akzit

We are currently modeling in three possibely 4 different pacakges, fromz, rhino, max and autocad. My question is what would be a good common ground for all 4???

I work with cad and max all the time but never worked with formz or rhino, so do you guys think that maybe exporting all into cad format and then linking into max would work? Or how a bout exporting into 3ds? And also what would be the best way to manage layers and materials in formz and rhino, layers, color, etc...

Thanks for the help

akzit

Anyone....

1eo

if you're modeling in rhino... I would try exporting them to 3dsmax or formz using iges or sat

akzit

Thanks Leonard, can a rhino file be exported to autocad?

And does anyone know if a fromz file can be exported to autocad or 3dsmax?

FOG Lite

Rhino can export to without much trouble. I've found DXF to be a pretty good format for importing and exporting.
the BEST for taking Rhino into Max is a little plug-in called . Well worth it if you'll be doing a lot of Rhino to Max.

philip kelly

Hi sorry late reply.
I have used formz for about 6 years, and with max now as a renderer for the last year.
I find the combo perfect, dwg file manager, and update.
Idealy one package for all the work is the way to go for me , as in the long run uit would work out cheaper.
Formz is a 1000+ and then of course there is max 4500 so.
For me it's a cheaper option that autocad.
But formz has no referencing functions so everything has to be split up, in to seperate models and brought together after.

it dose not hande lasrge 2D files very well.
My only real complaint.


phil

akzit

Nelson, Philip thanks a lot for the insight into the two programs. Since we are working at the moment with all three different packages (rhino, formz and max) it looks like the best way to go is to model my portion in autocad and then bring the export dwg or dxf files from rhino and formz into it and then link to max, so in case the portion of the project that is being model in either 3 can be changed and updated in the max master compostie file wit relative ease.

Again thanks a lot, and to recap you both told me that rhino and formz can EXPORT into dwg or better dxf.

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erickdt

Just to put in my two cents... I have been using FormZ for the past three years and absolutely love it. For my money it's the best modelling program out there. One of the nicest things about it is that it is extremely easy to make revisions to existing models.

Also it can be easily exported into AutoCAD either through exporting an AutoCAD file through the legacy translator or by exporting an SAT file and importing into AutoCAD as an ACIS file. In both cases FormZ exports geometry that is actually usable by AutoCAD (smooth objects as opposed to facetted/triangulated objects like you get from exporting from alot of other 3d modelling packages).

When I'm bringing a model directly into VIZ I generally color code objects by the materials I plan to put on them which makes for quick texturing.

Again... just my two cents.

FOG Lite

The absolute BEST for Rhino to Max is through the nPower plug-in. It does the best translating I have ever seen. Well worth the price if you love Rhino as much as i do.

And Rhino plays very well with Acad since it grew out of a plug-in for Acad way back when.

Antisthenes

yes Rhinoceros with .sat ACIS file to get into autocad
autocad solids come into Rhinoceros fine.
the powersoilds for getting into MAX.

I would also advise that you avoid mesh formats unless the goal is Lowpoly game dev or a final model that needs no more editing. Stay in NURBS

I've never used formZ been a Rhinoceros users since 95(beta1)

I would like to see a Rhinoceros/Mcneel forum added here under either or both CAD of 3D software subsection.
as the new beta 4 version witch you are sure to all see can be now the best of both worlds.
for setting up CD's(2D construction documentation layout) and doing 3D(animation modeling rendering)