DomuS3D allows you to import external objects that are 3DS, DXF, FBX, OBJ, or SKP files, as long as they are objects modeled in 3D.
In this article, we will cover how to:
- Import a 3D file directly into the project from the floor plan window
- Save a new 3D element to the database
- Save groups of 3D elements to the database
To learn more about how to search for, download, and import Sketchup files from 3D Warehouse, please click here.
IMPORT A 3D FILE DIRECTLY INTO THE PROJECT FROM THE LAYOUT WINDOW
1. Open the LAYOUT section of the main Ribbon and select the From External Files command.
2. Find the 3D file that was previously saved to your computer and select it for import.
3. In the next window, you can check that the scale of the object is correct before you import it into the layout, where it can then be positioned around your room just like any other object in your project.
Note: this object is visible and available only within this specific project; the above procedure does not automatically insert this file into the program’s database.
SAVE A SINGLE 3D ELEMENT TO THE DATABASE
If you want to save a 3D object to your database, allowing you to reuse it in future projects, follow the below procedure:
1. Right click on the imported object and select Add to database
2. Fill in the required information as follows:
- Item Code (mandatory): the code that will be displayed on the estimate.
- Variant (mandatory): this field is used to enter items with the same Item Code. For example, if you want to use the item code "SGA1" for all stools, specify a different alphanumeric value for each one. (If not necessary, you can use "0").
- Internal Code (not mandatory): similar to the Variant field, this is used by companies that have an internal code different from the one in the catalog.
- Supplier (mandatory): indicate the supplier (or manufacturer) of the item you are saving. Click the button with the three dots to select a supplier/manufacturer from the list, or create a new one. To create a new supplier/manufacturer, first enter the name and code, then click Add.
- Description (mandatory): a description of the item that will be displayed on the estimate.
- Series (not mandatory): indicates the collection associated with the manufacturer, to be used if you want to catalog the item more comprehensively.
- Destination (not mandatory): the environment to which the item belongs, selected from those available in the menu.
- Typology (mandatory): indicate the type of item by choosing from those listed in the menu. If you want to differentiate your items from existing ones, you can enter a new type directly into the field.
- Subtype (not mandatory): to be used if you want to catalog the item more precisely.
- Elevation (not mandatory): you can set the height at which the item will be positioned each time it is inserted.
These details will help correctly catalog the object in the database.
3. You can also add a preview image of the object if you wish to replace the one automatically generated by the program (the image must be a jpg file with a size of 320 x 320 pixels).
You can also add an element to the database without first inserting it into a project.
In this case, follow these steps:
1. Go to the DATABASE section of the Ribbon.
2. Select Element management > New to add a new object to the database.
3. Fill in the required information as described in the previous procedure.
SAVE GROUPS OF 3D ITEMS TO THE DATABASE
If you need to create and save a group of 3D items for future reuse, follow the steps below:
1. From the layout window of the project, select the LAYOUT tab of the main ribbon and then select Modify > Add to Database.
2. Select the items you want to group by using an area selection or the left mouse button, confirm with a right-click, and enter the necessary details for saving them to the database. For details on each below field, please see the previous paragraph.
Linked articles:
- Importing 3D elements from Google's 3D Warehouse
This article is valid for the 2020 version and later.