Best Format to Import Architectural Projects?

[Srek]

Hi,
there is no single best format, thats why special plugins for VW and Archicad are available.
In general OBJ will give you good results. 3DS is possible but will only transfer tris.
Cheers
Srek

[mt_sabao]

Thanks srek for the prompt reply

[base80]

I think the best formats are the two that are supported by the exchange plug-ins.
Archicad and Vectorworks files can continuously be updated during the design process without disturbing the texturing lighting and rendering process.
The advantage is that C4D "understands the files instead of just converting them. This is a huge workflow enhancement.
Symbols in VW will automatically be converted to instances and such..

[Zimbo]

While we are on the topic. Do any of the import formats support NGons? By support, I mean that if the file is created such that the objects in the file are built with NGons, will R9 open them and preserve the NGons?

[base80]

I think that vectorworks supports n-gons

[AndyMcc]

VectorWorks supports Ngons internally but when exported they are converted to tris. Even with R2 of the exchange plug in and C4D 9.

[rob rhodes]

Im just waiting for my v9 codes for cinema to use my archicad plugin - i can't get it to work with the demo version as it doesn't install. Its really handy having 2 programs talking to each other - i used to use artlantis with archicad and that referenced textures and lights etc. The only prob is that if you have a large model with lots of detail and furnature it can take a while to re export and import a file and its really frustrating if you forget to change something. But its great for applying different textures to different sides of a wall (cube).

I take it with the plugin that if i add an object in c4d that it will also be referenced when my model is reimported to cinema? I.e not just the lights and textures.

I really wish there was 2d dwg/dxf import in cinema. I know there is a work around through illustrator but its not quite the same. Even if you connect the imported splines they still don't seem to respond as node points on a line but more as independant lines. Thats what happens with me anyway.

Cheers, Rob

[Zimbo]

Hmmm...well it's looking like R9 NGons are only going to be generated in R9, and NGons from other applications aren't going to get into R9. This is too bad as I was hoping to get some of the nice geometry from FormZ into R9 for animation and such.

I guess I would like to put NGon import on my R9+ wish list. At the same time, I'll continue to bug the FormZ folks to work on a C4D export option. Hopefully we'll get a bridge someday.

[lllab]

yes i hoped that too....

i hope that the obj import plug in posted somewhere here will get an update to support importing ngons...

any way its better then nothing

lllab

[STRAT]

i model in autocad and max (autodesk products) so i've always been exporting using the .3DS format. and i must admit it works wonders :) no complaints from me. for architecture it should suit you fine :)

[CGTalk Moderation]

This thread has been automatically closed as it remained inactive for 12 months. If you wish to continue the discussion, please create a new thread in the appropriate forum.