autocad to rhino workflow
DESCRIPTION
This guide is for those going from AutoCAD to Rhinoceros 5. It walks through how to take a detail drafted in AutoCAD and turn it into a 3D model in Rhino. You do not need Rhino 5 to do any of these steps. This guide should applicable for people with older versions of Rhino.Level: IntermediateTRANSCRIPT
AutoCAD to Rhino WorkflowA Step by Step Guide to Modeling in Rhino 5
A Step by Step Guide to Modeling in Rhino 5
Open up the DWG file that contains the detail in AutoCAD
Save a copy of the DWG to edit and delete or hide all elements that are not needed to model
Open up both the AutoCAD Drawing Setup and Rhino Options and match settings
Preparing to Import DWG into Rhino
Figure 1- Detail sheet in AutoCAD
Figure 2- Bench Detail with only necessary features for the model
Figure 3- Unit Setup for AutoCAD Figure 4- Document Properties for Rhino 5
By default, the imported DWG in Rhino lays flat along the Z axis and will need to be rotated
Select all linework and Rotate the elements 90 degrees so the detail is displayed correctly in the Front viewport
Adjusting Imported DWG in Rhino
Figure 5- Imported linework into Rhino
Figure 6- Correctly rotated file in Rhino
These five curves are were closed in AutoCAD so there is no need to close the line in Rhino
These curves are in a block and the block needs to be exploded in Rhino to be modeled. Type explode in the command bar to edit
These curves are free; they are not joined, closed, or placed in a block
Joining and Closing CurvesThree scenarios of curve types can occur when importing AutoCAD drawings:
Figure 7- Curves
Figure 8- Closed Curves
Figure 9- Curves in a Block
Joining and Closing Curves
A prompt will appear if lines are not connected asking if the program can connect the lines
Type CloseCrv after the elements boundary curves are joined
Type Join in the command line and select out boundaries of elements together
Figure 10- Top boundary of bench outline
Figure 11- Rhinoceros 5 Join Prompt
Figure 12- A closed curve in rhino
Extruding Curves to Create Surfaces
Extrude a curve by selecting a closed curve and going to Surface > Extrude Curve > Straight
In the command bar, click Both Sides so it reads Yes and the extrusion is mirrored
If the extrusion is locked to move along wrong axis, click Direction in the command bar to reassign it a new direction
Figure 13- Extruding a curve with the Extrude Curve command
Figure 14- Extruding along the wrong axis scenario
Figure 15- Extruding along both sides Figure 16- New Rhino Surface
Cap Surface
Type Cap in the command bar and select to the surface to cap both ends
Figure 17- New Rhino Surface Figure 18- A capped surface
Figure 19- Identifying other elements in model
Repeat previous steps for the other elements of the model
Organizing the Layers
Create layers to put the new surfaces in and choose a file naming structure that is easily identifies 3D elements in your model
Identify an element in your model and highlight the layer to move it to by right clicking on the layer and choosing Change Object Layer
Figure 20- Layer Window with applied filter (see red icon)
Figure 21- Right click on layer to bring up this dialogue