colladaconvert
I am curious if there is a way to export from a vector format (ie: shapefile for PostGIS table) to Collada (.dae). ogr2ogr will do to GML and KML, but not Collada. My preference is to use open source, where at all possible.
Thanks…
EDIT QUESTION
To add a little further, I am hoping to find a way to go directly from vector to Collada. Either with an existing tool, or building upon available libraries.
If possible try to convert it to a .3ds file. I have had more luck with those than .dae for preserving texture.
I found a kludge courtesy of Sephe Fox on GeoNet, extract the definition from a legend graphic:
add a legend to your map document containing only that layer. Then, right click on the legend and convert to graphics. You will have to ungroup the legend and also each of the symbology types, but then you can select the boxes with just the text, by dragging a rectangle around all of them, and copy. You can then paste them as text into Excel, and each will be on a new row.
After you have everything in rows use Excel's "Data >> Text to Columns >> Delimiter '('" to split Label (value) into separate fields and then Search & Replace ) with nothing.
It works but is cumbersome and not what I'd call a solution. Still if you're in bind this might let you keep going.
Another approach is mine the map's Service Definition Draft (File >> Share as service >> Save as service definition file >> Choose 'No connection') , unzip the archive, locate the .msd file, unzip that, find layer_name.xml, then in Excel Open as XML Table and scan for columns FieldName, String, Label.
(Note the RGB columns which might be useful for the related Saving a ArcMap layers RGB values into the attribute table question.)
There is an arcpy snippet in Getting layers from .msd using ArcPy? for getting to the layer file, and a more fully developed script at Using ArcPy to get layer symbology?. I've lost track of the original Q/A that led me to the idea of using a service definition.
Best Answer
To export a vector to
Collada, you can choose any free versions of SketchUp. I give you this link because here you can find a lot of versions, begining with 5. (I've tested only the following versions: 7, 8, and Make. The Make version has enabled the Pro version, for eight hours of work).To be able to load your kml files in SketchUp, you may use the KML Tools plugin. (Also, you need to register yourself as a basic forum member, to be able to download this free plugin). I have used the beta version with no problems (
ae_KMLTools_2.0.0-beta.rbz). just rename therbzextension tozipand extract the archive content into the SketchUp plugin directory:Now, I'm going back to QGIS to show you my vector layer:
Just wait a moment to save my layer as a
kmlfile:Ok, it's done! Please, open SketchUp and specify your location (otherwise your import will fail):
After grabbing your location is done you may begin the
kmlimport:You will see a lot of import options, just press OK, and choose the kml file to be imported. Wait until the import is done and you'll see a summary report:
Well, the kml import is finished and you may start the
Colladaexport:You may choose your desired options, press Ok and your
daeit's ready!Some considerations:
You must know that it is possible to import a shapefile from QGIS into SketchUp
Also, there is the possibility to import dxf in SketchUp
If using the first link I gave you in this post, you can download older SketchUp versions with dxf import embedded, removed from the current versions (I didn't test it).