AutoCad to c4d R9

[ThirdEye]

not sure but... maybe the engineer bundle? :shrug:

[dan22]

The Engineering Bundle will import .dwg files from Autocad, but ask the architect for .dxf files from Autocad if you can't get hold of the Engineering Bundle.

You can import .dxf into C4D, but check out the scale/unit settings etc. in dxf import prefs. first.

If he has already built the model himself, then with any luck the various materials he intends to use will be differentiated according to each different Autocad layer in the original document, so your job will be relatively easy. If not, you may have to separate out certain 3D features with selection tags for different textures, if necessary.

If he has only produced 2D drgs you will have to model from his plans and elevations, which hopefully will import from .dxf into C4D as intended. Again pay attn. to scale/unit issues in dxf import prefs.

If you have any problems once you get started, perhaps Strat here might have some advice for you, as I think he always models his ArchViz in Autocad, then lights, textures and renders in Cinema?

Good luck.

Cheers,

D.

[Continuumx]

I must have missed the part that the engineering bundle can import dwg files. Can it do this accurately? Layers conversion? plines, lines, etc.?

[manlio]

If you understand Italian or can translate it, here you can find a tutorial for importing Autocad file.

http://www.seikworld.com/programmi_php/c4d_tutorial.php

[Daoine]

Unfortunately, it wasn't modelled in autocad (at least his assistant didn't send me a model, only 2d). I was hoping it was modeled already, as this would make my job a lot easier. If 2d drawings are all I have to work with, is there anything besides the dxf drawings that I should get? So far I'm kind of lost as to where everything goes in relation to each other. Hopefully I can talk with the architect himself tomorrow to see if a model is already available.

Manlio: thanks, but I don't speak, nor can I translate italian. The funny thing though, my mom's friend is from Sicily and speaks fluent italian I think, but getting her involved kind of defeats the purpose my task.

Actually, my mom's friends are big time developers (big big time!) and they love using undiscovered and new talent. This could be a big break for me and I need to get this done. Any other assistance would be a godsend.

Thanks,
Daoine

[SteveB]

Hi Daoine -

I usually bring the autocad .dwg file into illustrator to do the tidying up, deleting dimensions and unwanted data - that kinda thing. Then into c4d from illustrator and away you go!

Hope this new opportunity works out well for you - nice one!

Steve

[jscott]

Asside from the technical questions of how to work with the 2D drawing. Let me express my concern that you only have 2D drawings. I'm sure you know how to model but if you only have 2D drawings to go by be very carefull about your bid and the contract. It leaves a lot of interpretation wide open as to the final look of the model being that there is no model now.

You can't just say. "Hey that's what you gave me."

Anyway good luck. Oh if you need to import a lot of files check out the CrowdImporter plugin from Katachi.

-jscott

[Continuumx]

Hi Daoine -

I usually bring the autocad .dwg file into illustrator to do the tidying up, deleting dimensions and unwanted data - that kinda thing. Then into c4d from illustrator and away you go!

Hope this new opportunity works out well for you - nice one!

Steve

Hello Steve,

I have a question how do you maintain scale when you bring it into Illustrator?

[Daoine]

Important question: Can a model be generated from the 2d drawings within AutoCad by means of a function or command, or would it have to be modeled either by myself or the architect?

If not, and I have to model it myself, what files would I need to use to get this thing started? I've been given 4 different dxf files: elevation, elevation detached, first floor plan and second floor plan. I've never done this before and I think I'm in over my head here. This is a really big f***ing house.

thanks,
Daoine

Oh yeah, I don't have illustrator.

[igraq]

Manlio: thanks, but I don't speak, nor can I translate italian. The funny thing though, my mom's friend is from Sicily and speaks fluent italian I think, but getting her involved kind of defeats the purpose my task.


Hi, maybe this helps you a bit http://babelfish.altavista.com/

[jscott]

Can a model be generated from the 2d drawings within AutoCad by means of a function or command
You can extrude the walls in AutoCAD. But you could extrude them in Cinema 4D as well if you can import the wires.
or would it have to be modeled either by myself or the architect?
Again I am concerned that you are only getting elevations and plans. Do these folks even do 3d in their office? There is a huge difference between doing 3D for presentation (Cinema 4D) and doing 3D for Arch or Engineering (AutoCAD). Do they think you are going to model the house down to the nail so they can pull a bill of materials or are you modeling the house for rendering or walkthru animation? I'm assuming the latter.
what files would I need to use to get this thing started?
You need the DWG files or DXF files which you stated you already have. I assume these drawings have dimensions and the 2D portion is to scale.

What you want to do then if you only have Cinema 4D is get those wires into Cinema so you use them to help you model the walls and such.
I've never done this before and I think I'm in over my head here.
I agree because of the questions you are asking you do seem to be over your head. If you are familiar with CAD and Cinema 4D you should be alright given enough time. So the next question is....when is the deadline? Do you have enough time to teach yourself how to do this project? You might be over your head today but if you have time you can learn to swim. :)

As an out you could tell them you don't have time to model the whole thing and that you though they were giving you a model.

Good luck. The folks on this message board can and will help you but your main problem now is do you have enough time to learn all this stuff and do the project in the time the client expects.

peace,

-jscott

[moka.studio]

Actually, from experience, I have found out that it is often better to get 2d information rather than 3d; it is sometimes more tedious trying to clean up someone elses model rather than starting from scratch...
Are you doing this as a paid job, or is this some kiind of learning experience for you?

A bit of advice, define from te onset the final output that the client will receive - how many drawings, what resolution, what kind of esthetic, how much detail...
Make sure the to get some feedback at various stages from the client, don't just wait until the last minute - but try to define a timplan, so they (and you ) know when there will be corrections, and you can plan accordingly.

To import, get them to export from Autocad as r12 Dxf, with all objects exploded! and all Blocks purged in Autocad ( otherwsise you may have some surprises)-
Make sure you scale the cad drawing in C4d to an appropriate siye and center it on the world axis, otherwise it could be hard to work with -

I use the imported drawings only as a template and redraw everything -

Also, get the architects to plot out a PDF file with all the correct linweights and colors so you have that as a reference ( quite often I also import this as a texture placed on a plane in C4d as an underlay, as it is often easier to read than the reduced, imported Dxf)

If you do not have an architectural knowledge, make sure you run through the plans iwth the architects, to avoid any misunderstandings.

good luck,
jp

[Daoine]

Thanks everyone, for your replies and help. As far as the job itself. I would have to say it's the perfect job. They know (and love the fact) that I've never done this before. Therefore, they have given me no deadline and they expect it to take some time due to a learning curve. They're starting me out on their own house, which they don't expect to build for a while since they have other projects that are more pressing.

So far, the way they make changes is during the building stage, which costs $ in man hours, materials and pushes back the deadline. It hasn't been that much trouble since they have a boat load of money, but they love that I can help to save them that money with the previz stuff. Once I "learn to swim" of course.

On top of that, they want to help me more than they want me to help them:buttrock:

I know what you're saying: "too good to be true". Well, it is true. My mom has known these people for years and they are extremely honorable and just love to help people.
You know... Karma:D

Anyway, what kind of ballpark range would previz jobs like this go for. Or, how would they be calculated: square footage, hourly. I need to know for projects where I would need to model it as well as projects where the model is already provided.

Unfortunately, I can't sit down with THE architect cuz he's in Florida and I'm in NY, but I can sit down with an architect. The help from the people in this community is still my most valuable asset. So thank you very much for all your help. It will not be forgotten.

Daoine

[vid2k2]

First, you are in deed in a very fortunate position in that you
don't need to perform with a deadline. However, it may not
drive you to learn what you must. Who needs the pressure?

WRT files like DXF:
These are basically flat 2d elevations of the structure.
You can open them in Illustrator and save the splines
to import to C4D. From there you can extrude as per
the plans show. Make sure you have a basis for scale
as this will determine how the structure looks.

If, what you need to do is an exterior only, then just deal
with those elements as the scope of the whole project
may overwhelm you. Over all, you'll need to refer to the
physical plans constantly to know the extrude dimensions
of the elements.

Hope this helps,
vid


http://homepage.mac.com/ddrosd/.Pictures/V1r2.jpg

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