Hi everybody! Being almost a beginner in the Vue world, I'm kindly going to ask you a question. I was wondering how to create a flat area on a terrain which would have the same dimension of the bottom of my imported 3D model (without possibly fiddle too much with the brush tool in the terrain editor...). Could you also advice me on some good tutorials about anything concerning importing architectural 3D models in Vue Pro(hints, tricks, tips, and so on), thanks for your precious help Ciao from Italy

After you create your terrain, you should go to the explorer window on the right and go to size and edit your terrain there. Does that help? Sharen

The easiest way to get a flat area in a terrain maybe is to use booleans. Define a block (or whatever) and do the difference to the terrain. You should get a flat region there. Regarding importing architectural models. Well, i think it mostly is a question of testing. And maybe switching off the automatic centering and resizing for Vue in the preferences. I have good experiences with obj-files, but 3ds can work as well. The problem is, that these file-types are not totally strictly unified, therefore the output from different programs can be different when you mport them into Vue. Example. 3ds from Cinema always brings me an information window that the format is an old one and that the materials are not portated correctly. From Amorphium (f.e.) it is fine. Therefore test it with your program (AutoCad i think). hope that helps a little, Walther

You can switch off the automatic centering and resizing in Vue d'Esprit? Didn't know that. Thanks, Walther

Is this switching off centering and resizing just a Pro thing? Can't find it in 4.

I've used AutoCAD imports into Vue 4 extensively in my work. Try the following

1 - duplicate the imported model
2 - enlarge the duplicate slightly
3 - use the enlargeed duplicate to create a boolean difference in the terrain
4 - place the imported AutoCAD model within the slightly enlarged depression
This doesn't work every time and is a real pain with large models as it slows down the PC. If possible, create another object in AutoCAD containing just the parts of the model that will be in contact with the terrain. Use that for the boolean operation. This can reduce the polygon count significantly.

My preferred method is to surround the building with lots of carefully placed smaller terrains and make extensive use of the brush tool in the terrain editor. This "hand crafted" approach gives the best look to the finished image and, with practice, is just as quick as messing about with booleans.

Hope this helps.

Hi, thats the preferences dialog of Vue 4.2 - sorry that it is in German. Marked is the little thing that says (translated) "resize and center imported objects". Maybe you are looking for that? Another option could be to build a block around the objects in the modeling program that defines the maximum "playground". The same size for all objects you want to import. Then Vue will size (and center) always relative to that block and leaves the rest untouched. Deleteing the blocks and there you go as well. @BigGreenFurryThing. In principle it is a good idea to use the same objects (only scaled a little bigger) for the boolean difference with the underground. But i think these objects are much too complex normally and will take away too much power from the system. I would create basic and simple representations especially for this boolean operations. Makes life probably much easier. And keeps file sizes small.

I've lost count of the times I've been in the Options dialog but I've never noticed that option before. Funny the things you miss. Thanks, Wabe!

I agree that object duplication is power hungry but sometimes it works so I offered it as an option. Its efficiency depends on the complexity of the scene generally and the object specifically. My business partner is the AutoCAD wiz and he reckons that it's a doddle to create a "far, far simpler model" (his words) containing only those elements needed for the boolean.

Ultimately lucacolan's query highlights my major frustration with 3D applications: I can't find just one to do everything. Unlike 2D work where PhotoShop, or even PaintShop Pro, will do 99% of what I want, I find I need 2, 3 or more apps to complete a 3D project. Plus there's the extra work in finding the right export / import settings between apps.

OK whinge over.

Well, "the right application" depends a lot of your needs. For my work as a graphic designer Photoshop only does 10% of the business. The rest is vector work. But in 3D there is an easy solution :D. Buy a top level software like Maya and you will have everything. Only a question of money! As in real life.

LOL. Too right about the money! Guess I'll just have to "make do" with Poser, Vue, Carrara and Amapi. ;-)

Thanks wabe, as I use also the german version this was quite helpful. ;-) This was really a great tip, because it solves some of my scaling issues. Thanks - Walter