Batch files for loading plans

[fparmenter]

Instead of using the graphics interface, does SweetHome 3D have a way of importing batch files? In other words, say I have a plan with 100 walls and I know the beginning and ending point of each wall and their thicknesses. Instead of using the graphics interface to draw all 100 walls I'd like it if SweetHome 3D could read a file like:

Object,X1,Y1,X2,Y2,Thickness
Wall,10.2",12.8",10.2",24.6",5"
Wall,24.1",22.0",20.0",24.6",5"
Wall,42.3",32.6",89.7",24.6",5"
.
.
.

and generate the plan for me. Does SweetHome 3D have anything like that?

[okh]

..draw all 100 walls I'd like it if SweetHome 3D could read a file like...

Interesting question, nice idea. Short answer is, no, but ... thanks to SH3D .xml there are workarounds (for 100 walls, you may be better off doing it manually using CTRL-SHIFT-move with some template walls, though).

Long answer is, extract Home.xml from a simple .sh3d file and edit. The XML is nicely formatted and straightforward to read. For instance, a simple home with four walls (and corners) and one wall across, will have some introductory stuff and walls specified at the end:

Code: Select all

...snip...
<wall id='wall0' wallAtStart='wall3' wallAtEnd='wall1' xStart='0.0' yStart='0.0' xEnd='1000.0' yEnd='0.0' height='240.0' thickness='30.0' pattern='hatchUp'/>
<wall id='wall1' wallAtStart='wall0' wallAtEnd='wall2' xStart='1000.0' yStart='0.0' xEnd='1000.0' yEnd='800.0' height='240.0' thickness='30.0' pattern='hatchUp'/>
<wall id='wall2' wallAtStart='wall1' wallAtEnd='wall3' xStart='1000.0' yStart='800.0' xEnd='0.0' yEnd='800.00006' height='240.0' thickness='30.0' pattern='hatchUp'/>
<wall id='wall3' wallAtStart='wall2' wallAtEnd='wall0' xStart='0.0' yStart='800.0' xEnd='0.0' yEnd='0.0' height='240.0' thickness='30.0' pattern='hatchUp'/>
<wall id='wall4' xStart='0.0' yStart='300.0' xEnd='1000.0' yEnd='300.0' height='220.0' thickness='10.0' pattern='hatchUp'/>
...snip...

If this XML does not look frightening, you will probably also know what to do to batch import (use cm!). To be more specific, for instance like this, step by step.:

• Make a simple home with one wall in SH3D.
• Save and compress.
• Rename file to .zip.
• Open .zip and extract Home.xml for editing.
• Create a spreadsheet with . decimal separator.
• Enter/paste the required values for each wall in A1 to I1
• (convert units from imperial to metric)
• Use [font=courier new]=concatenate("<wall id='",A2,"' wallAtStart='",B2,"' wallAtEnd='",C2,"' xStart='",D2,"' yStart='",E2,"' xEnd='",F2,"' yEnd='",G2,"' height='",H2,"' thickness='",I2,"' pattern='hatchUp'/>")[/font]
• Copy and add (paste) the result to add lines in Home.xml
• .zip Home and rename yourfilename.sh3d
• Open file with SH3D

This works (tried quick spreadsheet [:)] ), but getting hundreds of walls right (and possibly with rooms etc), will require some coffee.

ok

[Puybaret]

If you know Java, you could also try to program a plug-in that would read a file at the format you want, parse it and call Sweet Home 3D API to add the matching walls to the edited home.