VideoCAD

Import of 3D models

Hide Navigation Pane

Import of 3D models

Previous topic Next topic No directory for this topic Expand/collapse all hidden text  

Import of 3D models

Previous topic Next topic Topic directory requires JavaScript JavaScript is required for expanding text JavaScript is required for the print function Mail us feedback on this topic!  

 

VideoCAD has an opportunity of 3D modeling video surveillance scenes using constructions and 3D models distributed with the program.

The distribution kit of VideoCAD includes several most relevant 3D models for CCTV design. Though the standard package tends to be enough for accomplishing most of tasks, there may appear a need for library supplement.

 

Beautiful 3D models are usually complex. Complex 3D models, especially those placed multiple times, will slow down the program. For convenient work and beautiful pictures, you can place complex models on a separate layer and enable this layer only when generating output images.

 

There are 3 ways to add a new 3D model to the VideoCAD library:

 

Import of 3D models from files: *.3ds, *.ase (3D Studio max),*.dae, *.xml (Collada), *.obj and other;
Loading 3D models from files of VideoCAD (*.vcm or *.vbm);
Creation of 3D model in VideoCAD itself from selected constructions and 3D models.

 

       1. Import of 3D models from files: *.3ds, *.ase (3D Studio max),*.dae, *.xml (Collada), *.obj

 

This is the best way to import 3D models. Over 20 file formats are supported.

Many 3D models are freely available on the Internet, for example https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/.  The library allows you to freely download from it 3D models in Collada (*.dae) format.

You can save in Collada format 3D models and scenes in SketchUP.

You can use high-quality and uncomplicated 3D models in *.3ds format from designer's libraries for 3DS max or 3D models from game libraries.

 

You can import parts from 3D model files, not only 3D models as a whole.

 

To import a 3D model select Main menu>3D models>Import 3D model (*.dxf,dae,3ds,obj,stl...) and choose a file of the 3D model.

 

After reading the file, the 3D Models window will appear and the Import 3D Models panel to the left of the window.

 

 

In the 3D Models window the Free projection will be enabled. Expand the window by the mouse and view the model. You can move, rotate and zoom the model with the mouse.

 

       Default mouse functions

 

On the left mouse button the Orbit  is assigned - moving  the mouse cursor with the left button pressed rotates the 3D model in the space (or rotates the virtual viewer around the 3D model);

 

Function of the left button can be changed.

 

On the middle mouse button the Move is assigned - moving 3D model in the field of view plane;

 

On the rotation of the mouse wheel the Zoom tool is assigned - wheel rotation zooms in or out the point in the 3D space, where the mouse cursor is.

 

Pressed Ctrl reduces step of zooming;

Step and direction of zooming by turning the mouse wheel can be changed widely using Navigation>Scale factor in the Options box .

 

On the right mouse button the Look around Look around  is assigned  - rotates the sight direction standing the virtual viewer stationary.

 

See more: Navigation.

 

 

If there are defects in the 3D model, try to change the Import options: Textures, Transparency, Double-sided surfaces, Try to repair, Invert normals. To apply changed import options, repeat the import by clicking on the Update button on the Import 3D model panel.

 

On the Import 3D Model panel, pay attention to the dimensions of the imported model in the Sizes in VideoCAD boxes.

 

Sizes are displayed in meters or feet, depending on the units of measurement of the current project.

 

If the sizes do not meet the expected ones, then try to choose the Units used in the 3D model. If you can’t get real dimensions in this way, then select the Scale. You can enter the required dimensions directly in the Sizes in VideoCAD boxes.

 

If necessary, changing the parameters in the Import 3D Model panel, you can transform the imported model, cut out a part from it, add a license plate and change the import options. To apply changes, repeat the import by clicking on the Update button.

 

After obtaining the 3D model in the desired form, click OK on the Import 3D Model panel.

 

In the future, you can repeatedly change the model parameters using the tools on the tabs View, Colors, Transform, Plate of the 3D Models window. You can create modified copies of the 3D model.

 

 

       2. Loading 3D models from files of VideoCAD (*.vcm or *.vbm)

 

The binary * .vbm format is the main format for VideoCAD 3D models starting from version 9.1. The *.vcm text format is obsolete and is supported for compatibility with previous versions. *.vbm and *.vcm files can be obtained by saving in the 3D Models window. Files in *.vcm format can be obtained by exporting from SketchUP using the free plugin. You can download the package for importing 3D models and scenes from SketchUp here: VideoCAD Plugin for SketchUP 2.0

 

To load a model from a *.vbm or *.vcm file, select Main menu> 3D models>Add 3D model (* .vcm, vbm). Open the *.vcm or *.vbm file. After opening, the 3D Models window opens, into which the open 3D model is loaded.

 

In the 3D Models window the Free projection will be enabled. Expand the window by the mouse and view the model. You can move, rotate and zoom the model with the mouse.

 

       Default mouse functions

 

On the left mouse button the Orbit  is assigned - moving  the mouse cursor with the left button pressed rotates the 3D model in the space (or rotates the virtual viewer around the 3D model);

 

Function of the left button can be changed.

 

On the middle mouse button the Move is assigned - moving 3D model in the field of view plane;

 

On the rotation of the mouse wheel the Zoom tool is assigned - wheel rotation zooms in or out the point in the 3D space, where the mouse cursor is.

 

Pressed Ctrl reduces step of zooming;

Step and direction of zooming by turning the mouse wheel can be changed widely using Navigation>Scale factor in the Options box .

 

On the right mouse button the Look around Look around  is assigned  - rotates the sight direction standing the virtual viewer stationary.

 

See more: Navigation.

 

 

If there are defects in the 3D model, try to change Double-sided surfaces on the View tab..

 

Pay attention to the dimensions of the imported model in the Default sizes boxes on the Transform tab.

 

Sizes are displayed in meters or feet, depending on the units of measurement of the current project.

 

If the sizes do not meet the expected ones, type expected sizes directly in the Default sizes boxes.

 

You can repeatedly change the model parameters using the tools on the tabs View, Colors, Transform, Plate of the 3D Models window. You can create modified copies of the 3D model.

 

 

       3. Creation of 3D model in VideoCAD itself from selected constructions and 3D models

 

To create a 3D model directly in VideoCAD, from selected constructions and 3D models, select needed constructions and 3D models and choose Main menu>3D models>3D model from selection.

 

After creation of the model, the 3D Models window will appear and the Import 3D Models panel to the left of the window.

 

 

 

In the 3D Models window the Free projection will be enabled. Expand the window by the mouse and view the model. You can move, rotate and zoom the model with the mouse.

 

       Default mouse functions

 

On the left mouse button the Orbit  is assigned - moving  the mouse cursor with the left button pressed rotates the 3D model in the space (or rotates the virtual viewer around the 3D model);

 

Function of the left button can be changed.

 

On the middle mouse button the Move is assigned - moving 3D model in the field of view plane;

 

On the rotation of the mouse wheel the Zoom tool is assigned - wheel rotation zooms in or out the point in the 3D space, where the mouse cursor is.

 

Pressed Ctrl reduces step of zooming;

Step and direction of zooming by turning the mouse wheel can be changed widely using Navigation>Scale factor in the Options box .

 

On the right mouse button the Look around Look around  is assigned  - rotates the sight direction standing the virtual viewer stationary.

 

See more: Navigation.

 

 

If necessary, changing the parameters in the Import 3D Model panel, you can transform the imported model, cut out a part from it, add a license plate and change the import options. To apply changes, repeat the import by clicking on the Update button.

 

After obtaining the 3D model in the desired form, click OK on the Import 3D Model panel.

 

In the future, you can repeatedly change the model parameters using the tools on the tabs View, Colors, Transform, Plate of the 3D Models window. You can create modified copies of the 3D model.

 

 

 

       Creation of projections of 3D models

 

In order for the imported 3D model to be displayed in the Graphics area and in the menu, it is necessary to create its projections . Without projections created, gray rectangles will be displayed in the menu and in the Graphics area instead of the 3D model.

 

The Horizontal projection is created automatically during import.

 

Projections can be re-created many times with required resolution for new or already placed 3D models; you can load any pictures instead of projections.

 

 

Projection creation or update procedure:

 

1. Using the switch in the Projection panel, the Model tab in the 3D Models window, select which projection is created. First of all, you need to create the Horizontal projection.

2. Next, please visually select the projection resolution by resizing the 3D Models window, dragging its edge by the mouse.

 

For 3D models of objects in order to improve performance, you should choose the minimum sufficient resolution.

For 3D models-territories, high resolution is required, for its increase special tools are offered on the View tab.

 

 

3. After selecting the resolution, click on the Save projection button. The horizontal projection is ready.

 

4. Using the switch in the Projection panel, the Model tab in the 3D Models window, select Free projection and stretch the window by the mouse.

 

Free projection is displayed on the right in the menu. The vertical projection is used in the vertical projection of the Graphics area and in the menu if the free projection is not created.

 

If free projection is selected, then you can freely rotate and scale the model by the mouse.

 

       Default mouse functions

 

On the left mouse button the Orbit  is assigned - moving  the mouse cursor with the left button pressed rotates the 3D model in the space (or rotates the virtual viewer around the 3D model);

 

Function of the left button can be changed.

 

On the middle mouse button the Move is assigned - moving 3D model in the field of view plane;

 

On the rotation of the mouse wheel the Zoom tool is assigned - wheel rotation zooms in or out the point in the 3D space, where the mouse cursor is.

 

Pressed Ctrl reduces step of zooming;

Step and direction of zooming by turning the mouse wheel can be changed widely using Navigation>Scale factor in the Options box .

 

On the right mouse button the Look around Look around  is assigned  - rotates the sight direction standing the virtual viewer stationary.

 

See more: Navigation.

 

 

Choose the most informative view of the model. Select scale and window form near to square so that the model occupies the entire window. Resolution (window size) for free projection is not important.

 

Press Ctrl for precise scaling.

 

 

5. After selecting the resolution, click on the Save projection button. As a result, in all menus and in the Graphic area, the 3D model will be displayed with updated projections.

 

 

 

Import of a new model is complete.

 

Now you can place the model in one of existing folders in the menu or create a new folder for it using the tools on the Directories panel.

 

You can copy, transform, colorize the already imported model using the tools in the 3D Models window.

 

To supplement the 3D model, combine several 3D models, apply tools from the Import 3D Model panel to the model (for example, cutting out parts):

 

place the model on the layout with the necessary additions;
select the model and all you need to supplement it with;
Create a new 3D model from selection.

 

See also: Export selection to 3D COLLADA file, 3D model, 3D Models window, Import 3D Model panel, Drawing>Import DXF/DWG background, Work with 3D models-territories, Work with layers and multi-levels projects, Export 3D view areas to general 3D design software, VideoCAD Plugin for SketchUP 2.0