ArchiCAD plugin - Preferences

Owned by marton (Unlicensed)
Last updated: 05 Dec, 2013
3 min read

In the Preferences Dialog you can set important workflow and export parameters.

Export tab

Export mode

From version 2.7.3 the plugin provides two export modes: "3D Window" and "Independent". Both of them have advantages and disadvantages, it depends on the project which one you have to use.

In 3D Window mode plugin exports the geometries exactly as those are in the ArchiCAD 3D window. Plugin reads out scene information from the 3D window which means this window has to be open before the export (in case it is not open the plugin opens it automatically).

Comparison:

Export speed: it depends on the scene. For example scenes with many solid operations are usually exported much faster in 3D Window mode, while simpler scenes can be exported faster in Independent mode.

3D cutting planes and Marque mode: Independent mode doesn't support 3D cutting planes or Marque mode. In case you need these features, please change to 3D Window export mode.

3D Window and Independent mode use different ArchiCAD API functions to read out geometry information from the scene. Sometimes the function used by Independent mode doesn't provide correct UV coordinates. In case you see strange texture effects on your exported scene, please try to switch to 3D Window mode, it can solve the problem.


Use visibility filters

If it is ON the plugin exports only the items which are visible in the ArchiCAD 3D window.

If you often use the filtered 3D view modes of ArchiCAD, turn this check box ON!

 

Copy textures to export directory

Normally plugin exports only the textures which are in a location not directly readable for the Maxwell Render program (for example images in a compressed ArchiCAD library). With this option you can force the plugin to export all the used textures (it can be useful to have all the scene files at one place).

 

Use first frame as Reference MXS

This setting is only useful in case of animation export. ArchiCAD animation features are limited, usually the geometry doesn't change between the frames only the camera position or the sun settings. It means you can save a lot of memory and export time if you export geometry only for the first frame, and for the other frames you only reference this geometry (via Maxwell Reference MXS). We recommend to keep this flag ON!

Export multi-references as instances

In case this flag is ON and you have many referenced MXS scenes with the same source file in your ArchiCAD project, the plugin exports only the first one as normal object and the others as instances. It can be very useful for example if you create a forest with similar mxs trees. The benefit is the much less memory consumption during render time. It is important to note here that if you have enough memory the render speed is usually better with normal objects. 


FIRE tab

You can set the main render parameters for the FIRE mode.

Time, Sampling Level and Num. Threads are similar parameters what we have in normal render mode. With Quality you can set the actual resolution at which the interactive engine renders (higher value means better quality but slower preview).


Material Preview tab

You can set the main render parameters for the Maxwell material preview.

Time (s)

and

Sampling Level

 

Texture Folders tab

You can add five custom folders to look for missing texture files  (texture files which are not placed in the location they were in when they were used to create MXM material). You can pick the folders using a dialog by clicking on the “...” buttons.