I have a 3D bridge model generated in AutoCAD that I need to convert into an Inroads 3D model. How can I do that?

RE: I have a 3D bridge model generated in AutoCAD that I need to convert into an Inroads 3D model. How can I do that?

John Green — Tue, 21 Nov 2017 18:50:07 GMT

How do you drop the model to planar surfaces and how do you convert them to surface features? What tools do I use?

John L. Green, P.S.

Designer - Surveyor

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RE: I have a 3D bridge model generated in AutoCAD that I need to convert into an Inroads 3D model. How can I do that?

Michael Alestra — Tue, 21 Nov 2017 12:42:43 GMT

Its been a while since I had to do this...

If I recall, I know you have to you drop the model to planer surfaces and then convert the surfaces to surface features or something along those lines in InROADs.

RE: I have a 3D bridge model generated in AutoCAD that I need to convert into an Inroads 3D model. How can I do that?

John Green — Tue, 21 Nov 2017 11:18:46 GMT

No I haven’t. I’ll try that.

Thanks.

John L. Green, P.S.

Designer - Surveyor

T +1 (304) 356 3010 ‌T +1 (304) 356 3002 ‌C (304) 552-4443 ‌F +1 (304) 357 9222

John.L.Green@mottmac.com

Mott MacDonald

201 Pennsylvania Avenue

Suite 400

Charleston WV 25302

United States of America

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RE: I have a 3D bridge model generated in AutoCAD that I need to convert into an Inroads 3D model. How can I do that?

Robert Garrett — Mon, 20 Nov 2017 21:31:00 GMT

Hi John:

The bridge objects do not need to be terrain models, meshes should be fine. Any mesh, terrain model or solid object type should show up in cross-sections. It sounds like the bridge objects are some sort of special type of Autodesk object which Microstation doesn't recognize except graphically. Have you tried exploding the bridge objects in AutoCAD first, then save as DGN?

RE: I have a 3D bridge model generated in AutoCAD that I need to convert into an Inroads 3D model. How can I do that?

John Green — Mon, 20 Nov 2017 21:17:31 GMT

Robert,

Thanks for the help. My end goal is to have some type of surface file, or files, in InRoads that are surfaces that will show up in cross sections, etc. I have 3D objects of the abutments, piers, beams, median barriers and parapet walls as well as top and bottom of deck, but they are Autocad objects and not dtm surface files. When I try to create a profile or cross sections the dialogue says no surfaces selected. I copied them into my dgn and they appear to be meshes or shapes or 3D objects of some type in MicroStation but Inroads doesn’t seem to recognize them. I am running Power Inroads but I just got it. I am used to running Inroads V8 Select Series 2. Is there some way I can convert these objects into something Power Inroads will recognize. Hopefully by importing from graphics so I don’t have to redraw all these beams and stiffeners, etc.

John L. Green, P.S.

Designer - Surveyor

T +1 (304) 356 3010 ‌T +1 (304) 356 3002 ‌C (304) 552-4443 ‌F +1 (304) 357 9222

John.L.Green@mottmac.com

Mott MacDonald

201 Pennsylvania Avenue

Suite 400

Charleston WV 25302

United States of America

	Website \| Twitter \| LinkedIn \| Facebook \| YouTube

RE: I have a 3D bridge model generated in AutoCAD that I need to convert into an Inroads 3D model. How can I do that?

Robert Garrett — Mon, 20 Nov 2017 17:45:20 GMT

Maybe you don't need to do anything? It may be sufficient to just reference the DWG into the Default 3D model of your road model. If the bridge shows up in your cross-sections then you may be done. (I'm not sure what your end goals might be)

If that doesn't work then I would try the following:

First, in AutoCAD open the bridge model and Save As > DGN. Then reference the DGN file to the road 3D models.

Lastly, If the bridge model is specialized objects only recognized by AutoDesk products then you might have to explode the bridge objects before Save As DGN and reference to the road model.

Keep in mind: I have never had occasion to try the above suggestions but in theory one of the above should work for you since OpenRoads will recognize anything 3D even it OpenRoads did not create them.