[HELP] Convert Block to 3Dsolid

[Pintoleite]

Hello to all, I am new at forums, this is my first post, but i expect to remain here. I am an Autocad noob (started this year at college).

Our exercise was to create this Construction Detail in 3D using autocad, I made most of it but in the end i just made it using SketchUp and then converted to Autocad.

The problem is that my professor wants all the 3d stuff, 3DSOLIDS. But all there is in my model is BLOCKS. (i use cmd LIST to check).

Do you know how to convert these into 3Dsolids?

Its very important.

Thanks! BTW, i will leave attach the file so you can have a look at it better.

File Link: http://d.pr/mpyF

(If you are an Autocad pro and don't mind converting all those blocks to 3dsolid, that would be perfect, but i am here to learn too so an explanation is always welcome. I hope one day i can help around here )


PS: out of curiosity, i recorded most of the process and speeded it up: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvBFD1fknTs

[Cad64]

How do you expect to learn Autocad if you go off and create the models in another program? Sort of defeats the whole purpose of taking the class, don't you think?

[Pintoleite]

I actually expected someone to say that.

The thing is, we basically learn 2D only to make plans, blueprints etc... We then have a small learning on the 3D. I made most part of the model (about 70-80%) in Autocad using 3dsolid, but then, i decided to use Sketchup and make it from zero then convert to Autocad (don't ask me why). I can make this model again using only 3dsolids, but i'd have to start from scratch again, and I have other projects to work on so i don't have the time to be spending much time on this Autocad exercise.

These classes are part of our architecture course.

I'd love to learn 3d modeling, but not using Autocad. I am taking an intensive course on 3dsmax and Rhino. I've already mastered SketchUp (way before college). For me, Autocad will be used for 2D Technical Drawings only, 3D modeling will be done on 3dsmax and Rhino.


But the question remains, how do I convert these blocks into 3Dsolids?
Thanks!

[Cad64]

Well, as far as I know, you can't. Not in Autocad anyway. If you Explode the blocks you will see they consist of Polyface Meshes.

There are other threads where this topic has been discussed before. Here is one of them which references a lisp routine that can sometimes be used for this purpose. But it is not always successful: http://www.cadtutor.net/forum/showth...-Mesh-to-Solid

[Pintoleite]

mmm, I will have a look at that thread.

But, do you think its possible to open up the block, then trace the object over with 3dfaces, then convert it to 3d solid?


i know there is a cmd called CONVTOSOLID

PS: btw, what is it meant by LISP? i think my professor once referred to it, to what i understood was something related to programming right?

[Cad64]

I already tried running CONVTOSOLID on the mesh faces but I kept getting the error "Cannot convert an open curve". I'm not an expert in Autocad 3D though. I do all of my modeling in 3D Studio Max. Maybe someone else will show up with a solution for you.

Yes, Lisp is a programming language used to create custom command routines.

[SLW210]

You will probably need Inventor or Solidworks to do a good job. I have never had AutoCAD convert sketchup to 3D Solid. Students can download Inventor for free.

Your best bet is to start over in AutoCAD.

[Pintoleite]

Yea, that might be the only solution.

I will be doing a different model, one that is simple enough to make it in an hour.

But I would like to keep this thread opened. Someone might still know the solution for this.

Thank you all

[voverrr]

I have nor f2s nor m2s not working for AutoCAD 2009.
convtosolid also does not work.

Try ***Link Removed*** software. Mesh-to-solid 3.0.5. After downloading the file extension should be renamed to "rar"

[Pintoleite]

I have nor f2s nor m2s not working for AutoCAD 2009.
convtosolid also does not work.

Try ***Link Removed*** software. Mesh-to-solid 3.0.5. After downloading the file extension should be renamed to "rar"

Thanks Voverr. but could you tell me more about that software and how does it work?