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Old 22nd March 2011, 09:04 AM   #1
mikehoulder
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Default Important issue: inability to import a line of vertices

It's always possible that I have not yet found a way to do it. But the inability to import lines of vertices closed or open using, for example, 3D Studio, VRML, or DXF formats is a major issue. In fact, it determines whether or not I use AC3D at all.

The lack of this ability, for me, consigns AC3D to the dustbin.

I do a lot of my work in MS Excel creating and modifying curves using various Add-In tools. I need in one way or another a means of importing a table of 3D coordinates into AC3D. A typical table will have between 150 to 300 points forming a curve, open or closed.

Mike
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Old 22nd March 2011, 06:32 PM   #2
Andy
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Default Re: Important issue: inability to import a line of vertices

I think there is a pts plugin still included with AC3D - see Help->About-plugins.

You can also easily make an AC3D file containing vertices. See near the end of this:
http://www.inivis.com/ac3d/man/ac3dfileformat.html

DXF files can be problematic because of the large number of versions but feel free to send some sample files of the other formats so we can have a look.
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Old 22nd March 2011, 09:52 PM   #3
mikehoulder
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Default Re: Important issue: inability to import a line of vertices

Thank you, Andy.
Help->About-plugins describes a plugin called "Points Import Plugin - Version 1.1 by Inivis".
I could not find this plugin on the Inivis site. Perhaps you know where it is?

What I did find was Scott Nelson's unix shell-script to convert a file of 3D points (X, Y, Z) into an AC3D line/polyline.

I used his script to hand code an example of 127 points into an 'ac' file. It loaded fine. A screen pic of the line in AC3D is attached.

OK, that solves my problem in principle. But it would be an advantage to have the above plugin if it still exists. I don't want to be snowed under with external format conversion programs

That's good; I can retrieve AC3D from the bin. The main function I am anxious to use is the scaling function which gives me four very precious decimal places of scaling.

I'll post some of my current work a little later.

Many thanks again
Mike
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Old 23rd March 2011, 02:26 AM   #4
Andy
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Default Re: Important issue: inability to import a line of vertices

Renames the file with .pts on the end - the plugin is already with AC3D (if you can read the help, it's installed)
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Old 23rd March 2011, 06:34 AM   #5
mikehoulder
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Default Re: Important issue: inability to import a line of vertices

Blow me down with a wet sock; yes, it is.
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