Softimage dxf importer for v6, v7.01, v7.5 & 2010/2011
Posted: 09 Jun 2009, 19:22
2d and 3d dxf importer plugins for Softimage XSI v6, v7.01, v7.5 & 2010/2011
by Jason Wells aka redmotion 2007/2008/2009
Download: UPDATES:
- update March 2009 with v7.5 plugin (v7.5.191.0)
- update September 2009 with 2010 plugin (v8.0.210.0)
- Measure plugin revised to default to 10cm to 1 SI unit (being the standard GI/FG scale) and give reading in metres
Before using:-
**Please note** - this plugin may not run in a workgroup folder or over a network.
**Please note** - these plugins may not work with 3dworld 60-day trial of XSI7
**Please note** - install the correct plugin version for the Softimage version
INSTALLATION
Place the .dll files into the \Application\Plugins folder of your XSI v6 or v7 user folder
(you may try a workgroup folder but it may not work)
USAGE NOTES
Please note that dxf file format is incredibly varied and it is impossible for me to cover every valid iteration of the format (and keep it free). I have therefore stuck to the dxf formats that come from the two main CAD programs available.
Note that loading a dxf file off the internet and trying to import it may or may not work (for the reason discussed previously.) The best way to get an importable format is to use Autocad or Microstation to export the data.
There are two dxf import plugins. One for 2d CAD data files and one for 3d dxf polymesh. There are seperate versions for XSI v6 and v7.
2D IMPORTER INFO
- imports dxf lines, arcs and circles
Please note that all data to be imported should be FLAT 2 dimensional line based CAD data (Microstation supports true 2d CAD drawings, AutoCAD does not.).
- Use XSIs modify/create curve commmands under the model tab to extract or seperate out multiple drawings.
- Use the scale transform to scale the file to your prefered scale.
- Use a 'measure distance' script (like red_scale - included)to confirm your drawing/data is scaled correctly.
- The 2d plugin converts a dxf file to an eps file which is then imported using the XSI epsimport command (which is uber-fast).
3D IMPORTER INFO
- imports 3d dxf polymesh only
This plugin will import 3d polymesh (triangle mesh) from dxf files exported from Microstation and AutoCAD. Any other formats are untested and probably won't load (and likely don't completely follow the standard dxf specification).
The 3d importer will create materials and seperate files onto individual scene models. The reason for this is two-fold:
1. It makes it quicker to assign appropriate materials.
2. It reduces memory use from the dotXSI import command which can cause XSI to freeze if the amount of mesh data is huge.
Dxf files can contain thousands of individual mesh elements.
N.B. It does not import dxf files exported from Valve's Hammer Editor software.
-------
MEASURING TOOL (See post below for update download)
The red scale measure's mechanics are based on another script that was used to get a distance in SI. I didn't want to change this basic interactivity, but I did want something where I could copy and paste the result much more easily, and that I could click one button and measure rather than having to open up the script editor everytime. I also wanted something that automatically converted the result into whichever units system I required. It defaults to the standard where 10cm is 1 SI unit.
UPDATED 13-04-2010 - Feet and Inches added, individual distances logged in script editor, overall distance displayed in PPG.
INSTALLATION
- Place vbs file into your /Application/Plugins directory (workgroup/user). Launch Softimage.
USAGE
1. Apply the property to the scene root by opening explorer (8 on keyboard) selecting the scene_root (the very top of the scene hierachy) and select Get > Property > RedScale
2. If the PPG doesn't appear double click on the property in the explorer.
3. Press the measure button
4. Left click to select the first point (hold CTRL to snap unless it is on) and then Left click again for the second point (again, use CTRL if you don't have snapping turned on).
5. Rightclick to complete the measurement.
NB: You can keep choosing a second point with the Left Button, if you want to get a running distance. You will see the number of points picked displayed in the dialogue.
by Jason Wells aka redmotion 2007/2008/2009
Download: UPDATES:
- update March 2009 with v7.5 plugin (v7.5.191.0)
- update September 2009 with 2010 plugin (v8.0.210.0)
- Measure plugin revised to default to 10cm to 1 SI unit (being the standard GI/FG scale) and give reading in metres
Before using:-
**Please note** - this plugin may not run in a workgroup folder or over a network.
**Please note** - these plugins may not work with 3dworld 60-day trial of XSI7
**Please note** - install the correct plugin version for the Softimage version
INSTALLATION
Place the .dll files into the \Application\Plugins folder of your XSI v6 or v7 user folder
(you may try a workgroup folder but it may not work)
USAGE NOTES
Please note that dxf file format is incredibly varied and it is impossible for me to cover every valid iteration of the format (and keep it free). I have therefore stuck to the dxf formats that come from the two main CAD programs available.
Note that loading a dxf file off the internet and trying to import it may or may not work (for the reason discussed previously.) The best way to get an importable format is to use Autocad or Microstation to export the data.
There are two dxf import plugins. One for 2d CAD data files and one for 3d dxf polymesh. There are seperate versions for XSI v6 and v7.
2D IMPORTER INFO
- imports dxf lines, arcs and circles
Please note that all data to be imported should be FLAT 2 dimensional line based CAD data (Microstation supports true 2d CAD drawings, AutoCAD does not.).
- Use XSIs modify/create curve commmands under the model tab to extract or seperate out multiple drawings.
- Use the scale transform to scale the file to your prefered scale.
- Use a 'measure distance' script (like red_scale - included)to confirm your drawing/data is scaled correctly.
- The 2d plugin converts a dxf file to an eps file which is then imported using the XSI epsimport command (which is uber-fast).
3D IMPORTER INFO
- imports 3d dxf polymesh only
This plugin will import 3d polymesh (triangle mesh) from dxf files exported from Microstation and AutoCAD. Any other formats are untested and probably won't load (and likely don't completely follow the standard dxf specification).
The 3d importer will create materials and seperate files onto individual scene models. The reason for this is two-fold:
1. It makes it quicker to assign appropriate materials.
2. It reduces memory use from the dotXSI import command which can cause XSI to freeze if the amount of mesh data is huge.
Dxf files can contain thousands of individual mesh elements.
N.B. It does not import dxf files exported from Valve's Hammer Editor software.
-------
MEASURING TOOL (See post below for update download)
The red scale measure's mechanics are based on another script that was used to get a distance in SI. I didn't want to change this basic interactivity, but I did want something where I could copy and paste the result much more easily, and that I could click one button and measure rather than having to open up the script editor everytime. I also wanted something that automatically converted the result into whichever units system I required. It defaults to the standard where 10cm is 1 SI unit.
UPDATED 13-04-2010 - Feet and Inches added, individual distances logged in script editor, overall distance displayed in PPG.
INSTALLATION
- Place vbs file into your /Application/Plugins directory (workgroup/user). Launch Softimage.
USAGE
1. Apply the property to the scene root by opening explorer (8 on keyboard) selecting the scene_root (the very top of the scene hierachy) and select Get > Property > RedScale
2. If the PPG doesn't appear double click on the property in the explorer.
3. Press the measure button
4. Left click to select the first point (hold CTRL to snap unless it is on) and then Left click again for the second point (again, use CTRL if you don't have snapping turned on).
5. Rightclick to complete the measurement.
NB: You can keep choosing a second point with the Left Button, if you want to get a running distance. You will see the number of points picked displayed in the dialogue.