Archicad to Lightwave

[kevinS]

Hello all,

 

I bought Lightwave 6.5 a couple years ago, but never had time to explore it's abilities. I now find myself starting to use Archicad, instead of Form-Z to model residences. In the past I used ElectricImage for rendering, but would like to start using Lightwave if I can figure out how to load the Archicad model properly into Lightwave.

 

Using the 3ds file format, the model loads correctly, but shows as a single group in the scene editor, same with the the OBJ format. Using the Fact format, the model loads incorrectly -walls are incomplete, but the model loads as seperate groups -walls, glass, trim, etc.

 

I have tried all the options in the various dialogue boxes upon saving, but the results are the same or, in the case of some 3ds options, the resulting file crashes Lightwave.

 

Is it possible to go directly from Archicad to Lightwave, maintaining seperate groups (layers, materials), with the model intact?

 

This question is being prompted by the need to Upgrade either Electricimage or Lightwave, but not both.

 

Thanks for your Help

[dwright]

My suggestion is to export your data by separate layers from Archicad into Modeler, is more work, however you will gain the benefit to separate it into group and material layers in LW. This workflow also applies to importing cad files from AutoCAD or many other cad programs. You may also purchase 3D exploration or polytrans, both are MUST have software tools.

 

Cheers,

 

David

[Santiago Molina]

Hi.

 

As long as your model comes with material assignment, you can split your materials to different layers.

 

In modeler bring up the statistics panel (w key) in polygon editing mode, and use the surface drop down menu and the + key to select different materials.

Then, it's just a matter of cutting (x key) and pasting (v) into different layers.

[kevinS]

Dwight & Santiago,

 

Thanks for your quick replies. I'll explore your suggestions, but as I am happily on the Mac platform it looks that like those converters are not an option. I'll try using Form-Z as a converter I seem to remember it being able to re-write the Fact file so that LW could read it properly.

 

Thanks again

 

Kevin