3d to 2d using 3ds max and autocad

[Pete]

3ds max works well when you import 2d plans and sections from autocad to 3ds max. However, some design processes work the other way around. Can you design in 3ds max, cut section and export to autocad in an accurate and effective way like form z?

[STRAT]

exported 3d max into acad on a daily bases successfully via 3DS or DWG, but must admit i've never exported 2d max back into acad. without having any software infront of me right now i'm sure it'll work via DXF or DWG

[ajvbochove]

I'm begun with modelling in Acad (4 years ago), but now when I model everything in Max... (at home).

At work I'm forced to use Acad 2006 LT (because I'm 'the new one') and I'm looking for a way to use max modelling and put dimensions and hatches at the model in Acad.

This may also be 2D (flatten)

 

1,, model in max

2,, export to acad to put dimensions

3,, make plot

4,, change dimension in max

4,, export to acad again in same drawing.

5,, check dimensions (associative)

6,, make new plot

 

Are there bottlenecks/ problems to keep in mind.

Some advise would be appriciated.

 

Thanks.

[blueroom74]

Hello, it`s my first writting..

I`d like also to export 3ds scene to acad and after to do the section views, but i have problem becasuse in acad all the objects are POLYMASHES which are not working with SOLPROF(which needs 3Dsolids)...my final aim is to have 2ds (sections, elevations)

 

Thanks

[Peter M. Gruhn]

I don't know about "like Form Z" but...

 

For studio this past spring I hit a roadblock in my process. Finally I started trying to put the design together in Max and that worked to a point. Then I used the section object to cut a few sections. Brought those in to AutoCAD and developed them further. After the sections were far enough along I pulled them into 3d and brought that back to Max. One more trip back to AutoCAD for final presentation drawings.

 

Hm.. this past semester I also pulled plans and sections from Max to document in ACAD.

 

One bit of tedium is that the Max section creates marks only for those things which are cut by the section. Extra care has to be taken to show distant objects. I have used extra sections from behind the primary section plane. I have used a plan, either existing or newly cut from Max.

 

Note: None of these tried to be or was a "sweet bidirectional data exchange." Strictly linear, just sometimes linear repeating programs.

[neko]

i haven't tried this approach myself, but if you are able to export the 3D model to autocad as a .3DS file, you should be able to generate 2D drawings in autocad using the 'FLATSHOT' command, regardless of whether they are solids or surfaces.

[jinsley]

i haven't tried this approach myself, but if you are able to export the 3D model to autocad as a .3DS file, you should be able to generate 2D drawings in autocad using the 'FLATSHOT' command, regardless of whether they are solids or surfaces.

 

Used this a while ago as per Paul's recommendation and it worked great...

[khalatjalal]

The best way for doing is by using google sketchup , as follow :

 

• Export your model to dxf in 3dsmax
  
• Import the exported model in to google sketchup
  
• then choose your elevation or view inside google sketchup
  
• Now go to File->Export->2D Graphic... and choose AutoCAD dwg from the file type
  
• Thats all , Enjoy !
  

[id_ivan]

You're aware that this thread talk about 3dsmax and autocad, right Khalat?

 

I'd like to add to paul suggestion, flatshot only projecting solids or surfaces, while importing from 3ds produce Polymesh. To get the imported model to solid from polymesh, use CONVTOSURFACE acad command. This, however, print all visible edge object in your drawing, so i recommend clean up your mesh prior max export (here is a suitable maxscript for cleaning up coplanar edge: http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:JERgyNZzwOwJ:forums.cgsociety.org/archive/index.php/t-653082.html+&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&client=firefox-a)

[johnmanfredy]

Actually, Khalat makes a good point. Using Autocad 2013 and importing a .3ds file converts the surfaces to polymeshes and does work with the flatshot command. To avoid any special plugins, use Sketchup 7.0 or higher as a great workaround, esp. if you need to make an elevation drawing of an interior wall, for example your Max model is a house, however you'd like to make a section or section/elevation of an interior wall. My students find this very useful. The workflow is as follows:

 

3dsmax:

1. export model as .3ds file

 

Sketchup:

1. import .3ds file and it becomes a GROUP

2. double-click to open the GROUP and use SECTION to slice through model, exposing elevation you are after

3. choose the appropriate views (Front, Back, Left, Right)

4. change view using CAMERA / PARALLEL PROJECTION to avoid having a perspective view

5. choose File/Export/2D Graphic

6. before saving .DWG file, choose OPTIONS button and uncheck SHOW EXTENSIONS, else your CAD files will have a variety of tickmarks around your drawing

 

Autocad 2012:

1. Open the .DWG file and erase any extraneous linework that you do not need.

 

Search tutorials on SECTIONS SKETCHUP in Youtube and see tutorials on this command.

 

Good luck