Autodesk 12812-051462-9011 User Guide 3 - Page 1772

AutoCAD Architecture Objects in 3ds Max Each instance of an AutoCAD Architecture (formerly Architectural Desktop or ADT) object is represented by multiple objects in 3ds Max. Whenever the file link process detects a useful distinction between elements of an AutoCAD Architecture object, it automatically separates, names, and groups the elements in 3ds Max to make them easier to work with. The new objects created in 3ds Max through file linking are grouped together hierarchically below a special object called a VIZBlock, allowing you to deal with individual objects in the hierarchy or with all of them as a group. You can view this hierarchy, but you cannot change it in 3ds Max. You can only change the hierarchy indirectly by editing the objects in AutoCAD Architecture, and then reloading them into 3ds Max using the File Link Manager on page 6987. Criteria for Subdividing AutoCAD Architecture Objects The File Link Manager divides an AutoCAD Architecture object into multiple objects in 3ds Max if it detects distinctions based on the following features: ■ Component name ■ Component subtype (for example, in sectioned bodies) ■ Layer ■ Material assignment So, for example, if a window object in AutoCAD Architecture contained a mullion component, but a portion of the component had a different material assignment than the rest of it, the mullion component would appear as two separate objects when linked into 3ds Max. The objects will be linked together with all the other components of the window, but you could modify the material properties of the two mullion objects separately. If you changed the material assignments in AutoCAD Architecture so that the entire mullion component only had one material assignment, then when you reloaded the drawing in 3ds Max there would only be one mullion object present. NOTE Material assignment and Layer are two of the properties used to separate one component from another. When these are changed in the AutoCAD Architecture drawing, new objects are created in 3ds Max, or geometry may move from one object to another. In either case, some scene properties are changed, such as assigned material or scene layer. File Link | 7027