Importing CAD with text into 3ds max 9

[VCRUPI]

Hi everyone,

Just wondering if anyone knows how to import a CAD dwg with all text/dimesnions still visible in 3ds max 9? All text and dimensions are visible in AutoCAD, but when I import the file into 3ds max 9 they are not there.

I keep having to go back and forth for reference... it just slows things down.
So if anyone can help out on this, it's greatly appreciated.


Thanks in advance!

[GI Dude]

Why do you want to keep the dimensions in 3ds Max? i don't see the point you will end up with a mess, and very heavy geometry

I don't think it's worth it, since you can measure the model with the tape helper, and you can even add some text with the MAX Text tool...

There's something to do in order to get the dimensions in max

First of all

Isolate the dimension layer and then explode all the dimensions

Once exploded keep the same layer for all the dimensions and arrows (remember dimension arrows are autocad blocks so when exploded the will switch to the default layer 0)

Now here comes the creepy stuff

Explode the text into lines (remember, MAX doesn't support Autocad Text) use the express tools, there is a command under the text menu for exploding text... and by doing this you will end up with very very tiny lines about .001 of the scale (or wathever it means i do work in Meters) so be patient and explode one text line at the time so you can search it in your drawing (and you will because once you explode the text, the coordinate values, and the scale factor of that dimension are reset to zero)

Once you finish (hope your model doesn't have too much dimensions) you can convert all the exploded dimesions into a big block so you can manipulate better on max, under any circunstance import all the dimensions into a max without converting them or you will end up with zillions of polygons and the performance of the program will be afected badly...

Import the geometry in max and that's all, good luck and be very very patient