Help needed with Link from ACA 2014 to Max 2014

[paneli]

Hello,

 

I was busy the past few days creating a template for my projects in AutoCAD Architecture and pretty much ended up satisfied with the result.

I did some Linking experiments now and then and pretty much everything worked flawlessly.

 

Anyway, after starting a real small project I noticed a little problem with the Link process in 3Ds Max.

 

Each wall created in AutoCAD is displayed in Max as a separate object. (image attached)

I would not mind it much but it results 2 immediate problems:

1. UVW Map modifier - mush be applied to EACH segment of the wall. Its a huge amount of work.

2. VRayDisplacementMod - the corners look horrible with a huge black gap between the walls.

 

Help?

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]51442[/ATTACH]

[Zdravko Barisic]

I have had some frustrating and complicated workflow, years ago, but it worked for me.

- select all in ADT, and than explode all, TWICE, untill you get pure faces, no blocks, etc...

- export like DXF, from ADT

- Import like DXF, no linking and those fancy stuff, pure meshes.

- For 90% you will ended up with doubled faces, doors, etc...you can delete them manually or by searching trough scene explorer.

...

Its complicated to explain, as I did this by sense, for small scales it worked perfectly.

At least, I maybe gave you some starting inputs.

Good luck!

[Morne Erasmus]

Did you install the ACA Object enablers for max?

http://knowledge.autodesk.com/support/3ds-max/downloads/caas/downloads/content/autocad-architecture-autocad-mep-2014-object-enabler.html

 

And did you change the link settings to create objects by layer instead of per object?

[paneli]

Yes, did both.

Anyway I came up with a solution earlier so I will post in this thread later when I'm home.

 

-EDIT-

 

Anyway the solution is long and rather simple:

1. Open your custom .dwt or start a new one.

 

2. Open "Layer Key Style".

 

Add layers the way you want them to appear in 3Ds Max.

Set the colors to make it comfortable to work on the projects.

 

For example:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]51465[/ATTACH]

 

 

3. Open "Display Manager". In "Configurations" set your drawing default and relevant "Display representation sets" the way you want it. Personally, I set the Plan views to display as Model view and only keep section and elevation at their defaults.

After these are set, configure every object's display defaults.

 

You can keep most at default state, but again its your decision.

 

4. Open "Style Manager" and set up your custom blocks with materials override to match the layers you just created.

 

[ATTACH=CONFIG]51466[/ATTACH]

 

This stage is very important!

Don't take shortcuts and don't do this via "Display Manager" or else you're going to have a bad time.

 

5. After everything is set and tidy - save your .dwt and start a new project with it.

 

To configure default QNEW template:

1.Options/Files/Template Settings/Default template file name for QNEW

2. Set your path

 

Create a small scene to test it later in 3Ds Max.

 

As soon as you done building check if all layers are correct.

If not, return to the .dwt file re-do stages 2-4 untill they match.

 

Export the project to DWG. (not Save As really do Export)

 

6. Open 3Ds Max and attach the exported DWG via File Link Manager.

Use AutoCAD preset and set create objects by layer.

 

The Results:

1. All exploded faces are now single objects split by layers - now you don't need to select each wall segment to apply material.

In short this means no double faces and nothing to clean up - the model is Perfect.

2. VrayDisplacementMod now work properly - no gaps between segments.

3. Most important - LINK.

Also, AutoCAD Blocks are now broken!

Now you can play with blocks as much as you want and twist them like a lunatic and when you reload the model in 3Ds Max it land just perfect.

 

Enjoy..

 

That's it. Took me a few days to figure out.

I'm still working on this workflow and I hope this is the way to go.

I'll test it tomorrow on a real full scale project and will post some changes if any are needed.

Edited June 18, 2014 by Panibor