setting world coordinates for max import

[reptar]

Hi i have begun designing a shop front in autocad. I am now in the process of importing all my linework into max to start building elevations etc. My problem is that when i import my linework from AutoCad into Max, all the linework is nowhere near the 0,0,0 x,y,z coordinates in Max. Also, the linework is visible in Top view when i would like it displayed in the Front view of Max. Any ideas? I know it can be done somewhere in Autocad.

 

Cheers,

[Peter M. Gruhn]

I think the solution to the first issue is to move your drawing to 0,0 in AutoCAD.

 

I think the solution to the second issue is to rotate your drawing in either program off the ground plane.

 

I wonder if just switching UCS and saving will do the job... ah, it looks like it just takes named UCSes as grid helper objects.

 

Sorry, a quick look, I don't see a way to do it beyond brute force. Still, that will take all of a few seconds.

[reptar]

yeah i moved everthing to 0,0,0 world coordinates in Autocad which seemed to do the job. My drawing has linework which can be mirrored and having this aligned to world coordinates when elevating in max really helps.

 

Thanks for your help.

[Sketchrender]

To be honest I wish they would fix this.

The further you model away from 0,0,0, the more inaccurate it gets, and the line work goes a little crazy.

 

if they can do it Autocad why can't they do it in Max.

 

it is a constant problem for me with Microstation, as everything now is done in correct corrdinates.

 

Anybody know why ?

[JonRashid]

It's because they have to round the numbers off for some of the calculations.

Cad is a pure drafting tool and doesn't have to worry about real world cameras etc. Once the numbers get very large and you start rounding the obviously some accuracy is lost. If you move your model closer to the origin this prevents this happening. If you need the real world coords then just use an offset value. the model doesn't have to be on 0,0,0 just closer, so this shouldn't be a problem to just say subtract 1000units from x/y/ or z axes.

This problem has been around for ages so I would guess that it isn't a straightforward fix as people suppose.