Issue Importing AutoCAD DXF File into THERM 7.8.71

[Amine KOUHOUS]

Dear THERM Support Team,

I am experiencing an issue while importing an AutoCAD DXF file into THERM 7.8.71.

After importing the DXF file, the profile geometry is not imported correctly. In addition, I am unable to assign materials to the different parts of the profile. The option to select the profile polygons and assign materials appears to be disabled or unavailable, as shown in the attached screenshot.

Could you please advise whether this issue is related to the DXF file format, the way the drawing should be prepared in AutoCAD, or a specific setting in THERM?

I have attached a screenshot illustrating the problem. If necessary, I can also provide the original DXF file for your review.

Thank you in advance for your assistance. I look forward to your guidance.

Kind regards,

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KOUHOUS Mohammed Amine

Ingénieur responsable 

Tel: 0703164661

[Robin Mitchell]

Once you import a DXF file into THERM, if you don't select Autoconvert on the import, you need to trace the DXF underlay in order to generate polygons. And AutoConvert only works if you create the DXF file correctly. 

Here are a few Knowledge Base articles about creating and importing DXF files into THERM

https://windows.lbl.gov/exporting-sections-or-parts-file-autocad-2000

https://windows.lbl.gov/underlays-autocad-versions-2000-and-newer

And a Drawing Tips PDF file that can be found in the Documentation section of the THERM web page: https://windows.lbl.gov/documentation-therm

https://windows.lbl.gov/sites/default/files/software/THERM/Therm7-05-14-DrawingTips.pdf

Robin

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Robin Mitchell

Windows & Envelope Materials Group
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

[Jonathan Spencer]

It looks like there might be a couple of compounding things that are working against you. Getting a dxf to come into Therm exactly right can be tricky. Below are what I  consider best practices for getting drawings into Therm.

In CAD:

0. I am assuming you want to use the auto convert feature in Therm since you talk about selecting polygons. Otherwise, you will be tracing the underlay by hand to create the polygons.
1. Clean up geometry as much as you can in CAD. it is much easier to do it here than in Therm. Get rid of anything you don't plan to model. Get rid of curves.

2a. Use the boundary tool (object type: polyline) to create the polygons that Therm will know how to autofill

2b. No doughnuts. A single polygon can't have any hollows inside of itself. Break loops of material into multiple pieces. Your mullion is a loop and will have to be broken into 2 pieces, for example.

3. Copy all of your cleaned up geometry into a new drawing in CAD

4. Use the purge command in this new drawing

Step 3 and 4  help solve problems where geometry randomly moves like in your example and also clears out phantom lines in your CAD that get in Therm's way.

5. Save your drawing as AutoCAD R12/LT2 dxf

In Therm:

6. File>Underlay, select the units your CAD drawing was in and check AutoConvert. Click OK

If everything went well, your geometry will be created and you are ready to assign materials.

7. If you don't want to AutoConvert, you can skip steps 1-4. You can underlay the dxf and trace it manually. But know that the more work you do in CAD upfront, the better your experience in Therm will be.

It takes practice to get really good at this process. Be prepared to do some trial and error.

[Robin Mitchell]

Thanks Jonathan !!

Would it be ok with you if I added your steps to a Knowledge Base article on the THERM website? 

I do so appreciate all the contributions to user support that THERM users like you generate !!!

Robin

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[Amine KOUHOUS]

Dear All,

I would like to sincerely thank everyone who took the time to reply to my previous email and share your suggestions and advice.

Your support and valuable feedback are greatly appreciated. Your responses have helped me better understand the issue and provided useful guidance for resolving it.

Thank you once again for your time, kindness, and willingness to help.

Best regards,

To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/LBNL-THERM/CACF39Stt8MHaE0dCA5xkRwP_ZH8%3DbJWYgKC9xqDgR5R%2BM4P%2BZg%40mail.gmail.com.

[Jonathan Spencer]

Hi Robin, 

Please feel free to use any of that  :)