This is what I've been working on lately. It's a set for a scene I've had in mind for a while. I wanted to try a large crowd scene - a confrontation on a palace steps.

The set was modeled in AutoCAD, mainly because I've used AutoCAD for 15 years at work and I don't have to pay for it.

I created this as a solid model rather then a surfaced model. It faster for me to create models this way, solid modeling, you extrude shapes, add and substract primitives, similar to Bryce.

To go from AutoCAD to Poser, the model needed to have 3d faces (a solid model doesn't), so I exported the model as a 3ds file. The 3ds file looked lousy in Poser. So I exported the 3ds file as a dxf file, which looked much better in Poser. I did have a small problem, a few of the faces on one of columns were reversed. I tried to fix the problem, but with every export the problem got bigger. The Image shows the final export, a large section of the model is now reversed. I'm looking for someone with experience in AutoCAD that could answer some questions. Is there a way to keep the normal from becoming reversed? Can I reverse the problem normals in uvmapper? Would this model work better in Bryce?

This image shows a close up of the stairs and doors, to give an idea of the scale of the model.

Great model. Try exporting it as DXF its more native to Autocad. UVMapper Pro can fix the problem I beleive, but it needs an OBJ file. Ill be glad to help you with it you need help.

That is very nice! How big is the file out of curiosity?

I'm in a goofy mood. Caption for the last pic: "Honeeey! I'm home! Honey?!?" Very cool model. I hope you plan on using lo-poly figs for your crowd scene.

In scale feet - 60 feet wide x 40 feet high x 40 feet deep just kidding about 400k, lots of flat surfaces with low ploy count I can't go direct to DXF because solids don't have 3d faces. I need go to 3DS then to DXF, otherwise DXF will export it as a 3d solid, and Poser won't read a 3d solid.

Justa reminder about nonorganic models, If the interecting planes only share single edge, Poser will round them, unless you make provisions to stop it.

If you look close you'll see all the edges are bevel, but it still looked really bad. The dxf format looked much better. It might be the size of it, and the low ploy count. To to get the model to that point took two exports which might whats causing my problem.

Attached Link: http://www.sams3d.com

We use AutoCAD for all our models, if you have lots of questions we can help you out alot. Let us know, go to our site and see what we do. Just email us and we can help you. Sharen SC@sams3d.com PS: we also draw only in solids

Thanks for the offer Sharen, I'll check out your site.