Convert 3D CAD drawings from Intergraph PDS into CE

[larryzhang1]

Dear Mat,

Massive 3D CAD drawings from PDS (Intergraph Plant Design System) are available.  Any advices to import into CE?

What about the models from SmartPlant 3D?


Many thanks in advance,


+++++++
For PDS, read at http://www.intergraph.com/assets/pdf/PDS_flier.pdf

[MatthiasBuehler1]

Hi,

there's literally hundres of different special 3d file formats out there, sadly we can not support them all.

please use a data converter, e.g. FEM or Okino's PolyTrans http://www.okino.com/default.htm

ok ?

matt

[larryzhang1]

...
sadly we can not support special 3d file formats all.
...

Thx, Matt,

On what you provided, it is sufficient for us to explore the other conversion approaches�?�

Thanks again


++++++++++
Honestly, in operation, it is very challenging to convert more complex 3D CAD engineering drawings, in particular, in oil & gas, into GIS-like systems, without losing any info (geometry, textures, attributes) �?�

[MatthiasBuehler1]

you are absolutely right. it is a PITA that there's no way to do this. this is a very sad, but common problem with 2d data and 3d data.

[larryzhang1]

Dear Matt,

How large can CE import COLLADA without any problems? In other word, does CE have any size limitation on COLLADA for CE to import properly?


Regards,

[MatthiasBuehler1]

Hi,

There's no limitation per se, but I'd pay attention to :

- number of polygons
- number of materials
- number of groups
- number of textures referenced
- RAM consumption

I'd say it's best you start with light files and add more stuff.

m.

[larryzhang1]

CE Team & Matt,

Have you realized the following?


[INDENT]1. When exporting the very fine model (imported from 3D CAD) into FGDB as multipatch, many details of the models are lost. See the attachments.

What causes this issue? It looks to me that it is different from 3DS Max, which was posted at http://forums.arcgis.com/threads/59442-FBX-export-%28models%29-to-3DSMAX

2. As confirmed before, the model of trees also has an issue. Pls refer to the link at
http://forums.arcgis.com/threads/87224-How-to-configure-multipatch-3D-symbol-of-trees-in-CE?p=310775...[/INDENT]


Please verify #1. If any bugs-related, can you please make sure that CE 2013 will help solve the above issues...


Regards

[MatthiasBuehler1]

Hi,

1]
What's the details which are lost ? I've stared at the CE/MP image for a minute, but am not sure what's missing.. Can you show the exact details ?

The 'wobble' effect you mention in the 3dsMax thread does not remove details, it just messes with all the point coordinates, deleting some decimals.
e.g. 1'000'000.012345 meters --> 1'000'000.0 meters ( 8 decimals, 1.2345 cm error.)

Though that should NOT be an error when you export to GDB, since that stores vertex coordinate data in double precision.


2]
This issue (not transported alpha) is still on the buglist, hopefully fixed soon.



ps. You seem to know a thing or two about 3d piping :

post "CityEngine for Underground Infrastructure"
http://ideas.arcgis.com/ideaList?c=09a300000004xET&category=Esri+CityEngine

can you read this and maybe send me a few more inputs on this via PM?


Let me know.

Matt

[larryzhang1]

Hi,

1]
What's the details which are lost ? I've stared at the CE/MP image for a minute, but am not sure what's missing.. Can you show the exact details ?

Matt,

Just investigate multipatch again and get the following findings:

In CE, the model looks better, maybe in that �??Wireframe on Shaded/Textured�?? under �??Scene light�?? can be ON. Inversely, ArcScene has no similar capability (see the attachment and also compare with the previous).

Obviousely, it indicates that CE has an advantage over ArcScene on its aspect. (So, it is Not a bug on exporting in CE)�?�

ps. ... about 3d piping : post "CityEngine for Underground Infrastructure"
http://ideas.arcgis.com/ideaList?c=09a300000004xET&category=Esri+CityEngine

can you read this and maybe send me a few more inputs on this via PM? Let me know.

Thanks,

Already put a vote with my comment! (Sorry, what is PM :confused:).

[MatthiasBuehler1]

"Hi Larry!"  ( haha, reminds me of http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzNSOZ5osOg )

1]
Displaying the 3d data has nothing to do with the actual complexity of the data itself. It's just how the geometries are shown. Yes, CityEngine has a couple of different options, but that's not 'exportable'.

I'm not sure if ArcScene has this 'wireframe on shaded' option somehow encoded. Note the 4,5,6,7,8,9 keys in CityEngine !

So I assume the data exported is complete. Which is a good thing.

2]
PM = 'Private Message'. See top of the forum page. With PMs, you can send messages directly to some people. Especially good for stuff you don't want to post public, like email-addresses, ..

When you click on my user name a new window appears, where you can send PMs.

Cheers !

Matt