How to set CAD drawing as Viewport Background

[ivanjay]

So a novice question here....

 

What is the best way to set a CAD plan as a viewport background?

 

I traditionally model everything in CAD. However, I am using a test project to learn interior modeling with Max as I think there are a lot of benefits.

 

I normally would use the file link manager but I do not want the geometry to be part of the drawing. What is the best work flow to set the CAD drawing to the viewport background so I can "trace" over it?

[Peter M. Gruhn]

Well, I think the _best_ way is to bring the drawing in as geometry even if you trace it fresh.

 

If you must use a bitmap, AutoDAD has "plot to PNG" as a built in printer. Depending on your needs you may need up to a whole lot of pixels. 5000 is a good starting point. Fewer if you can get away with it.

 

I think I'd include a known size rectangle around the drawing, crop to that in an image editor and make a plane that big in max.

 

Video card options in Max have a "show the textures good" button. You'll want to turn that on.

 

A bitmap can also be used as a viewport background and locked for pan and zoom, but I'd worry about scale. Maybe it's easy.

[heni30]

You can bring the cad file into max as geometry then just freeze it and make it non-renderable. That way you have the right scale and don't have to make any other adjustments.

[ivanjay]

You can bring the cad file into max as geometry then just freeze it and make it non-renderable. That way you have the right scale and don't have to make any other adjustments.

 

I tried that but when I freeze it, it shows up very light, almost unreadable.... Is there a way to change the color when it is frozen? and/or change the viewport background?

[heni30]

You can make the frozen geometry any color by going to "Customize" - Customize User Interface - Colors - Geometry - Freeze - and set the color you want. (Max 9)

 

You don't have to worry about the background because the cad plan is going to be what you trace over to create your bldg and, being geometry, it adjusts to your view automatically. If you have cad elevations you would bring them in, align them in plan, the rotate them 90 degrees and set the bottom to the plan plane.

[cupsster]

About frozen geometry: after import You can select all linework > right click > object properties > un-check show frozen in gray and then just freeze it simple as it sounds.

This way you can use vertex snap 3D, 2.5D for rapid modelling..

[ivanjay]

About frozen geometry: after import You can select all linework > right click > object properties > un-check show frozen in gray and then just freeze it simple as it sounds.

This way you can use vertex snap 3D, 2.5D for rapid modelling..

 

That was very helpful, exactly what I looking for.... Can I snap to the frozen geometry? i thought you couldn't do that if it is was frozen. I will need to check into that....

[DelfoZ]

by default you can´t snap to forzen elements, u need to Activate "Snap to forzen objects" in the Grid and Snap settings

[heni30]

In your case you know the cad drawings but I would "snap" to 2d cad drawings with extreme caution if you got them from a client. I get drawings

where things don't line up, lines aren't parallel, etc.