Component is displayedIf you have any custom 3D objects in 3DS or DXF format, you can import them into your Design Suite Deluxe drawing. Many sites on the Internet offer free downloading of objects for your convenience. Typically, these are objects such as furniture and appliances.
You can import a custom object directly into your drawing using the Object Import Wizard. Once inserted, you can edit its properties just as you would edit any element in your drawing.
To import a custom object into your drawing:
Select File > Import > Object Wizard.
On the first screen of the Object Import Wizard, click Next.
In the first edit box, type a name for the element.
From the element drop box, select the type of element you are importing.
If you selected Exterior Furniture or Exterior Accessories, you have the option of inserting the element on the floor of the current building location, or the terrain. Select either Insert on location, or Insert on terrain.
Click the first Select button.
In the Open dialog, locate and select the file that you want to import, then click Open. You can import DXF and 3DS files.
Specify how you want the components created by making a selection from the next 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 the lower Select button, then select the desired group. 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.
Click Next.
If you know what units were used to create the object, select the units from the units drop box. Otherwise, select the unit of measure 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. The scale is the multiplication factor of the units used for objects in the block. For example, if you're converting a file that you assume was created in feet and inches, the scale is 25.4.
Click Next.
The next screen lists the object’s individual components. To rename a component, double-click it, then type the new name and press Enter. To display or hide a component from view in 2D and/or 3D view, select it in the list, then click the appropriate eye icon. Enabling the Show only selected component check box displays only the currently selected component in the object preview. This helps you distinguish between the object's individual components.
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Click Next.
Click Finish.
Click to insert the new element in your drawing.
Right-click and select Finish.
Tip: You can save the imported element in your catalog using the Save Element to Catalog tool.