Import DWG to Sketchup, coordinates and closing edges

peebo22

Hi again everybody!

It's nice to look things from the forum, a great help!

My question is, is there a proper way to align dwg layers in sketchup?
I mean if I choose preserve coordinate system when I import DWG, sketchup messes edges completely.

DWG files are in coordinate system and I would be so nice that they would align.
For example if I want to import roads or house edges to the terrain mesh, I always have to draw/use reference lines.

Also when I import sketchup file type from Microstation V8 2008, the skp file is messed when importing to SU.

How you guys align edges?

My other question is, how you close curves/lines so you can make faces? It's hard to do this in sketchup because usually the edges are small. Do you close them in CAD software, make somekind of polyline and then import them?
Is there a plugin which closes the lines? I've used weld and stray line plugins, but they don't help me.

mitcorb

I did a Google search for "sketchup dwg import tutorial" This, among others, came up: http://support.google.com/sketchup/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=86648
The voiceover is in English, as is the displayed text.

In this tutorial, the speaker recommends grouping your cad import and tracing over. Assuming you do not want to do that, there are plugins for making faces( ), closing opens, delete stray lines, and inspection/highlighting these things, and correction.

pbacot

@peebo22 said:

Hi again everybody!

My other question is, how you close curves/lines so you can make faces? It's hard to do this in sketchup because usually the edges are small. Do you close them in CAD software, make somekind of polyline and then import them?
Is there a plugin which closes the lines? I've used weld and stray line plugins, but they don't help me.

Edges properly joined in CAD should be joined in SU upon dwg import. A big exception is circles and smooth curves in CAD: Because the circle is a segmented entity in SU the lines intersecting it in CAD will not properly intersect in SU--though they might overlap.

ThomThom's Edge Tools have a couple tools to help find open intersections and close them (besides some other great tools). It is not always easy making face in imported CAD. Sometimes I avoid the direct use of CAD lines altogether, and draw over.

There are various methods in "Sandbox" and other plugins to transfer roads and other elements to a terrain.

peebo22

So basically proper way is to use cad edges as a reference?
Mitcorb can you find the next video, how to continue the drawing, very interesting.

ThomThoms edge tools looks very useful!

What about the align problem, got any solution?

peebo22

ThomThoms edge tools works for small edges! Great plugin!

mitcorb

Thanks, peebo, for pointing out that next video, and the rectangle fill technique, and so forth. It has been a long time since I watched these, and I may have forgotten them and fallen into bad habits along the way.
I helped you and you helped me- thanks.