Working with LandXML Models

Import an XML file:

1. Start Autodesk VIZ. If you are working on another file, choose File menu > Reset.

2. From the File menu, choose Import.

   The Select File To Import dialog opens.

3. From the Files Of Type drop-down list, choose LandXML/DEM/DDF (*.DEM,*.XML, *.DDF).

4. Navigate to the \tutorials\land directory, choose olympus subdivision.xml, and click OK.

   The LandXML/DEM Model Import dialog appears.

   

   This dialog contains a great deal of information about the XML file. It also contains several import options. In general, you will not need to change anything before you import, unless you want to change the color of certain imported objects, or you don't want to include specific Alignment (road) or Parcel data.

5. In the LandXML/DEM Model Import dialog, click Import Now.

   The XML file appears in the viewport. The land surface is represented by a 3D editable mesh object; the Parcel/Alignment data is imported as shape objects, positioned above the land mesh.

   

   Now that your land is imported, you can add materials, import geometry such as buildings or trees, or add a daylight system to enhance the visualization of the area. In the next exercise, you will get to do this.

Import a DEM file:

Importing a DEM file works exactly the same as with an XML file, however DEM files do not contain parcel or alignment (road) data. In this exercise, you will import a landscape and add foliage.

1. Choose File menu > Reset.

2. From the File menu, choose Import.

   The Select File to Import dialog appears.

3. In the Select File to Import dialog > Files of Type drop-down list, choose LandXML/DEM (*.DEM,*.XML).

4. In the Select File to Import dialog, navigate to the \tutorials\land directory, choose aspen.dem, and click OK.

   The LandXML/DEM Model Import dialog appears.

   

   Note: DEM files only contain elevation data, therefore you don't have to worry about including Alignments (roads) or Parcels.

5. In the LandXML/DEM Model Import dialog, click Import Now.

   The elevation information appears in the viewport, represented as a 3D editable mesh object.

   

   Next, you will add a material to your surface.

Add a material to the surface:

1. Go to the Customize menu > Preferences. In the Texture Coordinates group, make sure Use Real-World Texture Coordinates is turned off.

2. Press M to open the Material Editor.

3. Select an empty material slot, and in the Physical Qualities rollout, next to Diffuse Map, click None.

   

   The Material/Map Browser appears.

4. In the Material/Map Browser, double-click Bitmap.

   The Select Bitmap Image File dialog appears.

5. In the Select Bitmap Image File dialog, navigate to \tutorials\land, choose aspen.jpg, and click Open.

   The material is now ready for use in your scene.

   

   Tip: Make sure that Show Map in Viewport is turned on for this material.

   Before you apply the material, you need to add a UVW Map modifier to the surface.

6. With the surface selected, choose Modifiers menu > UV Coordinates > UVW Map.

7. Drag the new material from the Material Editor to the surface.

   

   The landscape looks much better, now that it has its “skin”. All it needs now is some foliage.

Add foliage to the landscape:

1. On the Extras toolbar, turn on AutoGrid.

   AutoGrid ensures that your foliage is created on the surface of the mesh.

   Note: If the Extras toolbar is not displayed, turn it on by right-clicking an empty portion of any toolbar, then choose Extras from the menu.

2. On the Create panel, choose AEC Extended from the object type drop-down list, and click Foliage.

   

3. Choose from the list of plants and click to add them in your scene. You will probably need to use the viewport controls to zoom, pan, and rotate the landscape.