Floor plans are one of the most common document types in the world of architectural and engineering design. Architects often use them to communicate with contractors, suppliers, and other professionals throughout the design process. And it’s not just home-renovators and DIYers that use floor plans, either. Designers in all fields need to be able to visualize spaces and fixtures in order to make informed choices and create better designs. Now, while most designers can quickly visualize a 2D floor plan, many others would benefit from learning how to convert their own drawings into a 3D model. In this article, we’ll outline the guideline of 2D to 3D floor plan conversion, and give you some helpful tips along the way.
Types of 3D Models
There are a number of different types of 3D models you can create from a 2D drawing. The most common types are CAD (Computer-Aided Design), SCAD (Streamlined Computer-Aided Design), and photogrammetry. – CAD models are created by a computer, and can be created in every conceivable software application. They’re typically created in programs like AutoCAD, Revit, or Microstation. – SCAD models are created by a software program, but are then imported into a different software application to generate the actual 3D model. These programs are specifically designed for 3D design and modeling. Popular SCAD programs include 123D Design, SketchUp, and ModelMayhem. – Photogrammetry is the collection of 3D data using cameras and high-precision laser scanners. This data is then imported into a computer to produce a 3D model. Examples of programs that can import photogrammetry data include AgriChef, Photogrammetry Pro, and Pix4D.
How to Convert a 2D Floor Plan to 3D
The first step when converting a 2D drawing to a 3D model is to draw in the actual dimensions of your space. If the drawing is a horizontal or vertical plan, you can simply trace the drawing onto your 3D modeling program. If there are any other dimensions, you’ll need to measure them out with a tape measure and draw them in as dimensions on your drawing. Next, you’ll need to figure out which software you’ll be using to create your 3D model. CAD programs like SketchUp and AutoCAD have the capability to export any 2D drawing as a 3D model. SCAD programs, on the other hand, require you to create a 3D model in their program first. Once the model has been created, you can then export it as a file that can be imported by other programs.
Get to Work
The first step in creating a 3D model from a 2D drawing is to get to work drawing in your actual dimensions. The key here is to make sure everything is drawn exactly as it appears on your 2D drawing. You’ll also want to make sure you’re using actual measurements, rather than estimating. If your measurements aren’t exact, your 3D model will be an inaccurate version of your original drawing. Once you’ve drawn in your dimensions, it’s time to trace the lines onto your modeling program. Next, it’s important to note that most 3D modeling programs require a “clean-up” process before each drawing can be imported. Some applications allow you to clean up your drawing from the drawing menu. Others require you to “clean up” your drawing manually in the application.
Draw in 3D
Once you’ve traced your lines onto your program, it’s time to draw in your dimensions and the actual space. A good tip is to draw your plan out side-by-side with an identical plan at a consistent distance. This will help you draw everything at the right size and distance to ensure everything is drawn correctly. Once you’ve drawn in your plan, it’s time to trace your lines onto your 3D modeling program. From there, you can trace over your lines with your modeling tool to trace them onto your wall.
Edge detection
When creating your 3D model, some software applications will mark the edges of your drawing. This is the information you’ll need to draw on your application. For instance, in the image below, we have a 2D drawing of a room with the dimensions marked on the drawing. On the left-hand side, we have our 2D drawing with the dimensions marked on it. Next to this, we have a 1:1 scale drawing of the same room. When we trace these edges onto our 3D modeling program, we’ll get a 3D model of the room. Now that we know how to trace lines onto our application, we can move onto the next step.
Import your model
After drawing your lines onto your modeling software, it’s time to import your 3D model. Depending on the type of modeling application you’re using, this can be a simple process. In CAD programs, you’ll need to export your model as an .stl file. Most CAD applications will have a simple “3D printing” setting that you can use to export your model as an .stl file. If your application isn’t a CAD program, you can still import your 3D model into other programs. There are a number of different file formats that 3D models can be exported in, and your application can easily pick up on these file types.
Conclusion
If you’ve ever wondered how to convert a 2D floor plan to 3D, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ve outlined how to create a 3D model from a 2D drawing and given some helpful tips along the way. Now, if you’re looking for a way to visualize your design and make better design choices, you can’t go wrong with a 3D model. After all, there’s no better way to see how your design will actually look when it’s built.
