Help trying to position objects using a CSV or Excel file containing X,Y,Z coordinate

[ctasker]

Hi

Does anyone know of a method or script file/plugin that allows you to place many objects in their correct coordinate space in a Max file based on a spreadsheet/csv file that contains a list of each object with their respective X,Y and Z coordinates in separate cells.

Have been searching for a while to no avail.

Hope someone can point me in the right direction.

Thanks

[cg_Butler]

This sounds doable via scripting. Can you elaborate a little? I assume these objects don't exist, but you know where you want them placed?

[ctasker]

Hi Andy, Yes I have a set of off the peg variations of models (grouped geometry) say for example 5 different types of electricity pylon and I have an excel document which lists the grid coordinate location for each pylon including which pylon type to use (in a separate column) and I need to find a way to streamline the work. Up to now I've been positioning each model instance at it's specified grid coordinate manually which is fine if i just have a couple of dozen but I have a project coming up where I need to position hundreds of objects according to the excel sheet.

Apart from being very tedious/labour intensive there is a great risk of error in inputting the information and no easy way to identify an error.

[Corey Beaulieu]

Rhino with grasshopper can do it and then can be exported to Max.

It's fairly easy too.

 

http://www.grasshopper3d.com/forum/topics/excel-import-in-grasshopper

[ctasker]

Thanks for suggestion Corey, unfortunately I have neither software package and no experience using either