Program to turn CAD into 3d model? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

dr_lubin · 08-18-2009, 05:02 PM

Hello lovely,

This is for a high end website, who recently thought it would be excellent to have true 3d models of their bows (archery, hunting) on their website so users could "fly around them, and see all the parts". The company has the CAD files from the actual production of the bow - that's a good start right? My task is getting them from CAD to web. My team is fluent in design/flash/db, but we are green in this 3d modeling. What program am I after now?

I tinkered with 3dstudiomax a great many years ago, but haven't been involved in that realm since. Been stuck in marketing... Is Maya a good solution? I heard they can import CAD? Does 3d studio max still fight the good fight?

ANY advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

-L

Smackre · 08-21-2009, 03:42 AM

I have a friend that might be able to help you out with this. He does alot of freelance web design and hes also great with max and autocad. He also has used Maya. If you would like I can ask him to give you some advise.

Glory's Sun · 08-21-2009, 04:30 AM

I use maya and 3ds every day. That being said I'll have to see just how to import cad files into the programs to achieve what you want.

---------- Post added at 08:30 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:05 AM ----------

ok so if you're going to use Maya, then you'll need to load the DirectConnect plugin in the plugin manager..then you can import .DXF or .DWG files into Maya.

since Autodesk owns both programs (all three that you are asking about really) it shouldn't be too difficult of a process. The only thing I can see being a problem is how the programs are reading the sizes of things.

fresnelly · 08-21-2009, 05:21 AM

Are the manufacturer files 2D line drawings or actual meshes?

telekinetic · 08-21-2009, 05:23 AM

Don't waste your money on Maya (are licenses still five figures?). I'd just get Rhino and do the modeling there.

fresnelly · 08-21-2009, 05:51 AM

Why not just hire a freelance guy to do it for you? It'll be cheaper than buying an expensive modelling suite that will take a long time to learn.

Glory's Sun · 08-21-2009, 06:03 AM

Maya is pretty simple to learn. Much easier to learn than say 3dsmax.

Maya and 3ds however, will only accept lines and triangles. So if there is anything other than poly's or triangles you'll have to redraw it anyway. Just make sure you get rid of any n-gons floating around. .. or I could do it for you if the price is right

as far as Rhino goes.. MEH. If you want something cheap and can do amazing things..go with Blender. Rhino is still about $1000.. while blender is Free.

Maya Unlimited is about $3,500. Pricey but capable of amazing things. Plus since it's going to be using AutoCAD, if it were me I wouldn't mind spending the $$ in order to make sure things worked seamlessly together. Autodesk to Autodesk is much easier than say Autodesk to Cinema4d.

08-18-2009, 05:02 PM	#1 (permalink)
dr_lubin Crazy	Program to turn CAD into 3d model? Hello lovely, This is for a high end website, who recently thought it would be excellent to have true 3d models of their bows (archery, hunting) on their website so users could "fly around them, and see all the parts". The company has the CAD files from the actual production of the bow - that's a good start right? My task is getting them from CAD to web. My team is fluent in design/flash/db, but we are green in this 3d modeling. What program am I after now? I tinkered with 3dstudiomax a great many years ago, but haven't been involved in that realm since. Been stuck in marketing... Is Maya a good solution? I heard they can import CAD? Does 3d studio max still fight the good fight? ANY advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks! -L __________________ I'd rather regret what I did do than what I didn't.

08-21-2009, 03:42 AM	#2 (permalink)
Smackre Addict	I have a friend that might be able to help you out with this. He does alot of freelance web design and hes also great with max and autocad. He also has used Maya. If you would like I can ask him to give you some advise. __________________ Intel® Pentium® M Processor 730 (1.60 GHz/2MB Cache/533MHz FSB) 17 inch UltraSharp™ Wide Screen XGA+ Display 1GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 533MHz 2 Dimm 256MB NVIDA® GeForce™ Go 6800

08-21-2009, 05:21 AM	#4 (permalink)
fresnelly Functionally Appropriate Location: Toronto	Are the manufacturer files 2D line drawings or actual meshes? __________________ Building an artificial intelligence that appreciates Mozart is easy. Building an A.I. that appreciates a theme restaurant is the real challenge - Kit Roebuck - Nine Planets Without Intelligent Life

08-21-2009, 05:23 AM	#5 (permalink)
telekinetic zomgomgomgomgomgomg Location: Fauxenix, Azerona	Don't waste your money on Maya (are licenses still five figures?). I'd just get Rhino and do the modeling there. __________________ twisted no more

08-21-2009, 05:51 AM	#6 (permalink)
fresnelly Functionally Appropriate Location: Toronto	Why not just hire a freelance guy to do it for you? It'll be cheaper than buying an expensive modelling suite that will take a long time to learn. __________________ Building an artificial intelligence that appreciates Mozart is easy. Building an A.I. that appreciates a theme restaurant is the real challenge - Kit Roebuck - Nine Planets Without Intelligent Life

08-21-2009, 04:30 AM	#3 (permalink)
Glory's Sun Registered User	I use maya and 3ds every day. That being said I'll have to see just how to import cad files into the programs to achieve what you want. ---------- Post added at 08:30 AM ---------- Previous post was at 08:05 AM ---------- ok so if you're going to use Maya, then you'll need to load the DirectConnect plugin in the plugin manager..then you can import .DXF or .DWG files into Maya. since Autodesk owns both programs (all three that you are asking about really) it shouldn't be too difficult of a process. The only thing I can see being a problem is how the programs are reading the sizes of things.

08-21-2009, 06:03 AM	#7 (permalink)
Glory's Sun Registered User	Maya is pretty simple to learn. Much easier to learn than say 3dsmax. Maya and 3ds however, will only accept lines and triangles. So if there is anything other than poly's or triangles you'll have to redraw it anyway. Just make sure you get rid of any n-gons floating around. .. or I could do it for you if the price is right as far as Rhino goes.. MEH. If you want something cheap and can do amazing things..go with Blender. Rhino is still about $1000.. while blender is Free. Maya Unlimited is about $3,500. Pricey but capable of amazing things. Plus since it's going to be using AutoCAD, if it were me I wouldn't mind spending the $$ in order to make sure things worked seamlessly together. Autodesk to Autodesk is much easier than say Autodesk to Cinema4d.