Import Structures in 3D

Owned by Kester Scandrett
Last updated: 31 Aug, 2018
2 min read

EE8 allows users to import pre-defined structures for visualization using View3D tool. This allows users to get a better feel for the model domain by displaying significant engineering structures in the model domain. Any COLLADA file can now be imported to 3D View as an overlay file. COLLADA stands for "COLLAborative Design Activity" and is an interchange file format for interactive 3D applications. It has a .DAE extension (digital asset exchange) add defines an open standard XML schema for exchanging digital assets among various graphics. COLLADA has been adopted by ISO as a publicly available specification, ISO/PAS 17506.

EE handles the COLLADA file as an overlay file which can be accessed in the Display Options menu shown in Figure 1. To add the 3D structure to View3D the user can either Browse to the file, or use more convenient "drag and drop" function to import *.DAE file directly to intended location in ViewPlan or View3D.


Figure 1 3D Structure: Setting overlay file.


Once loaded in, the users have extra flexibility such as adjusting X,Y,Z co-ordinates, re-scaling the object in three dimensions as well as changing the angle rotation using the Placemark button as shown in Figure 2. This button may also be accessed with the Alt U key stroke from ViewPlan or View3D. In View3D the user may select the Move checkbox to allow the object to be dragged on the screen by the cursor to place it more exactly. An example of a complex structure that can be loaded into View3D is shown in Figure 3.



Figure 2  3D Structure: Setting place marks.




Figure 3  COLLADA file in View3D.


In certain cases the user may need a 3D structure to update during an animation. This is especially useful if simulating an hydraulic structure such as a sluice gate. To configure this case the user should select the Options button which opens the form shown in Figure 4. Here the user can specify a time and a corresponding layer. Once configured the user may save the file for reuse later. The effect of this can be seen here.


Figure 4 Time varying control of 3D images.