CAD dwg viewport background

[ivanjay]

Hi all,

 

I am trying to model an interior in max. I have geometry from CAD but I do not want to use it to link the file as I want to model in MAX. The cad file is huge and when I file link it, it drastically slows down my file.

 

Is there a way to insert it just as a viewport background at full scale so I can trace over it?

[JonRashid]

You will lose all your accuracy if you do. However you can plot to an image file then set that up on a board that is scaled to match your image. Then if you take a known measurement and make your board match that you are ready to roll. However I would suggest isolating what you need from the cad file and importing that in. You should find if you get rid of all extraneous detail (hatching text etc) that your drawing should be manageable..

[Ricardo Eloy]

CAD import has several options to speed things up. One of them is to import only selected layers from the DWG, which means you can choose not to import hatches, dimensions, electrical info, and so on.

If that doesn't do the trick, you can splite every plan/elevation in different files, importe each one in separate and assign a different layer to each of them. Then, you can simply hide the layers you're not using at that moment, which will definetly speed things up a lot.

[ivanjay]

The reason I am not looking to import it is because only two walls in the CAD file are built with new AEC 3d geometry. Everything else is original architectural backgrounds and flat. Either way I have to model it all, but sounds like the consensus is to trace it in CAD and than bring it over.

[jsf]

Don't use import. Use the File Link Manager to attach the dwg file, model on top of it and detach it (the .dwg file) when you are done. You should create .dwg file that contains only the most essential layer(s) Max will run faster this way.

 

The manager can be found under File > References > File Link Manager

[ivanjay]

Don't use import. Use the File Link Manager to attach the dwg file, model on top of it and detach it (the .dwg file) when you are done. You should create .dwg file that contains only the most essential layer(s) Max will run faster this way.

 

The manager can be found under File > References > File Link Manager

 

That is how I used to do it. I was just trying to find an easier way and one that locked the background file so I could not click on it, move objects, etc...

[jinsley]

1. create a new cad file with only the essential info in it.

 

2. import the cad file into max.

 

3. group the line work and put it onto a frozen layer called... get ready for it... "line work"

 

4. merge the file with the frozen line work into your project or just start building over it...