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590 Chapter 20: Managing Scenes and Projects
LandXML (XML, DEM) Files
Import ing La ndXML /DEM Models
LandXML/DEM Model Import lets you import
land development data into 3ds Max. Civil
engineering data, from XML, DEM (digital
elevation model), or DDF fi les, is used to create
a3dsMaxmodel.
The LandXML/DEM Model Import dialog (page
3–590)
allows for interoperability with Autodesk
products such as Land Development Desktop 3,
Land Development Desktop 2005, Civ i l 3D™, and
CAiCE Visual PE. Once imported, the models are
ready for high-quality photorealistic rendering
and animations.
LandXML File Ty pes
There are three file types you can import with
the LandXML/DEM Model Import dialog: XML,
DEM, and DDF.
• XML isthemostrobustfiletypeforLandXML
import. In addition to surface elevation data,
XML files can also contain Alig nment (road)
and Parcel dat a.
•TheDEM (digital elevation model) file type is
themostcommonlyavailablelargeareasurface
data t ype supplied by the USGS and other
government and private organizations. DEM
files contain only surface data.
•TheDDF file type is an SDTS (spatial data
transfer standard) format grid surface. DDF
files are very similar to DEM files; however,
DDF information is shared across multiple fi les.
The LandXML/DEM Model Import utility
searches for t he key DDF file in the selected
directory, which is identified by the following
pattern:
xxxxCEzz ,where xxxx is usually
numeric and
zz typically ’L0’.
Like DEM files, DDF files only contain surface
data.
LandXML/DEM Model Impor t
Dia log
File menu > Im p ort > Select File to Import dialog > Files
of Type > LandXML/DEM (*.DEM, *.X ML, *.DDF)
In the LandXML/DEM Model Generator, you
determine which parts of your land development
data are imported to 3ds Max. 3ds Max then
creates separate objects for each of the land
features, including terrain surfaces, road
alignments, and parcels.
Interfa ce
Object List—Lists the terrain surfaces, alignment
data, and parcel data in the file to b e imp or ted.
You can toggle the import of individual objects