3D DWG to HSF direct conversion program

Joe Dusel · Post by **Joe Dusel** » Sat, Jul 14 2007, 1:08PM

Are there any low cost programs which will directly convert DWG to HSF files? I know that you can do this with a program like TransMagic Basic which costs about $1500. I have typically converted the DWG files to STL, then imported them into eCabs to texture them and save as HSF files, but this ends up with a monolithic item. It would be nice to be able to save a layered DWG file of something like a range with knobs and such and end up with separately controlled elements (like the knobs and grills) that you could color and texture. For instance, red knobs, black grills and a stainless range body.

Thanks,

Joe

Michael Yeargain · Post by **Michael Yeargain** » Sat, Jul 14 2007, 4:17PM

Joe,

I have had a few issues with this as well. In fact I have nearly 300 items that are all the same texture and look cheep when I place them in the room. The stainless steal, and smaller wood items don't look too bad, but I would like the seperated layers as you said to change colors for the seperate components.

Accutrans has a converter for about $20.00. http://www.micromouse.ca/ To the best of my knowledge, it doesn't seperate the layers. I may be wrong. It does batched conversions also.

Hope this helps.

Kerry Fullington · Post by **Kerry Fullington** » Sat, Jul 14 2007, 5:05PM

Joe,
If you have an object that contains multiple layers (parts) you can convert each part to .stl separately using Accutrans then you bring each part .stl into eCabinets one at a time and texture those individual parts to make the whole object. When you save it as an hsf then you will have all of your separate parts. You can change textures of parts by right clicking on a part to select it in the Display Part Editor. I have don objects with over 20 parts in them this way. You are going to have to texture each individual part in other conversion software also.
One problem I have run into is that places like the GE Monogram site don't allow you acess to all of the layers in their drawings.
Kerry

Joe Dusel · Post by **Joe Dusel** » Sat, Jul 14 2007, 7:54PM

Thanks guys. What brought this up was that I had a friend stop by and he told me about using a demo version of the TransMagic program to do the DWG to HSF conversions. He told me how slick it was. And then I saw the price. Ouch. I think I will stick with your method Kerry, or probably just go with a monochrome look if the project is not going to make me a bunch of money.

Thanks,

Joe