2018 Civil 3D OBJ/FBX Import

[Anonymous]

Hello,

I just started working with the trail version and am having trouble importing obj/fbx.  As I understand it, I can not import obj so I am trying fbx.  When I try to import fbx I get the "hourglass" like its trying to load the model but it never loads.

The fbx is about 109mb + 210mb (5 texture files) and is exported from Bentleys ContextCapture

Any help for this newbie is appreciated 🙂

[ocastaneda]

Hi @Anonymous

Could you share a screenshot of what you are trying to import into Civil 3D? And the file if possible? What is the purpose of this import, is it to show existing conditions such as buildings, objects, etc? in your Civil 3D design/file? What is the original native nature of the file you are exporting as an fbx? 

Thanks 

If you find this answer helpful please click the ACCEPT solution and/or the KUDOS button... 

Oscar Castaneda

Transportation Designer / P.E.

Infraworks Ambassador

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the quick reply!  Original images we processed in Bentley ContextCapture, images captured by drone of a retaining wall.  The software allows you to export multiple file types.  3d Mesh in the form of 3MX (native Bentlrey mesh), OBJ, FBX, etc.  I exported both all 3.  I was able to open up and clean the OBJ using Autodesk ReMake (see screenshots)  and exported this as FBX.  It will not open.  I also tried to import the "Bentley" FBX with the same result, the wheel is just spinning and spinning.  Here's a link to the "Bentley" exported FBX:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/y4fql2feplgxtdj/AADLidNJcDTLfN3uKWy8fPBra?dl=0

Yes, the purpose of this import is toshow existing conditions inside my Civil 3D design as you suggest.  Is this possible?

[pat.lowe]

Hi @Anonymous

My name is Pat and I am with Autodesk Technical Support.  So, I downloaded your FBX and tried to import a few different ways into Civil 3D and unfortunately, I got the same result as you.  I was however able to import the FBX to Infraworks.  Take a look.   

[Anonymous]

Hi Pat and thanks for your help. It's strange that Infraworks would be able to read the fbx but not AutoCAD. Maybe I could export from Infraworks to Civil 3D? Also, it would be nice to be able to us the textures as per the file, similar to an obj. Maybe I could bring the obj through Infraworks into Civil 3D?

I would like to bring these models (with texture) into Revit, AutoCAD and Civil 3D to use as a kind of background or existing situation layer upon which design work/layers could be based. Do you have any suggestions regarding a workflow or software combination I should be looking into to make that happen? Or maybe my idea is just not realistic?

[ocastaneda]

Would you mind to share the point cloud data? What type of file (native) you obtain from ContextVapture? LAS, PTS, LAZ...???

Did you try ReCAP 360, Pix4D, DroneDeploy? To process the images and obtain your model?

Thanks

[Anonymous]

Here's the link to the different filetypes:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/xr06f8zo13z58yw/AADuJO6Q781qxdtlqBRA-jWva?dl=0

I've tried ReCap, Pix4d and DroneDeploy, each with some limitations that ContextCapture doesn't seem to have.  Pix4d is excellent for mapping but as soon as you get some sky in the picture (3d model) the level of noise goes up exponentially.  DroneDeploy limits  the output resolution of the model and ReCap is a bit limited in the size of the model (number of images) AND doesn't allow you to set manual tiepoints (no margin for error when capturing the images).  IMHO, ConextCapture is currently the leader in this area,  no size limit, level of detail freedom, local processing (something I prefer), absolutely no noise.

Contrary to Pix4d for example, where you start with a Point Cloud immediately after triangulation, in ContextCapture you issue "Productions" after image triangulation.  These "productions"  come in the different file formats we are discussing, the native Bentley format being .3mx (mesh).  So, 1st you triangulate your images, then you choose production type (3D Mesh, Point Cloud, Ortho/DSM) and then you choose the filetype within that production (obj, fbx, las, etc.).  See attached screenshots.

My preference for "design backdrop" is the 3d Mesh over the Point Cloud.  The problem with a Point Cloud is that you easily loose your place when zoomed in close, becasue all you see is points.  a 3D Mesh doesn't have this problem, you can zoom in and still see details in the Mesh.  Ideally I'd like to use the 3D Mesh as a backround layer in Revit, AutoCAD and Civil 3D upon which my design work can be based.

[ocastaneda]

Dude, you are way wrong on some of these statements though. Let's do this so we don't get into unnecessary and unproductive arguments, can you send me the images please? I would like to process the model from scratch to prove where you are missing key features of these programs as far as I can understand from your statements, as it seems to me you are married to Bentley here. 

Let me know if you can share the images bud, and the coordinate system you are using, and the units system you are working on. 

Thanks man. 

[Anonymous]

Well that wasn't helpful at all.  What in my statements is inaccurate, and I'm asking for specifics rather then a blanket statement.  I used Pix4d for 2 years and yes, they have a serious noise problem with 3D models where you can't avoid to get sky in the images, which leads to HOURS of cleaning up the model  DroneDeploy DOES limit model resolution so I had to give that up after a few months and Recap couldn't process our test project (both under and topside of a truss bridge) so it's not like I'm pulling these statements out of my a$$.  I'm happy to provide you the images of the bridge project but a retaining wall, seriously, it's kind of a joke.  I mean, there's probably a dozen programs out there that can model a simple retaining wall.  I'm looking for a one does all solution as much as possible.  But, if you want to impress me, here they are:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/nfa0rrb5l1kz0hd/AACxoUoNvc4J6ZGqjwyZxCDVa?dl=0

I am certainly not "married" to Bentley.  In fact, this is the 1st time I've even used a Bentley product.  I've always been an Autodesk user, not that I've ever subscribed to the "it's Autodesk so it's the best" phylosophy.  I go with what works for me based upon trial and error and yes, I'm sorry, but based on my 30 day trial comparison, ConextCapture is simply the more useful product for me.

Now, if possible, I'd like to leave idiological or partisan discussions aside and focus on my original question.  Is it something I can do or not?  As mentioned, I am open to different software/workflow (whatever works) but PLEASE don't use this post to prove Autodesk over Bentley or vice versa and please do not disregard my own experiences, I just don't have time for that discussion nor will I be convinced of anything contrary to my own experiences.  Thanks!

[ocastaneda]

Alright man, first of all my apologies for touching a never over there, pretty sure you have your reasons to react like this, just keep in mind we are here to help each other and on voluntary basis though. Not sure why with so much experience you are having such basic issues but nevertheless here I go with my very limited expertise on this matter:

First and foremost I have not worked at all with ContextCapture, and your statements made me realize that I should try that software, here I want to reiterate my apology for my Bentley comment, it was not my intention, and thank you for opening my curiosity towards another program that seems to be efficient and practical. 

"Pix4d is excellent for mapping but as soon as you get some sky in the picture (3d model) the level of noise goes up exponentially.", I know this and I agree with you, but because of the scope of my projects I never had the need to use the "sky background" for my models, as 3ds Max, and more efficiently Infraworks allow me to take care of the renders on this matter, the ambiance and surroundings when needed for presentation are handled through Photoshop. Sky capture is such a pain  because all of the lighting issues you can find in just one flying operation. Here I ask you why do you need to deal with the noise from the background surroundings from the drone data when the objective here is the model for the structure in question? 

"DroneDeploy limits  the output resolution of the model", have you used the full version of Drone Deploy? If you have you will know that this is not accurate.

..."and ReCap is a bit limited in the size of the model (number of images) AND doesn't allow you to set manual tiepoints (no margin for error when capturing the images)." Here we are on the same page about capabilities to process images, I hate and I repeat I HATE the fact that Autodesk want to sale ReCAP as such a great tool when it limits processing to 250 images, and the the painstaking process of attaching models together if yo have more data than the 250 images. I am with you man in reference of respecting and liking Autodesk products, but I criticize them a lot too, as they are not all they try to sale you know? Now in reference to tiepoins (which I believe you are referring to GCP's), ReCAP has the capability to assign Control Points bud, here is a video that show how:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gn__9d4d8mQ&t=74s

Now, comparing Pix4D with ReCAP, I do not know about you but for me Pix4D is way down better, and more efficient. 

"Contrary to Pix4d for example, where you start with a Point Cloud immediately after triangulation, in ContextCapture you issue "Productions" after image triangulation."

Here you are loosing me man, you mentioned you used Pix4D for 2 years, so you should be familiar with:

and this is just to show a few, as there are many more available for that "production" concept you are referring to. 

"The problem with a Point Cloud is that you easily loose your place when zoomed in close, becasue all you see is points:, 

All of these program have settings that allow you to jum from point cloud to actual model, I personally prefer Pix4D here, but when you combine Maya, ReCAP (the scanning options though) and 3ds Max, man the results are astonishing. 

I understand and I agree woth you that a Mesh is what you/we want for scopes suchs as Revit modeling and reders, but all these programs regardless of their shortcomings allow us to obtain this data without any issues. 

I have processed the sata you sent in ReCAP and Pix4D, Pix4D has giving me notghin as the images are not enough to produce a model:

ReCAP is still processing. Just in case, I got a total of 48 images from drop box and from the bottom of a bridge. 

Again man, it was not my intention to get into a discussion/questioning of experience and/or knowledge. I should've phrase better my reply. The funny thing here is that we have not actually addressed you original question. 

Let me know if I can be of further assistance. 

[Anonymous]

How were you able to load your fbx from contextcapture into infraworks? All my model in infraworks shows is a grey arc.  I configured it as a building because I wasn't sure what to set the type as.  Could it have anything to do with the coordinate system because I forgot to geolocate the photos on my iphone?

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately, I never really got any help. Instead of addressing my issue other forum members were trying to push me into Remake (the Autodesk "alternative") which doesn't work for me. So I had to give up on an Autodesk solution.

[Anonymous]

Hello,

is there a solution to the problem in the meantime?

I'll beat it too. Contextcapture import into AutoCAD.

greeting Christian