Importing ADT
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Hello,
Just starting out. I do most work on 2005 ADT and create fairly good 3d models. However I want to add the rendering (color, people, trees etc.) that SketchUp has to offer. Is there an easy way to import my drawings without losing the 3d aspect of them (otherwise I feel like I am drawing it twice)? Thanks for your time.
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Hi Bob, and welcome to the forum
The DWG importer in SketchUp is unable to see the special objects (like walls and roofs)created by ADT, so you must export them in a format that SU can understand. ADT has a function for this, called Export to AutoCad. The results of this operation depend on your current view in ADT. From a plan view, you get a 2D plan drawing, and from a 3D view (isometric, for instance), you get a 3D model.
When importing the DWG, check your import options (button in the right bottom corner of the Import File dialog box) and check the "Delete coplanar edges" box. That will save you a lot of cleanup work, and the imported model is not so heavily triangulated.
Anssi
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Good question and thanks for the answer Annsi.
I have recently been given ACAD Architecture 2008 at work to trial and im about to start with it on a project.
I shall try the import into SU. -
Thanks Annsi...worked great. Now, however I can't seem to edit the drawing (when I try to erase a line...it erases the whole drawing...or won't let me paint a wall etc). Do I need to do some kind of "explode" to break the file into workable pieces? (it's almost acting like a non-editable block). It could also be that I'm not using the tools right. Thanks again...perspective looks great imported...I used napkin sketch in ADT & now want to do the fun stuff...shadows, color, trees etc.
Bob
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yeah, sounds like the models grouped, just right click on it and click 'explode', alternatvely, if you double click on the model, youll be able to edit the group. When youve finished editig the group, you just click outside the group.
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Thanks Remus,
So far no luck. I've tried importing the same file two different ways (.dwg and .bmp) and can't seem to explode or work in a group. I select the top view (to "upright" the imported perspective rather than it laying on it's isometric side), select the drawing & pick explode, enter. It then tells me I now have 256 entities (instead of 2...which makes sense) but then I can't seem to do anything with an individual entity (like erase or paint). I try to paint & it paints the whole drawing. Thanks for your thoughts? -
Is there any bounding boxes on anythign when you select it? if so youve got more groups/components. Just keep exlpoding them untill you get down to a faces and lines, or depending on te complexity of the modle, and how well its grouped, it might be an idea to leave some fo the geometry grouped.
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Yes, I have the blue bounding box around the perimeter of the entire drawing. I select it, then select all and the explode is already greyed out...not letting me explode anymore. Also on a side note, I am dragging in a few trees and they are coming in as top view (because my perspective import, to show correctly, is a top view), but the two are in different planes(perspective vs. top). When I switch the trees to side, the perspective changes to side also. I have a ways to go on SketchUp! Thanks.
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Hi Bob (?),
If you could attach images showing your problem it would be much easier to understand for others. For example:
@unknownuser said:
Also on a side note, I am dragging in a few trees and they are coming in as top view (because my perspective import, to show correctly, is a top view), but the two are in different planes(perspective vs. top).
I find it difficult to visualise this scenario, so a screen shot would have explained a lot. Similar is the situation in the other topic you had started.
Just trying to help.
Guite
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Hi Guite,
I've had a chance to play a bit more with SU & realize I can't work on a jpeg the way I thought I could (I was trying to explode it & work on the pieces individually). I was however able to import a DWG file and work on it successfully. I could not explode it the first time around because my computer is only operating with 1 Gig of memory & was just too slow. I tried a 2 gig machine & it let me explode just fine. Time to upgrade I guess! Thanks for your help.
Bob
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