Curves

[Elliot]

Hello,

 

For many years I have done modeling in AutoCAD and then I import the model into VIZ. When I have circles or curves the models are not imported in a smooth manner. They are like in facets and not smooth. However, when I model the spline in AutoCAD and do the extrusion on VIZ the curves are smooth.

 

How can I avoid this problem....?

 

Thanks

Elliot

[Tim Saunders]

Probably sounds ignorant, but just do it in viz. However this probably detracts from your standard work flow of modeling in autocad, and I know way more people do their modeling in autocad, but I'm sold in modeling right in viz/max. If you're not dead set on modeling the way you have been, maybe it's time to try importing elevations into viz, then model by tracing the elevation in viz, then moving the walls to where they belong on the floor plan from the top view. That's my process, and I'll swear by it. I also like to keep an elevation all on one layer just to keep my scene organized. Good luck.

[Elliot]

Tim

 

I agree with you. I do a combination of all what you describe. However, one of my partners sent a rather complex model with many curves made in AutoCAD and I do not want to retrace the whole thing.

 

When I import there is a switch that allos you to have some control on the curves. I crank up the switch to 100 and the curves are smooth but then I start getting all kind of other issues.

 

Thanks

Elliot

[Tim Nelson]

I would suggest doing a file link in Viz to the autocad drawing. There is an option that allows you to control solid curves deviation, or something like that. The smaller the value you enter, the more faces it will apply to curves, thus smoothing it out more. I would also make sure "autosmooth" is turned off because sometimes that can give unwanted results on square objects.

 

If your curves have a particularly tight radius, and you are still seeing some faceting, I would then apply a smooth modifier to that object, and the 'autosmooth' option usually works fine. It will not add any more polygons, but it will make it appear less faceted.

 

Then, once you have acceptable results with your dwg in max, you can bind the file, which will then turn all linked objects into regular edit meshes.

[Elliot]

Tim,

 

Thanks very much for your advise..... I am going to try it right now.

 

I am more in the mechanical field than architectural.... I have this hang up about being super precise.... Viz is not as precise as SolidWORKS or AutoCAD. That's why I work mainly with those software. But you are very right, modeling in Viz makes everything easier. I wonder about Inventor as modeler....

 

Thanks again your response

 

Elliot

 

PD:

 

I looked at your website.... Very good........!!!!!

[Ravendark]

I used to model a fair amount in cad and then import into max. A couple of things i do to try and get smooth results is to first, in AutoCad increase the "facetres" (typed command) from default 0.5 to 10. I also increase the "isolines" value to between 24 and 36. If you regen you will see the difference in cad.

 

I no longer import into max as dwg but instead import the file as a .3ds file.

 

This tends to work for me and i presume it would be the same when importing into viz.

 

Recently, i have begun to model as much as i possibly can in max and thus avoid any of these problems.

 

I hope this helps.

[Brian Smith]

Elliot,

If you bump up the 'Curve Steps' value on import to 100, you are going to have a monster mesh. Regardless of the industry, I can't believe it would ever be necessary to have that kind of precision in a visualization. Even if it is, it would be far better to use a lesser value, around 20, and change individual segments with the Edit Spline modifier (in Segment mode). Depending on what you do with the linework, there are numerous other ways to control the overabundance of vertices, such as the Optimize option in Lofts or the Optimize modifier.

[Elliot]

Brian and Matthew

 

Thanks for your input. I already tried all of the advise I have received from all of you and I see an improvement.

 

Brian is very right about the precision stuff. The presicion is not needed for the visualization.

 

Thanks again for all the responses.

 

Elliot