I'm using ViaCad for modeling solid objects for my 3D rendering projects. In my current workflow I convert the objects to STL meshes in VC, and export them as Wavefront or DXF r12 files.
There is some postwork involved because the faces of the converted objects aren't welded, and when I apply smoothing (Catmull-Clark subdivision for example), the faces fall apart. I have to weld the faces manually and set edge creasing in the 3D application (Carrara in my case). With a complex object, this can be rather tedious.
I know that I can change the resolution of the objects before converting them to mesh, but is there is a better way to create smoothable objects in VC?

You are right, thank you, wavefront export keeps object faces together. I export the solid as a wavefront object, then I import it to Carrara. Then facet boundaries are correctly creased. What I noticed is that there are a lot of duplicate vertices that causes all kinds of anomalies. Luckily, Carrara can remove them and then the mesh is fine.

I now realized that some problem occurs when I convert the solid object to mesh by changing the object type. The solid is converted to a couple of meshes which show up as a individual parts and not a single continuous mesh.

You will get that from any nurbs package when outputting meshes.

Attempting subdivision on a mesh can have problems unless the mesh as good topology with quads.
What type of modeling are you doing?
I also use carrara for importing models from VC to render.

- Steve

Just some hobby projects, any solid objects. To tell the truth, I'm still learning this. I try to find objects that I can create with my current skill level, learn in the process and have fun doing so.

It's good to see a fellow Carrara user here in the ViaCad forums :).

This sounds like a good idea to me. Looking at other's workflow is a very good way for learning. Screencasts like those provided with VC would be great to see things. It would be really nice to have vids of modeling items in VC from start to end, as the current VC vids are focusing on feature presentations, mostly.


I'd be glad to see your work, then.



I'm using Hex too. It would be a very potent tool if DAZ could fix the pending issues. I'm waiting for 2.x?/3?, but not with bated breath, though.

Hi,

An option you may want to try?

Output from Viacad in "Step" format. This when you import into Carrara will give you various options for the creation of the actual mesh inside Carrara.


- Stem

Ah, sorry, I did not think of that.

In hindsight, I should of only purchased the standard. I dont use the modeling tools in Carrara.

How are you doing with the obj export?


- Steve

Looking good there.

You appear to be picking up VC very well.

I did make a chess knight. I posted a screen grab and a quick render. The model could of been made better, but it was a good learning exercise. I was not actually thinking of making all the other pieces, but if you are interested, maybe we can build some of the others between us on a thread? I can post the base that I used so we can keep that consistent, then just see how it goes. (No problem if you dont have time or not interested.)


- Steve