IMPORTING FROM AUTOCAD
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I am just starting out in sketchup and my need now and in the future will be importing from autocad. I am running autocad 2008lt and the trial version of sketchup 6. My question is: What is the best method for bring imports in? I have found importing dwg's really shows linework floating over other line work, which you would typically not see in autocad. Is it better to make a scaled PDF? and is there a way to specify my location when importing so the origin and rotation are on the axis? Please let me know. Thank You
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Bayer, when importing from AutoCAD use the "export to AutoCAD" feature. If you start your drawing at the 0,0 origin in ACAD when you import your model into SU it will be on the axis.
PS Welcome
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I have quickly searched for the export to autocad button and have had no luck finding it, it is apart of the trial version of sketchup 6 and if so am I missing something? Thanks for the help though.
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oh sorry, I meant in ACAD go to file then export (:oops: but now that I'm saying it again, I think this might only apply to ADT, sorry)
Although, I do think there is a plugin for SU, I'll look for it.
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Tinanne is correct, you would need to export from ADT only, 2008LT should work just from the original file. If you are having problems with line work importing with lines floating up in the air, that is going to be an issue with the cad linework having been drawn in 3D. Unfortunately the LT version of AutoCad doesn't officially support 3D drawing so it can be hard to know when line work isn't on the ground plane. Since LT doesn't support LISP functions available that would flatten the linework for you before importing to SU, the easiest way I can think of to get everything down to the ground plane would be to switch to parallel projection in SU (camera menu) and look at the model from a side view. Then grab everything and manually move them in line with the ground plane (using shift to keep from pulling them out of alignment).
For aligning with the axis, make sure your AutoCad drawing is located at the 0,0 axis before you import into SU. If that still doesn't work for some reason, you can always move it over after you import it.
And btw, you are correct about the export to cad function in SU, it is only available in the Pro version.
Hopefully this helps you,
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Isn't there a ruby that will crush everything down to the ground plane...can't remember the name or where to get it (Bayer, welcome, look at the ruby repository here for links to search)?
Also, my experience is a dwg import will be placed in SU so that the far left and lower of it will be in the upper-right quadrant as close to 0,0 as possible.
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There is a flatten ruby by Todd Burch on Smustard for $10.00
http://www.smustard.com/script/Flatten -
I have to import autocad files into Sketchup all the time.
I always copy and past the the cad that I need into a brand new cad file; then I usually put everything onto layer 0 (just my preference), but more importantly are some autocad commands,
type "flatten", and this will drop all the lines onto 0,0; then type "overkill", this will clean up the drawing and remove lines that are on top of other lines, then I usually do a purge and an audit.
Also, Sketchup can't import 2008, so you'll need to save down to 2007.
and when you import the cad into sketchup you need to click the options button and make sure that "preserve drawing origin" is clicked, that will bring it in in relation to Acad's 0,0.
hope this helps -
Great info CRC thanks! I do it all the time also, but I'm using ADT2004 so the process is different. Thanks again!
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. . . . . and I guess you already know you wont get any text importing.
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Bayer,
Running build 6.4.112 here and it imports 2008 files just fine. CRC's suggestions for cleanup in a seperate autocad file are very important - makes for a more efficient file to importe and work with. Different approaches are warranted depending upon how you use the acad file.
Bytor
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Unfortunately CRC, that 'flatten' command isn't available in the LT versions of AutoCad as well as any other lisp command. I truly wish it was as I used it a lot at my last job and really miss it now using LT. I think the flatten ruby is going to be the best bet, unless someone knows another way to do it in SU or AutoCad.
Good point about Autocad 2008 support in SketchUp, I thought that I had read that one of the recent updates fixed that issue but last time I tried it still wouldn't import. -
Hi all,
There used to be a "Cooking CAD" topic in the old Google SketchUP forum dealing with ACAD import. Might be still there in the Google Groups.
In my experience the flatten command tends to distort some geometry. One of the tips in the Cooking CAD topic was to explode everything repeatedly (moving everything to zero layer was another, BTW). So what I usually do is select everything and open the properties panel (right click context menu or "CH" command), select entity type in the drop down thingy of the properties panel, set lines to start Z = 0, end Z = 0; polyline elevation = 0. Accomplishes what the flatten command does but more accurate.
Hopefully this is helpful for those who cannot access the flatten command.
Guite
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I'll have to check out the 2008 import, I have acad 2008 set to automatically save to 2007, the only difference is speed I believe, speed in opening and closing acad files.
You can manually drop lines in autocad to the 0,0. select the line, open the properties dialog box and there is an "Elevation" box, type in 0 and it should drop it. maybe works if you select all lines? not sure. can be time consuming, but it is there.
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Hi all,
AutoLisp and other nice full AutoCad features are available to AutoCad LT in an affordable package from the Australian software company DRCauto http://www.drcauto.com/
I haven't tested their most recent offers, but an earlier version of their Toolkit worked flawlessly. It's also the basis of many third party add-ons to LT.A DWG with irritating lines in 3D can be flattened easily with SU too: Select the Plan view, turn off Perspective (select Parallel Perspective), export a 2D image as DWG to full scale, and reimport.
Anssi
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@anssi said:
A DWG with irritating lines in 3D can be flattened easily with SU too: Select the Plan view, turn off Perspective (select Parallel Perspective), export a 2D image as DWG to full scale, and reimport.
WOW! Ansii, that's way cool!!! That's a nice and new idea, fresher than this morning's milk delivery!!
Guite
PS: Not that we get stale milk, sorry your quick wit guys
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I'll double the WOW! and thanks Anssi...neat trick!
Also, much abliged for the link to DRC...I'm thinking it may be time to update my autocad and this time it will have to be LT: $$$
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That's a great time saver Anssi, thanks for the tip. I can't believe that hasn't occurred to me before. I'd heard of the drcauto software before but haven't ever ponied up for it. It would be nice to have the functions back that I was so used to, I'll have to pitch this idea to my boss.
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Great tip Annsi and I wish I knew this last week, ive been fighting with the worst cad drawing ever. Parts of it being in 3d for no apparant reason is only part of it!
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Really appreciate all the help everyone, like I said I am just getting started with SU and will try out these solutions. I will return to let you know how it went.
Enjoy
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