By Gary Mann
By far the quickest method of starting a project is to use the effortless gbXML import which does not require user resourced DXF files. Previously issues of correctly aligning the DXF files with the gbXML output was problematic for some users. If the gbXML came from an external source, the recipient would not always be aware of the precise x, y and z coordinates.
How it works
The program interrogates the gbXML file and extracts three fundamental properties. It finds the smallest and the largest of all x and y coordinates. It then increases the largest and decreases the smallest of these points by 1000mm to provide a 1 m clearance around all faces and then generates a DXF file that contains a rectangle drawn to these exact points. This rectangle is given the name of “Project Name_FFL.DXF”.
This file is then placed at each Finished Floor Level (FFL) extracted from the gbXML file “z” coordinates, see below.
Although the building components appear clearly on-screen, it is not a DXF of the building layout. It is the Faces and Elements that have been defined within the 3D Modeller and placed within the “Project Name_FFL.DXF” rectangle, outlined in red.
One Limitation
One issue with this DXF substitution technique is when opening “Projects”. Conventional projects can be distinguished by a snapshot of their plan view, but a snapshot of an imported gbXML will only be displayed as a Rectangle, see below.
To fix this is as easy as incorporating a revised Drawing file.
In the Building program go to File>DXF Management. Highlight the first (Lowest) DXF in the list and select the Edit option. Use the Browse Button to select the required file and then select OK when done.
You could continue to swap out all the DXF files, but most users are content with the FFL created DXFs.
I hope that you found this useful.
Email me if you have a particular interest or requirement.
Thank you. At your service – gary.mann@cadline.co.uk