Importing a BIM/CAD file and preparing it for 3ds Max



This workflow uses the following SiNi plugins - IgNite. Scribe, Sculpt, Jumble, Forensic.

The below methodology is based on many years of daily importing of Revit, Sketchup, and AutoCAD files. Traditionally, it's always been a manual process that takes time to prepare for working in 3ds Max. The workflow becomes frustrating when your client continues to send you updates to design, thinking you can simply open the file and like magic, everything is updated - ignoring the fact you have spent considerable time fixing geometry and UV texturing geometry. Anyone familiar with this iteration practice will understand the reference to the film Groundhog Day! Many of the IgNite plugins were designed to ease this process and fast-track tasks - allow you to stay sane (and not want to kill your clients). You may wonder why you simply don't file link the file to allow you to update when there is a new Revit or AutoCAD file available. This workflow is fine if you work on simple renders and don't wish to modify the geometry, adding details. Many professional artists prefer to import the geometry and either remodel everything, or parts of it. This is the workflow SiNi supports and that we will discuss below.

Anyone who works with architectural models, engineering and product models, and any computer-aided design files where a 3D model has been made will benefit from this workflow. Ask yourself the following and if any of these apply to you, our plugins will improve your current way of working.

If you agreed with any of the above, we can help! Having extensive experience in this, we can clean up and prepare an average multi-story apartment building in 10-30 minutes, depending on its design complexity.

Let's show you how.

Import the file into 3ds Max. When it completes importing the very first thing you should do is inspect it using Forensic.

Forensic Forensic (UI) - Scene Info

Inspect with Forensic and tidy up the project before getting started. Make sure you first delete the CAD blocks! We will ignore the materials for now as we want to use their information to make layers.

IgNite (Springboard) IgNite (UI) - Standard Does your 3D scene have layers? YES/NO? If no, we recommend using the make Layers by Materials.

This will automatically create layers based on the imported models assigned materials. Everything with the same material will be moved to the corresponding layer.

Once complete, check the layers and on the Default and Generic layers review the content.

If there are a lot of objects, consider using the Layer by Object tool to create new layers.

Inspect the model and remove unnecessary objects. If, for example, you are working on an exterior building model, why keep the interior details such as door handles and CAD blocks of furniture?

IgNite - Select Similar tool

Use this to select items and all replicas. This works even if the imported 3D model has no instances.

Jumble - Select by Volume tool Although rare, you may find the client has sent you a file that includes tiny geometry - such as screws and ironmongery. By adjusting the volume size you can quickly isolate these unwanted objects and delete them. Jumble (UI)

3ds Max works best with fewer objects in the viewport. By collapsing models to single edit-mesh (or poly), 3ds Max performs much faster. The following steps show you how to quickly attach, scan and fix 3D assets and if necessary explode to separate objects again.

Sculpt Sculpt (UI)

Attach by layer - select layers to attach. (turn off weld - we'll do that later).

Detach and Delete Double Faces

It is a good idea to check if the model has double faces. We've not found an imported file that doesn't have them. Why does it matter? Coplanar faces can cause issues down the line, especially if you're creating an animation.

The In-progress status bar allows you to review the before/after statistics before applying. You can the selected objects vertices will be reduced by approximately 50% when I apply the Weld.

Click on Clear Smoothing Groups.

Is there messy geometry?

Please see Sculpt (UI) for more info.

Scribe Scribe (UI) Have you imported 2D CAD splines as well as 3D geometry?

Use Scribe to work on imported splines and shapes, cleaning them up in a similar way to the above.

Open Forensic and scan the scene. Remove the empty layers.

We now may want to tidy up the further.

Move collapsed objects to a new layer with objects by material only.

You may want to split the model into workable objects - each building for example.

If you split the model, remember to reset the pivot using IgNite.

If you want to split the models by Material use the Sculpt - Explode Objects tools. In this case, we used Explode by Material. This creates generic objects named after the layer.

If you want to reset the wire colours, use the IgNite tool.

This is a fast process that once you get used to it, allows you to prepare imported models quickly. This means it's less of a burden when you need to do it again...and again!

Why would I use this workflow and not MAXScripts?