Importing 3ds
Command |
Path |
Import 3DS (3D only) |
File > Import |
When importing a 3ds file from Autodesk 3ds Max software, version 3.0 and higher, specify how the drawing components will be represented in the Vectorworks file.
To import a 3ds file:
Select the command and then the file to import.
Alternatively, click the file to import and drag it into an open Vectorworks file.
The Import 3DS Options dialog box opens; the options available depend on the contents of the file being imported.
Specify the file import options.
Click to show/hide the parameters.Click to show/hide the parameters.
Parameter |
Description |
Import materials |
Select whether to assign fill colors from the imported objects according to the colors of the materials of objects when selected |
Import transparency and image data as Renderworks textures |
Imports texture and transparency materials as Renderworks texture resources |
Create Renderworks textures for all materials |
Creates Renderworks textures for all imported materials from the input file |
Import mesh objects |
Imports each mesh object defined in the 3ds file as either a group of mesh objects or 3D polygons |
Import as Vectorworks mesh object |
Imports all geometry as a group of mesh objects The 3DS file format does not contain smoothing information. The 3DS import will set document smoothing to the created mesh objects. |
Import as groups of 3D polygons |
Represents all imported geometry as a group of 3D polygons |
Preserve texture assignment and mapping |
If Import materials is selected, and you are importing geometry as polygons, specify whether textures and texture mappings are applied to imported 3D polygons to preserve their overall appearance |
Scale |
Opens the Import 3DS Scale dialog box, for specifying a scale to apply to all imported objects; see Scaling 3ds objects for import |
Import as symbol |
Imports the file contents as a symbol definition in the Resource Manager; for more information, see Resource Manager and Concept: Vectorworks symbols |
Import light objects |
Imports light objects from the 3ds file |
Import spot light |
Select this option to import spot lights from the 3ds file as Vectorworks spot lights |
Import omni light |
Select this option to import omni lights from the 3ds file as Vectorworks point lights |
Import camera objects |
Imports camera objects from the 3ds file |
Import active camera only |
Imports only the active camera from the 3ds file, and sets the current view to the camera view |
Create saved views for each camera |
Imports all camera objects from the 3ds file, and creates a saved view in the Vectorworks file for each |
Scaling 3ds objects for import
The scaling is applied to all imported objects.
To scale 3ds objects during import:
From the import dialog box, click Scale.
The Import 3DS Scale dialog box opens.
Choose whether to scale the object(s) by custom dimensions or by scale factor.
Click to show/hide the parameters.Click to show/hide the parameters.
Parameter |
Description |
3DS Model Width/Height/Depth |
Displays the original dimensions of the object(s) selected for import or export; if there are multiple objects, the scaling center is the center of the selection bounding box |
Custom |
Allows entry of custom dimensions for imported or exported objects in the Desired Width, Desired Height, and Desired Depth fields. Select Maintain Proportions to automatically adjust the proportions when a custom width, height, or depth is entered. |
Scale |
Allows entry of a scaling factor to be applied to imported or exported objects. Either select a Scale from the list, or select Custom from the top of the list and enter a Custom Scale value. When the scale factor changes, the dimension values also change to show the exact size of the selection bounding box for the given scale. |