Exporting files from Turbocad to Turbofloor Plan

[Burgo]

I know that his topic has been discussed several times in the past, and I have read a number of threads which have been helpful.  I use Turbo-cad to do all my architectural drawings, both 3d and working drawings, but it would be beneficial if the model could be transferred to turbo floor plan for re-working to make use of its many architectural features not readily available in TC. Apart from DWG file transfer, which I have tried and a total disaster, is there a way to work on a TC drawing in turbo floor plan. Any help with this issue would be appreciated.

[Allan Chesney]

Hi Burgo,

You can import a 3D DXF model into TFP but it is no longer editable (except for TOTAL size and textures). This is done through File / Import / Object Wizard but I doubt that this is what you want as it is not possible to "rework" the model as such, as it becomes a solid 'block'. DWG import is mainly for tracing a plan.

Generally it is done the other way around - most would do the 3D model in TFP, where it can be done very quickly and easily, then take it into TCad as a DXF to do the working drawings.  Jack has done a number of posts on this which you probably have read.

Another option of course is to move over to the parent program, Envisioneer, which will 'automatically' do the working/construction drawings for you, but that is a considerable investment at over 20 times the price. Envisioneer will open TFP files and vice-versa, as long as they are the same 'version', Envisioneer being usually an update ahead of TFP (Env V7 = TFP V16. Env is currently V7.2).

Allan

[Burgo]

Thanks Allan, Envisioneer would be the answer, but price and the learning curb are the main drawbacks. I do agree that it should be the other way around, model in turbo floor plan and export to turbocad. However for some reason I find drawing in turbo floor plan not an easy exercise, lining up elements, the interface, scrolling and zooming, maybe I am too used to TC and the benefit of construction lines. It is never easy working between two cad systems. I guess I will just have to stick with TC.

[Allan Chesney]

Hi Burgo,

The reason it is usually done the other way around, (start in TFP and finish in TC) is because TFP is so much easier and quicker. I just can't help wondering what you are doing that is making it difficult.  The usual thing that many get caught with, is trying to make the walls the right length as they draw.  The simple way, is to just draw the rough shape of the exterior and drag the walls into position - same with internal walls. Use the Nudge, (arrow and Ctrl arrow keys) for precision sizing.  If you know the room layout, window/door placement etc the basic plan, including floor, ceiling and roof, can be drawn in 10-15 minutes. I am sure this could not be done so quickly in TC.

Sometimes it is quicker with something you know well of course.  It would probably take me months to so the same thing in TC, as I just never know where to start - there seem to be endless icons and the learning curve appears so great that I always just close it down again having achieved absolutely nothing  . I have looked at it many times but the only thing I have every achieved was to open a 3DS object and delete a couple of bits on it that I didn't want. 

Where do you find problems with the TFP interface? 
I presume you know that the toolbars can be simply arraged around the sides, as in TC - you do not have to use the tabs system (which means many extra clicks as you would know if you are using that). The attached image is the screen layout I use, although I sometimes use twin screens with the toolbars, catalogue and a 3D view on one and the main 2D plan on the other screen to work on unencombered. 

There is not a big learning curve with Envisioneer, as it is identical to TFP. Once you get the hang of TFP, then you have Envisioneer also. There are extra learnings in the plan layout and printing but they are easy and little different to any 2D drawing package, except that most of it is already done for you!    Usually I just add extra text and some vertical dimensions and it is done. This way there is no need to work with two different CAD systems, as the one program does it all  .  Price is a different matter of course. 

Allan

[Jack Zimmer]

Hi Burgo,

While TurboCAD wall / window / door / roof etc representations appear as 2D lines in plan view, when exported as dwg files those 2D lines are not represented. What you have to do is Explode your TCAD 3D model (2) times to get lines for import. Door openings will not be 'clean' but the balance of the model opens OK.

When opened in TFPlan it acts as one block that cannot be manipulated by individual parts.

So, first explode your TCAD model twice . Then export as dwg.
When you open the dwg in TFPlan, set your scale to 25.4  which is metric conversion of mm to inches (assuming your original TCAD work is in Ft / Inches).
Your plan should now open in TFPlan and be properly scaled.

But it will have no 3D aspect and you will have to basically rebuild the 3D model in TFPlan to take advantage of TFPlans advanced tools you talked about.

ps: My Working Drawings training videos are only $20
http://3dhousedesigns.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32&Itemid=27   

They show you a number of basics in the use of TurboFloorplan to create a real model and then how to export the dxf files into a predefined TurboCAD template which creates working drawing Paper Space layouts. I've used the two products together for almost 15 years, trust me, this is the best solution we have right now for using the two programs together.

If you want to import your TCAD work so you can generate a proper Roof in TFPlan and export that back to TCAD, that is possible off a dwg file, but why bother when TFPlan export of all parts of the model is better.??

Jack

[George Smith]

ps: My Working Drawings training videos are only $20
http://3dhousedesigns.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=32&Itemid=27   

Well worth it if you are even thinking about using both programs together.

[Burgo]

Allan & Jack, thank you for the detailed reply, I will digest and further reply. I guess the main issue with me is that it is hard to teach an old dog new tricks. I am sure that TFP would be much easier to use if more time was dedicated to learning the tricks of the trade. What I have found with TFP is that the screen image is not as clear as TC and the lines are some what dull and not sharp as in TC. The grid is also dull and the lines very thick.  Altering line thickness is also a chore. Maybe there is a way around these issues which I am not aware of.
I do appreciate your help, many thanks, Bob

[Allan Chesney]

Hi Bob,

Your latest comments caused me to open TC again (V17) and I can't say I can see any difference in the clarity of the two and it leads me to wonder if you have 'Line weights' turned on.  This will make the display look quite congested (though colourful!) and the Grid lines too thick. Personally I never use the Grid but if you do and find it too dull you can change the colour and spacing to whatever you want. If Line Weights are turned on then turn them off and you will find things finer and sharper. In the image below I have illustrated the different displays with Line Weights On, Off, and Off with Solid Fill walls, just for comparison. I turned the Grid on too - I have it set to very pale blue.

This time in TC I did find the wall and other architectural tools but, unless I missed something (which is highly possible!  ) they are very meagre compared with TFP and on the basis of what I found, there is no way I would even think of starting an architectural project in TC. The different options seemed very difficult to select too, in that the lower right trigger 'arrow' on the icon is so small and I found I had to click several times to hit the right spot. I can understand why most that use both programs start in TFP and finish drawings if they want them in TC. As Jack said, this approach apparently works very well. Incidentally I still did not actually achieve anything in TC again - unless you call a 3D window in a 2D wall and achievement!  Once again I gave up. TFP is obviously the way to start architecturally.

CUSTOMISING SETTINGS
In TFP, most things are customsable to how you prefer to work, so I would suggest, if you have not done so already, that you go through every setting in Setting / Program Settings so at least you know what can be changed, (and obviously change things if you want). Do the same for Settings / Dimensions and Building Locations.  Once you have things how you would like, save this into the Templates folder (for the location see Settings / Program Settings / General), so you can open a new project with this template (and settings) in the future. Obviously delete any inserted objects first unless you want them to appear every time.  You can also use this Template as your default one (also Settings / Program Settings / General) so you always have these altered settings. 

CUSTOMISING CATALOGUE ELEMENTS
Generally you will only use one or two wall types for example, so right click in the Wall part of the Catalogue, choose Add Element, and adjust the settings (eg change the 2D line thicknesses, Textures, Trim details etc  if you want) and give the wall a new name, so you do not have to do it every time - just use your own Wall in future. Move them to the top of the list if you want by right clicking in the Catalogue and choosing Elements Manager. Any Elements you customise in the Catalogue (right click Edit or Add) will retain the settings for future use. Customising elements before you use them, save a whole lot of time later. If you right click the object after it inserted into the model and then customise it will NOT be retained for future use in other projects (unless the go to File / Catalogues / Save Element To Catalogue).  I would not worry about changing line thicknesses, because if you are planning to take the model to TC I don't think (correct me if I am wrong Jack) that the line thicknesses will be transferred in a DXF file anyway. They are really only useful sometimes for direct printing purposes or simple objects or very basic plans.

If you already have walls, for example, inserted and have later customised a new one in the Catalogue and want to use that instead, then right click the wall, choose 'Select All Similar', then right click again and choose Replace. Select the new wall and they will all be replaced with your new customised wall.

Allan

[Burgo]

Again Allan, thank you for the detailed reply. I will have a close look at the settings and see if the clarity improves. I can understand your frustration with TC as it is not an easy package to learn, that is, in my opinion. However once mastered it is an easy program to use and navigate around. Much easier then Autocad. The arrow problem you had in TC can be adjusted by going to options / preferences / drawing cursor and changing the type and size of the cursor.
The 3d capabilities in TC are not too bad (see attached example)  but I will agree  TPF appears to have a lot more potential, particularly the roof tool which has limited capabilities in TC.
One thing you might help me with is as follows: I created a dutch gable on a hip and found that the fascia's on the main roof did not line up, the dutch gable end fascia was higher then the others. I adjusted a number of settings but no joy. Is there a way around this problem.
I will keep battling with TFP as time permits as I am now determined to give it a good try before pulling the plug.
Many thanks, Bob

[Allan Chesney]

Hi Bob,

I am not clear on the problem with the Dutch Gable. As I test I created the model below but did not have any issues with the facia. All I had to do was increase the Horizontal Distance for the Straight section on that face of the roof, to make the gable section smaller.

Can you give me more details about the problem and the Setting for the Straight and Gable section? (Screen dumps if possible of the dialog boxes)

Incidentally the model below took 7 minutes, including rendering. In that time of course ,while I drew the wall layout, it has provded dimensions, elevations, section views, created a materials list, a cutting list for all the timbers and provided room dimensions, perimeter distances and cubic capacity, along with the framing layout and also gives visual 'photorealistic' images etc. All that in the time it took to draw just the wall layout and click on a roof. Obviously I did not spend any time on specific room sizes or adding furniture etc but, as you can see, TFP is quick! (once you are used to it of course  )

Certainly worth giving it a fair go as the potential time savings are immense.

Allan

[Burgo]

Allan, very nice render, did you use TFP or Envisioneer ?
I will post a screen dump of the dutch gable problem I am having as soon as I get a free moment.
Thank you.

[Burgo]

Allan, dutch gable problem attached.

[Burgo]

Allan the other screen dump

[Burgo]

Allan, further view of the dutch gable.

[Allan Chesney]

Hi Bob,

sorry but I am away from home for a day of so and your screen dumps do not display to well on my phone, so will have to analyse them when I get back, unless someone else can see the problem beforehand.

Allan, very nice render, did you use TFP or Envisioneer ?

The render was done with TFP but the 3D and rendering of both programs is identical. Env differences are in its 2D functions and capabilities.

Allan