File Link Manager and Import not working with certain ACAD files

[Jtrudeau]

HI everyone,

 

This problem has been bothering me for sooo long and I am going Mad. Hopefully you can help solve it.

When I import certain models into 3DS Max 2010 64 the model appears in the viewport then promptly disappears as soon as I click on the screen. I have tried saving the ACAD file in several versions and the only thing that works is importing using the Legacy Autocad import settings. However this gets rid if all layers and results in a file that sometimes never loads or just takes a really long time. I did get recently get a pop up stating: “the object you have opened contains custom object created by an unavailable object DBX application. ....” But I'm not sure if it has anything to do with it.

 

 

It lists the proxy objects as:

T(*RMAACAMERA\

Product Dec: AccuRender Camera

 

 

Thanks for any advice / help you may have.

[NoisyMonk]

Unfortunately I can offer you no real solution, as this has only happened to me a few times, but to a lesser degree. I'll offer my experience.

 

First, I don't work in CAD - only get the .dwg's and work with them in Max, so everything I'm saying about the CAD file is pretty much guessing.

 

Whenever I've had problems like this, I can usually still import the file, but certain things will be missing, such as; text, stairs and other small details. From what I can tell, whoever made the original CAD file used some sort of pluggin/aid/XRef to create these assests and they can't be imported to Max because they are missing some info. Like I said, I can usually still open and work with the file, but I'm just missing a few peices.

 

My first guess to a solution is to go to the suggested link and try and find the indicated solution - but I've found this to be very difficult and often unreliable.

 

Next, which I've never done, is to go back to the person who created the original CAD file and get them to 'Flatten/Bake/Whatever' the CAD down to raw Splines and remove all external influences on the file - no pluggin/XRef data. I have no idea if this is actually possible.. but I would assume that CAD has this capability as it seems pretty basic. This should eliminate your error, in theory anways.

 

So I could be completely wrong with everything I just said, but hopefully not. Maybe someone can back up these claims, or offer a real solution if I'm wrong.

 

Good luck!

Noisymonk.