Autodesk LIGHTSCAPE, Manual

Page: 71 / 362

Importing DWG Files
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3.
Modify the options (described in the following
sections) on the dialog as required, or use the default
settings.
4. Click OK.
The DWG file is imported into Lightscape.
Overwriting or Merging
When you import a DWG file, you can either over-
write the current Preparation file with the incoming
file or merge the incoming geometry with the open
file.
Overwrite
Select Overwrite to create a new Lightscape model
with the same name as the DWG file. Make sure you
save your work before importing a new file using the
Overwrite option.
Merge
Select Merge to add the objects in the selected DWG
file to the current model. The default properties of
the current model are maintained.
Geometry that exists in specific layers in the
incoming model is appended to existing layers of the
same name. New layers are added to the existing
Layers table.
Specifying Units of Measurement
DWG files do not explicitly indicate what units were
used (for example, inches, feet, or meters) or their
values. Because the effect of lighting in a model
depends on the dimensions of the model, it is impor-
tant to indicate what units were used when loading a
DWG file.
To specify units of measurement:
1.
In the Import DWG dialog, select a unit from the
File Units list.
2.
If the units in the model do not represent whole
physical units, set a scaling factor. For example, if the
model has a scale of 1 unit to 500 meters, select
meters as the unit and 500 as the scale factor.
When you import the model, the size of your model
appears and you are prompted to confirm that it
makes sense. If it seems wrong, click Cancel, and
Import it again using the correct units.
If you are not sure of the size of the entire model, you
should check the size of a smaller area after you
import the model into Lightscape. For more infor-
mation, see “Measuring Distance” on page 54.
Grouping Objects into Blocks
When you import a DWG file, the layering and block
structure of the DWG format is preserved.
In addition, you can organize top-level entities (enti-
ties not already included in a block) by grouping
them into blocks, if required.
As Is
Select this option to create no additional blocks.