Synopsis

ECOTECT is capable of importing a wide variety of 3D geometry file formats, including 3DS, DXF, Lightscape and VRML. This tutorial explains how to import a simple 3D model, created in another application, into ECOTECT. Note: While this tutorial uses the 3DS file format as the example file to be imported, the procedure for importing other 3D file formats is similar.

Duration

You will need about 15 minutes to complete this tutorial.

Training and Accreditation

Successfully completing this tutorial fulfills one of the practical skills required for completing Level 2 of the Geometric Modelling training module.a

Resources Required

To complete this tutorial, download the 3Dexample.zip file located under the File Attachments section at the end of this tutorial.

Tutorial

1. The example file consists of a simple 3D model. The following screenshot shows the example file, viewed using an external application.
   

   The example 3DS file viewed using an external application.
2. Start with a new file in ECOTECT, and then go to the File»Import»3D CAD Geometry... menu. The following dialog box will appear, where you can select the type of 3D file format to import, and the corresponding settings to use.
   

   The Import Geometry dialog box.
3. From the Files of Type: drop-down list, select the 3D Studio (*.3DS, *.ASC, *.PRJ) option. Then click the Choose File button, and navigate to and select the example file.
   

   Choose 3DS as the file format, and then select the example file.
4. A preview of the selected file will be displayed in the dialog box. Click and drag the left mouse button in the preview window to orbit around the model.
   

   Click and drag the left mouse button to orbit the 3D preview of the model.
5. To the right of the preview window there are series of buttons that can be used to manipulate the preview model:
   • Zoom In: incrementally zooms in the model preview.
   • Zoom Out: incrementally zooms out the model preview.
   • Reset View: returns the model to the preview default.
   • Top View: switches the preview to a top down projection.
   • Front View: switches the preview to a front view projection.
   • Side View switches the preview to a side view projection.
   • Hidden Line: displays the preview as a hidden line model.
   • Wireframe: displays the preview as a wireframe model.
6. Below the preview window are a series of checkboxes that can be used to control how the 3D model will be imported into ECOTECT. For example, click the button. Note how this model is composed of a series of triangulated surfaces. If you select the Auto Merge Triangles checkbox, these will be converted into polygonal surfaces. For more information on the other import settings available, please refer to the ECOTECT Help file.
   

   Select the Auto Merge Triangles checkbox box to convert the model's surfaces to polygons. Note: the preview model window will not update to reflect this selection.
7. Next, confirm that the scale of the is correct in relation to the original 3D geometry. Using the Scale Objects By: drop-down list, in this instance select the Millimetre (1:1) option.
   

   Select the correct import scale in relation to the original 3D model.
8. In this example, the 3D model to be imported contains its own object hierarchy, and this is displayed in the Components List (this could be based on layers, materials or geometry, depending on the application used to create the model). This hierarchy can be used to control how the model will be imported into ECOTECT.
   

   The Components List displays the existing object hierarchy in the 3D model to be imported.
9. 
   Right-click the second entry in the Components List, being Model01_1, and the following context menu appears. Select the Isolate Selected Items item, and then only this geometry will be displayed in the model preview. To show all of the 3D geometry again, press the F5 key.
   
10. 
    The Components List can also be used to control what geometry is imported into ECOTECT - for example, the Model01 component contains duplicate geometry. Select the Model01 entry in the list. In the Import Column, left-click the cell for the Model01 row, and then select the No - Ignore Item entry from the context menu.
11. Zones can also be specified using the Components List. Right-click on the Model01_1 entry, and then select the Set Zone » By Item Name... item.
    

    Create a new zone based on the name of the Components List entry.
12. Repeat the previous step for the remaining two Components List entries.
13. To use the current settings to import the 3D model into ECOTECT, click the Import Into Existing button. Note how the 3D geometry has been recreated in ECOTECT using the specified zones, and that only the selected geometry has been imported. At this point, it is also advisable to check that the scale of the imported 3D geometry is correct in relation to the original model.
    

    The 3D model is successfully imported into ECOTECT using the specified setttings.