Archicad Objects Unleashed

Import | Preview | Edit | Manage

With ModelPort you can import, preview, edit and manage settings for a wide variety of objects such as OBJ, FBX, DAE, Revit, SketchUp and more.  We invite you to review the features below that have made it the leading Archicad add-on for editing and managing imported models.

ModelPort Key Benefits :

• Expanded import formats compared to Archicad defaults
• Preview third party models before import 
• Edit imported models from OBJ, FBX, DAE, RFA, SKP & more
• Clean up messy graphics for 2D symbols and 3D models
• Add textures and edit materials for any imported surface
• Delete selected meshes and elements in the ModelPort Editor
• Reduce polygon count & file size of imported models
• Batch import to save time converting third party models

We regularly receive feedback from our users for ideas and enhancements. Our latest update to ModelPort includes 27 improvements and new features (review update details)…

New Features in ModelPort 3.1.2 :

• MVO detail level can be linked to model elements (AC23 and above)
• Insert at Hotspot allows users to customize placement position
• Higher quality texture display in preview window 
• Material search & folders to match Archicad 26 new dialog design

Developed by Day8Design

Formats Supported thru ModelPort’s Direct Import

Formats Supported thru
Archicad’s Standard Import

Import from Archicad for RFA, IFC & other formats

• For formats NOT available as direct import use “Import from Archicad” to edit and manage models such as Revit RFA and IFC.
• Here’s how you use the “Import from Archicad” feature…
  • Import RFA, IFC or Archicad elements using Archicad’s built-in importer
  • Place and select the Object
  • Choose the Import from Archicad option from the ModelPort menu

Import Archicad elements into ModelPort

• Use “Import from Archicad” to import Walls, Slabs, Columns and other elements into ModelPort in order to combine Archicad elements with an imported model.
• In this example we increased performance, cleaned up the symbol and customized graphics of a Viking Range model downloaded from the manufacturer’s website.
• To see the steps in this process click to view video.

Batch Import to reduce wasted time

• If you regularly download objects from third party websites or manufacturers this feature allows you to quickly import files.
• With ModelPort select files and use Batch Import to reduce time importing multiple models.

Multiple model review

• You can have multiple scenes open within the Editor which saves time opening and closing imported models.
• When a new Archicad project is opened ModelPort will not close the opened scenes.

Cleans up 2D symbols and 3D models

• When a model or objects are imported to Archicad with curved surfaces it will often create messy 2D symbols and 3D graphics.
• Imports using ModelPort will automitically clean up both the symbols in plan as well as the graphics in 3D model elements.

Improved View Settings in the Preview Window

• Better accuracy and quality when selecting Archicad Sun Mode as the light source.
• To better visualize models new camera modes have been added for bottom, back and right.
• 3D Axis in the bottom-left corner of the Preview Window is now visible in ortho views.
• Improved 3D grid now automatically scales to model size similar to Archicad’s 3D grid.

Materials and Visual Feedback

• To help users better identify model scenes, surfaces and textures we’ve automated previews and material icons for the following…
  • Preview image is now automated for Material preview sub-view, Scene (GDL image) preview image and Texture preview image.
  • Preview icons are now automated for Scene items, Material items and Texture items.
• When your model is out of view click “Pull Scene” to fit content to window.

Zoom to Selection

• Have trouble viewing changes to selected elements when editing materials, pen colors, fills and other settings?
• ModelPort introduces Zoom to Selection, a NEW feature that allows you to see more clearly the element you’re editing.
• It’s simple – select an element and click the Zoom to Selection button.

Refined & Updated User Interface

• More consistent User Interface with better aligned controls across different size monitors.
• Visual warning sign added to show when a scene is outside of the Preview Window.
• Library part name is now click-editable within the editor.
• Polygon size indicator is now animated to provide better visual feedback.

Enhanced Editing Controls

• Easily edit model sizes with click-editable dimensions within the Preview Window.
• In the Preview Window the mouse cursor changes interactively over editable fields.
• More accurately rescale of imported models with new percentage values.
• Additional context menus added to increase speed when editing imported models.

Reduce file size & polygon count of SketchUp imports

• The default Archicad import offers no options to manage the performance of a SketchUp model import.
• Using the new SketchUp import ModelPort will compress the file size and allow users to control the polygon count.

Sharper Detail with Better Antialiasing Control

• Improved antialiasing control decreases jagged edges and increases graphics quality.
• Antialiasing sample mode increased from 8x to 16x to support high resolution displays.
• Changing sample mode is immediate – no need to re-open the ModelPort dialog.

New & Updated Import Format Options

• ModelPort 3.0 updates to the most recent Autodesk FBX API and Importer Library to support fixes and improvements to our direct import formats.
• With each new release of ModelPort we continue to expand format options for imports to Archicad. In this new version we’ve added two new formats…
  • gltf – File format for Graphics Library Transmission
  • x3d – File format that replaced VRML

ModelPort 3.0 has over 80 new features, improvement and updates!

• This new release has so many improvements we can’t list them all. To see a full list  click here >>

PLUS MUCH MORE…

Edit Properties of Imported Models

• Modify the Properties of the model or be more precise with selection of individual components within the Preview Window.
• Edit selected items by element or by material.
• Control settings by selections within the items list.
• Set the object scale, rotation, material, transparency, graphics and other properties.

Add Textures to Model Elements

• ModelPort allows users to edit textures but many imported elements do not include a texture.
• With this new update you can right click ANY material to add a texture.

Improve 2D & 3D Graphics

• When importing to Archicad objects will often contain triangulated 3D curved surfaces and messy 2D plan symbols.
• ModelPort creates smooth surfaces and generates clean 2D symbols for floor plans.

Select & Edit Materials  of Imported Objects

• Selected materials in the Item List of ModelPort are highlighted in perspective, elevation and plan views of Archicad.
• Interactive selection of elements in perspective, elevation or plan views within Archicad will highlight the material in the Item List of ModelPort.
• View and edit the Properties of a material after it is selected from the Items List or from the perspective, elevation or plan view.

Set Colors & Pen Weights

• NEW: Define the Pen Color for an Object’s 3D Contour 
• In Archicad imported objects typically have limited options for editing Pen Weights.
• With ModelPort users can set custom pens and colors for selected components for the Plan, Elevation and 3D View.

Set Plan Fill Background

• Use ModelPort to enhance the graphics of models imported into Archicad.
• Select components within a view and set the background color for the elements.
• Improve object graphics for design presentations and documentation.

Reduce File Size with ModelPort Format

• The Save Mode offers 3 format options:
  • ModelPort : Reduces size of imported files up to 80% (requires ModelPort Plug-in).
  • GDL : Standard Archicad format but doesn’t store the extra ModelPort information and creates a larger file size.
  • GDL+ModelPort : Provides all the benefits of both options above but creates the largest file size of the two options.

Reduce Object Polygon Count

• An object with a high polygon count can decrease speed and performance of Archicad.
• A Polygon Count Indicator in the 3D Viewer shows red in the bar graph when the polygon count is high.
• With the Poly Reduced Editor you can decrease the polygons on models that have a high polygon count.

Organize Objects with the ModelPort Browser

• The ModelPort Browser helps you organize and preview downloaded libraries.
• The browser offers visual navigation through a library of downloaded objects.
• A selected object in the browser can be opened into ModelPort for review without importing to Archicad.

““I use ModelPort on every project and out of the three version I’ve used I like this version the best.” 
– Chuck Goodman, Pacific Crest Design

Bridge to High Quality Rendering Content

With Archicad’s Redshift rendering engine you can create photo-realistic renderings. But to make them come alive you also need realistic furniture, appliances, lighting, and more.

With ModelPort you can access extensive libraries of entourage and manufacturer products to embellish your renderings inside Archicad.

Rendering courtesy Visualize it Built

TurboSquid has the largest collection of professional 3D models on the web used by architects, visualization studios and creative professionals.

Customers tell TurboSquid they save an average of 27 hours per model, which can be a lifesaver in deadlines, not to mention more profit.

Library Statistics:
– Over 727,000 objects & 19,000 FREE objects

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3D Warehouse is a tremendous resource of searchable, pre-made 3D models that works seamlessly with SketchUp and applications that support the DAE format.

Also browse hundreds of manufacturer catalogs of real-world products, and download them directly into your model for a professional finish.

Library Statistics:
– World’s largest and free 3D model library

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3Dsky is an online model database of high quality, strictly moderated content that is produced by talented artist from around the world.

The 3Dsky service offers a unique sharing system that provides affordable access to a wealth of objects including models from manufacturers.

Library Statistics:
– Over 270,000 objects & 88,000 FREE objects