3D Model from Orthogonal Views

[Elias]

Hello all,

I'm relatively new to Lightwave (using version 7.5c on Win2K), and I was wondering what the best way to approach this is:

 

I was given a dwg file (done in AutoCAD), showing the north, west, south, and east facades of a house. I need to construct a 3D model of the house. Does anyone have tutorials or any tried and true methods for doing that?? It would be GREATLY appreciated!!

 

What I did, which so far has not yielded promise was as follows:

 

1- I imported the dwg file into Adobe Illustrator, decomposed the 4 facades into 4 separate AI files (saved for Illustrator version 7).

 

2- I then imported the 4 AI files (using the EPSF loader) into LW 7.5 - each facade into its own layer.

 

3- I rotated and oriented the facades such that their edges aligned - north with south, east with west, tops with tops and bottoms with bottoms. The result was that the north and south facades were perpendicular with the east and west facades.

 

4- I then extruded each of the facades, using 50 segments.

 

5- Started Boolean intersections between the layers.

 

Result: no good - boolean ops failed, getting the familiar error: "Unable to regenrate contour. This may be caused by highly non-planar polygons, or ambiguous overlap.......".

 

In the stats window for each layer, however, I checked - there are NO non-planar polys.

 

Any thoughts or ideas as to how best to approach this problem?

 

Thank you so much, is advance, for the help.

 

Elias.

[Richie]

Hello

 

So, how should I explain a workflow in just one thread ?

 

My advice is: You should allways remodell your Projects.

So, you know, no hidden failures or something wrong there in the "house"

 

Richie

 

ps I dont know any tutorials for LightWave thats are specially for Architects, this is why we are amaking a Tutorial DVD for Architects

[IC]

Hi

If you want to actually use the dwg file directly, one way to start off is to import a footprint of your block in 3ds format(exported from Autocad with a polyline the thickness of the walls placed around the footprint.)

Extrude this up to the height you need, then boolean away for your openings. A bit of tidying up will be required but this works quite well.

A good trick after creating boolean openings is to use the cutting object as the start for your door/window frame.

Another way is to just model a box the size of your building then boolean that with a copied and shrunk version of itself. This gives you a shell with, again, proper wall thicknesses and a floor and ceiling(for the top storey only).

One of the great things about LightWave's modeller is way the layers system allows elaborate cutting operations. Booleans are the best way to do Architectural modelling (imo) but you have to put most if not all your cutting objects in place before the first operation. If you still get errors, just use the knife tool to create more geometry where you are working.

Hope this helps.

Iain

[Elias]

Richie and IC, thanks for the input.

 

Richie, any idea as to when this tutorial you mentioned will be available? Any sneak-peaks of the tutorials? Or generalizations on these workflows?

 

IC, I guess my issue is that I am working with a villa, where none of the sides are the same, where there are roofs with different slopes, etc.. So what I was trying to do is create the outside of the house, with the proper slants, extrusions, and all, before I modelled the insides.

 

But I suppose I could try stacking up the floor plans, using the way you suggested, and then model the top roof separately, if I understood you correctly.

 

Just as a guide, here is a URL to an image of what I'm dealing with:

http://www.lightparticles.com/images/views.jpg

 

Thanks for the help,

Elias.

[IC]

Aha,

Now the problem is clear! orangeno

You might be better just loading the images as backdrops and box modelling each square shape seperately.

Unfortunately, there's just no quick and easy method but if you get the walls sorted, you can then just divide the gables at the midpoint and move these points up to form an apex.

If it's any consolation, it's not any easier in other packages to model this kind of design.

Iain

[Allen]

Elias,

 

Have to agree with the other guys. Start from scratch - use the images as background only and model in LW. I've tried different ways of bringing models into LW - and building from scratch is always the cleanest - and in the long term fastest way to work.

 

If you have access to the plans - have a set standing by for details that may be lost in these elevations (window trim, etc.)

 

Looks like a fun project - a lot of angles for interesting shadows.

[sonny]

hi,

I think you already did the first part right AI export)but if booleans are not always possible maybe you could try other tools like bevels,and drills. I think you could stencil on a flat surface of the main facade of the elevation and then bevel the windows and other openings stenciled that needs receeding. If drills don't work enough try using the knife tool to selected surfaces that needs working out. I hope this would help you get going with modelling your subject. This may be primitive advice but it works at least with me.