Download - Odeon

Import the 3DStudio file just created back into a new (clean) drawing in AutoCAD, using the
3DSIN command. In this new drawing the above entities has been converted to Polyface
entities which are supported directly by ODEON. At the same time all entities contained
in BLOCK’s have been exploded, making them appear explicit, thus directly compatible
with ODEON.
If ODEON reports of any of the unsupported entities when the .dxf file has been imported, this
is because some 3D data is available in the DXF file in a format which can not be converted by
ODEON. Consider following the steps above in order to create a .dxf file which can be converted
by ODEON. Do note that ACIS solid modelling extensions may not be available in all editions of
the various modelling programs.
Using LAYER’s in the CAD drawing
Surfaces will when imported to ODEON carry the name of the layer on which they were drawn.
Use the layer name to give the different parts of the geometry different names, e.g. draw the
stage floor surfaces on a layer named Stage floor, the sidewalls on a layer named Sidewalls
etc.
If you are modelling subdivided surfaces such as Upper wall and Lower wall because you wish
to be able to assign different materials to these parts of a surface, it is advisable to model
these parts on different layers in order to avoid that ODEON glues these surfaces together
(described below). If a drawing is subdivided into layers, this also makes it easier to assign
materials to the surfaces in the Material List in ODEON because materials can be assigned to all
surfaces on a layer in one operation.
Exporting a geometry from ODEON to IntelliCAD or AutoCAD
When ODEON exports surfaces containing more than 4 points each, these surfaces are
exported using the 3DPOLY entity whereas all other entities are exported using the 3DFACE entity.
The 3DPOLY will appear as 3DPOLY lines in the CAD program and does not respond to the HIDE
and RENDER commands like entities such as 3DFACE do. However using the REGION command it is
possible to convert 3DPOLY’s into REGION’s which do respond to the HIDE and RENDER commands.
Before exporting from the CAD program
Remember that BLOCK’s are not supported by ODEON, BLOCK’s containing relevant 3D info must
be exploded using the EXPLODE command in the CAD program (in AutoCAD this may also be
done by exporting the file to the 3ds (3D Studio Max) format and importing it again as
described in the section on 3DSOLIDS).
3DSOLID, REGION and BODY entities are not supported by ODEON, try using one of the approaches
listed above in order to make the geometry compatible.
A final remark is that it is always a recommended practice to make backup copies of your CAD
files before making any conversions.
3.3.2 Performing the import in ODEON
To import a DXF file:
Select Files|Import from file (dxf, 3ds, cad) or simply drop the file on the Canvas of ODEON.
Specify the input file e.g. MyCADRoom.dxf
Specify the destination file e.g. MyCADRoom.Par
Once the file names have been specified, the Import DXF file dialog appears allowing miscellaneous
import options to be specified. By default most of the parameters may be left untouched –
however it is important that the correct drawing unit is specified. If the geometry does not
appear as expected, you may try other input parameters.
Unit in input file
Unfortunately .dxf files are unit-less. It is important that the correct unit in which the geometry
was modelled is selected in the import dialog. If the correct unit is not specified the import
process may fail because the geometry seems to be only a few millimetres large or several
kilometres in size.
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