Topic: Topographic 3D

[Colombian]

Can I get some Ideas on how to create a topographic profile into a 3D drawing. I'm using autoCAD 2006.

Thanks,

Diego

[Swift]

You'll have to give us a little more information to work with. Do you want to draw a profile then make a surface? or do you have a surface and want a profile?

[Colombian]

I have a topographic drawing with contours(polylines), I want to make it a solid surface so I can lay a house on top.

Thanks,

Diego

[Swift]

assuming the contours are drawn at elevation what you need is a triangulation routine. This will yield, depending on the routine, a surface comprised of 3dfaces. There is not one included in plain autocad and I'm not aware of any freely available. I have some routines I'm working on but I can't post them yet. If this is a one time thing post the drawing and I'll do it for you.

[dan19936]

caveat on my options, I never do 3d in autocad

in the past I used Quicksurf to triangulate a complex coastal survey in 3d and import into sketchup
http://www.schreiber.com/quicksurf/
the demo used to work for 30 days

otherwise try the trial of sketchup and you can import your dwg, trace the contours, use the 'sandbox' to model the terrain, then export back to acad. you get 8 hours of working time in the trial, should be enough

[Colombian]

I'll post the drawing and any help I can get will be greatly appreciated.  I've been trying to use the loft command but I think I'm doing something wrong because nothing happens.
The contours are drawn at the correct elevation.

Thanks,

Diego

[Jochen]

Hi Colombian,
I used (my) triangulation lisp to create the 3Dfaces and than the free F2S.lsp
But as you see the amount of the model is quite big.
So, if this way is acceptabel for you contact me via www.black-cad.de and I'll send you the comlete model.
Regards
Jochen

[Swift]

I can't open Colombian's dwg, is that a 2007 format? I only have 2006.

Jochen, you apparently have a nice program, but may ask why you are using a solid that explodes to regions? In my experience you always need 3dfaces for modeling.

[Jochen]

Hi Swift,
FYI: First I converted the polylines into 3D-Polylines. The triangulation produces a bunch of 3Dfaces and these can be converted by F2S. into 3DSOLDS.
Meanwhile I finished the modelling: 13MB. The model was sent to colombian.
Regards
Jochen

[Scott]

Here's a TIN produced from your contours.  Not sure if it will help.

Scott