Archicad 9 to Max7/VIZ06

[cdburningmaster]

Hello. I have created several different structures in Archicad 9. For every building:

I go to the 3d view, go to SAVE AS and save it as a .3ds file. I followed all directions found in previous posts (such as setting 1 unit=1000mm in the export dialog box). I import the file into max 7.

 

When the file opens up, everything appears so tiny that you cannot even tell what shape the building is. It's zoomed out so much that the perspective view will not even allow me to zoom in enough to comfortable zoom level. I keep trying to zoom in, and it eventually won't let me zoom any more. All I see in each of the four views is some vague shape comprising of no more than 15 pixels.

 

However, I am able to zoom in to the front, right and top views. Upon further inspection, I see that all of the units actually came out the way I wanted. This problem is EXACTLY the same when imported into VIZ 2006

 

Any help will be greatly appreciated! I am new to Max and Viz, so maybe this problem is just a result of me being a newbie.

 

Many Thanks, Shawn

[pygoh]

Hi Shawn,

 

I think the problem could be the position of your origin in Archicad. Try moving the origin to 0,0

[Iain Denby]

Sounds like a scale problem. I sometimes have this when importing *.dwg files (after converted from Archicad)

 

Try scaling by 100,000%

[STRAT]

btw, no need to post the same question in 3 forums either

[bricklyne]

Assuming that, as you have said, your units and/or scaling are all up to scratch and match up as per the tips in the other posts here, then the viewport issue really isn't a scaling issue. One of the things that you have to be aware of when importing ArchiCAD 3ds models into MAX/VIZ is that it brings along with it the ArchiCAD sun, which, by default is translated into a target spot light in MAX. The problem with this is that the translation also places it (the Sun) very very far away from the model (ostensibly to simulate the fact that in ArchiCAD the sun is infinitely far from the model), and as a result of this, the views are is considerably extensive. And since, when you first import, MAX/VIZ zoom to the model (including the sun) extents, chances are you'll barely be able to see the actual model.

 

The solution is to deselect everything when you import the model and then delete the ArchiCAD sun ( the spot light that's way off; it's always easier to use MAX's target Direct or Direct light, which doesn't have to be so far from the model) and then zoom-extents-all, once again until the model shows up in all the viewports (you have to keep pressing the zoom-extents button until this happens. With the exception of the perspective viewport it should be possible to see the entire model in each of the top, front and side views and as for the perspective view, you can either manipulate it with the view tools, or simply create a new camera and place it where you want in the other viewports and then use it to set the view on the perspective window.

 

I hope this helps; actually I hope I understood the problem coherently, as you described it, otherwise feel free to clarify further.

[bricklyne]

That import plugin, (which I believe, I may have actually installed in my own system some time back) was at the tip of my mind at the time I was replying, and I just couldn't remember where to get it from or rather where I downloaded it from. I do remember that I had a few problems with the material raplacer crashing my system when I tried to replace multi-material objects and I eventually gave up using it. I can see from the website that they say the fixed that bug, so perhaps that's a better option for Shawn. All assuming, of course, that I didn't misunderstand him to begin with and have given him a long-winded explanation for nothing.

 

The import plugin should help with most of the problems, except for scaling which you still have to do on your own or make sure is consitent between the 2 programs. Thanks Mark.

[bricklyne]

Actually Marc Lorenz ( the author of the website where you can get the plugin) also provides an excellent step-by-step, how-to, in scaling your model correctly for both programs. This will save you all the trouble of having to figure it out yourself;

 

http://plugins.angstraum.at/archicad_wiz/faq.htm

[cdburningmaster]

HAHA YES! Thank you SO much Bricklyne! That crazy Archicad sun really was the problem. Hehe, you honestly made my day. I'd like to thank everyone else who posted also. I can really use all the tips I could get ;-).

 

Man, this website rocks. Its so cool to be in contact with a community of other people doing the same thing I am at the reach of a keyboard. Thanks lots guys!

 

( oh yeah, sorry about posting 3 times. I was worried no one would look at my post if I only put it in one place. guess i was wrong)