Importing/Exporting Geometry

For all acoustical simulations you will need to import a geometry into ODEON. The geometry can be modeled in many different 3D programs. Normally we recommend using SketchUp, since it is the easiest to work with together with ODEON, but a range of other software work as well.

We also have a YouTube playlist with more videos related to importing geometry into ODEON.

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Guidelines for making 3D room models

3D room geometries are typically not made within ODEON, but rather, the user imports models created in an external CAD software.

However, 3D models for acoustic simulations in ODEON need to be made with different considerations than 3D models for architectural visualisation.

This video explains the most important guidelines to follow when creating your own rooms to import into ODEON.

0:00 Intro
0:44 Recommended room sizes
1:59 Highly-detailed models
2:53 Simplification of surfaces
4:13 Curved surfaces
4:32 Modelling windows
4:50 Layers and tags
5:01 Multi-room models
5:18 Water-tight rooms
5:31 CAD formats and software
5:57 Outro

Importing geometries from SketchUp

ODEON’s free plug-in, SU2ODEON, not only allows to export Sketchup models into ODEON, but even use both programs simultaneously and easily update changes! This makes it easier than ever to change the geometry while working with the acoustic simulations in ODEON.

0:00 Intro
1:54 Downloading and installing SU2Odeon3
3:48 Advantages of tags/layers in SketchUp
4:59 Exporting the model to Odeon
5:40 Updating the geometry
6:56 Importing from other CAD to Odeon
7:35 Exporting from Odeon to SketchUp
10:11 Odeon sources & receivers in SketchUp
11:42 Accessing the SU2Odeon3 manual
12:13 Outro

Importing DXF files into ODEON

Learn how to import DXF files from a CAD program into ODEON and fix problems with the geometry.

0:00 Intro
0:11 Importing the full DXF file
1:49 Importing a refined DXF file
3:23 Using layers
4:07 Patching missing surfaces with ODEON
6:19 3D rendered view
7:26 Outro

How to combine or add geometries

There may be times when you need to add new geometry to your 3D model after having spent time setting up the ODEON model. The video below shows how to combine geometries, or add surfaces to your current model, when you are importing your geometry from a CAD software other than SketchUp.

0:00 Intro
1:15 Importing the new surfaces
2:45 Copying surfaces in the ODEON Editor
3:33 Pasting the new surfaces in the room
5:03 Outro

IFC BIM, to SketchUp, to ODEON

By combining SketchUp with the IFC plug-in and the SU2Odeon plug-in, it is possible to take building information models, import them into SketchUp, remove small unnecessary details, and then import it into ODEON. The different elements in the model will be grouped in layers, allowing you to easily assign materials to all elements of the same type, i.e.: concrete to all walls, or wood to all doors.

0:00​ Intro
0:11​ BIM, IFC, and plugins
1:14​ Importing BIM model
2:40​ Importing simplified BIM model
3:48​ Exporting BIM model for ODEON
4:29​ Program not responding while exporting
5:13​ Opening the model in ODEON
6:02​ Surface layers
6:51​ Assigning materials to surfaces
8:23​ Defining source
8:42​ 3D Investigate rays
9:31​ Global estimate of reverberation
10:44​ Imported IFC model
11:08​ OpenGL view