import cad
The import cad module will read the following versions of CAD files:
- AutoCAD DWG and DXF files through AutoCAD 2021 (version 24.0)
- Bentley Microstation DGN files through Version 8.
This module provides the user with the capability to integrate site plans, buildings, and other 2D or 3D features into the EVS visualization, to provide a frame of reference for understanding the three dimensional relationships between the site features, and characteristics of geologic, hydrologic, and chemical features. The drawing entities are treated as three dimensional objects, which provides the user with a lot of flexibility in the placement of CAD objects in relation to EVS objects in the visualization. The project onto surface and geologic_surfmap modules allow the user to drape CAD line-type entities (not 3D-Faces) onto three dimensional surfaces.
Virtually all AutoCAD object types are supported including points, lines (of all types), 3D surface objects and 3D volumetric objects.
AutoCAD drawings can be drawn in model space (MSPACE) or paper space (PSPACE). Drawings in paper space have a defined viewport which has coordinates near the origin. When read into EVS this creates objects which are far from your true model coordinates. For this reason, all drawings for use in our software should be in model space.
Ports
| Direction | Name | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Output | Output | Field | A field containing the CAD data. |
| Output | Output Object | Renderable | A renderable object displaying the CAD data. |
Properties
| Property | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Filename | String | The name of the CAD dwg, dxf, or dgn file to be rendered. |
| Z Scale | Double | The vertical exaggeration to be applied to the output object. |
| Use Application Origin | Boolean | When true, the module will apply the Application Origin. When false, data will be left in internal model space. Turn off when loading data intended to use as a glyph or similar. |
| Execute | Button | Forces the module to run. |
Data Processing
| Property | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Render Mode | Choice: Model Default, Wire-frame, Flat-Shaded | Controls how the CAD data is rendered. |
| Unit Handling | Choice: Units From File, Force Default Units | Determines whether to use units from the CAD file or force the use of the default coordinate units. |
| Default Coordinate Units | String | The units to use when the units cannot be determined from the CAD file. |
| Remove Coincident Nodes | Boolean | When enabled, the reader removes coincident nodes during processing. This takes longer but creates a smaller, more efficient representation of the CAD data. |
| Include Hidden Layers | Boolean | When enabled, CAD layers marked as hidden are drawn. |
| Remove Points And Degenerate Cells | Boolean | Removes all points and degenerate cells from the output. |
| Show As Wireframe | Boolean | Outlines surfaces. Equivalent to setting Line Rendering to “regular”. |
| Color For White | Color | Sets the color used for any feature colored white. |
| Deviation For Curves | Double | The accuracy with which analytical curves (arcs, circles) are displayed. The default value of 0.0 employs an expert system algorithm to determine a reasonable value based on the overall size of the CAD model. |
| Normal For 3D Solids | Double | The tolerance for parallel faces. |
| Separate Layers | Boolean | When enabled, each layer in the CAD file is output as a separate cell set in EVS. |
| Layer Details | Multi-select | Selects which sets of data to render. |
| Remove Empty 0 Layer | Boolean | Whether to remove a layer named “0” that draws nothing. Primarily intended for removing AutoCAD’s default layer when it contains no visible objects. |