Post off topic threads here.
#77078 by dmartens
Thu Oct 10, 2019 9:28 am
As more and more of our clients and subs are utilizing Revit for their projects I am wondering if DataCad has any plans to at least be able to import/export .ifc files in the near future. Or better yet bring smart entities to the forefront and enable DataCad users to try and stay current with the BIM world. It seems that with the total lack of updates that have anything to do with smarts/BIM indicates a curious disinterest on DataCad's part in the way the AEC industry is headed. DataCad has been a mainstay in our office for 35 years but with BIM becoming the industry standard we are being forced to investigate other avenues to be able to stay current.
#77236 by Mark Bell
Thu Nov 14, 2019 4:34 am
Hello Dan,

I know where you're coming from. FYI, Autodesk have a free online viewer of RVT files. There are other sites available if you do a Google search. I recall one site also converted either RVT or revit family into other formats.
There's also product sites that offer BIM objects in a variety of formats including a number DataCAD can import directly:
https://www.bimobject.com/en
https://www.bimobject.com/en/product

A "general purpose" file converter, even standalone or cloud-based,would be a huge advantage to access the thousands of product assets/symbols/objects in the various BIM formats and allow DataCAD to keep up with the formats that most suppliers/manufacturers are now offering.
#77241 by Mark Bell
Thu Nov 14, 2019 7:43 pm
You might also look at TwinMotion https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/twinmotion which is available for free until next year and allows DataCAD files to be imported and used for renders/animation/VR etc. using the huge library of 3D assets (trees, people, vehicles, furniture etc.). This lets DataCAD users quickly populate a building model without the need to include the 'extras' in DataCAD prior to exporting.
#77246 by joshhuggins
Thu Nov 14, 2019 9:04 pm
Mark Bell wrote:You might also look at TwinMotion https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/twinmotion which is available for free until next year and allows DataCAD files to be imported and used for renders/animation/VR etc. using the huge library of 3D assets (trees, people, vehicles, furniture etc.). This lets DataCAD users quickly populate a building model without the need to include the 'extras' in DataCAD prior to exporting.

Whoa, whoa, whoa! I have been working on a workflow for Datacad to Unreal for the last month or so but haven't got to the twinmotion stuff yet. Are you saying Twinmotion has a direct importer for Datacad's AEC files?
#77249 by Mark Bell
Thu Nov 14, 2019 9:29 pm
Hi Josh,

TwinMotion currently supports 21 import formats, with SKP, 3DS, DXF, STL being available for DataCAD plus some others which I thought DataCAD was able to output, VRML, WRL? The data comes in fine and the 3D assets also include their own ability to animate (trees sway or loose leaves etc.). It makes a good presentation package for those offices wanting something quick, simple and pretty good quality renders as you can quickly population a design with all the 'extras' once the site and building is in.
We too have been trialing UE4 but it currently only has DWG as a viable import option and there's an issue with the data being mirrored along the x-axis on import, which is a known bug at their end. UE4 did get back to us noting they were considering AEC format as a direct import option but, if it does get implemented, it will be in the paid version released next year. We presently use Maxwell Render https://maxwellrender.com/ for high quality renders.
Are you saying you've been liaising with Epic Games on UE4 for DataCAD?
#77250 by joshhuggins
Thu Nov 14, 2019 11:23 pm
OK that's what I have seen as well, with DWG being the easiest method I have found so far using Datasmith to process the files. I tried going 3DS via Blender to FBX hoping I could get a system going where I could have pre-textured Datacad symbols and entities at least make a one way trip with the textures associated but was not pretty with the double jump in file conversions. I have had no contact with Epic about anything. While I would love a AEC translation via Datasmith, I would be surprised to see it happen.

Epic did just announce that they not not going to the paid subscription with Studio and are going to keep it free going forward and are rolling it into the main engine starting with version 4.24 which is awesome!
https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/blog ... s-and-more
#77251 by Mark Bell
Thu Nov 14, 2019 11:59 pm
Hi Josh,

Going through multiple softwares to get the model into UE4 isn't worth the trouble (to us). The ticket we got from UE4 noted the fix for the DWG error is scheduled for 4.25 which will be the paid release when they stop working on Studio. It may be worth jumping on the UE4 forum and lodging an bug report with the import of DWG's as they may push it forward so it's fixed for the last free release?

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 13 guests

About DataCAD Forum

The DataCAD Forum is a FREE online community we provide to enhance your experience with DataCAD.

We hope you'll visit often to get answers, share ideas, and interact with other DataCAD users around the world.

DataCAD

Software for Architects Since 1984