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536 Chapter 20: Managing Scenes and Projects
AutoCA D (DWG) Files
ImportingAutoCADDrawingFiles
File menu > Import > AutoCAD Drawing (*.DWG, *.DXF)
In most cases, when using t he same data with
two or more different Autodesk products, it’s
preferable to use the File Link Manager (page
3–422) to connect to drawing files; this lets you
maintain a “live” link between the applications.
However , if you prefer you can also use the Import
command to bind to the drawing file immediately.
Whenyouimportadrawingfile,3dsMaxconverts
a subset of the AutoCAD, AutoCAD Architecture
(formerly Architectural D esktop), or Revit objects
to corresponding 3ds Max objects.
After you select a drawing file to import, the
AutoCADDWG/DXFImportOptionsdialogis
displayed. After choosing options and proceeding
w ith the import, you are presented with editable
meshes, editable splines, and PRS controllers.
Each nested block maintain its parent-child
hierarchy and is imported as “Block/Style Parent”.
In addition, if a single drawing object creates both
mesh and spline geometry, you will find objects
refer red to as “Linked Geometry” in the scene.
Block/Sty le Parent and Lin ked Geometry objects
appear in the modifier stack on the Modify panel.
Note: If you import multiple drawings, the
importer merges the drawings together.
If you are using AutoSurf or AutoCAD Designer,
use the AutoCAD command 3DSOUT to export
mechanical models to 3ds Max. You can also
explode the mechanical models and then import
the resulting file, but some data will not appear in
the AutoCAD draw ing file.
Impor tant: AutoCAD and its vertical app lications, such
as AutoCAD Architecture (formerly ADT), have custom
objects that are unique to the product. In order to view
them in 3ds Max, you need the appropriate Object
Enabler (OE). Object Enablers let you access, display, and
manipulate these objects in AutoCAD, as well a s the
other vertical applications, including 3ds Max. For a list
of downloadable OEs, see the A
utodesk Web site
Legacy D W G I mporter
The current DW G import utility contains many
improvements, including enhanced DWG
compatibility and greater user control and
customizability; however, some features were
lost from the DWG Importer found in previous
versions of the software. For this reason, 3ds Max
retains the legacy D WG Import functionality (page
3–547).
Procedures
To import a DWG or DXF file:
1.
Choose File menu > Import.
2. Choose AutoCAD Drawing (*.DWG, *.D XF)
in the Files of Type list.
3. Specify the file to impor t and click Open.
4. Set options in t he AutoCAD DWG/DXF Import
Options dialog.
5. Click OK to perform the import.
Interfa ce
The Import Options dialog contains three panels,
documented in the following topics:
DWG/DXF Import: Geometry Panel (page 3–539)
DWG/DXF Import: Layers Panel (page 3–544)
DWG/DXF Import: Spline Rendering Panel (page
3–545)
A Note on Large-Scale Drawings
If you attempt to import geometry that is created
very far from the origin or contains a very large