Import DWG / DXF files as reference geometry in the 3D scene

Sometimes you need to import DWG/DXF files to your 3D scene in IRONCAD to use as a reference. For example, if you want to create a virtual representation of a factory or plant in 3D and want to use a 2D base as a guide for placing machines and other equipment. The previous approach has been to import their DWG/DXF into a 2D sketch plan, but with that method it can be sluggish, especially if the file contains a lot of data.

To facilitate this, there is a function called Import Reference 2D that allows you to quickly and easily import 2D data to be used only as a reference. These items will appear in the history tree, where all layers are also available for selection, allowing you to easily show or hide certain elements when needed.

Thanks to this, you can now import large files that could previously take a very long time - in a few minutes or less.

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How to use the Import Reference 2D tool

Start by clicking on the Import Reference 2D button from the Tools tab.

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Locate and open the file to be imported.

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First, an overview of the 2D drawing being imported is displayed and you have the option to change the unit of measurement, delete layers, zoom, etc. When you are finished, click OK.

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Then select from which "workspace", Model Space or Paper Space, the lines will be imported. The most common is usually Model, but sometimes you notice it "just blinks" and no lines came in - then you have to redo the whole procedure and choose Paper Space instead.

Apply with OK.

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Then press OK to confirm that the import has been completed. If there are problems with the file, the message will indicate this.

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Now we have received our relatively large DWG/DXF file for the 3D scene. In our example below, the import took less than 10 seconds.

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In the tree(Scene Browser) we can choose to hide or show certain layers by right-clicking on a layer.

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A convenient feature is that you can drag and drop geometry from a directory and snap to all the imported reference lines.

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It is also possible to project lines from the reference file onto a sketch plane. On existing models, go down to the IntelliShape level below the Partner and right-click. There, select Edit Cross Section. You can also lay out blank sketches and project over selected lines to it.

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Use the Project tool in the sketch to project the lines you need.

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