AutoCad layers to Bryce meshes

[pennamacoor]

hi, I have an architectural colleague who works with AutoCad and sends me 3DS files from his 3D constructions, which I can import as Bryce meshes for the material renderings etc. In some cases, although the AutoCadder has only designated his 'objects' to 'exist' in ONE layer, when such a layer imports into Bryce it comes across as SEVERAL meshes with the layer names like so: "mylayer_1", "mylayer_2", "mylayer_3", etc.

Does anyone know why?

regards

michael

[CADTutor]

This could happen if each object were an AutoCAD block and the "Override" option were used when exporting. In that case, each object in Bryce would be designated the block name and not the layer name.

I have to admit I am puzzled. No matter what I tried, I couldn't get it to do what you are seeing. Which version of AutoCAD is your colleague using? As far as I am aware, the 3DS export options haven't changed recently but...

[pennamacoor]

This could happen if each object were an AutoCAD block and the "Override" option were used when exporting. In that case, each object in Bryce would be designated the block name and not the layer name.

I have to admit I am puzzled. No matter what I tried, I couldn't get it to do what you are seeing. Which version of AutoCAD is your colleague using? As far as I am aware, the 3DS export options haven't changed recently but...

Hi CadTutor, thanks for the rapid response: I have passed the reply on to my colleague and it appears that it has helped him understand the prob better (an ongoing thing); I do not know yet which version of AutoCAD he has. He is still sending several distinct (selectable in Bryce) objects within each layer. What difference(s) would it make if he were to employ exporting to DXF instead?

regards

michael

[CADTutor]

You could try DXF but in my experience, the quality of the meshes is not as good as with 3DS.

[pennamacoor]

You could try DXF but in my experience, the quality of the meshes is not as good as with 3DS.

Thanks again. Another question, essentially emanating from my architect AutoCADder colleague: can "solids" (e.g., objects created via extrusion, that can not, it seems, come over via 3DS as meshes in Bryce) be 'converted' in AutoCAD to "3D Faces" (which can come over via 3DS as meshes in Bryce)?

TIA

regards

michael

[CADTutor]

Solids are automatically converted to meshes via 3DS when inserted into Bryce. I always use solids and have never experienced any problems.

[pennamacoor]

Solids are automatically converted to meshes via 3DS when inserted into Bryce. I always use solids and have never experienced any problems.

Hi again. Crossed wires, methinks concerning this question: so sorry, I did not realise my colleague, Bill, with AutoCAD, had also joined the forum and asked the identical question. Anyway, of course you're right and solids do indeed come over via 3DS to Bryce (I'm not sure why Bill ever thought otherwise). BTW, I am using Bryce 5 (for the mac, which is why I cannot test stuff for the AutoCAD end of this export/import business).

Thanks for all your help.

michael :o