Hello I'm new here. When I import a 3D model from AutoCAD to 3dsMAX I can slightly adjust the smoothness of the curves to keep the original design curve, utlizing the import options; however it still looks a bit edgy. What are some better techniques to maintain the original curve smoothness of objects when importing from AutoCAD to MAX?
Solved! Go to Solution.
Solved by PROH. Go to Solution.
Solved by darawork. Go to Solution.
3dsmax menu -> Import -> Link AutoCad (click browse to find your .dwg)
Attach the file, then go to the next tab and make sure 'Show reload options' is checked.
Then press reload.
In the 'File Link Settings: DWG options' window;
Set curve steps to 100 and maximum surface deviation for 3D solids to 0.1mm
I usually uncheck all the other stuff on all tabs, and leave defaults for Spline rendering.
Just a note: Make sure there are no 'Ray' lines in your AutoCad dwg. 3DSMax doesn't seem to like the concept of infinite lenght lines and will freeze up.
Darawork
AutoDesk User
Windows 10/11, 3DS Max 2022/24, Revit 2022, AutoCad 2024, Dell Precision 5810/20, ASUS DIY, nVidia Quadro P5000/RTX 5000/GTX760
Thanx. I'm not seeing a tab that has "Show reload options". Is it in import settings? Also, can you further explain ray lines? I'm not exactly sure what ray lines are.
Also, is it possible to fully manipulate a curve when importing from AutoCAD to 3dsMAX?
On the 'Files' tab, at the bottom left there is a checkbox 'Show reload options'.
Ray lines: 'Ray' command in AutoCad draws an infinte lenght construction line, try it.
To manipulate AutoCad entities in 3DSMax the .dwg needs to be binded, or right-click and 'convert to editable mesh'. If the file is still in a 'linked' state it can not be manipulated, only moved in location.
Darawork
AutoDesk User
Windows 10/11, 3DS Max 2022/24, Revit 2022, AutoCad 2024, Dell Precision 5810/20, ASUS DIY, nVidia Quadro P5000/RTX 5000/GTX760
Hi guys.
here is the soución, you can give the resolution you want to mesh inserted, same for the shapes.
Greetings. I hope this thing to me has served.
Hey PROH could you provide a bit more details on 2? How exactly would I smoothen my "Editable Mesh" after importing? I can't find any Interpolation Modifier roll-out. The import settings (Curve steps 100 and Max surface deviation of 3D solids 0.01) are not enough to get as smooth model as I'd like.
Thanks for response, PROH. Unfortunately I coudn't figure out how to set unit precision for "Maximum surface deviation of 3D solids" to something other than 0.0mm. Maybe you could point me where should I look for this setting? I've searched in Preferences and Units Setup - nothing.
However I've found a workaround that fixes precision for smoothing AutoCAD solids when importing to 3ds Max:
- I set everything to millimeters in Customize-Units Setup
- then in "AutoCAD DWG/DXF Import Options" dialog I set "Maximum surface deviation of 3D solids" to 0.1mm
- and (important!) I set the "Incoming file units" to "Centimeters" (instead of "Millimeters" which is default).
Setting last mentioned option to "Meters" makes drawing cylinders even smoother. Then you have to scale drawing to 1/10 (for Incoiming file units - Centimeters) or 1/100 (for Meters).
Since you're experienced user, PROH, probablyou you know another thing (not related). Do I have to make blocks in AutoCAD to be able to apply materials later in 3ds Max? Or there's a more convinient (and fast) way? If I don't create blocks all my solids are one object in 3ds Max (and I can't explode this object).
It certainly helped with Entities, thanks so much PROH. Silly to miss such important roll-out setting.
I totally understand what you're talking about setting up drawing units correctly. However once I set up Spinner Precision in Preferences to 3 decimal I still get only 0.1mm for "Maximum surface deviation for 3D solids" in "Import Options" window. If I type in 0.001mm - it just won't work. Moreover this if I enter "0.001mm" and then click to a different input box in "Import Options" - precision changes from 0.001mm back to 0.1mm. Should it be this way? In case it's important all my units are set to millimeters both in 3ds Max "Units Setup" and in AutoCAD's "Drawing Units".
For now after a quick testing I import my scene from AutoCAD to 3ds Max in Centimeters with "Maximum surface deviation for 3D solids" set to 0.1mm and "Generate coordinates for materials mapping". Then I scale down my scene using Uniform Scale Tool and "Edit - Transfom Type-In..." set to 1/10. Materials seem to apply correctly after that.
I guess I'm set in case there's no way to get precision of 0.01mm (for "Maximum surface deviation for 3D solids").
After diving deeper into woderful world of 3ds Max I've got a couple of tips for anyone facing model scaling/smoothing issues after importing from DWG.
Firstly you should probably try exporting your AutoCAD to FBX and then apply Turbosmooth modifier to all objects (inside 3ds Max). If your model isn't really complicated it'll work nicely. And you can tweak any problemmatic objects later inside 3ds Max anytime later on. Beware you'll loose all object ID info if you'll use FBX (and all AutoCAD blocks will be separate objects instead of instances in 3ds Max).
Secondly if you really need to import your model as a DWG (in case model is complicated and you want to save block IDs) you can set your 3ds Max units to Millimeters, then two ways:
1. Import your DWG (which should be in mm as well) setting curve steps to 100 and maximum surface deviation for 3d solids to 0.1 mm (in the import dialog window). Once imported apply Turbosmooth to all objects. They're gonna be smooth as you're used to in AutoCAD.
2. Import your DWG (in mm) but tick Rescale in import dialog window then set incoming file units to centimeters. Remember to set curve steps to 100 and maximum surface deviation for 3d solids to 0.1 mm. Then you have to deal with scaling which is going to be 10x times larger that it should. But because 3ds Max works differently with scaling tool if you'll just select all imported objects then right-click Scale tool button and set scaling to 10% you will have problem. All textures (once you apply them) will be off 10x times. So you have to:
- select all imported objects
- apply XForm modifier
- hit + sign before XFrom in modifier stack (all objects still should be selected!)
- click on Gizmo
- then right-click Scale tool and set scaling to 10%
- viola now you can continue working and all textures will have right scale and mapping coordinates!
P.S. Don't forget to use UVW Map modifier once you apply your material.
Hi. Never used 3D relief, but one possible cause could be that your dxf/dwg file isn't containing any compatible objects.
Maybe this can help:
Hope it helps
yeap... of course you can refine anything in 3ds max. Personally after filelinked the autocad
solids into 3ds max, then I assign a smooth modifier. Thanks for the inspiration guys... take care. 🙂
I am a noob but learn quick. I downloaded a 3ds model from celestia of the space shuttle atlantis. It looked good in my 3d viewer but when I opened it in blender They cylinder tanks were very blocky. Not round and smooth but like many sided instead. So I opened it in 3d max and there were a lot of errors which I fixed a pick with poly convert and the model looks ok but not smooth and realistic like the shuttle and tanks should be. I also converted to obj and same result. I tried some smoothing in the modifier tab but I cant figure it out and I really want this to turn out realistic and nice. You guys all seem nice and helpful on here so I thought maybe someone would be so kind as to help out a noob. I am still learning all of the lingo. I would like to be able to fix this in max without reconverting because I had to already fix the errors in the model.
If your drawing is in meters I change units, both display and drawing in 3ds max to mm, then in autocad also in mm and import without rescale and setting 100 to smooth curves and 0,1 to deviation. Then in 3dsmax set up back units to meters, diplay and drawing. Seems to work fine for me and no need to rescale. I tried the turbo smooth but ruins my geometry.
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