Importing Autocad dwg or dxf file

[Dale]

How do I import an Autocad DWG or DXF file (I believe it is in 3D) into TFP as the terrain for a new drawing?  I have done this with the old Floorplan 3d versions before.  However, I cannot figure out how to import into TFP.  I have read one post on the topic; however, it is confusing as how to go about the task. 

I would like to import the terrain and then modify it later (say cut out a basement in the terrain).   My project will require a lot of cut/fill to the terrain.   My understanding from the prior topic is that FP3D's software architecture is way different from TFP; therefore, do I import the autocad drawing and retracte it with TFP somehow?  There has to be a way to do this........Dale

[Allan Chesney]

Hi Dale,

Welcome to the forum. 

You can import DXF or 3DS files only at File/Import.

If you import a DXF as 2D you can use the plan as a trace layer. This works well - I use it all the time.

Import either format as 3D and you will not be able to edit. Only textures can be edited but only if they were different coloured surfaces to start with. Any cut-outs would have to be done before import. 3DS work better as far as surface editing is concerned.

Surface fills, drive ways, fences, plants etc will all automatically follow the TFP terrain and cut-outs are automatic. None of these things will work with an imported DXF terrain and would have to be set manually which would not be possible with some.

I would suggest reading the posts about terrain and replicate it if you are looking for flexibility and realism both of which are infinitely better than FP3D.

Allan

[Dale]

Hi Allan, Thanks for the reply.  TFP -File/Import has three import choices: #1) project trace image... #2) Photo board image... #3) Object Wizard....

#1) is looking for a .bmp; .jpg; or .tga files ........not dxf or dwg;
#2) is looking for an image file also;
#3) is looking for some kind of object (not specific of file type); 

I do not understand.  I appologize; but, I just do not understand how to import.  My autocad program does not allow me to export a project as an image file.  Can you be more specific on how to import an ACAD dwg or dxf.  I've used IMSI Floorplan products since FP3. I guess I'm just missing this...... Thanks, Dale

[Dale]

I also have TurboCad Deluxe 15.  I can import the ACAD dxf file and open it in TurboCad.  What should I save the open dxf file within TurboCad as to later import it into TFP.  The export/saving options available in TurboCad are for bmp and jpg.  Is the drawing scale an issue while importing and/or saving as a .bmp or .jpg or other? - Dale

[Dale]

Ok....I'm getting somewhere.  I cropped the Acad dxf image. Saved it. Imported it into TurboCad 15.  Cropped again and saved as a .jpg.  Scale is correct...Yes.  Imported the .jpg file into TFP.  Resized the image and it is correct.  I checked it against the Acad and TurboCad measurements.  Yeah, I have an object to trace.  Now, how do I do this?  It was a lot easier in FP3D.  I will start at the lowest level of the terrain and work up.  How do you draw/trace the contour lines on the .jpg file.  I need to assign a contour interval in TFP.......I do not understand why the IMSI TFP designers couldn't do this for us.  I cannot be the only person wanting to import terrain.  What is this 2D or 3D trace option mentioned in the forum?  As I previously mentioned I need to cut/fill my sloped terrain to make the house work.....I need to place a step foundation and other retaining walls, etc. across the terrained surface.  How?....Dale

[Allan Chesney]

Hi Dale,

You use the Import Wizard (Option 3) to import DXF, 3DS or SKP files. Create a Location called Trace. Have that selected, then import, name it, select a section to save it if you want to use later, click Import To Location and finish off the wizard. The plan will now be on your cursor to insert.  Switch to another location to start drawing the walls, terrain or whatever.

DXF should automatically be to size. Make sure that the DXF file size is not too big or it will hog your memory.

Search the Forum for "Contour", for tips from Jack and Doug on tracing terrain contour lines. It is quite easy when you realise how it works. Key things to bear in mind are that each countour Plateau level drawn adds to the previous one so they build on each other. You can use the Slab, set not to hug the terrain, to create the flat area between the retaining wall and the terrain behind it. Adjust the thickness to raise it's height to the  retaining wall height or even use a floor on its own Location (so it does not cut the terrain but blends into) to create these flat fills.  The slab will cut the terrain but the floor won't, if it is on the location set not to cut the terrain. Only one Location will cut the terrain, which by default is set to the ground floor (Settings/Program Settings/Terrain), so the floor is a better tool for this than the slab.  Remember that a floor can be any shape,even curved (right click) so it can fit snugly against a curved retaining wall for example. In the image I have set the 'floor' to gravel so you can see how it runs into the slope of the terrain.

When you insert a building it will automatically cut the Terrain as long as it is on the Ground Floor or the setting is changed to the appropraite Location.

Allan

[PeterSLO]

You use the Import Wizard (Option 3) to import DXF, 3DS or SKP files. Create a Location called Trace. Have that selected, then import, name it, select a section to save it if you want to use later, click Import To Location and finish off the wizard. The plan will now be on your cursor to insert.  Switch to another location to start drawing the walls, terrain or whatever.

Hello
I'm new here and I have a problem with importing .dwg into TFP. TFP just don't offer to import .dwg file. What else I can do?
Thanks

[Draft Patrick]

Hi PeterSLO,

Welcome to the Forum

Notice that the posts of this thread (above) as well as the info are from March /2009, therefore they don't apply to the current TFP version (V16)
TFP Version 15 as well as Version 16 import DWG files for trace purposes.

Hope this helps

Pat

[Allan Chesney]

Hi Peter,

As Pat pointed out, this subject is old but if you do have V16 for example, the DWG import is not in the same place as the DXF, 3DS or SKP files. To import a DWG file in V16 you must use File / Import CAD File - not the Import Wizard.

If you have one of the older versions, you will first have to convert the DWG to DXF, using TurboCAD or other CAD program, and then import it through the Import Wizard.

Welcome to the forum by the way! 

Allan

[PeterSLO]

Hi

Allan, I'm using TFP Hpme & Landscape Pro, version 12 (due to old computer). It's the same procedure (dwg into Turbocad and then TFP)?

Pat, that's the reason why I want to import dwg into TFP. Only what I need is traces.

[Draft Patrick]

Peter,

If you have Turbocad --> use --> File --> Open --> xxxx.dwg --> Save As -->  xxxx.dxf  --> Setup --> Autocad 2000 drawing --> Save
Then you can use the procedure above to import the file and trace

Pat

[PeterSLO]

If you have Turbocad --> use --> File --> Open --> xxxx.dwg --> Save As -->  xxxx.dxf  --> Setup --> Autocad 2000 drawing --> Save

Hi Pat
Where do I find Setup?

[Draft Patrick]

Hi Peter,

Save As --> the Save As screen will open --> click on the Setup button (bottom right) --> the versions' screen will open

See attached

Pat

[PeterSLO]

I created dxf file, but TFP allows me only to import bmp, jpg and tga files. What else could be done?

[Draft Patrick]

You use the Import Wizard (Option 3) to import DXF, 3DS or SKP files. Create a Location called Trace. Have that selected, then import, name it, select a section to save it if you want to use later, click Import To Location and finish off the wizard. The plan will now be on your cursor to insert.  Switch to another location to start drawing the walls, terrain or whatever.

Hello
I'm new here and I have a problem with importing .dwg into TFP. TFP just don't offer to import .dwg file. What else I can do?
Thanks

As per the original post, you can use the the import wizard --> just follow Allan's instructions

Pat