Importing from Vectorworks w/out plugin?

[brammelo]

There's no reason not to use the plugin. It was developed for C4D R8.5 and VW 10, and works with C4D R9 and VW 11.

[Tiziano]

Thanks,
Although I haven't installed it yet I hope there is a "read me" file that explains its use.

[jddog]

Thanks,
Although I haven't installed it yet I hope there is a "read me" file that explains its use.

1. is simple to use: export from VW, Import from C4D
2. you have the manual and is really short
3. if you don't want use the plug export the VW file in dxf format and import it in Cinema if is a simple model work well

ps: use layer/classes in VW to divide your model for cinema import

jdd

[Tiziano]

Hmmmm?
Well, I did go through both the VW and C4d manuals. Must have missed the relevent points, sorry.

I do remember descriptions of the various formats in the VW manual though I don't remember anything from C4d. Perhaps I'm trying to learn too much at once :(?

Anyway, the issue is in the ORIENTATION of the image import rather than how to do an import. In other words, I can export/import fine except that the box/image imports rotated in a way that bears no resemblance to the ground plane set in VW. The VW box/image ends up almost (but not exactly) perpendicular to C4d's ground plane.

I'll go back and read up some more.

[jddog]

manuals > read the plug-in manual; this infos are not in VW or Cinema 4D manual

Normally the import respect X and Y axes (placement) and well Z too.

You have trouble whit the camera I suppose. Try a different camera from the VW one imported in the file, use the editor camera one whe you are in C4D, don't use VW cameras.

jdd

[Tiziano]

Danke and grazie jddog,
I did finally realize that nothing about this was in the manual. Still haven't installed the plug-in so I guess there's some kind of help/manual compressed in the install file. No paper manual came with the disk :(

Last night I was able to import a file properly so I'm making progress. This time I made a sheet layer and view prior to exporting.

I'll install the plug-in today and am expecting a surprise.

[brammelo]

After installing the plugin, you should do some tests with VW symbols in your scene.

[Tiziano]

I finally installed the R2 Plug-In.
I found the pdf manual and made sure the VW plug-ins were in both places.
I get the proper options in both VW and C4d when I run each program.
I should be ready.

When I export to C4d, and then open the file in C4d, I get nothing but the ground plane grid (dramatically zoomed in) with the Red, Green and Blue arrow lines (forgot what these are called, sorry). Whether I zoom out all the way till the grid is barely a single dot on the screen or choose any of the 4 views, all I see is the grid and RBG arrows. Clearly I'm not understanding something in one or both programs.

For what it's worth, each time I exported from VW I was in a scene viewport and was able to see the entire box/building I had created. I have tried wireframe as well as shaded ploygons and can see both in the viewport.

I made some tests using the plug-in and regardless of which options I choose in the VW>C4d Export dialog boxes I get the same thing when I bring the exported file into C4d.

I can export these without the plug-in but the resulting file, while visible in C4d, is missing some elements.

I've set the C4d preferences to 1.

I guess I am stuck.

[jddog]

When I export to C4d, and then open the file in C4d, I get nothing but the ground plane grid (dramatically zoomed in) with the Red, Green and Blue arrow lines (forgot what these are called, sorry). Whether I zoom out all the way till the grid is barely a single dot on the screen or choose any of the 4 views, all I see is the grid and RBG arrows. Clearly I'm not understanding something in one or both programs.

here is me that i didn't understand you... sorry

For what it's worth, each time I exported from VW I was in a scene viewport and was able to see the entire box/building I had created. I have tried wireframe as well as shaded ploygons and can see both in the viewport.

Pay attention at how you made the model... PEN & FILL in the VW file need to have a color before to extrude or create a solid. Otherwise nothing will exported to Cinema.
And yes VW model is not obligatory in the center of your Cinema 4D file.

I made some tests using the plug-in and regardless of which options I choose in the VW>C4d Export dialog boxes I get the same thing when I bring the exported file into C4d.

Like I tell you better to have good organization with classes in VW... order it by genre-material or any other way... you will able to work better in C4D... more test will help you.
So use export by classes...

I can export these without the plug-in but the resulting file, while visible in C4d, is missing some elements.

PEN & FILL in the VW file need to have a color before to extrude or create a solid.

I've set the C4d preferences to 1.

i use the v1 so no idea... normally my model is in scale (1 meter = 100 cm in C4D)


hope I can help you a little bit, if you have other question or I didn't correctly understand you, please tell me.

jdd

[alanmac]

I use the class option to export.

It sounds like you do not have the VW file correct.

1. First ensure your 3D objects are solid. Quick and easy way to do this is select all in your file, go to attributes and click on solid - not none or pattern hatch etc. dont worry about pens or solid fill colours if you are exporting via classes.

2. Next ensure all your objects have a class assigned to them. You either use the ones in the class list or make and add your own. By default the class you draw with is none so change this upon creating your 3D object to what ever you want it to be.

A quick way to check you have classes for everything is to ensure your active class is still the default none then go to organise on the menu list. Go to class view and change the class view option to active class only. If you see anything then that is in none class and needs to be changed. Remember to change your view back to show/modify all in your class view.

3. If you have items such as glass still keep the object as a solid, you change the material and its opacity in the render program. Give it none and it won't appear.

Now export in the normal way choosing export by class option.

All should appear. Okay the camera will be defined by Vectorworks, but you change or add to that anyway.

Are you also seeing a list in the Objects manager and Materials manager of all your named class objects in Cinema? You should do.

Good luck

Alan

[jddog]

Hi Alan

1. First ensure your 3D objects are solid. Quick and easy way to do this is select all in your file, go to attributes and click on solid - not none or pattern hatch etc. dont worry about pens or solid fill colours if you are exporting via classes.

that interesting... this don't works for me.. uh :curious: ?

I can't do it if an object is alredy extruded for example... If the extruded action was made without a fill, I can't apply solid after (VW 10.5). Yes this action is possible to do in VW but if I put solid after, then the import in C4D will not change. I need to re-do the extrude with the filled path to see corectly the object.

2. Next ensure all your objects have a class assigned to them. [...]

A quick way to check you have classes for everything is to ensure your active class is still the default none then go to organise on the menu list. Go to class view and change the class view option to active class only. If you see anything then that is in none class and needs to be changed. Remember to change your view back to show/modify all in your class view.

This don't work correclty with my module Landmark and don't works if you simbols are made from different classes: if the simbol is made in class called 'A' and you made only visible class 'B' to check if is all ok no symbols (draw in class 'B') will be visible of class 'A'. And somtime this is :banghead:

jdd

[alanmac]

jjdog

Quick reply as i'm behind on a job - deadlines deadlines !!.

Just tried a simple box and it worked fine for me on import. Came into Cinema no problem, applied colour etc. Strange

With regard to classes viewable in Vectorworks. You won't see the object if its class is "within" another class granted - but do you see any selection handles around an empty space ? This is a clue that something within the object is in the selected visible class but within another class so not visible. Let me know.

Got to go.

Alan

[alanmac]

jjdog.

Hi just tried some class stuff again. If you do class only visible and you have a series of different objects but grouped and that group has a name, but not applied to the objects within that group, when you specify the "group" class all the objects within that group are visible even though they are different classes.

If you have the "group" name as none and an object within that group as none then the larger group shows with selection handles but the object within that group called none does appear within the wider selection handles.

As a rule all my objects have class names ie desk-top, desk-carcass, etc and when put together I group them and the group has its class as none, but the objects within the group still have their own class name. As you know it gives you the option when assigning the class ""do you want the objects within the group to have the same class" You click no.

Alan

[jddog]

Hi just tried some class stuff again. If you do class only visible and you have a series of different objects but grouped and that group has a name, but not applied to the objects within that group, when you specify the "group" class all the objects within that group are visible even though they are different classes.


mmm group, not symbol... I will take a look too.
Take care to your deadline... I'm still here around... we can take an occasion to talk about it more deepely a day.

Thanks for your reply :beer:

jdd

[alanmac]

Hi jddog - got your name right this time !!

Remember if you edit a symbol you go into it's group, so as I see it it's a group anyway. Symbols are good because, as you know if you edit the symbol the other instances of it in your drawing are changed as well. Times when I wish I'd made an object a symbol so as to save edit time !!

I am lead to believe there are issues regarding symbols in the C4D exchange plug in but not sure what. Fixed in plug in Ver2 so I've also heard. going to try a couple of mine in a minute to see if they work okay.

To be honest I'm only just starting to use this VW.10 - C4D combination, been relying on my old VW8.5 with Artlantis 3.5 Renderer for so long it's hard to find the time to learn and change with work to get out the door. I know C4D will give me superior renders but like I said time !!

Alan

[alanmac]

Me again.

Got a VW file in VW10 with symbols in, export to CD4 no problem. all came in.

It's a same you can't break the individual objects out from the group once in C4D so as to maybe change colour or position etc. to one element. It's go back and re- import.

[Tiziano]

Hi All and thanks again. Love this forum!

I was getting a list in the Objects/Materials managers but clicking on any of them resulted in nothing.

Late last night I did some more tests. Made a simple 3d box and exported directly from the design layer (class not set so "none"). It worked!

Couldn't decide whether the problem with my building was due to:
a) I exported from a sheet layer viewport, or
b) I used the Architect module's wall, make floor and make roof options.

Then I went back to my original building and exported directly from the floor layer.
It worked! However, the model was all black though clearly in 3d.

So I played with some lights and had a little better result.

Is it better to give all the walls (planes) a color?
Are there any other problems with what I've done?

Thanks again!

[alanmac]

Hi All and thanks again. Love this forum!
However, the model was all black though clearly in 3d.
So I played with some lights and had a little better result.
Is it better to give all the walls (planes) a color?
Are there any other problems with what I've done?
Thanks again!

It does not matter what colour it is in Vectorworks, you will and should see the default grey colour assigned to all your objects in both managers.

You then use Cinema to apply your lights, material colours, textures etc. not Vectorworks.

The only time this matters is if you do a rendered view from within Vectorworks. You'll note that once you turn something into 3D in Vectorworks it becomes transparent, you know wireframe, without colour. Only when you render it will you see an assigned colour, and like I said thats only in Vectorworks. Default grey in Cinema when imported whatever you do to it.

Good luck.

Alan

[Tiziano]

It does not matter what colour it is in Vectorworks, you will and should see the default grey colour assigned to all your objects in both managers.

You then use Cinema to apply your lights, material colours, textures etc. not Vectorworks.

The only time this matters is if you do a rendered view from within Vectorworks. You'll note that once you turn something into 3D in Vectorworks it becomes transparent, you know wireframe, without colour. Only when you render it will you see an assigned colour, and like I said thats only in Vectorworks. Default grey in Cinema when imported whatever you do to it.


Makes a lot of sense and of course it's what I see happening. Good to know that it is supposed to be that way.

-Tiziano ("Dario" from the Nemetschek tech board)
What is my real name anyway? :thumbsup:

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