Tip on importing many 3D files with the help of template GDLs

TechTip of the Month Contest Winner of November-December 2004:

Tom Prokopchak's tip on importing many 3D files with the help of template GDLs!

"We need an efficient way to convert 3D autocad objects to library parts that would work with our schedule. I was thinking we would make a "start up" library object with all the paramters already listed and then copy and paste in the 3D code after we open the autocad files in archicad and then maybe paste in the 2D code or add PROJECT2 3,270,2 for the 2D code. We would need to add some code for materials and pen weights. Is there a more efficent way to do this? We have tons of 3D autocad objects that need to have our parameters in them. Is there some other program that could do this or am I just thinking of miracles? - Michele"
"Create a template object with the parameters you want to add to the Autocad block. Then open and create the Archicad object. After the Archicad object is created, open the script for it and select the subtype to be the template you made. - Tom Prokopchak"

A really good tip to make life easier for users of many AutoCAD 3D objects:

Create an object with all the necessary parameters that you would want to use with several other imported 3D objects. Simply do this from File/GDL Objects>New object..., and add the desired parameters on the Parameters tab page (use the New button).
Now save this file as a template - first you must check the Template checkbox at the top of the object editing dialog, and then only save the file. Be careful to give an easily recognizable name as its name will be the name of the new subtype as well.
Now you can import the desired 3D object - File/GDL Objects>Import Blocks from DXF/DWG.
Be sure to use the right conversion settings during import...
Once the object has been created from the DXF/DWG file, change it's subtype to the newly created custom subtype:
Open the file (File/GDL Objects>Open object...
Click on the Select Subtype... button,
In the object hierarchy tree, open the Model element branch (click on the cross to the left of its name) and locate your recently created new subtype by its name.
Highlight it, then click on the Select button. The dialog will close and the parameters set in the template file will be added to the 3D object.
Save the 3D object - enjoy!

Hint:
- Giving recognizable names to your template files helps to organize your own 3D library. - If you want to organize the subtypes, save a group template i.e. Lamps, then create a new object of this subtype. By saving this second object as a template i.e. Desk Lamp it will create its subtype in the Lamps category in the object hierarchy tree. - Custom subtypes will be marked green in the hierarchy tree.

Page last updated: Thursday, January 13, 2005