BIG problem with autocad plan to trace in 3d max

[MR ARCH 2B]

Hey guys I'm new here. I am doing an addition to a building that I have done the plan for. The plan is for a building about 800' X 400' and I did it in autocad 2006. I usually do all my 3d modeling in sketch up then export it to CAD and then 3d Max but since I now have learned how to model in max a little better I decided I wanted to do the project in Max. Here's the problem when I import the plan into max to trace, the file is so large that it takes forever to zoom in and out. I thought maybe grabbing everything and puting it in a group would help but no dice. I then tried to put it all on one layer and that didn't help. Does anyone know how to make it so I can actually work with the plan without having to wait five minutes for it to zoom in?

[ajvbochove]

I'm not an expert, but I....

Use File Link and work layer by layer (one layer at a time) or Group the different views (backview-group, frontview-group etc.)

You can hide them separately to work with (hide selection).

Learn the shortcut Shift+S to hide the shapes when you don't need them temporary( I'm pressing it alot with large scenes).

Also learn the "O" key for Adaptive Degradation (display as box) to speed op Viewport navigation.

Use properties to use Display as Box with 'for example' rooftiles.

 

But there are experts here that maybe have beter/other workflows.

[Koper]

Hello MR arch, check if your unit setup in max is correct, if you worked with mm in autocad and then import it into max with meters it will be to large. you need to set the unit setup in max the same as to what it is in autocad.

 

To get to the unit setup, go to the customize menu and choose units setup.

 

Then choos the units that are displayed in paramater inside max and then select system unit setup. Here you can change the actual system units, inches, meters, millimeters, feet, ext.

 

Just make sure that each time you reset max that it doesn't change back.

 

Hope it helps

[chuck]

I don't understand why changing the units would increase performance.

 

I'd go back into AutoCAD and delete everything you really don't need. Typically I'll leave only walls, doors, windows etc. Delete all of the poche if there is any, and all of the hatching.. If I need a reflected ceiling plan I'll re-export another dwg with just that info.

 

I'll also move everything to one layer then delete the unused ones. I really don't need the layer info if I'm just tracing. Using the snaps in Max helps get everything accurate, but I'm guessing you are already using that.

 

Hope that helps...I usually start every project with "CAD cleanup"

 

Chuck

[brianzajac]

Chuck's recommendations are right on. I highly recommend importing your linework in small amounts at a time, after stripping down the CAD files to the barebone minimum information (walls, windows, doors, trim, etc). CAD preparation is an important and often time consuming process because crap in equals crap out. Like Chuck, the very first thing I do for any project is CAD cleanup.

 

Even if you're working on the largest of projects, you should never have to spend excessive time waiting on your computer to process the display. There are always ways around it.

[MR ARCH 2B]

Thanks for the feed back guys. I did the drawing in feet and inches. I'll try all your suggestions thanks for the info and making me feel so welcome. You guys are great!