Rhino for Landscape Architects: CAD to 3D Workflow on Hyperspeed (2 hours in 23 minutes)
The basic goal for me when creating a site model for visualization or as a base to begin further design is to take closed polylines and split surfaces in Rhino. On this site, which is essentially flat, I don't need to work with complex topography or terrain so it's really easy to prepare the base model.
A general breakdown:
CAD:
1. Exploded the block instance I received in CAD (files are not always prepared as blocks but this one was), turned off the elements I don't need like hatches, text, grades, using the freeze tool. Then copied from basepoint 0,0,0 to a new file so only the elements I need are in the file.
2. Purged the file for duplicate items using the same routine I always use: PU (purge), -PU / R (regapps) / enter / enter / N; AU (audit) - Y to fix all objects; Overkill. Repeat several times to make sure I got all the bad juju
3. Save as 2004 file for import to Rhino
Rhino:
1. Import and place all CAD layers within a top-level layer like "DATE_LINEWORK" or similar to keep it organized.
2. Purge the file and run a seldup (select duplicate objects) and selbadobjects to catch any remaining bad juju
3. Select all lines and run a Join command to create polylines
4. Create a new layer for modelling and a sub-layer called Ground. Use the planar surface tool to draw a ground plan under the linework.
5. Use SetPT to make sure the linework is flat to the plane. For objects and instances that are not planar, explode and setPT again, or eliminate if they aren't relevant.
6. If any block instances came in funny (some of the trees were annotative objects in CAD so appear as a stack of multiple objects) select those block instances by layer, group, and hide until you need them again.
7. I selected the rest of the block instances, mostly trees and benches, and grouped/hid them
8. Use the remaining linework to begin splitting the ground plane surface. I started with the curb outline and worked my way in. Wherever necessary, extend lines that don't join to make sure you have a closed network of lines to do your splits.
9. I used CurveBoolean around some of the Armorstone blocks that would have been difficult to create outlines from otherwise.
10. Layers are associated with materials for future visualization and material application in Lumion
11. Scale figures are added - trees & people
12. I set the sun and environment, along with my custom Basic Lighting Display Mode, then select named views according to the client's initial proposal. I can export these using ViewCapturetoFile to save out initial draft views.