If you have any custom 3D blocks in 3DS or DXF format, you can import them into your Design Suite Deluxe catalog so that they are available to be inserted in your drawing. Many sites on the Internet offer free downloading of objects for your convenience. Typically, blocks are objects such as furniture and appliances.
To import a custom object into your catalog:
Select File > Catalogs > Catalog Manager, or right-click an element in the catalog panel and select Catalog Manager.
Select the appropriate element type from the Element drop box (e.g. Interior Furniture).
In the Select a Type window, select the group you want to add the element to.
Select Catalog > Add Element. In the Define Element dialog, select the Import geometry from file radio button.
Click OK.
In the Open dialog, select the appropriate file type from the Files of type drop box (DXF or 3DS).
Locate and select the file to import, then click Open.
In the Block Import Options dialog, specify what you want the components created from by making a selection in the Create Components From drop box. For DXF files you can choose from Colors or Layers. Since 3DS objects are essentially an assembly of materials, the only selection for 3DS objects is Materials.
By default, the imported object’s materials will be stored in a new group in your materials library. If you want to store them in a specific group, click Select, then select the desired group in the Material Group(s) dialog.
You can add and rename groups using the Add Group or Rename Group tools on the dialog’s Material menu or right-click menu. You can also delete any custom groups you have created using the Delete Group tool.
Click OK in the Material Group(s) dialog.
If you know what units were used to create the object, select the units from the Convert File From drop box. Otherwise, select the unit of measure in the Convert File From drop box that will result in a logical Resultant Width, Resultant Depth and Resultant Height. Selecting Custom lets you specify a custom scale in the Custom Scale edit box.
Once logical dimensions are displayed, click OK in the Block Import Options dialog.
In the properties dialog, enter a name for the element in the Name edit box.
Define the element’s properties. The element will already have size properties assigned to it that are taken from the original file, but you can change these. You may need to edit the orientation of the element so that it inserts correctly in the drawing.
If you want to select a different file to apply to your new element, click the Select button in the Imported Element area of the properties dialog.
Click OK. The new element is added to the catalog.