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550 Chapter 20: Managing Scenes and Projects
Ex por ting AutoCAD DW G Files
File menu > Export > AutoCAD (*.DWG)
When you export an AutoCAD drawing file, you
convert your 3ds Max objects into AutoCAD
objects. Because AutoCAD doesn’t support
animation, the exp orter produces objects in a
staticstatedefinedbythecurrentframesetbythe
time slider.
If you used layers, instances, or colors to organize
objects in the scene, that structure is maintained
when the model is exported.
Exported objects with mo difiers assi gned to them
are affected by the current state of the modifier.
For instance, if the Taper modifier assigned to
a box is tur ned off, the exported scene shows a
non-tapered box.
Note: Layers created in 3ds Max are not exported
to A utoCAD.
Note: Exporting to an AutoCAD R14 drawing file is
not supported. If you are working with AutoCAD
R14, export to 3DS or D XF file format.
What to Ex pect When Opening the DW G
Fi l e
WhenyouopenanexporteddrawinginAutoCAD,
you are presented with an isometric (3/4) view
looking toward the positive XY direction instead
of a Front elevation view .
The isometric view of an exported model opened in AutoCAD
The exporter also sets two AutoCAD system
variables:
• INSUNITS, Insert Units, sets the drawing-unit
value for blocks or images inserted f rom
AutoCAD Design Center. Therefore, if you
have the units of a model in 3ds Max set to
millimeters, INSUNITS will be set to 4.
• MEASUREMENT sets the dra wing units either
to English or Metric.
See also
Exporting to D XF Files (page 3–552)
Procedure
To export a DWG file:
1.
Choose File menu > Export.
2. From the Files Of Type drop-down list, choose
AutoCAD (*.DWG).
3. Specify a file name to export.
4. Set options in the Export to AutoCAD File
dialog (describ ed below).