3D DWF Export

[Anonymous]

My workflow adds points and colorizes model objects, then exports a 3D DWF. I export a 3D DWF and the model is not as I expect.

The points added to my model appear as connected lines. (As shown in the attached image points.jpg) I used pdmode 3, and pdsize 0.001. I have tried various pdmodes and pdsizes and the results are not showing as expected.

In addition, the model objects exported in the 3D DWF do not appear as the do in the dwg. For example, a bolt in the dwg appears as a solid recatangular block.

Is there a way to improve the output the 3D DWF model?

Thanks,

Daniel Chavez

Skur, Inc.

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

is it possible you create a small example and upload the DWG as well as the DWF file(s)? The PNG file is not that clear (at least for me).

I tried a sample by myself and I get the points displayed as they are drawn in AutoCAD, look to the screenshot:

• on the left side: AutoCAD
• on the right side: DesignReview with the DWF

(and I attached both files for you to try).

- alfred -

[Anonymous]

Alfred:

Thanks for your support.

I tested your small sample - and it is as you described.

My model has 100,000 objects. In addition, I have added 1,000,000 points to the the dwg. The points are seperated into three blocks. The problem seems to be that the points and model objects are not displaying correctly.

- The points display as shown in the previous jpg. It seems that all of the points do not appear, and the points appear to be as extended lines.

- The objects appear to be distorted. i.e. bolts are displayed as rectangular solid objects.

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

>> My model has 100,000 objects

Which object types?

>> I have added 1,000,000 points to the the dwg. The points are seperated into three blocks

Be careful about the points within blocks as the point-display size set in the PTYPE dialog might be scaled with the block scale factor.

>> The objects appear to be distorted. i.e. bolts are displayed as rectangular solid objects

I don't see any bolts in your screenshot.

...and to make all that more clear: if you get the same display issue with a small sample then upload a small sample with a few points and bolts so we can play with it.

- alfred -

[Anonymous]

Alfred:

Thanks again for your continued support!

>> Which object types?

Most of the objects are 3D Solids.

>> Be careful about the points within blocks as the point-display size set in the PTYPE dialog might be scaled with the block scale factor.

I have tried a variety of PDSIZE and PDMODE  values. During these attempts, the points in all the various setting combos do not display as expected. Also, PDMODE = 0 (as a point) will not display in the 3D DWF. Is there a way to display the point in a 3DDWF?

>> I don't see any bolts in your screenshot.

I have added two screen shots to compare. The dwg shows the bolts and steel as expected, whille the 3DDWF shows distorted model objects. What would cause the bolts and modeled steel to distort?

>> if you get the same display issue with a small sample then upload a small sample with a few points and bolts so we can play with it.

I do not get a better result for the smaller model. I have added a smaller model for your consideration.

Daniel

[Anonymous]

After a little research, I discovered the following about the DWF:

DWF is a single precision floating point format. It is only suitable for models that are close to the origin.

The DWF export tries to preserve the selection tree and transform structure when exporting. Unfortunately, this means that if the original model contains transforms with large coordinates that will be loss of accuracy in the DWF.

We would need to apply an override to put the model close to the origin and the export code would need to collapse the model structure to avoid any internal large transforms.

The model I have is not near the origin. Could this be the root cause of my precision woes.

Daniel

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

>> The model I have is not near the origin. Could this be the root cause

Absolutely yes and sorry that I have not thought about this before. At least you can try to move your model more close to 0,0,0 and export again to DWF. I have tried that and got that result:

Do you have any reason to work at these high coordinates? And is it necessary to export the DWF with that coordinates? Are there any assemblies behind this process which rebuilds the DWF's together and so the correct insertion point is needed?

If not, move your object close to 0,0,0

If the coordinates are only necessary for the DWG but not for the DWF then you can draw a line from your geometry (on a help layer/not printable) to 0,0,0 ... then move the geometry using osnap for startpoint and endpoint of that line, export the geometry (without the line) and afterwards move the geometry back using osnap endpoint to startpoint. The line is not really necessary as you can move the geometry and run command _UNDO after the export. But if you need to export the geometry multiple times it might be an advantage to always use the same move-vector.

HTH, - alfred -

[Anonymous]

Alfred:

Unfortunately, I do need to display the DWF at these coordinates, as geospatially aligned models to other references (survey points).

The move to origin fix seems to be the only known method for exporting an accurate DWF - from models not at the origin 0,0,0.

After scanning the web, I noticed that Autodesk has a DWF toolkit. Is there any way to get the DWF export with the same precision as the DWG export?

Thanks again for the continued support,

Daniel

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

>> I do need to display the DWF at these coordinates, as geospatially aligned models to other references (survey points)

What software do you then use to assemble multiple DWF-files depending on geographic coordinates?

The DWF-Toolkit can help you with development, but does not help with resolution.

- alfred -

[Anonymous]

Alfred:

I am thinking now that I may have to find another solution other than using a dwf.

Thanks again for all of your support.

Regards,

Daniel

[udo.huebner]

AutoCAD introduced 2007 a new Systemvariable called 3DDWFPREC (default 2) which controls the quality of exported models with Command 3DDWF. Be aware that higher values increase DWF file size. This may help to get higher Quality in exported DWF(x) files.

[dgorsman]

Surveyors should not be dictating what happens on a mechanical design project.  They should be adapting *their* content to meet you mechanical design criteria - to borrow a phrase "They have the tools, they have the talent".  Set up a project coordinate system, close to the origin, and provide coordinates for several easy-to-locate positions.  They can transform their geodetic information to a best-fit much easier than you can locate bolts and other small objects way out in space.