Import SCENE from CAD

[mfaf]

Hello all,

There is a tool in PVsyst to import a shading scene from Helios3D. BUt for those who don´t have Helios3D is there another way to import a layout from CAD to PVsyst?

If I want to create my own import/export from CAD to PVsyst is there a tutorial or any document that explains what are the atributtes from the SHD file? I know I can see how the SHD looks like in a Notepad but there are some which I have no clue what they mean,

Thank you in Advance.

Marcus

[André Mermoud]

The *.SHD files are meant for internal use in PVsyst only. We don't provide any description nor ensure maintenance about these files, which have a very complex structure.

You can import CAD files from diverse File formats (.DAE, .3DS, .PVC). See the help "Project design > Shadings > Near Shadings: Import "

[rees]

The process that I've adopted for converting from a flat AutoCAD layout to PVsyst is to replace all of the PV racking rectangles with 3D faces within AutoCAD which represent the plane of the PV modules. Since we normally use AutoCAD blocks for each of the PV racks, you can just edit the block and draw a 3D face for the plane, the command in AutoCAD is just 3DFACE.

Once all of the 3D faces are there you can just save the file as a .DXF and use the AutoCAD FBX converter to convert to .DAE. The trick is that for some unknown reason, the FBX converter can't convert DXF directly to DAE, it must convert from DXF --> FBX, then you need to load in the newly created FBX to convert from FBX --> DAE.

The FBX converter is available here:

https://www.autodesk.com/developer-network/platform-technologies/fbx-converter-archives

A screenshot is attached to demonstrate what the 3D Face looks like in AutoCAD

[Chris Moskowitz]

For anyone else who couldn't figure out the FBX converter, I found a solution. All of the other forum posts helped get started, so I thought it would only be fair for me to post the solution that worked for me. The following solution is for a rooftop PV system, so you might have to process the finished file differently than I do, but most should be the same.

 

1. Create your .DWG file as explained above. Don't forget after you create your 3D faces, delete all other 2D lines. This will help later when you import to PVsyst. Leave only 3D faces. Should look something like this:

 

2. Use SketchUp to convert .DWG to .DAE file. You can use the web-based version of SketchUp here: https://app.sketchup.com/app. You can also download the app, whichever is your preference. You can use the free trial if you only need it for one project, but you'll have to purchase the subscription after that. It's not that expensive. Import your .DWG or .DXF file to SketchUp with the correct units. Use the measure tool to verify module edge lengths. Finally, export your SketchUp scene to 3DS or Collada (.3DS or .DAE). PVsyst will accept either. I usually do Collada .DAE.

 

3. Import to PVsyst. Open a new 3D shading scene in your project file -> File -> Import -> Import a 3D scene. Select your SketchUp file (.3DS or .DAE). Select the right units under Input Size. Under PV objects, I usually check off "longest edge", and make sure you select the materials to describe the PV face (should be something like "auto_1". Do not touch anything in the terrain section, as it will make your objects import as a building object, not PV faces.

4. Once imported, you will need to move things around a little in PVsyst. My usual process is as follows. I import a ground image, and start creating my building objects that my PV faces will be on. After I create the buildings in PVsyst, I rotate and move the imported modules to fit on the buildings I created. (Tip: Raise the modules higher than the building on the Z axis, change the point of view to XY, then you can fit the modules pretty accurately on the building.) The most important part is to auto-set the height of the modules. Select the modules -> edit -> set auto altitude -> click set auto altitude on the right toolbar, and the modules will stick right onto the rooftop. This saved me so much time.

 

Hopefully, this explanation helps someone out. Let me know if you have a question on this method.