Hi,
3D DWG’s created in Archicad don’t import correctly into 3dsmax2008.
I have been using 3ds files but I’d like to use File Linking in Max.
Is there any correct settings in Archicad that need to be set before exporting ?

cheers

AKA Bullseye, Spacelord

hellow,

have you tried file > import > DWG/DXF ? ... there’s a bunch of parameters showing before you import it then… file dragging in 3DSM is mostly for .char files or files made in 3DSM.. difficult to import DWG, thats why there’s pipelining in Autodesk Software? you’re ignorning the pipeline-parameters i think

greets, Boomerang

Intel 7 - 2.8Ghz
NVidia Quadro 4000 2Gb GDDR5
8Gb RAM
3D Studio Max Design 2012 x64

http://boomerang-productions.blogspot.com/

mmm I’m not sure where you got file dragging from, I talk about “File Linking” which is the tool for importing DWG files.
Check the help file.  I have tried numerous settings and have tried just the DWG import and no luck.
I would like to use “file linking” since it works better with materials and works well with REvit but doesn’t seem to like Archicad.

AKA Bullseye, Spacelord

I’m working on exactly the same workflow from Archicad to MAX2008.

In Archicad when you do a save as and switch your type to DWG, go into the settings and and select the “simplified data structure” option. That seemed to be the key for getting everything to come in to max cleanly using both the import function and attaching the DWG using the file link.

then when you attach with the file link manager you just need to make sure that you have a preset created (or use the REVIT preset) that has “use scene material definitions”, and “use scene material assignments on reload” checked. Just make sure you have the preset selected in the dropdown menu on the attach page.... can’t tell you how long I overlooked that one and couldn’t figure out what I was doing.

I now have designers creating models in, sketchup, rhino, formZ, autocad, and archicad all file linked by DWG into one composite master site file, it’s like Frankenstein in theory but poetry in execution.

Thanks BKittsARC,

I’m amazed you got it to work, I searched google a million times and the conclusion I got
was everybody uses 3ds with ARchicad.Glad you figured it out.

Pity about the material updates. ( I just realised you edited your post)

I will remember this next time I need an archtiect to provide me with files.
cheers

AKA Bullseye, Spacelord

is there a difference in ArchiCAD or AutoCAD DWG’s? is this method applyable for AutoCAD users?

Intel 7 - 2.8Ghz
NVidia Quadro 4000 2Gb GDDR5
8Gb RAM
3D Studio Max Design 2012 x64

http://boomerang-productions.blogspot.com/

I’m also an ArchiCAD user and have been using the 3ds via for years.
I would love to use DWG with file link manager, but ArchiCAD seems not being able to export material information to a DWG file. So the geometry comes perfectly into Max but without any materials assigned (even with “use scene material definitions”, and “use scene material assignments on reload” checked).

I wonder how BKittsARC is dealing with the lack of materials?
cheers

Are you there BKittsARC?

hmmm forgot about this thread......

I assign materials by layer in max, they will hold on reload as long as you have the file link set properly.

However I am now trying to switch to the method you are finding a problem with. Archicad is incapable of currently exporting a dwg with the material definitions setup in AC11. Checking on their forums, this is a known problem with no solution.

My next step will be to try using an intermediate step (which will suck)

It will have to wait till I’m in the office to try this but I’m hoping to export using IFC into autocad to create the DWG for max, or possibly, using the AC sketchup plugin, going out to sketchup to create the DWG. If I can get either of those to create a proper dwg with materials then the problem can be circumvented for the time till AC11 gets their exporter corrected.

BTW the posts about this problem are 3-5 years old on graphisoft’s forum so don’t hold your breath for when this will be corrected. I read that the dwg export translator is developed by a third party not directly by graphisoft so until they get it worked out, AC11 won’t have the capability that we are looking. (probably not the answer you wanted huh?)

update....  we need a better translator out of Archicad is what it all boils down to. So for now I’m using an exterior translator (Autocad2008)

Best way to keep using file link manager with an Archicad file, is to export a 3ds of your geometry out of AC11, and use Autocad2008 to translate it. When you import to Autocad2008, it gives you a nice option set of splitting objects by material, which for me is great when for instances such as different sides of walls having different materials in Archicad. Once imported just save your file. And thats the file you attach to the FileLink Manager.

Your materials come into max properly from the original Archicad setup, they can be edited (in my case changed to a vray material, etc....) and they hold on reload. Yes it sucks to have to take that intermediate step, but like I said Autocad2008 seems to be the best crossover at the moment, till Archicad develops a better DWG exporter.

Thank you for your reply!
Yes it sucks....Let’s wait for AC 12 to be released in may and see if it brings the fix!