2D Drawing to Automatic 3D Render

[Anonymous]

Hello All, 

This might take some explaining to please bear with me. 

I work for a company who designs Modular Accommodation in the UK. Since starting with the company we finally got the go ahead for AutoCAD, which has not only revolutionised the way we do drawings, but sped us up and given us the chance to do a lot more with our drawings. 

We currently have a 2D Template, which we design all the buildings on. Then we have a 3D Template set up so when a Client wants a 3D Model or the elevations we copy the 2D template into that and then that generates the 3D Model. 

We did this originally as we had to save space on the drawings file sizes, basically we operate on a server which is not fast. 

I am aware of the render farms, but I will do more research into that. 

But is there a way that I can save my 2D Drawing and that will automatically be taken and generated into 3D. Even if we can only see 4 angles of the buildings so they can see what it looks like. 

Or are we doing it wrong, apart from a 3 day introduction course, we are self taught and have done a lot of development with CAD, so far as to work in 3D capably and effectively. Now we are trying to bridge the gaps we may have created, or the gaps we no longer need. 

Thanks for reading, if we have done this wrong please let us know, but any advice would be great. 

[Sea-Haven]

Years ago wrote a simple Architectural add on. It was before Autocad Archtect and obvious revit, but its flat plan but with what we called 2 1/2 D can be rendered etc doors window walls roofs. 

Happy to discuss further send a PM with a email.

[BeKirra · Accepted solution]

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@Anonymous wrote:

...

We currently have a 2D Template, which we design all the buildings on. Then we have a 3D Template set up so when a Client wants a 3D Model or the elevations we copy the 2D template into that and then that generates the 3D Model. 

...

But is there a way that I can save my 2D Drawing and that will automatically be taken and generated into 3D. Even if we can only see 4 angles of the buildings so they can see what it looks like. 

...

Thanks for reading, if we have done this wrong please let us know, but any advice would be great. 

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Unfortunately there is no such magical thing unless you are not working on architectural/engineering drawings and are only making something for fun.

Because in the real world design there are a lots of details in building models, even for windows, doors, for example.

BTW the cross section of window/door frame is usually not a simple square/rectangle.

Then what about window/door hinges and locks?

Furthermore, there might be different sizes of window even in a single room. To get these models done you need to setup/define a large mount of variables in your script.

IMO you may need to build your own library before going into 3d modeling.

Obviously a single click or a few steps cannot turn 2d building models into 3d blocks.

You probably can break the building models into thousands of basic components. But on the assembly you do need a set of variables for locating the components, again for example, windows and doors. Of course you also need to create and locate the wall opening for them, on the other hand.

Do you think it can be done by a couple of pages of code?

Recommend to consider of using Revit if you are really working with 3d models and you may speed up comparing on using AutoCAD.

HTH

[BeKirra]

Here is an example that theoretically explains how the code works. 😀

HTH

[Sea-Haven]

Sent you a PM did you get it ?

[Sea-Haven]

This is your dwg a simple mod here and there your blocks, happy to explain what I did. Note 3d door on left. 

From plan view its all 2d just as you created. A fill in panel can be added to top of walls, Hint pface.

[Anonymous]

Wow, this is a tremendous job. I will read more about this topic.