Page 1189 - Chief Architect Reference Manual

Chief Architect X10 Reference Manual

3D Data Import Requirements

Importing a symbol that can be used by Chief This is true for all (.dxf/.dwg/.obj/.3ds/
Architect is a relatively simple process that .skp) file types.
begins with previously created 3D data. This • The face data should be assigned to dif-
3D data often comes from a program other ferent layers so that you can map them to
than Chief Architect. If you use another 3D the correct materials when viewing them
modeling program to create the 3D data, be in 3D. It is helpful to name your layers
aware of the following requirements before using a convention that identifies that
attempting to create symbols. materials should be assigned to each sub-
component.
Chief Architect is not able to provide • Pay attention to the origin and orientation
support for any third party software.
of the 3D data when designing symbols.
Chief Architect allows some adjustment
There are a number of requirements that when creating the symbol, but it is easier
must be met before any 3D data can be used to build the 3D data correctly before
to create a symbol in Chief Architect:
importing it into Chief Architect. For
• The 3D data must be stored in a standard more information about defining the ori-
Drawing Exchange File (.dxf), Auto- gin, see “Symbol Origin” on page 963.
®
CAD Drawing (.dwg), object (.obj), 3D • If a symbol with faces that have more
®
Studio Mesh (.3ds), stereolithography than four vertices is imported, the faces
(.stl), COLLADA (.dae), or SketchUp are truncated, resulting in an object that
version 2018 and prior (.skp) file format. appears to have holes. The best remedy is
If you have 3D data in another format, to re-export the model from the original
you must convert it into one these formats application using only triangular or quad-
first. rilateral faces.
• Geometry and material information stored • Chief Architect does not support grouped
in .3ds files are imported; cameras and objects in symbols imported from .3ds
lights are not. files.
• The 3D model must be composed of 3D
DWG or 3DSOLID solid entities, or face Surface Normals
data. Faces are typically referred to as 3D If you use third party software to create a
faces, polygonal faces, or poly meshes. .dxf/.dwg/.obj/.3ds./skp file that will be
Other types of entities such as lines, imported as a symbol, you should be familiar
curves, circles, polylines, and free form with the concept of surface normals.
surfaces can exist in the file but are not
imported when the symbol is created.

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