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[stephan]

Hi All,

I eventually achieved a dwg/dxf export from Envisioneer. When I re-import it into EV, it is all messed up. When I view it in DWG True View, it looks absolutely fabulous, but the dimensions come out with all these trailing values. How do I get rid of that?

Regards
Stephan

[Allan Chesney]

Hi Stephan,

Looks to me as though itis something to do with a precision setting. The wall thicknesses presumaby are set exactly to 110mm but it has still added 4 descimal places of precision - 0000. All the other dimensions are not truely exact to an even digit hence the varying descimal places.

Presumably that setting is in one of the two programs, Env's export or more likely DWG True View. Set it to zero descimal places and it would likely be OK.

Allan

[stephan]

Hi Allan,

I can't find where to change the settings in True View. I know my settings in EV is to suppress trailing zeros and no digits after the comma.

Stephan

[Allan Chesney]

H Stephan,

Sorry I can't help with that one - I am not familiar with True View.
Hopefully someone else is.

Allan

[FynrDzynr]

Been there, done that
sorry I'm no help either
btw, why export then reimport - what are you trying to achieve?
Merv

[stephan]

I got a lot of sub-contracting work from another architect. He wants me to do the bulk of the work and then mail him a dwg/dxf. He will then add his specific details and info as if he was the one doing everything. The best alternative would have been that I include his details etc. and send him a PDF to just print. He does not want that.

I must also mention that the re-importing was just a test. I wanted to see what happens, because of the dimension fiasco with dwg viewers. I won't need that option for myself. It does however works better if you first explode every smartview and block before you export as dwg. The only thing that is still an issue, is the hatching. Some gets discarded in the prosess. Maybe they will sort this out one day!?!? Thank you to support for giving me the tip of exploding all blocks.

Stephan

[FynrDzynr]

I got a lot of sub-contracting work from another architect. He wants me to do the bulk of the work and then mail him a dwg/dxf. He will then add his specific details and info as if he was the one doing everything.

Shouldn't be too difficult for him to assign his own Acad Dim Styles to address the precision issue.
Merv

[Jack Zimmer]

Hi Stephan,

If I may give some advice, make sure you send the Architect one sample file that contains all items you may be exporting as dwg/dxf files. Make sure he see lines/ circles / arrows / text / dims / line weights , everything that he will encounter importing. You don't want to work on a real plan and find out then that you have to change things, there are enough revisions without making more.

I find your comments quite interesting. I use TurboCAD for my 3D Modeling and have imported Envisioneer 3D and 2D into it. Both dwg and dxf 2D export - import to TCAD work fine but I like dxf because it contains all the layers from Envisioneer. These are not exports from Sheet View but rather 2D Exports directly from model view. Elevation notes as with Sections can be added to these exports in TCAD.

But all the text and dimension import properly along with line work.

3D models import but no textures are available, they have to be assigned. That is a TCAD 'problem'. Wish it worked as TCAD Lightworks rendering engine is very good. but assigning new textures can take a long time in these advanced rendering programs.

Anyhow, make sure the Architect has reviewed and tested a couple of differnt imports before you get too involved, that's my best suggestion.

Jack

[stephan]

Well Merv, that is what I thought, but ge does not seem to want to do any draughting on his side. He wants to receive the plan, add his personal details and print! What can I say?......

Jack, I am not sure I understand your statement "I find your comments quite interesting". Have you not experienced the same with EV or are you trying to convince me to purchase another program?

See, I don't like working with all different kinds of programs. For me it will be "Heaven on earth" the day that I can do everything related to my design job in Envisioneer. If only they could give me the following:
- A design module like Skp where I can design any window/door/basin/ stove........and just assign it to the specific group in the catalogue.
- Live views, so I don't have to re-do all my CAD work in worksheet when I update the model.
- The long promised "Super Terrain Tool", so I can produse accurate terrain and contours.
- A roofing module that produces trusses on the go etc., so I don't have to draw them in myself...
ETC. ......ETC.......ETC...... ADD TO MY DREAMS IF YOU LIKE!

Regards
Stephan

DON"T GET ME WRONG, CAD programs in general have come a long way to improve my productivity and ability to really get my clients excited about their new projects. They just love to see their future buildings in 3D. On top of that, I found Envisioneer to be the most user friendly product out there and I still think they give you the "BIGGEST BANG" for your 'BUCK" at Cadsoft.

[FynrDzynr]

G'day Stephan!

Well Merv, that is what I thought, but he does not seem to want to do any draughting on his side. He wants to receive the plan, add his personal details and print! What can I say?......

Do you know what programme he's using?
If it's Acad, I'd give him exactly what he wants.

• Print each worksheet to separate pdf files.
• Insert each resultant pdf on a new worksheet (for each pdf) You might be wise to start a new bld with nothing in model view specifically to keep the original bld size reasonable.
• Export each worksheet to dwg.

Check the file sizes of the test I ran.
Inserted the pdf site plan from Surveyor in model view, added site boundaries & checked that the pdf was scaled correctly. Drew the footrint of the proposed resdience to confirm that there was no way it'd fit on the lot. That's all that's in the model.
Insert SmartView on a worksheet, print it to pdf.
Create a new worksheet & import that pdf.
Export worksheet to dwg.

As Jack suggested, just do one or 2 worksheets that have samples of most of your dimstyles, section marks, blocks etc.
I'd then email him the pdf's with the dwg files so he can check to make sure that all the information is displaying exactly the same in Acad.

hth
Merv

[Jack Zimmer]

Hi Stephan,

Not trying to suggest any other program just commenting on how well TurboCAD and Envisioneer work together. When I was at the IBS show in Orlando I was quite surprised by the number of Architects that were looking to drop ACAD and Revit.

Being the industry standard ACAD and it's users think they do not have to adjust to everyone else, IMO. But a lesser used product like TCAD imports Envisioneer work better. I was surprised to recently find out that Solid Works has no 3DS export option. Just another example of a company making a decision to not comform to other standards.

Hey, here is an idea. Tell your Architect to pick up a copy of Envisioneer. You can do the basic work and he can add his details and notes.... then you wouldn't have to waste so much time trying to adjust to his ACAD standards. 

As funny as that sounds, it is the way I believe all Architectural firms should go. With a few copies of Envisioneer they have a great tool for doing 'small jobs', they save a ton of money, they can put interns on Envisioneer projects and not have to worry about all the training time that ACAD takes.

Good luck with your project.

Do a quick Office image, send it to Chantale, others will see your great work and buy the program, Cadsoft will have more sales which means more money which means they can get at your wish list 

[stephan]

Hi Jack,

Thanks for clarifying that. I get your drift now. Yes, I already tried to sell him a copy of EV, but he does not want to go there.

I won't be sending in an office design, but am planning to post a render of one of the six projects  that I'm busy with atm. I'm thinking of the big one where we are increasing the area by about 800m2. It is build on a severe slope, has about 12 different levels(including patio's) etc.

Thanks for all the good info and positive advise. It is much appreciated.

Regards
Stephan

[Jack Zimmer]

Yes, I already tried to sell him a copy of EV, but he does not want to go there. 

Hi Stephan,

Some times I wonder about Architects. Although I have a degree and worked in firms for over 10 yrs , I never became liscensed, instead started my own design / build business.

In 98, never having touched a computer and being given one, I got a copy of TurboFloorplan 3D assuming that is what EVERYONE would be doing  .... 3D Architectural work.

At a presentation of over 30 Architects about 4 years ago, only 3 of them raised their hands when asked if they work or have worked in 3D.  I was stunned.

I laugh when I see Revits roof tool demonstrated on you tube.

I think the Cadsoft really puts the effort into getting it's product working correctly. I'm confident that someday a better terrian option will be in place, although I do get pretty good results with Plateaus. Going live with model to sheet seems quite a bit more complicated.

Looking forward to seeing how your project develops.

Jack

[Allan Chesney]

Hi Jack,

At a presentation of over 30 Architects about 4 years ago, only 3 of them raised their hands when asked if they work or have worked in 3D.  I was stunned.

I find the same thing - and a great reluctance to leave something they know so well, even if it takes umpteen times as long! I think some feel as though they know it all now and don't like the idea that someone, who maybe knows much less than them, can actually produce something as good, quicker. They then become very defensive and just say that it couldn't possibly do the same thing, so won't even look. What do they say - No one is as blind as someone who does not want to see!

Allan

[stephan]

Hi Jack and Allan,

I have not been schooled in architecture, I am a qualified teacher who did a sivil/mechanical engineering diploma in my free time when I was a teacher. I became a builder/ developer about 22 years ago. During these 22 years, I picked up a lot of "silly" mistakes that qualified architects made with designs of homes.( placing a guest bathroom under a staircase in a way that nobody could ever use the toilet etc.) I have as one example saved a couple tens of thousands of rands when creating a 3D model of the proposed new addittions to their house (done by an architect). The landing on the staircase, was only 1.2m below the new slab, one new bedroom door opened onto the slab opening for the staircase and their furniture would never have fitted into the new (smaller) lounge. I ended up re-designing the alterations and the end result was the set of drawings that is used by CADSOFT for Eigervision.

My conclusion is: I can not see how any architectural firm can work without a 3D modeling package in this day and age. If you have the tools , use it!

Regards
Stephan