Merging documents

Use the Merge command to combine multiple event documents into one. You can also merge all file types that can be opened directly by Vivien. You can merge an existing Vivien document with any of the following types of documents:

• Other Vivien documents
• Vivien documents
• DWG/DXF files
• SketchUp files
• Wavefront files
• Collada files
• Filmbox files
• 3D Studio files

To merge documents

1. Open or create the destination Vivien document.
2. From the File menu, choose Merge.
3. In the browser window that opens, choose the file that you would like to merge into the destination document.

Tip: In the File Type box, select the file type to display only files of this type in the browser window.

4. Click Open.

Result: The Merge dialog box opens.

5. To include all the shortcuts from the original files into the merged file, clear the Ignore Shortcuts checkbox. Otherwise, keep the checkbox selected and all shortcuts will be lost when the files merge.
6. Click OK.

7. Select the base point (the point to be used as the starting point for the merge):

• To align the incoming drawing at 0,0,0 with the existing drawing, select Use 0,0,0 as Base point.
• To use the mouse to select the basepoint for the merge of CAD drawings, select Select Base point with mouse.

8. Click OK.

Result: The Layer Import window appears.

Tip: It is typically sufficient to accept these settings and click Finish. This dialog shows you which layers don't already exist and will be added, and which already exist and will have objects merged into them. By using the drop-downs in the Action column, you can rename layers instead of merging objects to your existing layers, which can help keep your file clean.

9. Click Finish.

Note: If you chose to select the basepoint using your mouse in step 5, you must click in the document or enter the coordinates to set the basepoint.

Merging a DWG/DXF document

To merge a DWG/DXF document

This procedure inserts the imported DWG/DXF file into an existing Vivien document in the location of your choice.

At a certain point, the merging procedure is the same as the opening procedure until the end where you choose where to place the object you are merging.

1. From the File menu, choose Merge.
2. Click Browse to locate the DWG or DXF file on your computer.
3. In the Merge window that appears, beside the File name box, select the DWG or DXF file type from the drop-down list.
4. Browse to locate the file, select it, and then click Open.

Result: The Merge dialog box appears.

5. Select the base point (starting point of the merge):

• To align the incoming drawing at 0,0,0 with the existing drawing, select Use 0,0,0 as Base point.
• To use the mouse to select the base point for the merge of wireframe drawings, select Select Base point with mouse.

6. Click OK.
7. Follow procedure Steps 4 to 13 of the “To open a DWG/DXF document” section. At this point, the steps are the same as with opening until the end when you choose where to place the object you are merging.

Result: The Merge Summary window appears.

8. Click OK.
9. If you chose Select Base point with mouse in Step 5, click to place the object in the drawing.

The CAD Importing Guide

For more detailed information about importing DWG/DXF files, please read through the CAD Importing Guide, at http://cast-soft.com/wysiwyg/cad-importing-guide/.

Merging a SketchUp file

Merging allows you to add the contents of a SketchUp file to the contents of the current Vivien document. For example, if you have a SketchUp object like a piece of furniture that you would like to merge into your existing Vivien drawing, you could use the Merge command.

To merge SketchUp files

This procedure merges the SketchUp file into the current Vivien document, placing the object in the location you specify.

At a certain point, the merging procedure is the same as the opening procedure until the end when you choose where to place the object you are merging.

Before you begin

You must have the SketchUp file saved on your computer to begin this procedure.

1. Open the Vivien file into which you want to add the SketchUp file.
2. From the File menu, choose Merge.
3. Click Browse to locate the SketchUp file on your computer.
4. In the Merge window that appears, beside the File name box, select SketchUp Files from the drop-down list.
5. Browse to locate the file, select it, and then click Open.
6. Leave Ignore Shortcuts selected, and then click OK.

Result: The Merge dialog box appears.

7. Select one of the options to choose the base point for the merged object.
8. Click OK.
9. Follow procedure Steps 3 to 10 from the “To open SketchUp files” section. At this point, the steps are the same until the end when you choose where to place the object you are merging.

Result: The Merge Summary window appears.

10. Click OK.
11. If you chose Select Basepoint with mouse in Step 7, click to place the object in the drawing.