Supported file types?

[Rick V.]

Hi folks,

I'm considering purchasing Turbo FloorPlan 3D Home & Landscape Pro v15. I've been unable to find information on supported file types for import and export. Is there a list of supported file types?

I'm particularly interested in DesignCAD .dcd files (another IMSI product, which I really like), but AutoCAD .dwg or .dxf files would work too.

Thanks,
Rick

[Allan Chesney]

Hi Rick,

Welcome to the forum.

TFP will import/ export a few file types but not some that you mention.

IMPORT:  DXF (AutoCAD), 3DS (Autodesk 3D Studio), SKP (Goodle SketchUp), BIM (building information management - these are files produced by manufacturers of various building products and appliances etc that are imported and become part of your TFGP catalogue. With a plug-in it will also convert PXF files from Punch 3D software.

EXPORT: BMP, JPG and TGA (Targa), DXF (2D and 3D), 3DS (Autodesk 3D Studio), VRML (internet capable wallk through)

PHOTOREALISTIC: BMP, JPG and AVI movie. (Example: I did this web application totally in TFP, with the exception of the text elements, using the TFP movie and JPG output - http://www.synergy.net.au/renovator)

TFP's real forte is the photorealistic image which is its main purpose - architectural visualisation in 3D.  Looking at the Gallery section will give you a good idea what it will do in that regard.  It is not optimised for plan printing (hence no DWG output) although it does produce construction drawings behind the scenes so to speak to be able to generate the photorealistic output in image or movie format.  Envisioneer, TFP's parent product is fully compatible (looks and works identically), produces DWG format also and is optimised for printing consturction drawings but it is 30 times the price(!) as it is desinged for professional builders and architects.  If the price is prohibative for your needs, then the plans can be produced in TFP with a little more effort as explained the the PDF in this post http://forums.turbofloorplan.com/index.php/topic,877.0.html, or of course you could do them from the 2D DXF output in DesignCAD (probably - not familiar with it), TurboCAD, AutoCAD and many others).

It is easy and fascinating to use and almost addictive (so don't say you weren't warned!!)

Hopefully that will give you a picture of its capabilites and suitabliity for your purposes.

Allan

[Rick V.]

Thanks Allan, that was very helpful.

It sounds like DXF is the file format bridge I'm looking for between TFP and DesignCAD. As with DesignCAD, the purchase price for TFP seems to be a great value.

I've used DesignCAD since the 80's and found it to be an excellent 2D/3D CAD system for building design, and although it has strong 3D modeling capabilities, it doesn't do photorealistic rendering. Perhaps this will give me the best of both worlds.

Thanks again for the help,
Rick