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Electronic Theatre Controls Inc

Vectorworks: My Exported Object is Invisible or Only Visible from Certain Views

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Symptoms

After using Vectorworks to export your model into Augment3d, some objects/faces are invisible or only visible from certain angles (e.g.: Front is visible, Back is not)

Explanation of Issue

Assuming that the object was on a layer that was visible during export (if not, see this post), it is possible that your object does not have any fill or only has fill on one face.

Solution One

  1. Use the Attributes palette within Vectorworks to add a fill to the object(s) in question.
    1. If using object classes, it can be faster to apply the fill attribute to the class instead. (See Setting Class Attributes references below)
  2. Re-export using in the desired format (Collada .dae is the preferred format).
Note-Icon.png

- Not all 3D model formats support textures.

We recommend FBX or Collada for maximum data transfer.
The VW FBX and Collada exports have an option as to whether you want to export the "Materials and textures", ensure that's ticked.

Note: Most export formats store the textures as PNG or JPG files alongside the main DAE/FBX etc file.

If Augment3d can't find them, it'll ask where they are.
You'll need to make sure you copy those onto your USB stick (or whatever) if you need to move the files before importing into Augment3d.

Eos stores all the 3D object and their textures in the esf3d, so you won't need any of the exported files after saving your Eos show file.

Solution Two

Some 3D objects are unable to use the Attributes palette described in Solution One to apply a texture. In this case, you may need to apply a texture to the 3D object directly or using classes. (See Applying a Texture to an Object and Applying Textures by Class to Objects and Components references below)

Note-Icon.png

- Not all 3D model formats support textures.

We recommend FBX or Collada for maximum data transfer.
The VW FBX and Collada exports have an option as to whether you want to export the "Materials and textures", ensure that's ticked.

Note: Most export formats store the textures as PNG or JPG files alongside the main DAE/FBX etc file.

If Augment3d can't find them, it'll ask where they are.
You'll need to make sure you copy those onto your USB stick (or whatever) if you need to move the files before importing into Augment3d.

Eos stores all the 3D object and their textures in the esf3d, so you won't need any of the exported files after saving your Eos show file.

 

Solution Three

Try converting your object to a Generic Solid in Vectorworks using the Modify>Convert>Convert to Generic Solids command. (See Converting to Generic Solids references below)

Solution Four (Soft Goods Tool)

Soft goods drawn using Vectorworks' Soft Goods Tool are transparent when viewed from the back but solid when viewed from the front. Try duplicating your soft goods by drawing over the same end points from right to left and from left to right  to create soft goods that are solid when viewed from all angles (essentially duplicating them back to back).

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