so… what do people usually use to transfer data to max? DWF probably? does using of FBX pipeline give the same result?
all other formats look useless for our case.
DWG or DXF is mostly used, also because the important layer structure and the color index stays intact and splines can be transfered in the same file with geometry.
3DS can’t do this.
DWF, I’m not familar with this format. I’ve never seen it in use.
Not sure about FBX.
We just import raw *dwg to max. Not export anything from CAD. But ArchiCAD users must export files because max not supports ArchiCAD files(not know what is extension)
Yes, ArchiCAD also can’t export FBX.
Actually I think the meshing/triangulation happens at the import step in max. I would guess that in the DWG file geometry is described as solids and outlines, not as triangulated meshes.
We have to go the long way around. Piping Design Systems > DGN > DWG > Max. I like to use dwg files because the layer information is retained. On the import I have a script that adds a layer with the source dwg name and puts all the objects from that drawing on that layer. That way, I can easily reference the source drawing if there is an issue.
Denis, I usually import with vanilla settings. No welding meshes or autosmoothing. I take care of optimization with my hacky scripts (most of which you have helped me create! :bowdown: )
edit: I avoid FBX whenever possible.
i don’t want you to use FBX as export/import format. i just want you to try this pipeline and check the result. will meshes be the same broken or not?
ah, too right. To be honest I have tried most of the possible workflows to this point all with very similar results. Now if I could just find the 2300 sticky notes I logged my findings on…
One thing I used recently was dwg > pdf > obj > max. Worked on some models, not so much on others.
edit: I will try fbx and report back
Confirmed, FBX does not provide better meshes. I exported from Autodesk Manage as FBX.
This has been an issue for so long I can’t believe it’s stil an issue. I guess sometimes, a triangle is not just a triangle.
bad…
yeah…
sometimes a triangle is a thing that just lies on three weird points.
i don’t know what to say. the data is too bad to be fixed. no ‘normal’ play can help. so you have to search and find a better way to bring CAD data to the max.
When Denis says it’s dead, well…it’s dead Jim. I will probably bang my head against the wall a few thousand more times though. You know, jussst to be sure.
Thanks all for your contribution here!
btw… what is the most usable pipeline to bring the CAD data to the MAX today?
That very much depends on where the CAD file originated from. My stuff is all industrial piping that comes from a software called PDS (piping design system) which uses a microstation shell to run. Microstation outputs to DWG. So, for me it goes:
PDS > Microstation > DWG > Max
the thing is that you finally have an absolutely broken mesh in the max.
but i see an issue of importing CAD data to the max. is it true?
Correct PDS is not in the Autodesk family. It does indeed suck and having microstation as the next step is like a double whammy.
you can sort some of the mesh wackiness by exporting it as 3ds then reimporting it.
