8

Importing AutoCAD Drawing Files 537
AutoCA D (DWG) Files
ImportingAutoCADDrawingFiles
File menu > Import > AutoCAD (*.DWG, *.DXF)
Although you will usually want to use the File Link
Manage r (page 3–431)
to connect to drawing files,
you can also use the Import command to bind to
the drawing file immediately.
Whenyouimportadrawingfile,3dsMaxconverts
a subset of the A utoCAD or Architectural Desktop
objects to corresponding 3ds Max objects.
After you select a drawing file to import, the
AutoCADDWG/DXFImportOptionsdialogis
displayed. After an import, you are presented
with editable meshes, editable splines, and
PRS controllers. Nested blocks maintain their
parent-child hierarchy and will be imported as
“Block/Style Parent”. In addition, if a single
drawi ng object creates both mesh and spline
geometry, you will find objects referred to as
“Linked Geometry” in the scene. Block/Style
Parent or Linked Geometry objects appear in the
modifier stack on the Modify p anel.
Note: You are no longer asked if you want to
completely replace the current scene. If you
import multiple dr awings, 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 impor t
the resulting file, but s ome data w ill not appear in
the AutoCAD drawing file.
Impor tant: AutoCAD 2005 and AutoCAD vertical
applications, such as Architectural Desktop (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 2005,
as well as the other vertical applications, including
3ds Max. For a list of downloadable OEs, see the
A
utodesk Web site
Legacy DW G Imp orter
The new DWG import utility contains many
improvements, including enhanced DWG
compatibility and greater user control and
customizability; however, some things were
lost from the DWG Importer found in previous
versions of the software. For this reason, 3ds Max
retains the
legacy DWG Import functionality
(page 3–543)
.
Procedures
To impor t a DWG or DXF file:
1.
Choose File m enu > Import.
2. Cho ose AutoCAD (*.DWG, *.DXF) in the Files
of Type list.
3. Specify a file name to import.
4. Set options in the AutoCAD DWG/DXF Import
Options dialog.