[frosty_ramen]

Hi all,
i am a draftsman using autocad 2007, which is where all of my modeling is done. i also have a copy of autodesk VIZ 2007, which i link my autocad .dwg with then export as .dxf or .mxs, but there are other options in the VIZ export file type, and i'm unsure of what the advantages/disadvantages are to the different file types are.

.3ds .FBX
.Ai .IGS
.ASE .LAY
.ATR .LP
.BLK .MXS
.DF .STL
.DWF .VW
.DWG .W3D
.DXF .WRL
.XRD

Im sure there is prabably an easier solution than what i am doin currently.

Thanks

-Dan

[3ddrummer]

Dan,
Have you gotten a reply yet? I had the same question as you b/c Im also an AUTOCAD user. Dont think there are many of us, and it sucks that AutoCAD doesnt support Maxwell. I create my models in autocad and export into Maxwell Studio. You should search 'JOMAGA'. he is an AutoCAD user and he has a thread that explains the best exporting process. Below you will find the link. The name of the thread is STUDIO: Autocad DXF import.

http://www.maxwellrender.com/forum/view ... ght=jomega

I also created a excel file spread sheet that listed what results I got from all the different file type outputs. I could email it to you if you want to take a look at it.

[wagurto]

If you have 3d viz you can bring your models as a dwg and then use the max/viz maxwell plug-in to render your scene or you can export the model to mxs and open it in maxwell studio.

[frosty_ramen]

3ddrummer thanks for the info, i do aggree that there are only a few of us autocad users here, i would be interested in that excel file as well.
email yggiwt22383 @ Yahoo.com (Delete spaces)

thanks

dan

[3ddrummer]

let me clarify that statement I made.........
the excel file I created compares exporting DXF,3DS,OBJ file types coming out of AutoCAD and 3D-max. Which should help you since you have viz. Take a look and if you have any questions let me know. Ive emailed it to you. But you SHOULD take 'wagurto' advice or 'jomaga' over mine since Im a relatively new (1.5yrs) user

[lebbeus]

Do you have Viz, or Viz render? Very different things.

If you have Viz, open the DWG and use the MAX/Viz plugin. You may have to re-model due to flipped normals (are you drafting consistently clockwise or counter-clockwise in ACAD?) or bad meshing though…

[frosty_ramen]

i have 3d studio viz, and i currently link my autocad dwg. to viz then export as .mxs file. my main dilema now is on odd shapes maxwell render studio's mapping just dosent work the greatest. and i am unsure of how mapping works in viz.