[Plugin] FreeDXF Importer

Jim · 12 Nov 2011, 15:52

Sorry 'bout that, Dekker. I am haphazard with my plugins - but I'm glad you found inputbox.rb

Any thoughts on the importer?

thomthom · 20 Dec 2011, 14:04

The link to inputbox.rb is dead.

thomthom · 20 Dec 2011, 14:17

Does it handle materials in any way?

Jim · 21 Dec 2011, 21:46

@thomthom said:

Does it handle materials in any way?

No. I don't remember seeing a "material" or "color" property for dxf entities. Isn't the color based on an entities' layer?

TIG · 21 Dec 2011, 22:28

You are right.
A DXF file gives objects layers, and those layers have colors.
If you take the SKP layers the colors export as random colors.
Even with similar SKPs newly made layers get unconnected colors.
It's possible to rationalize a DXF by post processing it's text - I have a commercial tool I've written which uses the native DXF exporter, but where the client wanted all DXF layers to be consistently colored; so it has a 'lookup table' and ensures consistency by 'stream-editing' the DXF's text after it's made.
Another way to have materials==colors is to export a custom made DXF but ignore the SKP's layers and using each material as if it were a DXF-layer... that way objects in the DXF are then grouped by each DXF 'layer' which is really made from the SKP's material-color rather than the proper SKP-layer...

Jim · 21 Dec 2011, 22:42

Dec 2011 - I have removed the external dependency on my inputbox.rb - it is no longer required as a separate download. Also, I attached the download to the first post of this topic rather than linking to an external site. Hopefully, these changes will make it easier for folks to try.

thomthom · 22 Dec 2011, 08:29

Is DXF extendable? I wonder if AutoDesk writes DXF with extra material info..?

TIG · 22 Dec 2011, 08:58

A DXF can include all the types of data that you get in a DWG file itself.
However, as objects have layers and layers have colors, that's it.
You can assign attributes to objects containing additional info, so you can pass [otherwise-unused] data... but how that's useful later on is questionable.

thomthom · 22 Dec 2011, 09:29

I'm trying to find a good way to export a Revit model to SketchUp.

I have tried exporting to FBX and then use Autodesk's converter utility to convert to DAE - but that fails on import every time on any model in SU. Fail in Blender as well.

DWG and DXF import in SU - but uses layer material, as you describe. However, if I import the same DXF into another Autodesk application like 3DS - the materials are like how they where defined in Revit. And that is why I'm exploring this topic.

Jim · 23 Dec 2011, 16:19

FreeDXF imports acad layers as SketchUp Groups, so it may be possible to color the Groups according to their acad layer color number.

syfyguy · 31 Dec 2011, 05:06

It doesn't seem to work for me. I have Sketchup 8, with the new maintenance pack. It shows up in the plugins menu, then when executed it asks for arc segments, etc. When I click ok, nothing shows up. I'm using DWGeditor 2007 to create dxfs in ASCii 2007 format.

Jim · 31 Dec 2011, 19:17

@syfyguy said:

It doesn't seem to work for me. I have Sketchup 8, with the new maintenance pack. It shows up in the plugins menu, then when executed it asks for arc segments, etc. When I click ok, nothing shows up. I'm using DWGeditor 2007 to create dxfs in ASCii 2007 format.

Can you post or send the file?

Tenere · 6 Jan 2012, 15:00

%(#4000FF)[I've got a script not loading error on start with free version 8.0.4811.
I would assume I had the files in the right places although I can't see the folder layout image in the script posting - just an image name.
Bound to be missing the obvious, be grateful if someone could nudge me in the right direction......cheers.

Ooh one other question......Can I load the SU pro trial in tandem with my free version without bu#@ering it up or compromising the trial?....would quite like to see what I'm missing.]

TIG · 6 Jan 2012, 16:40

Does you Sketchup Plugins folder look like this ?

Tenere · 6 Jan 2012, 17:27

%(#0000FF)[ Hi Tig
Thanks for responding. My directory looks correct, are there any dependencies I may be missing?
I did read something in an earlier incarnation about the file naming system having to be basic without spaces ('joliet' stuff!!), it looks a bit more like an issue in that direction perhaps, paths & stuff....he says clutching at straws!!
Error:]

Error Loading File C:/Program Files/Google/Google SketchUp 8/Plugins/freedxf/freedxf.rb
no such file to load -- inputboxError Loading File freedxf_ext.rb
no such file to load -- inputbox

%(#0000FF)[.......The file is definitely there!
Being skint takes up a lot of my time! Just can't justify the Pro version though so your help is much appreciated!]

JMdesigns · 6 Jan 2012, 18:10

I am having the same problem? but it does not let me inmport

TIG · 6 Jan 2012, 20:06

The download page's image is wrong !
There should also be the file
inputbox.rb
in the subfolder.
IF you get the latest zipped version of the tool it should include that file !

Tenere · 6 Jan 2012, 20:37

Bingo....your a star Tig
That sorted it, many thanks for your expertise. I'm raising a beer to you right now!....Hic!....well it is Friday!

juergen · 1 Sept 2012, 14:11

Handling metric units would realy be a plus. It is easily possible to scale from metric to imperial but the reverse is no as easy as it requires to scale by a fractional number.
As all my DXFs are in cm I can not use FreeDXF.

Please consider supporting metric drawings.

PS: If somebody knows a way, please reply!

TIG · 1 Sept 2012, 17:50

1" is 2.54cm
therefore
1cm is 0.393700787401574803" [1/2.54]
However, Sketchup's in-built accuracy regards 0.3937007" as being 'exactly' 1cm... so you can use that [or even 0.3937] as your scaling factor. After all we are talking about modeling 'buildings' here, not 'swiss-watches'...