Poly In 3D

Here is my Autodesk University 2020 class on 3D modeling with AutoCAD.

Handout, video and datasets are on the Autodesk University website.

Description

In this lab, you’ll learn how to create 3D geometry using AutoCAD software’s Solid, Surface, and Mesh tools. You’ll also learn how to create 3D assets for Revit families, as well as for Civil 3D and InfraWorks models, Inventor software, and game engines. You’ll edit the 3D objects using various editing tools, and export the 3D objects to various software. This class is designed to expand your AutoCAD 3D modeling knowledge.

Key Learnings

Learn how to create 3D solid, surface, and mesh objects using various tools.
Learn how to edit the objects using tools such as Union, Slice, Extrude Face, Fillet, and so on.
Learn how to apply texturing/materials to the 3D objects.
Learn how to export the 3D objects to various formats.

A Civil 3D user can create compelling street section visuals from a Corridor Assembly Section. Here is a breakdown of this exercise.

⦁ Export a corridor to a solids drawing.
⦁ Link the solids drawing to 3D Studio Max for UV Mapping.
⦁ Export the 3D Studio Max to an FBX file format.

⦁ I will use Epic’s Twinmotion software for this exercise.

I’m going to assume the Civil 3D user can create an assembly and corridor.

Civil 3D Assembly and Corridor.

Exporting the Corridor to solids.

1. Select the corridor object.
2. Click Extract Corridor Solids on the Corridor Tools panel of the ribbon.

3. Click Next and then Next again.
4. Choose the Output Object Type. I've selected AutoCAD 3D Solid (swept solids).
5. Click the Add to a new drawing radio button.
6. Name the file and save it to the project folder.
7. Click the Extract Solids button.

The Exported Solids Drawing

I have added an underground solid then added underground utility pipes and duct banks using various AutoCAD 3D Solid tools. See my Autodesk University 2019 class on 3D modeling with AutoCAD.

https://www.autodesk.com/autodesk-university/class/3D-Modeling-Best-AutoCAD-2019

Launch 3D Studio Max

There are a few paths you can go from here. Stay in 3D Studio Max for final rendering or export the model into another software. I'm going to export the model into Twinmotion so I'm only using 3D Studio Max for UVW Mapping, basic materials and exporting the model to an FBX format.

1. Click File > Reference > Manage Links.
2. Link the 3D Street Section Solids.dwg drawing to the scene.

A few options I like to set when referencing a DWG file in 3D Studio Max.

1. Set Curve Steps to 100.
2. Set Maximum surface deviation for 3D solids to 0.01.

3. Check Use scene material definitions.
4. Check Use scene material assignments on Reload.

5. Click OK.

Assigning Material and a UVW Map modifier to each object.

1. Select an object such as the pavement.
2. Click the Modifier List pull down on the right then select UVW Map.
3. Set the Mapping to Box.
4. Change the Length, Width and Height to 1.0'
5. Repeat for each object. Ground, curb, utility pipes and so on.
6. Add materials to the objects.
7. Press M on the keyboard to open the Materials Editor.
8. Click Modes on the upper left then select Compact Material Editor. Use Slate Material Editor if you like.
9. Right click on a Sample Window sphere.
10. Click 6 X 4 Sample Windows.
11. Click Get Material.
12. Double Click the Standard (Legacy).
13. Name the material such as Curb.
14. Drag the newly created material to the next Sample Window.
15. Rename the material to Asphalt.
16. Repeat steps 14 through15 for each object type in the scene. (Ex. Grass, Sidewalk, Dirt, Gravel and so on).

Adding a UVW Map modifier to each object.

1. Select an object such as the pavement.

2. Click the Modify button on Command Panel to the right.
3. Click the Modifier List pull down list then select UVW Map.
4. Once the Modifier is added to the object, click the Box Mapper.
5. Set the Length, Width and Height to 1.0'.

6. Repeat steps 1 through 5 for each object type in the scene.

Export the model to an FBX file format.

1. Select the entire model.
2. Click File> Export> Export Selected...

3. Save the file to the project folder as Street Section.fbx.

FBX export options.

1. Leave Geometry as default.
2. Check Embed Media
3. Uncheck Animation, Light, Cameras
4. Click the OK button.
5. Click OK on any Warnings and Errors.

Launch Epic's Twinmotion

Epic's Twinmotion download link.
https://www.unrealengine.com/en-US/twinmotion

Importing 3D models into Twinmotion.

1. Save the Twinmotion file to the project folder as Street Section.TM.

2. Click the Import button on the lower left.

3. Select the Street Section.fbx from the project folder.

4. Once imported, drag the Street Section.fbx into the scene.

5. Expand the object list in the upper right.

6. Select the Street Section.fbx then hit F on the keyboard. This will zoom to the model.

7. Select the default tan paver object then delete it.

8. Expand the Material and Asset browser list in the upper left.

9. Browse Materials for grass. (Materials> Ground> Nature)
10. Drag the Grass 1 material to the median of the street section.
11. Browse Materials for asphalt. (Materials> Ground> Manmade)
12. Drag the Asphalt 1 material to the median of the street section.

13. Repeat steps 9 through 12 for adding additional materials to the objects.

14. Browse the assets for adding trees to the scene. (Vegetation and landscape>Trees)

15. Repeat step 14 for adding additional assets to the scene.
16. Import other desired 3D objects from Revit, SketchUp and so on.

Setting up still and animation renderings.

1. Once the model is setup to your liking, click the Media button on the lower left to setup images and video renderings.

2. To setup still renderings, pan to the desired position.

3. Click Image >.

4. Click the Create image button to create an image snapshot.

5. Repeat steps 18 through 20 for addition renderings. (Image settings such as image size, visual effects, weather can be changed under the more button)

6. To setup a fly through animation, pan to the desired starting position.

7. Click Video >.

8. Click Create >.

9. Click Create clip.

10. Pan to the next animation point.

11. Click the + symbol to the right of the clip.

12. Repeat steps 10 through 11 for additional fly through points. (Video settings such as resolution, visual effects, weather can be changed under the more button)

Rendering the still images and fly through animation.

1.Once the still images and animation is setup to your liking, click the Export button on the lower left to export the images and video renderings.