Ecdesign 3D model information

Below you will find a Q&A on how you can best prepare a 3D model before sending it to us for upload into Ecdesign.

We use the software 3D StudioMax to build or adapt models to EcDesign. 3D StudioMax is software for 3D modeling.
Primarily we want to receive the files (3dsMax scene file) in .max format. The models must also meet our requirements listed below.
Please check further down on this page for information on how to use SolidWorks files (.step-214).

Important information - There is a 1500 EUR one time entry fee for new manufacturers to be part of Ecdesign. This is to set up a new manufacturer in our Ecdesign database, add color options and adding the manufacturer to the universal version. One free Ecdesign license during the first year is included in the entry fee. The cost per model is 60 EUR if the model meets the below file requirements.

1. Technical requirement for (.max) file format:

  • File name: the max file must have a maximum of only 22 English letters (A to Z and _and 0 to 9), a unique name and related to the product. Note that the filename will be the object name in ECDESIGN.

  • Units: Use meter (in the System Units Setup change to Meters and in the Display Unit Scale klick on Generic Units).

  • Geometry: The current technical limit for each 3D model in ECDESIGN is maximum 150,000 polygons (triangles).

  • Rendering: Use "default scanline renderer" in the "Render setup" in 3Dstudiomax.

  • Cameras: In the scene you can use one camera but no extra lighting (just Default lighting).

  • Meshes: All model element names must be in English letters only (A to Z and _and 0 to 9).  Be sure that the Normal direction are pointing outwards.

  • Material: Assign color material to all parts of the 3D model. All material used in the scene/model must appear in the Material Editor. Use Only standard materials (no Multi/Sub- Object material or other material like VRay). Use diffuse color with basic parameters and no reflection, bump, refraction or other mapping functions. If you use a bitmap (texture) in diffuse color map be sure that the Coordinates value is default (no rotation or tiles parameters). Ecdesign has its own material, ECD Material. And is using the diffuse color from the Max material. To have the correct ECD material, use the ECDMaterial Name in the list below.

  • The Ecdesign Material name must be entered in the Max Material name textbox, in the Material Editor (Compact) for every Material that is used on the model.

  • You can Use Number _01- and up, if you need to use the same ECDMaterial Name. If you don’t find the correct Material for your parts (elements) use _ECDRoughPlastic.

  • Mapping:  All textures used on the model must be in JPG format or “PNG for transparency textures assigned only to diffuse color”, and all texture names must begin with your company name in one word and then underscore followed by texture name only English letters and ( A to Z and _  and 0 to 9. All the sides on the images / textures need to be in * 2 dimensions like 128, 256, 512, or a maximum 1024 pixels and have 72 pixels / inch in resolution)

2. Using SolidWorks models

3D models to be used in Ecdesign should have a maximum of 150,000 polygons. Only the the shell of the model as the inside will not be visible. Even smaller details (such as circuit cards, ball bearings, screws and engines)  can greatly increase the polygon size of the model and should therefore be remove from the model. We can only receive files in Step AP214 (*step,*stp) from Solidworks. If you send the part in some other file format, you lose the color (RGB).

Here are some ways to reduce the polygon in the model:

- Pick part depend one size by use | Tools à Component Selection  à Select by size.
- Advance Component Selection à In (Category 1) Part volume – SW special (Condition) <= (Value) 1.

You can also remove unnecessary parts as follows:
All models in Solidworks have a tree where you can see all the parts of the model. Most of the time you should name the objects to what they are and if you search at the top you can for example write "screw" and then you see all parts that have the name "screw" in it. You can then easily remove the parts not needed.
PictureImage: A search for all parts including "screw" in SolidWorks
You can also use the defeature tool in SolidWorks to reduce the polygon count.
In the picture below you can see the difference when using the defeature tool.
Picture
Image: Sample model where the defeature tool in SolidWorks was used to reduced the polygon count.

3. Ecdesign material names

You need to change the names on the parts listed in the model design tree,  If you want to have a material and/or colors on the model . For example, Screw_M8_1_ECDChrome_1 and pick the right RGB value. Make sure you choose the same RGB value for all the details that should have the same color and material. This will make it easy for the Ecdesign team to search and select all the parts at the same time and/or put the right material on them in Ecdesign. You can see the Ecdesign material names below. Remember to save the file in Step AP214 format (*step,*stp) from Solidworks to keep the RGB color values.
  • _ECDRoughMetal_01  or  _ECDRoughMetal_.....
  • _ECDCoating_01  or   _ECDCoating_grey  or  ECDCoating_...             
  • _ECDCarPaint_01
  • _ECDMetalPlate_01
  • _ECDChrome_01
  • _ECDPlastic_01
  • _ECDRoughPlastic_01
  • _ECDRubber_01
  • _ECDLeather_01
  • _ECDCloth_01
  • _ECDBrushedMetal_01
  • _ECDPolishedMetal_01
  • _ECDAluminium_01
  • _ECDWood_01
  • _ECDGlass_01
  • _ECDFrostedGlass_01
  • _ECDGlassNoReflection_01
  • Note: we can only use above material names.
  • File Name: All file names, images, materials and/or mesh names must be in English letters (A to Z and _and 0 to 9) only.
  • Lights: Use only standard lightning.