11 replies to this topic

[Dale Mitchell]

Sorry to bother the forum with so simple a topic but I can't find info anywhere on this.

 

I am simply desiring to export a 3DTextured view to PDF format.  Surely Softplan is able to do that.

 

I tried to get cute by exporting to Sketchup and getting my PDF's from Sketchup, which is easy but was confounded by the export being in Sketchup 2018  and that is no longer free.  

 

I tried to go via the Softplan+ route and reView but don't know how to register for a reView account (I have Softplan 2020 that I am told comes with Softplan+)

 

The Softplan help file tells me to go to File--reView--Portable Document Format(PDF) but there is no such option available to me under File--reView.

 

I have finally created a model that I think is worthy of the client taking a look at but am frustrated at trying to get it to him/her.  It would be just too cheesy to take a screenshot and send that.

 

Is there a better way?

 

 

[Steve Haarmann]

Try a pdf printer driver like CutePdf

[Mark Beard]

Does it have to be a PDF file? Would render image to file and/or save as a jpg or png work?

[Roland Warkentin]

Put the view unto a planset page then you can export it as PDF

[Dale Mitchell]

Thanks everyone

 

Merry Christmas

 

Dale

[Dale Mitchell]

Well, I tried all three suggestions and hit roadblocks in all of them.

 

Steve, I'm having trouble downloading Cutepdf.  And if I finally do get it to work, I have no idea where to look for a file within Softplan to use with Cute.

 

Mark, it does not have to be a PDF.  Just seemed like the easiest to send and most  universally accepted type of file.  Render image to file and/or save as jpeg or png might work but I have no idea how to do what you said.

 

Roland, I was able to create a planset and put the main floor into it (major success!!) but when I try to drag the 3DTextured file to the planset nothing happens.

 

So still looking for answers.  I have a call in to Softplan Support but they are very busy today.

 

May have to go with screenshots.  Can't believe it is this difficult....

 

But thanks anyways for your suggestions.  Each followup leads to an incrementally better understanding of SoftPlan.  Too much invested in this software to give up, but I am finding it quite a challenge (obviously).

 

Dale

[Gary McKeon]

Sorry to bother the forum with so simple a topic but I can't find info anywhere on this.

 

I am simply desiring to export a 3DTextured view to PDF format.  Surely Softplan is able to do that.

 

I tried to get cute by exporting to Sketchup and getting my PDF's from Sketchup, which is easy but was confounded by the export being in Sketchup 2018  and that is no longer free.  

 

I tried to go via the Softplan+ route and reView but don't know how to register for a reView account (I have Softplan 2020 that I am told comes with Softplan+)

 

The Softplan help file tells me to go to File--reView--Portable Document Format(PDF) but there is no such option available to me under File--reView.

 

I have finally created a model that I think is worthy of the client taking a look at but am frustrated at trying to get it to him/her.  It would be just too cheesy to take a screenshot and send that.

 

Is there a better way?

Dale,

You have to be "in your 3D model" in order to do what you want. So, open up your model then go to "file" and scroll down to review and there is a flyout that will give you the option to export to "review". Personally I would export it as a png or jpeg. To do this you, again, have to be "in" the model. Go to 'file', save, save as, image. You then have the option to save it as a png, tiff, jpeg or bitmap. Choose which type and then give it a file name and location and you will then be able to email it off. 

 

PDF files tend to have a much larger size and, well, for sending out a picture of your model to a client I just prefer jpeg simply because most everyone knows what that is. They may not know what a "png" or "tiff" file is. Make it easy. Help?

[Dale Mitchell]

Gary,

 

Thanks for the explanation, which fits with my level of understanding Softplan.

 

I was able to send views to the client, just in time for Christmas.

 

Because of time constraints I may need to finish this project in my old 2D software, but I have high hopes for turning out a full SoftPlan project in the new year.

 

Happy New Year

 

Dale

[Gary McKeon]

That is great Dale. Makes for a nice "gift".

 

Having used autocad for decades now (and still do) I understand about doing what you need to just get it done. At some point you will want to get rid of that notion though as it becomes an excuse to not make that leap to primarily using Softplan. I still use autocad because I have a client that I am doing an awful lot of work for that uses it and wants it in dwg form. I do a fair amount of importing dwg into softplan as well. While I can do most anything I need to in Softplan when it comes to dwg plan modifications and such there is just no comparison with autocad time frame wise. So many more tools in autocad that are just so much faster. That said though I always enjoy going back and using Softplan for all of my other projects. In the end all of these programs are just tools so its nice to have a few different ones!

[Dale Mitchell]

Just a quick followup.

 

I left this question with SoftPlan support; when they called back, I determined that Softplan cannot export a PDF from 3D mode.  Once I understood that, everything else started to make sense.

 

Dale

[Keith Almond]

There is a much easier way to export a JPG ... even a high resolution one. I'll have to open Softplan to get all the right steps, it involves sending the 3D model as a file, just by clicking REGENERATE.

 

I'll open it up tomorrow and post the result.

[Keith Almond]

Okay ...

 

In the 3D window set up your MODEL as you want it to appear, then go to:

 

OPTIONS > OUTPUT OPTIONS and check OUTPUT TO FILE.

 

Once you do that, you are given a selection of parameters ... you can make the size anything you want. There are a number of standard image sizes, but selecting custom will enable you to output at practically any size you want ... I seem to remember there is a limit, but that may depend on the capability of your computer.

 

Once you click OKAY, you can name your image (the default directory is the PROJECTS DIRECTORY) and save the image.

 

You can save multiple images, by rotating/repositioning the model, and selecting REGENERATE, which will allow you to add another name.

 

Regenerate will keep giving you that option, until you go back to OPTIONS > OUTPUT OPTIONS and uncheck OUTPUT TO FILE, which will put you back to the standard "mode".

 

Much quicker and easier than "Save as" or taking screenshots, and gives YOU the control of the image resolution.

 

Give it a try!