HOW TO Make 3D Models for msmac3D graphics

software related notices, mainly for licensees who should laso see the LICENSEE ONLY sections
MSI
Site Admin
Posts: 2302
Joined: Thu Jun 18, 2009 12:37 pm

HOW TO Make 3D Models for msmac3D graphics

Post by MSI »

FIRST Be sure to But if in a rush or wanting your own model:

Preliminary instructions!
The following are steps and notes on making a 3D model to work with msmac3D
First you need your model in 3D DXF ASCII or OBJ (lately we've been using OBJ)
To test a DXF to be sure the surfaces are in the proper direction
  • 1) Select Add other Model from medit3D graphics
    select other model.png
    select other model.png (94 KiB) Viewed 7234 times
    2) On the dialog that opens you can select DXF model
    that will open the model at the origin and take a look at how it looks.
    dxf choice.png
    dxf choice.png (20.09 KiB) Viewed 7234 times
if OK, proceed,
if not,
  • Check surface directions
  • Put window GLASS on separate layers which start with word GLASS
  • Put Side Mirrors in layers with MIRROR in them (so not used in scaling, if large)
  • Put ANTENNAE (if any) in layer with ANTENNAE in them (so not used in scaling, if large)
  • Different colored objects on different layers will make the vehicle look more realistic
  • Rims and Tires make separate layers (and colors) that will help make model look more realistic
The main technique to create the m3D models is to create in ASCII DXF
We used ver 12 or 13 (use save as)
  • For RHINO3D use these options
    DXF Options.png
    DXF Options.png (7.16 KiB) Viewed 2937 times
(replacing ‘whole model’ with your model name)
  • 1) Whole model.dxf
    2) Whole model_notires.dxf
    3) Whole model_RStire.dxf
or
  • 1) Whole model.dxf
    2) Whole model_notires.dxf
    3) Whole model_RFtire.dxf
    4) Whole model_RRtire.dxf
  • NOTE: if all tires the same use 'RStire' if Front/Rear different use RF RR
  • have these DXF with the center at the center of the wheel (Top and side)
  • Whole model_RStire.dxf
    • for the whole model and model w/o tires, if you have layers with GLASS in the name you can turn off the glass (of views in graphics from vehicle, etc)
To create a picture of the model
  • save a picture of the DXF rendered as a jpg or png
  • Rename the name to your model name and the suffix M3Dd
  • Also size needs to be max 300 pixels for width (so resize to smaller size once captured)
  • NOTE: M3Dd is not required, but helps when browsing models
Then from Windows -> Run
  • c:\msoft3D\McHenry3DGraphics/McHenry3DGraphics.exe Action=dxf
That will open a dialog
  • You may get a warning message:
    previous app.jpg
    previous app.jpg (14.84 KiB) Viewed 6569 times
  • That Ok the graphics model creation app is a part of 3D graphics and can run along with 3D graphics so you don't need to exit any other instance.
    • browse to the directory where the items above are located and it creates the M3D files required (M3D, M3ZDa, M3Db, M3Dc, etc)
    • NOTE: It has an option to create 2 faced surfaces which may be required on some models from 3DCADBrowser
    Then close the program
Copy the M3D files to c:\msoft3D\Models3D
or use the dialog to point the Model dialog to the directory you have the models
MSI
Site Admin
Posts: 2302
Joined: Thu Jun 18, 2009 12:37 pm

Re: HOW TO Make 3D Models for msmac3D graphics

Post by MSI »

Important! couple items we've run into: the orienataion needs to be with X axis to front of vehicle and Y off to the left

and for the tires you only need 1 tire (if all the same, otherwise 1 tire for RF & RR) and make the origin at the center on top and side view and x forward and Y to left
see pics below
veh top.png
veh top.png (31.68 KiB) Viewed 6427 times
tire top.png
tire top.png (24.61 KiB) Viewed 6427 times
tire side.png
tire side.png (37.31 KiB) Viewed 6427 times
MSI
Site Admin
Posts: 2302
Joined: Thu Jun 18, 2009 12:37 pm

Re: HOW TO Make 3D Models for msmac3D graphics

Post by MSI »

Q: How to handle duals and/or dual/tandems (like for a truck/trailer

A: for duals two tires are RR
for tandems four tires and RR
Recall for vehicle with different Front/Rear tires you create
  • 1) Whole model.dxf
    2) Whole model_notires.dxf
    3) Whole model_RFtire.dxf
    4) Whole model_RRtire.dxf
Below is a sample graphics for the dual/tandem configuration for the rear of a trailer
Also note: for a trailer (no front tires) do not include RF tire.
dual tandems.jpg
dual tandems.jpg (91.36 KiB) Viewed 6090 times
MSI
Site Admin
Posts: 2302
Joined: Thu Jun 18, 2009 12:37 pm

Re: HOW TO Make 3D Models for msmac3D graphics

Post by MSI »

We recently started working with Rhino, a great 3D CAD program we use for working with vrml files.
We've also found it can significantly reduce the size of our 3D Models!
See our recently added
MSI
Site Admin
Posts: 2302
Joined: Thu Jun 18, 2009 12:37 pm

Re: HOW TO Make 3D Models for msmac3D graphics

Post by MSI »

One additional item we hadn't mentioned when converting the DXF file to M3D files.
Then from Windows -> Run
  • c:\msoft3D\McHenry3DGraphics/McHenry3DGraphics.exe Action=dxf

That will open a dialog whenre you browse to the folder with the DXF files
  • Note there is also an option to Show both sides of triangles (Rarely Used) in the lower right corner of the dialog
    If you are doing a view from within the vehicle and/or if you find gaps in your model, this may help
    You can also obviously correct the Normals in your CAD program
    however
    this is a quick and easy option to make sure ALL polygons are opaque for wherever you are placing the camera:
show both sides of triangles.png
show both sides of triangles.png (15.88 KiB) Viewed 4995 times
Post Reply