With the help of an 'ARX plug-in' it is possible to import a 3D Hull model from 3D-Show or from Hull Viewer directly into AutoCAD.
An 'ARX plug-in' is a program library that can be loaded into the AutoCAD program. Commands defined inside the ARX become AutoCAD commands and can be typed in and executed from the command line.
'ARX plug-ins' for CADMATIC Hull are available for AutoCAD R14, 2000/2002, 2004, 2005 and 2006. They add the command eaglein to the AutoCAD program. With this command, a 3D Hull model (.mod) which is generated by 3D-Show or by Hull Viewer can be loaded into AutoCAD. The 3D model is generated in CADMATIC Hull by saving a model in 3D-Show or using the Save as command in Hull Viewer. The plug-in for AutoCAD 2004 is compatible with AutoCAD 2005 and 2006.
When 3D information has to be imported into AutoCAD, using the 'ARX plug-in' has the advantage that the imported objects are 3D solids which have a volume. In 3D DXF/DWG files exported from 3D-Show however each CADMATIC Hull element consists of a number of 3D faces which are describing the same volume. So the use of the 'ARX plug-in' in AutoCAD delivers a more useable 3D model.
Loading the ARX plug-in
Make sure that the correct ARX plug-in:
autocadR14.arx,
autocad2000.arx,
autocad2002.arx or
autocad2004.arx (also for version 2005 and 2006)
for your AutoCAD version is available somewhere on your computer (e.g. the directory C:\Program Files\AutoCAD 2004).
There are 2 ways how to load the ARX into the AutoCAD:
- Using the "Tools" -> "Load Application" menu option. The 'ARX plug-in' can be selected to be loaded once, or it can be added to the list of applications to be loaded at start-up. In that way it will always be available in AutoCAD.
- By typing in the commands appload or arx on the command line it is also possible to load the 'ARX plug-in'.
Using the ARX plug-in
Once the 'ARX plug-in' is loaded, the AutoCAD user can type the command eaglein on the command line. The selected model file (*.mod ) is loaded.
Note: It is possible to make the eaglein command accessible in AutoCAD by some menu or button. Please check your AutoCAD manual how to do this.
Note: The 'ARX plug-in' will only process so called 'extrusions'. If you wish to read an Hull model created by 3D-Show, be aware that some entities may be skipped (such as cylinders or irregular solids). So, it is recommended to use models saved by the CADMATIC Hull Viewer, because they solely consist of extrusions.