Export as .dwg

I am having trouble with opening a .dwg file, using AutoCAD 2013, that was created in Illustrator CS5 as an .ai and exported as a .dwg. Has anyone done this successfully and how?

when exporting as dxf or dwg, i have tried using each version of AutoCAD and the Maximum Editability option and the file ends up as a solid shape.
we (our client is an architect) eventually went with a WMF format, but now that file is showing up way too large. a 75 inch wide panel is coming in to AutoCAD at over 78 feet wide. we've got numerous files and it looks like they are having to scale each one down independently, which is a bit more time consuming than we'd like.
are there any reliable third party plug-ins or apps that make Illustrator play nicer with AutoCAD?

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How do I export a .dwg file so the Search/Find function can be used on it?

I have some .dwg files that my co-worker exported to PDF. It is crucial for me to have the ability to use the search or "Find" function in Reader. There are 11 different .dwg files exported into an 11 page PDF, but some of the were exported with different properties. I can search on 4 of them, but the other 7 are unsearchable. I believe my co-worker user Autodesk TrueView to export the .dwg files to PDF. So my question is what program I should use (I believe that TrueView is capable of what I am trying to do, but I'm not sure) and how should I set up the the settings before I export it to PDF. Thanks.

You need to contact Autodesk, almost no one here is likely to be familiar with what Autodesk can or cannot do.

Exporting to dwg - how to get blocks from groups?

Hi,
is there a way that Illustrator generates AutoCAD blocks from Illustrator groups when exporting to dwg?
Or, is there any other way to generate blocks directly while exporting?
Hope this is clear.
thanks for your support!

It didn't work for me. AutoCAD "blocks" are like symbols - they are oftentimes called "symbols" in other CAD programs. Blocks are internal to an AutoCAD DWG file. AutoCAD also has external "blocks" called external references.
I tried exporting symbols from AI to DWG, and also tried exporting a file with multiple instances of a placed AI file. I get the same results. AI created multiple blocks with different names.
The only workaround in AutoCAD would be to "explode" the AutoCAD DWG in AutoCAD and put that on another layer. Then, reinsert the blocks where they need to be, then turn off the exploded layer. Not a very elegant workaround, but it depends on how many blocks you have.

How can I export an Adobe illustrator CC .AI file to a DWG or DXF file suitable for SolidWorks?

Hi
Can anyone help?
How can I export an Adobe illustrator CC .AI file to a DWG or DXF file, without SolidWorks enlarging the file & converting every curve into hundreds of short little straight lines rather than a single continuous line/s.
I have made sure the file is ungrouped or has any compound paths or colours.
Opening it in Autocad 2010 still converts the DWG file into hundreds of short little straight lines!
The file is needed to laser cut out an aluminium shape using SolidWorks 2008 (Metal soft)?
Formats they can handle are:
DWG, DXF, IGES, IGA
There must be a way to export it without re-drawing the whole design in Soildworks again!!??
Can anyone help?
INCA

Not really. This is a limitation you will have to live with. Unless you are extremely careful, most paths will be converted to polyline segments by AI and in particular in AI CC this is somehow busted, so it happens more often. You might have much more luck opening a native AI file in DraftSight or a 2D CAD program like TurboCAD and exporting a DWG or 2D IGES/ STEP file from there. The sizing issue is a different matter, but without knowing what units you actualyl used, nobody can advise.
Mylenium

Illustrator CS6 DWG export also creates PNG/JPG Rasters?

Why does Illustrator CS6 create a bunch of raster images (PNG or JPG) files when I export to DWG? There's no way to turn it off, is there? This is stupid.

Also, they changed the way DWGs are exported, from CS5, again. It was working fine before, now not only does it add an array of raster images, it's buggy as hell. I get some lines but not others. I don't see any rhyme or reason to it, yet. This is really frustrating. My art is not complex at all.

Adobe Illustrator PDF to DWG Export (multiple PNGs)

Hi,
I've a got a series of PDFs to export to DWG format. I've recorded an action which works fine, but some of the them take ages as it creates 100s of PNGs file which seem to contain nothing.
There doesn't seem to be an option to not export to PNG/JPEG components in the Export DWG dialog box and I don't know either what I'm looking to delete in the PDF to prevent this. Any ideas?
Thanks.

Don't think so. Links in DWG/ DWF files are just custom data fields and can link to any external reference, which can be an URL, but also just a local file, another drawing, a database or whatever. Therfore there's no surefire way to tell whether a link is actually a properly formatted hyperlin and that's why it probably wouldn't make much sense for AI to interpret this data in the first place. However, ACAD et al. can export PDFs, so consider using this functionality and then refining the PDF...
Mylenium

No 3D data upon DWG or DXF import from ArchiCAD

I have been trying several times to import 3D models that were generated using ArchiCAD 11 & 12 into Acrobat 3D Version 8. I was using different approaches on each attempt. ArchiCAD is not installed on my computer.
Importing the models as .DWG file returns a 2D floor plan drawing while importing as .DXF returns a 2d floor plan that can be moved around and rotated in 3D space. After importing as .DXF the model tree is included in the PDF. However, the 3D data has no 3D information but remains a plain 2D drawing.
Is this an Acrobat 3D issue or is there a way to maintain the 3d data upon importing?
I am no CAD expert at all.
Thanks in andvance.
digital_rescue

Adam,
The export filters that you've seen are used in Structured FM when the graphics have been imported by copy (which isn't really a recommended practice in the first place). You set up the read/write rules to specify what format to export the graphics as.
However, if you use a standard workflow where the graphics are imported by reference, there is nothing to export as the graphics are always available externally.
If you're expecting the entire FM "page" to be exported in DWG/DXF format, then this is simply not possible from FM. There are third-party PDF to CAD export utilities available, which may be worth considering if you need the entire page exported.
If your client just wants access to the DWG or DXF files when working through the documentation, then using a tool like Microtype's TimeSavers to create an interactive PDF Portfolio with links to the original CAD files from the FM files would be the route to go. You can also include fully interactive 3D CAD drawings into the PDFs via FM, giving your client the ability to interactively explore parts assemblies in the documentation.
For background on PDF Portfolios, see:
http://www.layersmagazine.com/build-a-better-portfolio.html
http://acrobatusers.com/tutorials/combining-files-pdf-portfolios
http://acrobatusers.com/tutorials/acrobat-9-pdf-portfolios
there are quite alot of tutorials and videos on the Acrobat Users site on Portfolios weel worth exploring.
For TimeSavers general see: http://www.microtype.com/timesavers.html
For 3D samples see: http://www.microtype.com/showcase3DAsst.html

Can you export an Image Trace from CS6 to ArcMap 10.0 and then convert it to a shapefile?

I am new to AI CS6 and I hope that Image Traces can be exported as files that are usable in ArcMap 10.0. I ultimately need a shapefile in ArcMap.

You export a DWG from AI and import it into ArcGIS. Read the ArcGIS help and forums for instructions and tips on how to avoid problems.
Mylenium

Layers from a PDF to be recognized by Illustrator

I have exported a dwg to pdf using Autocad, now when I open the pdf with acrobat 9 I can see the layers from the dwg file with the same names and everything, and turn them on and off. When I open the same file with Illustrator the layers are all in one layer broken out in radom groups. Is there a way to get Illustrator to recognize the layers I can see in the PDF? I don't want to open the DWG file with illustraitor because I loose all of my line weights and I have some Linetypes that i custom made in AutoCAD that do not migrate over to Illustraitor. I think the PDF file that AutoCAD exported the drawing to is an older PDF verstion, but I cant seam to save the PDF as a newer version with acrobat 9. Please help I have wasted half a day trying to figure this thing out.

Here is a slightly convoluted work-around that should work; In Acrobat 9 go to View> Navigation Panels> Layers, turn down the little triangle to see the layers, turn off all but one layer, Do a save-as to "Layer_1" and click the little icon that looks like two gears and select flatten layers.
Place this PDF into Illustrator and name the layer appropriately. Do the same thing for the other layers.
It seems flattening the PDF will remove editability in AI, so if this is important to you, you will need to remove the all of the elements in Acrobat that you don't want on each layer, this is easy with PitStop, an Acrobat plug-in, (hide the desired layer, select all and delete) but it can also be done with Acrobat, Tools> Advanced editing> touch up tools> (click and drag to select, delete). I believe Pitstop can also delete PDF layers.
Message was edited by: Luke Jennings

Backup 3.2 Help Menu won't help

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When I log in to my wife's account I can access Help.
Tried uninstalling and reinstalling, didn't help.
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"From CAD" is very generic language. What CAD program? What file format?
The problem of faceted and segmented curves is pandemic among common CAD export formats (DWG, DXF). Illustrator isn't doing that. To avoid it, the source program will have to be able to export in a format that translates curves to splines which programs like Illustrator can read as Bezier curves. The source program's ability to do that depends on the program, and on the knowledge of its user. You may need a third-party translation program.
Garbage in, garbage out.
Re-working the problem (reconnecting the paths) is particularly problematic in Illustrator because Illustrator still has no decent ability to join multiple paths at once--something all its mainstream competitors have had for many years. There are third-party add-ons for that; their effectiveness varies and their usefullness depends on the specific drawings in question.
JET

Sketchup vector clay renders in illustrator?

Hi
I"m trying to do a clay render after effect in illustrator.
i'm exporting a dwg. 2d export from sketchup
photoshop export of black shadows so that i can do vector trace in illustrator and add gradient and blur effects
the video is here that gave me inspiration. can anyone elaborate on this please ? this video is about photoshop shadow effects in a 3d model [exported as a 2d jpeg image from sketchup]

well, as in the video, the shadows are exported, and then levels are adjusted to get shadows alone. so..illustrator can trace the shadows.
Regarding the linework... sketchup can export the file as 2d dwg. drawing. which will give us 2d wireframe of the whole building, that is visible on the picture plane
so we indeed would have 2 vector things
1. the linework of the building
2. black patches of shadows.
the rest of blurring can be done in illustrator somehow, yes?

Newbie needs some help

Hi -
What I have is some artwork from a customer in a PDF format. I am taking that artwork, converting it to a JPEG, bringing it into my CAD software (solidworks/photoworks) as a decal, and overlaying the artwork onto the finished design. My problem is the imported artwork has a "white background" for lack of a better term, behind the colors. This background essentially hides all the stuff directly behind the decal.
The artwork has the outline of the part it is to be printed on, which I would also like to remove. In illustrator, the artwork and outline of the part come into the software as a single object (I hope that is the correct terminology)
Is there a way to remove the white background and the outline and have just the artwork left (colors) and the export to a JPEG? I'd post the artwork but I'm not sure my customer would approve even though its a released product.
Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks
Joe

You might be able to bring a pdf into your CAD program and AI also
exports to dwg and dxf.
Can you take a screen shot of the file and post it here by using the
camera icon in the text input form when posting a response here?
The white background may not actually be there but if there is a shape
it can be selected the same as you would in A CAD program
with a selection tool.
The selection tool is a black arrow and the direct selection tool is
the white arrow it is used to select a single path that might be part
of a group of paths
most people use this more often then the black arrow.
You can also go tot he layers panel and expand the layer even if
everything is collected on one layer and click at the right side of
each path to select the path you look at the art on the canvas to see
which
path is selected it will be highlighted showing the path. when you
have the one you want to delete you hit delete or back key on the
keyboard. Then either save the file as a pdf or export as dwg dxf
ortiff or png or jprg or what you think looks best when you bring it
back into your program.
Select part of the art with the direct select tool with the path highlighted blue
The same file with the path deleted

Mode filaire dans Illustrator CS4

Bonjour,
J'ai besoin, via CS4, de modifier des dessins techniques en les passant en mode filaire afin de modifier la taille des traits, par exemple.
Souvent, des documents pdf apparaissent avec des selections possibles de sections/rectangles et non trait par trait.
Comment faire?
Par avance merci pour votre aide.

En fait le problème d'un fichier pdf, tout comme un eps, c'est qu'il ne contient pas forcément des données vectorielles. Il peut également contenir des images en pixels. Ces dernières ne seront quasiment pas modifiables dans illustrator.
De quel logiciel provient le tracé ? Peut-être est-il possible de l'enregistrer différemment qu'en créant un pdf ?
Sous 3ds max il me semble qu'il est possible d'exporter en dwg, en principe ça s'ouvre sur illustrator mais le résultat n'est pas toujours très bon...
Sinon j'ai peur que la seule solution soit de redessiner tout le tracé en se servant du fichier pdf en fond comme modèle.
Eventuellement tu peux tenter une "vectorisation dynamique" après avoir sélectionné l'ensemble des rectangles, mais la qualité du résultat dépendra de l'image de départ.
N'hésites pas à en mettre un aperçu en pièce jointe si ce n'est pas trop confidentiel, d'autres solutions sont peut être envisageables...

CS4 files not converting to cad- help

I've been trying to export some CS4 Illustrator files to cad for laser cutting. Fab shops here use mostly Solidworks, but can use autocad. I'm selecting dfx/dwg in the export, and scaling to inches, even double checking the scaling is correct from a decimal measurment found on another forum thread, and it is-- but I've tried this about 8 times now with 2 different fab shops and they both say when they open the files the scaling is WAYYYY off, and there are breaks and "splines" all over that are disconnected.
Can anyone help? I'm on a killer deadline of course too. A big sculpture commission is riding on me firguring this out. Please???

First find out what version of Solidworks they are working withy and what is the highest version of AutoCAD it supports that is 2006 0r say 2010 etc.
It may be that they are using an older version then I would say eps or opening in Draftsight and saving back to an earlier vesion of AutoCAd would be the way to go.
BTW they should be more specific as to how youy should export the file rather than leaving the responsibility of you to figure out their work flow. Not too professional on their part.
However they may be wanting you to pay them a fee to make it work and do some this for you, if you get what I mean. Printers use to do this when they sense the party was new to printing.
We use to ask well if this isn't correct or that isn't correct how would you want it and they would say well don't yuou know when there was ten possibilities of course only one workjed for their woprk flow and you could hire them and their staff would do the work for you. I am not saying this is their game but it strikes me as odd that they have never come across this issue and don't know how to handle it.
I am using CS 6 and thyis was my results with with back and forth between Draftsight and AI CS6 the latest AutoCAD version is 2006 that Illustrator supports.
I exported this to dxf from AI CS6
I got this in Draftsight when iopened it
I alteresd it in Draftsight like this and exported a dwg AutoCad 2006…2010 the latest version does not open in Illustrator
I then opened the dwg file in AI CS 6 and got exactlky what one would expect so this should also work in CS 5 and CS 4 since there is no difference in the support in those version.

Freehand to Autocad or Archicad

Hello
By any chance, do you know how can I import my Freehand 10 files into Autocad or Archicad
Thanks in advance
Best
Cyril

I'm using FHMX on Windows7 - others may have better methods.
You will need an application that can import files from FH and export to DXF.
A couple of methods I use:
export each grouped FH layer as an illustrator 88 file and include common registration marks top left/bottom right on each layer
open the individual illustrator files in CorelDraw and rebuild the drawing file layers snapping each layer into place
export the CorelDraw file as DXF
import DXF into AutoCAD
Using Illustrator CS5:
Illustrator CS5 can open FH files directly and then export as DWG or DXF and CS5 preserves the FH layers. I have used this method with simple FH files, but I don’t know how more complicated files react.
Expect some problems with text , bezier curves, fills etc. with both methods - its not perfect.

Export as .dwg

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