Couple of newbie AEC object questions

[busseynova]

I've just gotten on to this AEC object thing, why didn't I do this earlier!:roll:

Anyway, a couple of newbie questions if you can help me out?

1. I've exported thew drawing using 'exporttoautocad' in order to take it into 3DSmax, however this converts all elements into 3D Faces. Is there a way to convert into solids instead? Not a huge issue, I'm just more used to working with solids and feel it might be a bit easier for assigning objects to layers etc.

2. In the 2D view is there a way to hatch in the walls, and generally apply custom appearances. This is because my initial use would be for 2D space plans and I need them to look pretty and simple, not like an architectural blueprint.

3. In the model I'm working on I have a curved curtain wall. When exporting to a regular AutoCAD model it seems to get divided into a number of facets which aren't related to the individual frames. Is there a way to keep each pane whole within the frames? I think I've read somewhere about curved vs. faceted curtain walls, but it didn't explain in depth. Here's an image of the model:

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[busseynova]

ok, got the first one sorted. I think it was: AECCONVERTTO3DSOLIDS ... catchey, might have to hook up a hotkey for that one.

But the curved window is still showing up as faceted (as does the wall above it).

[busseynova]

Right, got the wall hatch sorted now. Just adjusted it in wall style edit with an overide on the plan view styles. This is going to save me so much time!!:D

[busseynova]

Bumpety Bump!

Still looking for a solution to no.3 question above. The only thing I can think of so far is to create the curtain wall without any glass, or delete it afterwards, then create the glass sperately. Althought that would still leave a segmented frame and wall above, which is less prefereable than a curved one, although I think it might do the job.

Gonna try and tackle this again tonight.

[Noahma]

for number three, use the command AECFACETDEV. and set that to say .00000045, that should add TONS of facets to make it appear curved. You can link your model from Autocad Architecture to MAX, so you do not have to export your model to autoCAD.

[busseynova]

oh really? I will try that. I just thought that Max wouldn't recognise the AEC objects, but I will give it a go, and if not your other solution sounds good. Thanks!

[Noahma]

It should, I have not messed with Max much, but what I did do worked great.