Workflow Between 3D StudioMAX 2009 and AutoCAD 2009

[erickdt]

Hello all,

 

My office is currently looking into the logistics of streamlining our workflow between our engineering department (which is responsible for all CAD drawings) and our design department (which is responsible for all renderings). We are a tradeshow exhibit design and production company.

 

Our current process is as follows:

 

1.) Design creates conceptual layouts in AutoCAD that once approved (tentatively) are rendered in 3D Studio with V-Ray 1.5 SP2 (about to be SP3). If the particular booth is made up of existing properties pre-defined client blocks are used to create layouts.

 

2.) Concept is approved by client.

 

3.) Engineering takes conceptual CAD drawings are used to create engineering/pricing/construction/setup drawings (all in 3D).

 

4.) Design re-imports engineering CAD drawings into 3D Studio and makes the final renderings with V-Ray 1.5 SP2 (for setup and record keeping purposes).

 

What we'd like to do is to somehow link the CAD file directly to the 3D Studio file in such a way that we don't need to re-texture everything. This way, when Engineering makes changes it will automatically (or through the file link manager) update the 3D Studio file with a minimal ammount of effort. From that point design might tweak the lighting and camera angles a bit and then hit render. To throw a bone into the mix, we do use V-Ray for our renderings.

 

So then my question is this: How do we accomplish this (if it's at all possible)?

 

Thanks in advance for your help!

 

E

[Chad Warner]

Not sure I completely understand the question, but that's exactly why the file link manager is there. As long as the original layers from AutoCad stay the same as the new layers, you can apply the materials in Max, make any design changes in AutoCad, re-link the dwg file, and all of the materials and mapping will stay the same. There's a slight catch if you do any edit meshes or edit polys to the objects once in Max, but other than that, it should work pretty flawlessly.

[erickdt]

Hmm. I tried just that in a quick test earlier today and it didn't seam to work. Will this work with blocks?

[erickdt]

I just figured it out! I hadn't checked the "use scene material definitions" and "use scene material assignments on reload" box. Thanks so much Chad. You've just saved my company lots of time!!!

[Chad Warner]

No problem! Like I said, that's the whole reason file linking exists.