#converting .dxf to 3ds
6 messages in this thread
i have downloaded several .dxf files via modem from an architectural firm. i
have imported them into 3d-studio, done all the appropriate welding, and the
model refuses to render. i have tried all the various options, (flipping
normals, re-unifying etc.) and to no avail. is there a test i can perform to
determine whether or not these are in fact valid .dxf files? we do have access
t to autocad for assistance. please advise. thanks. michael e. poly 71604,332
Michael:
>> the model refuses to render.
We'd love to help you, but you must give us more information! What does
'refuses to render' mean? It renders but you don't see anything? Or it
gives you an error message? Or it locks or reboots your computer?
Can you render (shade) it within AutoCAD? Are you sure it consists of 3D
faces, or just 3D lines, which won't render or even import properly?
Let us know, and we'll give you our best shot!
Greg Pyros
Greg's comments are correct… we need a LOT more information. Unfortunately,
it's possible to make an unrenderable DXF file… hopefully this isn't the
case, but it's possible.
Under normal circumstances I'd offer to take a look at your file, but I'm going
thru sleep deprivation right now with Siggraph looming a week away.
– G
I am experiencing similar problems in importing .dxf files into 3d-Studio. I
have little or no knowledge of Autocad but have access to it. My problem is
that I can import the files but a rendering of the imported solids shows
several faces missing. I don't have access to AME. I am creating my solid
models in GDS and bringing them into MICROGDS for .dxf conversion. In Microgds
all faces are visible. I have also experienced an error message on importing
.dxf files which states that 3D-Studio was unable to cap an entity. Although
this error is not fatal, the resulting model will be missing an entire surface.
Are there limitations on concavity with 3D-Studio? Obviously, I am new to this
realm but help on this topic would keep me from going back to Wavefront.
Robert C. Ritger @ The Hillier Group / Architects
Robert:
Just render with 'force two-sided' on and see if that helps. If so, go to
your materials editor and make two-sided materials for those objects.
We have brought in objects from AutoCAD, Intergraph, DataCAD, and other
programs without problems.
Greg Pyros
Object unify, normals flip can often fix these "missing" faces. Ususally it is
not that they are missing (if the object renders to even some visible ones),
but that the normals are flipped away from the camera. Greg's advice on
2-sided materials is excellent, or you could delete and rebuild the faces piece
by piece if you need to, or are a glutton for punishment <g>.
John Tissavary (La Luna cie)