How to export an AutoCAD 3D file into 3D Studio Max for real-time use

[jzak11]

Hello everyone and thank you for viewing!

I just wanted to double check to make sure I go about the process correctly for exporting an AutoCAD file out and bringing it into 3D Studio Max to then be used for a real-time engine such as Unity.

According to my notes the key elements for prepping to export from AutoCAD are as follows:

* Having a good layering system setup is vital. Best if all file use the same guideline system for naming and layers.

* Don't need all entities like: Axis-lines, dimensions, dpms etc.

* Turn off layers that are not necessary for export. Create specific 3D layers.
* Make sure to have closed polylines so 3D Studio Max can turn them into 3D volumes.
* 2D drawings can be used as templates inside of 3D Studio Max.
* B-polyline with pick points and click on an area that has boundaries, leave no gaps or holes.

* Check the units in Drawing Utilities menu and the Base Unit. Make sure all the CAD drawings are using the same system units.

Is there any tutorials or videos showing how people have imported into 3D Studio Max 3D CAD drawings?  I've only seen the 2D drawings being imported in.   Basically, I need to make sure I have whatever object from AutoCAD optimized or reduced to a reasonable poly count.   It would be nice to have nice topology as well but I understand that I may need to retopologize.

Any help in this matter is greatly appreciated.  I'll post in the 3D Studio Max forum as well.

[jzak11]

Hello Mr. Tomislav Goblubovic and other AutoCAD users!

Thank you for sharing that link.  His written outline of what he is showing and talking about helps, I was able to add some points to my notes.  

I only wish the video had more in depth explanations about why you do or don't check certain boxes on import into 3D Studio Max and why he didn't use other options.

Would you use this same process if you wanted to import into 3D Studio Max a highly detailed 3D model of a machine from AutoCAD?

Let me know when you have a moment.

Thank you!

[Alfred.NESWADBA]

Hi,

>> I only wish the video had more in depth explanations

>> about why you do or don't check certain boxes

That would then be a training ... discussing every single checkbox means to write a help, but the help already exists.

If you don't get anything working, then please let us know what does not work as expected, we might then "feel" which of the checkboxes or workflow steps you need to change.

- alfred -

[leeminardi]

Here are a few things I keep in mind when I anticipate transferring geometry from AutoCAD to 3ds Max.  I should note I deal with primarily mechanical parts and do a lot of rigging in Max and have no experience with Unity.

• I will usually seek to export AutoCAD solid model to Max EXCEPT IF:
  • they are a revolved part. If so I just want to bring the outline of the part (open or closed) as a polyline or spline.  In Max I will move the pivot point and add a lathe modifier.  This yields a much more intelligent geometry where I can adjust the quality as needed.
  • If there is a lot of tubing (piping, guard rails, etc.), structural steel (angle iron) etc. I would rather transfer that geometry as lines so that I can give them a renderable thickness or use the sweep modifier in Max.  Using Loft as a compound object is alos useful.
• I sometimes will export from AutoCAD as an igs file.  WHen Importing into Max you get a better quality model (NURBS rather than an editabable mesh).
• If the location of an object's pivot point in Max is important I will make sure I know its coordinates in AutoCAD so I can easily relocate it after import as import places pivots at an object's centroid.

Lee