CompuServe Messages

When my company's translation product, InterChange, converts a 3D model to DXF format, you have the option of using layers and pen numbers to map the materials and sub-objects. For example, sub-objects can be layers and materials as separate pen numbers, or vice-versa. You get the same options when reading DXF models, too. Your question about wireframe colors gives me some ideas for the 3D Studio converter within InterChange. We've already had a request to automatically assign different wireframe colors to sub-objects as we create them. We've extended that to automatically assign different wireframe colors based on materials, too (but this one isn't coded yet, it still needs to be evaluated.) We could also make an option to interpret the wireframe colors instead of or in addition to the material assignments. In other words, we could read the 3DS file, interpret wireframe colors as separate materials, then export to DXF with materials mapped to pens or layers, and you'd get what you want. As for DXF pen "colors", as I understand it, those color assignments are only recommendations. They've varied between AutoCAD releases, too, haven't they? I remember an older default set of 0..8 that repeated itself in a cycle of commmon plotter pen colors, and then Release 12 added an extended set of colors 0..255… In other words, I don't think there's a definite way to assign colors within DXF. If I'm mis-informed, please tell me! 🙂