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Importing Autocad into Cabnetware

4/10/14       
Frank W

Is it at all possible to import Autocad drawings into Cabnetware?

Any help is appriciated!

4/10/14       #2: Importing Autocad into Cabnetware ...
Darren Member

Yes. But you have to convert a std AutoCAD dxf into a polygon Model.
Same Rules applied in CV Solid before importing from Sketchup was introduced.

Import 3D DXF’s into Solid
What is a DXF and Why Would I Use It?
DXF stands for Drawing Exchange Format. This drawing format is used with many CAD (Computer Aided Design) programs. It allows drawings, or objects, rendered in one CAD program to be imported and used in another CAD program. DXF files done in AutoCAD DXF format can be imported into Solid and saved in your object libraries for use in your designs. For example, you have a DXF of a fireplace mantel that you would like to use in Solid.

Solid will import AutoCAD Release 12, 13, and 14 DXF’s. Most other CAD and modeling programs should work just fine as long as they generate polygon based DXF models. Any non-polygon information within the file (lines, arcs, text, blocks, etc…) is ignored. While there haven’t been any reported problems so far, AutoCAD R14 does have the option to export Release 12 and 13 DXF’s.

Rules for creating the DXF’s
How the Solid is described
The main compatibility problem with importing DXF’s into Solid is that the DXF file specification has several ways to describe polygon-based models.

Polyface Mesh
This object type defines a group of polygons as a single object. This kind of polygon model can be easily imported to Solid.

3D Face
This defines each polygon as a separate object. These import into Solid as well.

3D Mesh
Similar, but internally very different, to Polyface Meshes, this type of polygon object can’t be directly imported into Solid. Fortunately, most DXF models exported out of other modeling programs usually produce either Polyface Mesh or 3D Face models. The one huge exception to this is AutoCAD itself: most of its polygon modeling tools creates 3D Mesh objects. In AutoCAD, it is possible to convert 3D Mesh objects to 3D Face by using the “Explode” command.

Materials
The other major compatibility issue is how the DXF file specification indicates what materials go on each object. There are three basic ways: by object, by layer, and by color. Models that can be imported into Solid must have unique materials distinguished BY LAYER. In the Solid import dialog, what you are seeing is not individual objects but a list of all the layers within the model. Multiple objects that use the same material are on the same layer. The majority of existing models distinguish materials by layer, but some use the other methods. In fact, it is not uncommon for models to use combinations. For instance, a model may have multiple objects on a single layer, each with a different color. Solid would import such a model with all objects being the same material: the color information is ignored.

The 3DS conversion technique described below can be used to convert these to layer based models. In step 2, instead of deriving 3DS objects BY LAYER, select BY OBJECT, or BY COLOR, as appropriate. It may require some trial and error to find what works best. If all else fails, AutoCAD provides many tools for manually editing objects, colors, and layers.

Solids
Another common way to create models in AutoCAD and other programs is as “solids”. While similar appearing, solid models are very different from polygon models. Solid cannot import AutoCAD or other types of solids directly. Your CAD program must be able to convert the solid models into polygon models. In AutoCAD using the 3DS conversion technique described below can do this. The 3DS filter automatically converts solids into polygons.

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Step 1.
3DS Conversion Technique
Load DXF or DWG model into AutoCAD.

Export model as a 3D Studio (3ds) model. When AutoCAD prompts for it check the box to derive 3DS objects BY LAYER, all other settings default.

Clear out the current model and re-import the 3DS model back into AutoCAD. When prompted, set “Available Materials” to ADD ALL, “Save to Layer” should be set to BY OBJECT, and the other settings should be default. The imported model will be imported as a Polyface Mesh.

Now export it as a DXF.

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Step 2
Importing 3D Objects
There are many companies in the marketplace that supply their products in a 3D computer file
format (i.e.; windows, doors, plumbing fixtures, office furniture, home furnishings, kitchen
furnishings, etc.). You now have a way to import these items into your Cabnetware program as
3D objects. The file formats that we currently support for importing objects are 3D DXF and WRL
files.
1. Select the Setup command from the File menu.
2. Select the User Graphics command from the Setup menu.
3. Select the 3D Objects radio button from the User Graphics dialog
4. Select the Import button.
5. Select a drive and folder for the location of the 3D DXF or WRL file that you wish to import.
6. Select a 3D DXF or WRL file.
7. Select the Open button.
8. Enter a description for the imported object.
9. Enter a scale factor for the import. Entering “1” will import the object at the same scale that
the object was created. Entering a fraction, such as “.5” will import the object at half scale.
Entering “2” will double the size of the object.
10. Select the Generate Graphics check box if you want the program to generate the floorplan
and elevation graphics of the object as it is imported.
11. Select the Smooth Faces check box if you want the program to round the edges of
connecting faces

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I have test this on Cabnetware Detailer V7 only


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