there must be a way of salvaging the majority of the 3D objects when importing but it's beyond me. Or is the 2D floorplan reference/rebuild scenario the status quo of what designers do?

TIA.

[vpii]

I always do like you mentioned, explode the hell out of the file before saving out a DXF file. I prefer this over 3ds it makes a much cleaner model. For real trouble files I use Polytrans. It has been a life saver on many jobs and would recomend to anyone doing alot of transfers to and from alot of cad programs, including other 3d a programs.

[robk]

My only problem going from Autocad to Accutrans to Lightwave is flipping faces later in Lightwave. Accutrans has some flipping tools I sometimes use before going to Lightwave. I also use a .001 conversion factor in the Accutrans output so my metric files stay in millimeters in Lightwave and I can put on textures to scale. I don't use Architectural desktop and any files I get from architects that use it i usually have to scrap and Start over again.
I generally use polylines, (with width and thickness) ruled and revolved surfaces, 3D faces and now regions. Autocad works good for most Architectural surfaces with these basic elements. Where Autocad falls on its face is when you have curved elements that are also sloping.

[Blueflies]

I do this all the time, I work at a Civil Engineering office and I have got the company involved with visualizations using lightwave. We use Autodesk Land Development that has awesome 3Dlines features. We basically can build a surface in autocad, convert it to 3D faces and export it out as 3ds. Then with Accutrans open it and save it as lwo. In LW I've found the need to scale the model down to bring it back to actual units. We are working on a condo complex right now and it is working great. The architectural buildings I'm creating all from scratch in LW anyways but the pad/outline is already there from the ACAD export so I can put them all in the right spot.

Hope this helps a little.

--Blueflies