prj is a Blender add-on for generating semantic technical drawings from 3d model.
Its main purpose is to help architects and designer to make building and interior drawings automatically.
prj is currently under development and may be subject to changes: using it on production is on your own responsibility.
prj generates linked data-rich SVG drawings.
In particular:
- drawings are in SVG format
Scalable Vector Graphics is a non-binary and non-proprietary format that can be viewed by a simple browser on any device. Interactivity can be implemented on it and its style can be handled by CSS. Editing is easy and graphically powerful using both open source source and proprietary softwares. - drawings are linked
Every 3D object is represented in a single dedicated SVG file and all those files are linked (as<use>element) to the main drawing. That allows to keep files size small and to limit redrawing to changed objects only. - drawings are data-rich
Every object stores information about it directly inside the SVG. Hence text searches are possible over single and multiple drawings.
prj is able to produce drawings in DXF or DWG file format as well.
prj uses Blender Line Art feature and SVG grease pencil exporter.
prj doesn't mean to be a simple drawing tool: its main aim is to be a tool to manage projects information by generating data-rich drawings (a kind of BIM drawing tool).
This is why it generates drawings in SVG format with a linked structure: this way every object in the drawing can return informations about it (product id, size, weight, physical properties, cost, typology, family belonging, etc…)* and allow user to get, for example, bill of quantities or interactive drawing you can query.
* It's important to point out that, at the moment, the add-on is not capable to store some data yet (like quantities) but in future it should be able to do it.
For these reasons it's recommended to complete the drawing process (composing, styling with css, adding annotations and dimensions) using an SVG editor (like the open source Inkscape).
Anyway, if you don't care to keep these information inside your drawings, you can produce DXF or DWG files.
In General flow and process section you can find more informations, tips and tricks about the use of prj in a normal architectural drawing process.
A proper documentation is under construction in the wiki.
In the meantime you can check the Tips and tricks page and find some useful suggestion about using prj
- Donwload the addon from here and install it in Blender
Remember to install the dependencies to complete the installation (if it doesn't work you can try to launch Blender as administrator)
- Prepare the scene you want to draw and make sure that geometries are correct.
- Select the camera for the drawing and set its type as Orthographic.
In data properties window you can set other options for the camera such as the drawing scale or the file name.
Clip start position defines cut plane.
- In order to set the objects drawing properties (like visibility, tagging or symbol type) check the object properties window.
- In the Output properties set the output path. Then, with the camera selected, in data properties window, click on Draw it!
- Your drawing is ready!
Look for the svg file in the output path.
- Use an SVG editor to add dimensions, texts, graphics and create compositions and use css to style your drawing.
