CompuServe Messages

Bob- I am also using 3ds in a architectural application, and agree that the connection between 3ds and autocad is much less than the happy marriage I have been led to believe. I have had face problems from day one when trying to convert a model from autocad to 3ds even before visual link. I tried creating a panel in 3ds, taking it in to autocad via vlink, arraying it (this was before release 3), taking it back out to 3ds, and face problems galore. There are some great modeling advantages to 3ds, and drawbacks, i.e. I was hoping for some object snaps. But i have come to use autocad as the shaper, create a dxf, bring it in to 3ds, loft it, and assemble the model in the 3d editor. Visual link lets me bring the model into autocad and plot out wire frame perspectives at any size for others in the office to sketch over. I am hoping that autovision is going to be a step in combining the two. Hopefully it will allow more people in the office to build models, apply materials and generally prepare the model for import into 3ds so all I have to do is animate it. hopes, dreams, wishfull thinking perhaps. I would also be interested in hearing how other offices are using the software.