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15. Exporting 3D Data and Importing in Rhino and 3DS Max
1. With your 3D data visualized in the ArcScene data frame, click File > Export Scene > 3D.
In the Export dialogue box choose a destination and file name for your 3D file. Your file will be exported as a .VRML file, the only file type possible to export.
Note* With larger files containing many polygons, it's best to split your exports into smaller groups. For example, trying to export a 3D file of all the buildings in Manhattan will likely crash your computer and/or ArcScene. The same applies if you've visualized a very large expanse of terrain.
In the Export dialogue box choose a destination and file name for your 3D file. Your file will be exported as a .VRML file, the only file type possible to export.
Note* With larger files containing many polygons, it's best to split your exports into smaller groups. For example, trying to export a 3D file of all the buildings in Manhattan will likely crash your computer and/or ArcScene. The same applies if you've visualized a very large expanse of terrain.
Importing in Rhinoceros
2. Launch Rhino and when indicated select to start a new file as Large Objects - using the units of the map you exported, such as feet, meters, etc
Once Rhino opens, click File > Import and select your file. You may need to toggle the VRML file type pull down menu in order to see your file.
Once Rhino opens, click File > Import and select your file. You may need to toggle the VRML file type pull down menu in order to see your file.
If you imported a VRML composed of 3D buildings, they will appear rotated about the X-axis in a vertical orientation.
To get them horizontal, in the Rhino command line type Rotate3D. The prompt that follows asks you to select the objects so select all the buildings and press enter. It then asks you to specify a start of rotation axis. In the top view click to the left of the selected buildings. Then hold the shift key and click to the right of the selected buildings in the top view to specify the end of the rotation axis.
To get them horizontal, in the Rhino command line type Rotate3D. The prompt that follows asks you to select the objects so select all the buildings and press enter. It then asks you to specify a start of rotation axis. In the top view click to the left of the selected buildings. Then hold the shift key and click to the right of the selected buildings in the top view to specify the end of the rotation axis.
The prompt then asks you to select a first reference point. Hold shift and in the top view click below the selected buildings. The prompt then ask you to select the second reference point. Continue to hold the shift key and move the pointer to the right and click in the perspective view below the selected buildings.
Your buildings should now be horizontal.
If you zoom in and look closely at the 3D buildings, you will notice that the mesh is outlined around particular faces and that when you orbit around the buildings the outlined faces change. This is because ArcScene exports the VRML as one-sided and so it renders the meshes one-sided and although some mesh faces appear to be missing, the geometry is there but not rendered. If you intend to render in Rhino, this may be a problem. Importing 3D buildings in 3DS Max solves this problem. OR, you can export the buildings mesh as an OBJ or 3DS and re-import it into your Rhino scene. This should also solve the problem.
Still, you can continue to utilize this geometry in Rhino, and if you want you can convert the mesh to NURBS geometry using the MeshToNurbs command.
Your buildings should now be horizontal.
If you zoom in and look closely at the 3D buildings, you will notice that the mesh is outlined around particular faces and that when you orbit around the buildings the outlined faces change. This is because ArcScene exports the VRML as one-sided and so it renders the meshes one-sided and although some mesh faces appear to be missing, the geometry is there but not rendered. If you intend to render in Rhino, this may be a problem. Importing 3D buildings in 3DS Max solves this problem. OR, you can export the buildings mesh as an OBJ or 3DS and re-import it into your Rhino scene. This should also solve the problem.
Still, you can continue to utilize this geometry in Rhino, and if you want you can convert the mesh to NURBS geometry using the MeshToNurbs command.
3D TERRAIN SURFACES
If you imported a VRML that was an exported terrain surface, such as in the image above, you will get something like this, where the mesh is very distorted and obviously not what you want. In Rhino, terrain surface meshes do not import correctly. So instead, you have to import 3D terrain surfaces using 3DS Max. However, only the 32-bit version of 3DS Max can read VRML files and since our school computers only include the 64-bit version the next part of the tutorial will NOT work on our school computers. You will need to find a computer that has the 32-bit version of 3DS Max in order to import VRML terrain files.
If you imported a VRML that was an exported terrain surface, such as in the image above, you will get something like this, where the mesh is very distorted and obviously not what you want. In Rhino, terrain surface meshes do not import correctly. So instead, you have to import 3D terrain surfaces using 3DS Max. However, only the 32-bit version of 3DS Max can read VRML files and since our school computers only include the 64-bit version the next part of the tutorial will NOT work on our school computers. You will need to find a computer that has the 32-bit version of 3DS Max in order to import VRML terrain files.
Importing in 3DStudioMax
(Only for the 32-bit version of Max. This next part will NOT work on GSAPP computers)
3D BUILDING
Launch 3DS Max. Click File > Import. A dialogue box should open for you to select your file. You can again toggle the pulldown for filetype and select VRML from the list. After you select your file, a new box will open up with a couple different options.
Launch 3DS Max. Click File > Import. A dialogue box should open for you to select your file. You can again toggle the pulldown for filetype and select VRML from the list. After you select your file, a new box will open up with a couple different options.
Uncheck the box "Turn to 3DS coordinates" if you want to retain the size and dimensions of your original VRML file. If you do this, MAX will import the file rotated about the X-axis like it does in Rhino and you will have to rotate it back to horizontal again.
You can solve this problem by leaving the box "Turn to 3DS Coordinates" checked when you import the file. But then your VRML file will use the units of the scene you already setup.
You can solve this problem by leaving the box "Turn to 3DS Coordinates" checked when you import the file. But then your VRML file will use the units of the scene you already setup.
